The Complete Guide to Texas Education Freedom Accounts
TEFA puts state education dollars in parents' hands for Christian private school tuition, homeschool curriculum, tutoring, and more. Here's everything Texas families need to know.
Updated October 2026 · Source: Texas Comptroller
Explore the guide
TEFA for Homeschool Families
How the $2,000 homeschool award works, what you can buy, and when a co-op or online school changes the amount.
Read guideUsing TEFA at a Christian Private School
Paying tuition with your $10,474 award, choosing a participating school, and what admission still requires.
Read guideTEFA Eligibility & Priority Tiers
Who qualifies, how the lottery works, and which families are prioritized when demand exceeds funding.
Read guideHow to Apply for TEFA
The application timeline, documents to gather, and how to get ready for the 2027-28 cycle.
Read guideWhat does TEFA pay for? →
Tuition, curriculum, tutoring, therapy, and more — answers to the most common spending questions.
DFW Christian schools →
Compare schools where your award could go toward tuition.
DFW homeschool co-ops →
Find community for your homeschool week.
TEFA FAQs
- What is TEFA?
- Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) is the state education savings account program created by Senate Bill 2 in 2025 with $1 billion in funding. It is run by the Texas Comptroller and lets families use state funds for private school tuition, homeschool supplies, tutoring, and other approved education costs.
- How much is a TEFA award?
- For 2026-27, a private school student can receive $10,474, or up to $30,000 depending on special education needs. A homeschool or other student can receive $2,000.
- Can homeschool families use TEFA?
- Yes. Homeschool families can receive $2,000 and do not have to report standardized test results to the state. Families who enroll in a participating private school, including an accredited online school, can qualify for the larger amount but must take an annual norm-referenced test.
- Is TEFA first come, first served?
- No. When applications exceed funding, awards are made by lottery within priority tiers based on household income, with children with disabilities in lower-income households in the first tier.
- Can I still apply for 2026-27?
- No. The 2026-27 application window ran from February 4 to March 17, 2026. Families can join the Comptroller's 2027-28 interest list for updates on the next cycle.