Texas Education Freedom Accounts: A New Era for Families
LUBBOCK, Texas – Thousands of families across the state have received or will soon receive news that their applications for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) have been approved. This initiative is providing critical financial support to families who are seeking alternative educational options for their children.
The Texas Comptroller’s Office announced that 42,600 students were awarded in the first priority tier starting on a recent date. Notifications will continue through Friday, April 24. Governor Abbott expressed his support for the program, emphasizing its potential to position Texas as the top state for education.
“School choice funds being distributed to Texas families paves the way for Texas to become the No. 1 state for education,” said Governor Abbott. “These accounts will give parents the freedom to choose the best learning environment for their children, regardless of their income or location. I congratulate Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock for his work on kick-starting the program, aiding in the success of so many young Texans and the future of our great state.”
A Lifeline for Families with Special Needs
More than 274,000 families applied for this year’s funding. The first priority tier included students with qualifying disabilities in households at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty level, along with their siblings.
Alexia Martinez, a mother from Lubbock, shared her emotional reaction upon receiving the news. “I started crying and I called my husband and my parents, just crying happy tears. It has been a great blessing for us,” she said.
Martinez’s 9-year-old son was diagnosed with ADHD, sensory, and visual disabilities. She found that the public school system, with its large class sizes, was not suitable for her son’s needs. “The bigger classroom environment really overwhelmed him. It was really hard for him to be able to focus and learn the way he needed to,” Martinez explained.
She took her son out of public school and enrolled him at Southcrest Christian three years ago. Since then, she has seen significant improvements in his academic performance and overall well-being. Her daughter also recently started Pre-K at the same school, and the TEFA funds have made it possible for both children to attend private school without added financial stress.
Eligibility and Funding Details
Students were required to have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) on file with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) or similar documentation of a disability to qualify for Tier 1. According to data released by the Comptroller’s Office, 63% of Tier 1 students have an active disability status, with the same percentage having an active IEP. The remaining 37% are identified as siblings.
Students with disabilities will receive up to $30,000 per year in TEFA funds. Parents may appeal funding determinations within 30 days of receiving their notice; however, adjustments will be made only based on school district and IEP documentation.
Demographics and Future Plans
The state reports that 42% of the students accepted in Tier 1 are White, 25% are Hispanic, and 16% are Black. Fifty-three percent of these students previously attended public schools, while 74% of everyone accepted indicated they would move to private schooling for the 2026-27 school year.
Additional families will receive TEFA award notifications in the coming weeks. A lottery will be conducted during the week of April 27 to determine which students in the second priority tier — those in lower-income households — will receive award notifications for the 2026-27 school year. The lottery will also assign waitlist positions to the remaining students in tier 2 and below.
The first 25% of the annual award will be released into family accounts on July 1. Students who receive awards will have until July 15 to confirm enrollment in a participating private school, select homeschool/other (which qualifies them for $2,000 in funding), or opt out of the program. If awarded students opt out, additional funding will become available to move more students off the waitlist.
