Texas launches Education Freedom Accounts on February 4, opening applications for school-choice funding statewide

Texas opens applications for Education Freedom Accounts, a new statewide education savings account program

Texas has begun accepting applications for its new Education Savings Account program, branded as Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), marking the start of the state’s first statewide school-choice initiative built around parent-controlled education spending accounts. The online application window opens Feb. 4, 2026, and closes March 17, 2026, with funding decisions expected to begin in early April.

The program is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and is intended to provide families state-managed accounts that can be used for approved education-related expenses. State materials describe a staged funding schedule: at least 25% of approved funds are expected to be available July 1, 2026; at least 50% by Oct. 1, 2026; and the remaining amount by April 1, 2027.

Who can apply and how awards are expected to be allocated

Eligibility is tied to residency in Texas and student status, with applications submitted through the state’s TEFA portal. Program rules anticipate demand that exceeds available funding; if applications outpace the appropriation, awards are expected to be distributed using priority categories first, followed by a lottery for remaining slots.

• Application window: Feb. 4 to March 17, 2026.
• Funding notifications: expected to begin in early April 2026.
• Initial rollout capacity: roughly 90,000 to 100,000 students statewide based on the initial funding level.

Funding amounts and permitted expenses

State program information and published summaries of the rollout describe per-student funding amounts that vary by student circumstances and educational setting. For many participating private-school students, awards are described as around $10,000 per student, with higher maximums for students with disabilities. A separate, smaller amount is outlined for students in home-based education settings. Approved uses include private-school tuition and a range of educational goods and services such as tutoring, therapies, instructional materials and related costs that meet program requirements.

Families are expected to apply during the Feb. 4–March 17 window; funding status notifications are scheduled to begin in early April.

Documentation and verification requirements

Applicants are required to provide identifying and eligibility documentation. Program guidance describes identity and residency checks, and the application process includes documentation such as government-issued identification, proof of residence and tax documentation used for program administration and prioritization where applicable.

Students with disabilities: additional steps involving school systems

For students seeking disability-related funding, Texas education officials have set out a parallel process involving documentation of special education services. The Texas Education Agency has established an upload system for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), with key dates aligned to the TEFA application window. Districts are expected to upload required IEP records by March 17, 2026, and the upload platform is scheduled to open Feb. 2, 2026, with account requests beginning Jan. 22, 2026.

As the application period proceeds, families considering TEFA will need to confirm that their intended expenses and education providers meet program participation rules and that required documentation is completed by the March 17 deadline.