TEFA: Texas Education Freedom Accounts
TEFA is an education savings account. $10,474 per private school student for 2026-27.
- Award
- $10,474 per private school student for 2026-27
- Read
- Who qualifies
- Any Texas school-age child may apply.
- Read
- Next date
- Remaining 50% of the award for private school students: February 1, 2027.
- Read · all deadlines
- 2026-27 application window: opens (passed) source
- 2026-27 application window: closes (passed) source
- First 25% of the award for private school students (homeschool and other students get 100%) (passed) source
- Second 25% of the award for private school students (passed) source
- Remaining 50% of the award for private school students source
Each date read on the official page linked beside it (educationfreedom.texas.gov), checked .
Schools that take TEFA Deadlines by state Homeschooling in Texas All 1,733 private schools in Texas
How TEFA works
Checked against the program's own pages on
| What you get | $10,474 per private school student for 2026-27. More for students with disabilities; $2,000 for homeschooled students. |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Any Texas school-age child may apply. Awards are made by priority tier, then lottery. |
| How full it is | More than 274,000 applications were received for 2026-27. As of August 28, 2026, more than 118,000 students held active awards. |
| When to apply | The 2026-27 application window ran February 4 to March 31, 2026: it first closed March 17 and was extended to March 31 (the Comptroller’s home page; its Families page still shows March 17). No 2027-28 dates are posted yet; the state offers an interest list for updates. |
| How the money moves | Funds sit in a state account run for the Comptroller; you direct payments to approved schools and vendors. |
| What it covers | Private school tuition and fees, tutoring, therapies, curriculum, classes, testing and approved supplies. |
| Federal tax credit, 2027 | Texas is on the IRS list of states that opted in to the federal scholarship tax credit (as of September 14, 2026), so scholarship organizations here can take federally credited gifts from January 2027. |
We read this on from: Texas Education Freedom Accounts, August 28, 2026 award update; Texas Education Freedom Accounts, official site (2026-27 window). Rules change when the legislature meets, so check the official program site before you count on a number.
TEFA has no income limit: income sets who is funded first (2026-27)
| Household size | TEFA priority Tier 2 income line 200% of the federal poverty level (2026 guidelines) | TEFA priority Tier 1 and Tier 4 income line 500% of the federal poverty level (2026 guidelines) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $43,280 | $108,200 |
| 3 | $54,640 | $136,600 |
| 4 | $66,000 | $165,000 |
| 5 | $77,360 | $193,400 |
| 6 | $88,720 | $221,800 |
| 7 | $100,080 | $250,200 |
| 8 | $111,440 | $278,600 |
TEFA priority Tier 2 income line. There is no income limit to apply; a child in a household at or below this income is placed in Tier 2, the second priority group after children with a disability, and households between this line and 500% go in Tier 3. Source.
TEFA priority Tier 1 and Tier 4 income line. A child with a qualifying disability in a household at or below this income is in Tier 1, the first priority group; children in households at or above it are in Tier 4, the last group, whose awards may not exceed 20% of program funds. Source.
Who goes first. If applications exceed funding, a lottery orders students within four tiers: Tier 1 is children with a disability at or below 500% of the federal poverty level, Tier 2 is at or below 200%, Tier 3 is between 200% and 500%, and Tier 4 is at or above 500%, with Tier 4 children who spent at least 90% of the prior year in a Texas public or charter school going first within it. Siblings of an accepted child who applied in the same period are accepted too, and from the second year siblings of participants, then new applicants, then former participants who left for a public school are ordered ahead of the tiers.
Apply for TEFA: how it works
- During the application window, open the parent portal from educationfreedom.texas.gov (run by Odyssey for the Comptroller) and submit one application for your household listing every child you want to enroll.
- Enter your Texas address, your Social Security or taxpayer number and your child's Social Security number, upload the 2024 or 2025 IRS Form 1040 that claims the child, and add disability documents if you are seeking Tier 1 priority.
- Choose the educational setting, a participating private school or homeschool/other, before applications close, because the choice locks and sets the award amount.
- Apply to the private school separately, since a TEFA award does not guarantee admission.
- If your child is awarded, opt in through the portal and select the participating private school by the deadline (June 1 or July 15 in 2026, and four weeks from the award for later waitlist awards); the school then confirms enrollment in the portal.
- Private school students are paid 25% of the award first, 25% on October 1 and the remaining 50% on February 1, and homeschool/other students receive their $2,000 in one payment.
What to have ready
- Texas driver license or state ID number, or a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, voter registration card, letter from a U.S. government agency or notarized affidavit of residency
- Parent Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- Child's Social Security Number, or a birth certificate, report of birth abroad, certificate of naturalization or citizenship, or other proof of lawful admission
- IRS Form 1040 for tax year 2024 or 2025 on which the child is claimed (pay stubs and W-2s are not accepted)
- For Tier 1 priority: a Texas IEP, a Full Individual and Initial Evaluation (FIIE), a verified out-of-state IEP, or the TEFA Disability Certification Form
- Military families outside Texas: orders stationing you in Texas for the school year
Go to the official application
Steps and limits read on from: Texas Education Freedom Accounts, Families page and FAQ; Texas Comptroller, TEFA Parent Application Guide (updated Feb. 12, 2026); Texas Education Freedom Accounts, home page (funding, timeline, ineligibility FAQ); Texas Education Freedom Accounts, Lottery Update (May 18, 2026); Texas Education Freedom Accounts, Funding Timelines and Installments (June 4, 2026); Texas Education Freedom Accounts, Waitlist Information (May 18, 2026); Texas Education Freedom Accounts, Nearly 15,000 additional awards (Aug. 11, 2026); Texas Education Freedom Accounts, Toolkit (participating school list download); Texas Comptroller, About the Appeal Process. Limits change each year with the federal poverty guidelines, so confirm on the official site before you apply.
Which schools take it
List dated October 26, 2026, checked November 2, 2026
Schools marked “TEFA school” here appear on the participating-school list the program publishes on its toolkit page (file updated October 26, 2026, with 2,785 entries; about 1,600 of them are pre-K and child-care centres, which we do not add as new listings). We match by school name and city, or by phone or street where the names differ, or by a name that appears only once in the state. A school without the mark may have joined since, so check the official Vendor Finder too.
TEFA award $10,474Award covers the listed priceListed price is higher
The award covers the full listed price at 43 of 106 schools with a verified 2026-27 price.
Prices from each school’s own website, read in October 2026: the lowest listed grade band, fees not included. Award from Texas Education Freedom Accounts, official site (Texas Comptroller), read October 9, 2026.
How far a scholarship goes, state by state.
The share of private schools on each state's list, Texas included.
1,262 schools on the TEFA list, by town Browse private schools in Texas The state’s own list
- Private schools in Houston (216 nearby)
- Private schools in Austin (106 nearby)
- Private schools in Dallas (104 nearby)
- Private schools in San Antonio (91 nearby)
- Private schools in Bellaire (84 nearby)
- Private schools in Addison (66 nearby)
- Private schools in Plano (65 nearby)
- Private schools in Wylie (57 nearby)
- Private schools in Richardson (56 nearby)
- Private schools in Stafford (55 nearby)
- Private schools in Farmers Branch (54 nearby)
- Private schools in Fort Worth (50 nearby)
- Private schools in Carrollton (42 nearby)
- Private schools in El Paso (41 nearby)
- Private schools in Mansfield (40 nearby)
- Private schools in Allen (39 nearby)
- Private schools in Sugar Land (37 nearby)
- Private schools in The Woodlands (34 nearby)
Related programs
Run your own numbers
What would you pay?
Enter amounts of $0 or more.
We filled in the standard TEFA amount. Change it if your award letter says something different. An award can never be more than the school actually charges. This is arithmetic, not a quote.
Approved providers: tutors, therapists and more
1,948 businesses on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts list of approved Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) providers (dated October 26, 2026), by category and town. Individual tutors and therapists on the list are not shown here.
Published tuition at schools on the TEFA list
Prices read on the schools' own websites, October 1, 2026 to October 12, 2026
We verified published tuition at 120 of the 1,262 schools on the list: prices run from $4,000 to $36,950 a year, and the middle price is $11,603, using each school’s lowest published rate. Compare that with the award above to see what a family might still owe.
| School | Town | Published tuition | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornerstone Christian Schools | San Antonio | $12,660 | 2026-27 |
| Red Comet | Frisco | $8,900 | 2026-27 |
| Strake Jesuit College Prep School | Houston | $29,970 | 2026-27 |
| Bishop Lynch High School | Dallas | $26,900 | 2026-27 |
| British International School of Houston | Katy | $31,975 to $36,950 | 2026-27 |
| Bay Area Christian School | League City | $11,860 to $14,850 | 2026-27 |
| St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School | Dallas | $14,760 to $15,050 | 2026-27 |
| Hyde Park Schools | Austin | $19,390 to $29,740 | 2026-27 |
| Islamic School of Irving | Irving | $6,950 to $7,590 | 2026-27 |
| St. Rita Catholic School | Dallas | $19,090 to $19,190 | 2026-27 |
| Austin Peace Academy | Austin | $8,500 | not stated |
| St. Mary's Hall | San Antonio | $22,763 to $35,574 | 2026-27 |
| Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy | The Woodlands | $8,110 to $14,560 | 2026-27 |
| Fort Worth Christian School | North Richland Hills | $15,580 to $24,830 | 2026-27 |
| Geneva School of Boerne | Boerne | $16,965 to $18,360 | 2026-27 |
| Round Rock Christian Academy | Round Rock | $11,025 to $12,475 | 2026-27 |
| Brentwood Christian School | Austin | $12,510 to $14,055 | 2026-27 |
| Lake Country Christian School | Fort Worth | $13,090 to $18,920 | 2026-27 |
| Nolan Catholic High School | Fort Worth | $20,500 | 2027-28 |
| Holy Family Catholic School | Austin | $9,815 | 2026-27 |
| Coram Deo Academy of Collin County | Plano | $8,025 to $11,935 | 2026-27 |
| The Christian School at Castle Hills | San Antonio | $10,584 to $11,928 | 2026-27 |
| St. Thomas Episcopal School | Houston | $24,765 to $32,970 | 2026-27 |
| St. Pius X High School | Houston | $22,850 | 2026-27 |
| Prince of Peace Christian School | Carrollton | $18,900 to $23,900 | 2026-27 |
| Loretto Academy | El Paso | $8,810 to $9,275 | 2026-27 |
| Houston Christian High School | Houston | $33,880 | 2026-27 |
| St. George Episcopal School | San Antonio | $14,050 to $18,050 | 2026-27 |
| Central Catholic High School -San Antonio | San Antonio | $14,900 | 2025-26 |
| Brazos Christian School | Bryan | $11,900 to $16,200 | 2026-27 |
Showing the 30 largest by enrollment of 120. Each figure was read on that school’s own website and is linked on its page. These are the schools we have verified so far, mostly larger ones, so treat them as a guide, not an average. Private school tuition across Texas, school by school.
Put the next TEFA window in your calendar
Most programs open once a year, and several ran out of money or seats in 2026. Pick your state's program to add its next dated window to your own calendar, with the official link, or subscribe to every program's dates.
No new TEFA application dates are posted yet. How TEFA works.
Every program's dates in one calendar that updates when we confirm new dates: subscribe in Google Calendar · subscribe in Apple Calendar or Outlook · all deadlines
Free. Nothing to sign up for: the calendar file is made in your browser and nothing is sent to us. Dates can change, so confirm on the official site.
Questions families ask
These are questions people search for about TEFA. Each answer is our short summary of the official page linked under it.
Do you have to apply for TEFA every year?
No. Families in good standing stay in the program and only need to confirm each year that they want to continue.
Source: Texas Education Freedom Accounts (Texas Comptroller), Families page. Checked .
How many Texans have applied for TEFA?
More than 274,000 applications came in for 2026-27, the program's first year. The state found about 25,500 applicants ineligible and has made more than 100,000 awards.
Source: Texas Education Freedom Accounts (Texas Comptroller), home page. Checked .
Questions parents ask
Answers with a source line are short summaries of the program document named under them. Follow the link for the full wording.
How much does TEFA pay in Texas?
$10,474 per private school student for 2026-27. More for students with disabilities; $2,000 for homeschooled students.
Who is eligible?
Any Texas school-age child may apply. Awards are made by priority tier, then lottery.
Does it cover the full cost of private school?
Not always. The award is a set amount and every school sets its own price. Ask each school for tuition plus fees, then subtract the award. The calculator on this page does the sum for you.
How do I know a school accepts TEFA?
Schools marked “TEFA school” here appear on the participating-school list the program publishes on its toolkit page (file updated October 26, 2026, with 2,785 entries; about 1,600 of them are pre-K and child-care centres, which we do not add as new listings). We match by school name and city, or by phone or street where the names differ, or by a name that appears only once in the state. A school without the mark may have joined since, so check the official Vendor Finder too.
When do I apply?
The 2026-27 application window ran February 4 to March 31, 2026: it first closed March 17 and was extended to March 31 (the Comptroller’s home page; its Families page still shows March 17). No 2027-28 dates are posted yet; the state offers an interest list for updates.
How do I apply for TEFA?
During the application window, open the parent portal from educationfreedom.texas.gov (run by Odyssey for the Comptroller) and submit one application for your household listing every child you want to enroll. The 6 steps are listed under “Apply for TEFA” on this page, with the documents to have ready.
Is there an income limit for TEFA?
No. Any eligible Texas child may apply, but household income decides the priority tier if there are more applicants than money. For 2026-27 a family of four at 200% of the federal poverty level earned $66,000 and at 500% earned $165,000.
Do we have to reapply every year?
No. Participants in good standing stay in the program and only confirm they want to continue. A student who did not receive an award for 2026-27 must apply again in a future application cycle.
Can homeschooled children use TEFA?
Yes. A child who is homeschooled or in another non-public setting can receive up to $2,000 a year, paid in a single installment.
Does TEFA cover pre-K?
Only for 3 and 4 year olds who qualify for free public pre-K in Texas, for example a child who is not proficient in English, is from a household below 185% of the federal poverty level, is homeless, or has a parent on active military duty. These rules are narrower than for kindergarten through grade 12.
What happens to money we do not spend?
Funds left at the end of the school year roll over as long as the child remains in the TEFA program.
How much do students with disabilities receive?
A student with an IEP on file with the Texas Education Agency who attends a participating private school may receive up to $30,000, set by the IEP, and most receive less. A disability form without a matched IEP gives Tier 1 priority but no extra money.
Who can get a TEFA account?
A child who is a U.S. citizen or lawfully present and could attend a Texas public school, charter school or pre-K program, including children of active-duty military parents. The parent applying must live in Texas.
Source: Texas Education Freedom Accounts, home page (funding, timeline, FAQ), undated page, read October 7, 2026.
How much does TEFA pay for a private school student?
$10,474 for the 2026-27 school year. State law sets it at 85% of the statewide average state and local funding per public school student.
Source: Texas Education Freedom Accounts, home page (funding, timeline, FAQ), undated page, read October 7, 2026.
Can we still apply?
Not for 2026-27. That window opened February 4, 2026 and closed March 31, 2026. No 2027-28 dates are posted; families can join the state's interest list for updates.
Source: Texas Education Freedom Accounts, home page (funding, timeline, FAQ), undated page, read October 7, 2026.
Will every eligible child get funded?
Not necessarily. If applications exceed the money available, a lottery decides, using the priority groups set in state law. If one child is accepted, eligible siblings who applied in the same period are accepted too.
Source: Texas Education Freedom Accounts, home page (funding, timeline, FAQ), undated page, read October 7, 2026.
Does an award get my child into a private school?
No. You still have to apply to the school and finish its admission process. Not every private school is eligible, and some eligible schools choose not to take part.
Source: Texas Comptroller, TEFA Parent Application Guide (updated Feb. 12, 2026), page updated February 12, 2026.
Which private schools can take TEFA?
Texas schools accredited by an accreditor the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission or the Texas Education Agency recognizes, that have operated for at least two school years and give a nationally norm-referenced test each year to participating students in grades 3 to 12.
Source: Texas Education Freedom Accounts, home page (funding, timeline, FAQ), undated page, read October 7, 2026.
What can the money pay for?
Private school tuition and fees, textbooks and other materials, required uniforms, tests, private tutoring, transport to approved providers and educational therapies not covered by other public benefits. Computer hardware and software are capped at 10% of the account.
Source: Texas Education Freedom Accounts, Families page (approved expenses), undated page, read October 7, 2026.
What if we think our child was wrongly found ineligible?
You can appeal within 30 days of being notified, and the appeal decision is final. Appeals are meant to fix processing errors; they are unlikely to succeed if they ask for an exception to a deadline or try to add missing information.
Source: Texas Education Freedom Accounts, home page (funding, timeline, FAQ), undated page, read October 7, 2026.
School choice programs in every state: 33 of the 50 states and DC have a program that pays toward private school, compared side by side.