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The application deadline for the 2026–27 Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program was March 31, 2026, and the state is no longer accepting applications for that school year. Families who missed the window can join the official interest list for updates about a future cycle; no next-cycle application date has been announced.
What the deadline means now
Texas opened 2026–27 applications on February 4 and closed them on March 31, 2026. The Comptroller’s family page says applications for this cycle are no longer being accepted and directs families to the interest list for future-cycle updates. The interest list is not an application or a guarantee of an award. Texas Education Freedom Account family page
The first cycle drew more than 274,000 applications, according to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. As of the Comptroller’s June 10, 2026 announcement, more than 102,000 students had received awards and nearly 145,000 remained on the waitlist. These are dated administrative counts, not live totals or evidence of educational outcomes. Comptroller’s June 10, 2026 update
Who could qualify, and why eligibility did not ensure funding
The general eligibility rules for the 2026–27 cycle required the child to be a Texas resident, a U.S. citizen or lawfully present, and eligible to attend a Texas public school, open-enrollment charter school, or eligible pre-K program. A parent also had to be a Texas resident. Pre-K had additional, narrower criteria. The official FAQ identifies unverified income, citizenship or lawful-presence status, or residency—and not meeting the pre-K criteria—as common reasons for ineligibility. Applicants were asked to submit a 2024 or 2025 federal Form 1040 for income verification. Official TEFA FAQ
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When applications exceeded available funds, the state assigned priority tiers and used a lottery to determine award and waitlist order. Awards were not first-come, first-served. For the first cycle, priority was:
- Children with a disability in households at or below 500% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
- Applicants in households at or below 200% FPL.
- Applicants in households above 200% and below 500% FPL.
- Applicants in households at or above 500% FPL, subject to a 20% appropriation cap for this highest-income tier.
Within the tiers, students who had attended a Texas public school or charter school for at least 90% of the prior school year received an additional preference. For priority purposes, disability could be documented by an IEP on file or an approved proof-of-disability form. That is different from qualifying for the enhanced disability award, which requires an IEP.
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Families notified of an eligibility, priority, or funding decision could appeal through the program process. The family page says appeals generally must be filed within 30 days of notification; appeals asking for exceptions because application information was missing or incorrect are unlikely to succeed. Check the portal and appeal instructions for the deadline that applies to a particular case. Texas Education Freedom Account family page
How much an awarded student could receive
These amounts apply to the 2026–27 school year only; they are not a promise of future-year funding. The base award was $10,474 for an awarded student attending a participating private school or qualifying pre-K or kindergarten program, and $2,000 for an awarded homeschool or other student. The private-school base equals 85% of the estimated statewide average state and local public-school funding per student, as calculated by the Texas Education Agency and reported by the Comptroller. Texas Education Freedom Account program page
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| Education setting | 2026–27 amount | Payment timing |
|---|---|---|
| Participating private school or qualifying pre-K/kindergarten program | $10,474 base award per awarded student | 25% initially, another 25% on October 1, and the remaining 50% on February 1 |
| Homeschool or other award | $2,000 per awarded student | One installment after the family opts in |
Private-school installment timing can depend on when enrollment is confirmed. Later installments require continued enrollment at a participating private school, and a student entering from the waitlist late in the cycle may receive a prorated amount. The installment guidance was dated June 4, 2026; families should use the portal for their own award status and deadlines. Texas Education Freedom Account program page
Additional funding for some students with an IEP
An awarded student with a qualifying IEP who attends a participating private school may receive up to $30,000 total. The calculation depends on the local district’s funding for services under the IEP, using the district of residence and instructional arrangement or setting code; most recipients receive less than the cap. An approved disability document may support priority without qualifying the student for this enhanced amount: an IEP on file is needed for the additional-funding calculation. Texas Education Freedom Account program page Official TEFA FAQ
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What TEFA funds can pay for
The official expense list includes specified education costs, such as private-school tuition and fees, tuition for approved higher-education or online providers and industry-credential programs, textbooks and instructional materials, required uniforms, certain school-district class fees, academic assessments, private tutoring, transportation to approved providers, qualifying educational therapies not covered by government benefits, limited computer hardware or software, and meals supplied by a private school. Computer hardware and software spending cannot exceed 10% of the annual amount transferred. Funds cannot be used to pay a family member. Unused funds roll over while the student remains in the program. Texas Education Freedom Account family page
Families must use the program marketplace, and providers may need to apply and be approved. A workbook or other item being educational—or appearing on Amazon—does not by itself establish that it is an approved TEFA purchase. Check the marketplace before buying. The official provider finder lists participating schools and education services; participation changes as providers are added. Online and out-of-state providers may be used if they apply and are accepted. Texas Education Freedom Account family page
Questions to settle before choosing a school or provider
- Participation: Confirm the school or provider appears in the current program finder and has availability; a general web listing does not prove TEFA participation.
- Household budget: Compare the award with the provider’s full tuition and fees. The base award is not a statement of the total cost of private schooling.
- Special-education needs: Texas warns that private schools are not subject to federal and state laws requiring disability services in the same way as public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. Review the official rights notice and confirm directly that a particular school can meet the child’s needs. Texas Education Freedom Account family page
- Eligible purchases: Check both the approved expense rules and marketplace availability before committing money to a product or service.
Where to check for future-cycle information
Join the interest list through the official family page for updates. It does not establish when a future application period will open. Use the official portal for any existing application, award, waitlist, or appeal status, since program dates, payment instructions, provider participation, and award amounts can change by cycle. Texas Education Freedom Account family page
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