Hundreds of Texas Schools Already Enrolled in Education Freedom Accounts Program
(AUSTIN) — Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock today announced important milestones in the rollout of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, highlighting growing school participation, new tools to help families prepare and clear timelines for the program’s first year.
In just the first 10 days of school applications, about 600 private schools and prekindergarten providers across Texas stepped forward to participate in TEFA, expanding the range of educational options available to families statewide. Additionally, more than 200 education service providers, such as tutors, have signed up. Participation growth is expected during and after winter academic breaks as additional schools join the program ahead of the 2026-27 school year.
“Families deserve to have clear information, real options and confidence as they plan for their children’s education for the upcoming school year,” Hancock said. “TEFA is designed to put parents in the driver’s seat, and the early responses from schools show that Texas families will have meaningful choices when applications open in February.”
The Comptroller’s office has launched the official TEFA website at EducationFreedom.Texas.Gov, which is designed to serve as a central, easy-to-use resource for families preparing to apply. The site includes a school finder tool, which will be updated regularly, that allows parents to explore participating private schools in their area, along with a simple “Parent Prep Checklist” outlining the information families may want to gather ahead of time. Additional resources will continue to be added in the months ahead.
As previously announced, applications for families will open on Feb. 4, 2026. Applications will be prioritized as required by state law, and a lottery will be used if interest exceeds available funding, with the application window closing on March 17, 2026. The Comptroller’s office anticipates providing the first award notifications in early April.
Last week, the Texas Education Agency informed the Comptroller’s office that participating TEFA students enrolled in a participating private school will receive $10,474 for the 2026–27 school year, or 85 percent of the statewide average of state and local funding per public school student as required by statute. Students with an Individualized Education Program may receive up to $30,000 based on their educational needs, while participating homeschool students will receive $2,000.
With $1 billion appropriated by the Legislature, TEFA is expected to launch as the largest first-year school choice program in the nation. The Comptroller’s office will continue publishing updates and guidance in the coming weeks to help families navigate the application process and make informed decisions for their children.
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