Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA)
Important Dates:
September 1, 2025: SB 2 becomes law (the Bill creating TEFA).
February 4 — March 17, 2026: initial application window, now extended to March 31, 2026.
Week of April 6, 2026: TEFA awards will be announced to families (this could take multiple weeks)
June 1, 2026: Families must confirm their child's enrollment with an approved school by June 15, 2026 to receive the full award amount.
School year 2026-27: TEFA money can first be used for eligible expenses.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE TEXAS EDUCATION FREEDOM ACCOUNTS (TEFA)
TEFA PARENT APPLICATION CHECKLIST
TEFA DISABILITY CERTIFICATION FORM
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO TEXAS EDUCATION FREEDOM ACCOUNTS PROGRAM
Welcome to your guide for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), the official name for Texas's new school choice program. This program is set to begin for the 2026-2027 school year and will provide state funds to eligible Texas families to help pay for a variety of educational expenses, including private school tuition.
This page provides clear answers to the most common questions about TEFA, including eligibility, funding amounts, and how to apply.
What Are the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA)?
Q: What is the TEFA program?
The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, established by Senate Bill 2, allows eligible families to receive state funds to pay for eligible educational costs. These funds can be used for private school tuition, enrollment fees, tutoring, uniforms, and other approved expenses.
Q: How does the TEFA program work?
Funds are deposited into a secure account managed by the state, called an "Education Savings Account" (ESA). Parents can then access this account to direct payments to the private school or approved educational vendor. The Texas Comptroller has selected Odyssey to manage the platform, which will include the application portal and a digital wallet for parents.
Q: Does Incarnate Word Academy accept TEFA Funds?
Yes. Incarnate Word Academy is a participating education provider for TEFA.
Q. Does qualifying for TEFA automatically qualify a student to attend Incarnate Word Academy?
No, qualifying for TEFA does not grant automatic acceptance into Incarnate Word Academy. All students (including TEFA recipients) must complete the three step admissions process at IWA, apply, interview, and be accepted to enroll.
TEFA Eligibility: Who Qualifies for Texas Education Freedom Accounts?
Q: Who is eligible to apply for a TEFA?
To qualify, the student must be a U.S. citizen, a legal resident, or otherwise allowed to attend a Texas public school.
Q: Does my child qualify if they already attend a private or Catholic school?
Yes. Students who are currently enrolled in private or Catholic schools are eligible for and are encouraged to apply for a TEFA.
Q: How is priority given to applicants?
Priority is given to children from low-income families and those with special learning needs. The law specifically prioritizes families with household incomes less than 500% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG).
Applications will be prioritized in the following order:
- Students with a disability and a family income at or below 500% of the FPG.
- Students whose family income is at or below 200% of the FPG.
- Students whose family income is between 201% and 500% of the FPG.
- All other applicants, depending on available funding. Within this tier, students transitioning from a public school to a private school are prioritized over students already enrolled in a private school.
TEFA Funding: How Much Is Available?
Q: How much money can a family receive?
For 2026-2027 the TEFA award per child will be $10,474.
Q: Is there more funding for students with disabilities?
Yes. Students with qualifying disabilities may be eligible for up to $30,000 per year.
Q: How much is available for homeschool students?
Homeschooled students may be eligible for up to $2,000 per year.
Q: What happens if we don't use all the funds in one year?
Unused funds roll over from one year to the next. This continues as long as the student remains in the program and until they graduate or complete high school.
Using Your Texas Education Freedom Account
Q: What expenses can the TEFA funds be used for?
TEFA funds can be used for a wide range of educationally-related expenses, including:
- Private school tuition and eligible fees
- Uniforms
- Textbooks
- School supplies
- Tutoring and tutorial services
- Educational therapies
- Transportation
- School meals
- After-care costs
How to Apply for the TEFA Program in Texas
Q: When and how do I apply for TEFA?
An online portal will be used for all applications. Applications will be open February 4, 2026 to March 17, 2026. Parents must apply for each eligible child during this designated application window to be considered.
Q: Do I need to fill out an application for each of my children?
Yes. You must apply for each child separately using the online portal.
Q: What if one of my children is awarded a TEFA but my other children are not?
Once one child in your family is awarded a TEFA, all siblings will also receive TEFA, provided you applied for each child. This policy is intended to help keep families together.
Q: What if I apply but am not awarded a TEFA this cycle?
Families who apply within the window but do not receive an account will be placed on a waitlist managed by the portal. You will need to apply again through the portal the following year.
Q: What documents are needed to apply?
The Social Security number (SSN) for the parent and child and the parent's Texas Driver's License number is all that is needed. Without a TDL, a utility bill, lease, mortgage, or voter's registration can be used. Without the child's SSN, a student birth certificate, report of birth abroad, certificate of naturalizing/citizenship, or documentation of lawful admission to the United States can be used. Optional documents include IEP or TEFA disability form.
TEFA for Students with Disabilities
Q: Who qualifies as a "child with disabilities?"
A student may qualify as a child with a disability if they are at least three years old but not more than 21 years old and have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or one or more of the following conditions that prevent them from being adequately or safely educated in public school without special services:
- Visual or auditory impairment
- Physical disability
- Intellectual or developmental disability
- Emotional disturbance
- Learning disability
- Autism
- Speech disability
- Traumatic brain injury
Q: How does a child qualify for priority group one placement?
To qualify for priority group 1 placement, families are required to provide one of the following:
- A comptroller prescribed form completed by one or more licensed professionals qualified to attest that the child meets the applicable eligibility definition. The form will be available on the Odyssey website soon.
- An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) issued by a Texas public school district or open-enrollment charter school. An IEP must be provided to qualify for additional funding up to $30,000 per year.
Q: Do all schools accommodate children with disabilities?
Services and resources vary by school. Parents should speak directly with the school to learn more about specific services offered.
Q: What accommodations can IWA provide?
With a professional diagnosis or IEP, IWA can provide typical College Board accommodations, such as extended time and preferential seating.
2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines (for TEFA Priority)
To help determine your family's priority level, refer to the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) chart below. The law prioritizes families with incomes at or below 500% of these guidelines.
| Number of people in household |
Federal Poverty Guideline | 200% of FPG Yearly Income | 500% of FPG Yearly Income |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
$15,650 |
$31,300 |
$78,250 |
|
2 |
$21,150 |
$42,300 |
$105,750 |
|
3 |
$26,650 |
$53,300 |
$133,250 |
|
4 |
$32,150 |
$64,300 |
$160,750 |
|
5 |
$37,650 |
$75,300 |
$188,250 |
|
6 |
$43,150 |
$86,300 |
$215,750 |