More than 42,600 Texas students are receiving award notifications this week through the first round of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, marking the first major step in the stateโs new school choice initiative for the 2026โ27 school year.
According to information released by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the first round includes all students in the programโs top priority tierโstudents with qualifying disabilities living in households at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty level, along with their siblings.
Award notifications began April 22 and will continue through April 24 in batches. Families who receive notices may appeal funding determinations within 30 days, but adjustments will only be made based on school district records and Individualized Education Program (IEP) documentation.
The comptrollerโs office also released a detailed breakdown of the students included in this first round. Approximately half of the participating students previously attended public schools, and about two-thirds have a documented disability.
The Texas Education Freedom Accounts program allows families to use state-funded education dollars for approved educational expenses outside the traditional public school system, including private school tuition, tutoring, curriculum, and other qualifying costs.
Families selected for funding must confirm enrollment in a participating private school, choose homeschooling or another eligible education optionโwhich qualifies for $2,000 in fundingโor opt out of the program by July 15.
The second round of awards is expected to take place during the week of April 27, when the comptrollerโs office, working with an independent agency, will conduct a lottery for students in the second priority tier. This group includes students from lower-income households who do not fall within the first priority category.
The same lottery process will also determine waitlist positions for remaining applicants in tier two and below. If students awarded in the first round decline participation, those available funds will be used to move additional students off the waitlist.
The Texas Education Freedom Accounts program is part of the stateโs broader school choice plan aimed at expanding education options for families across Texas. More information, including future participation details, is available through the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program.
