School Choice in Texas

Texas Education Freedom Accounts

Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFAs) give parents direct control of education funds to use for private school tuition, tutoring, curriculum, and other learning resources. Instead of funding school systems, TEFAs fund students, allowing families to choose the environment that best fits their child.

The Legislature passed the ESA program in 2025, with funds expected by summer 2026. Homeschool freedoms stay the same. There is no testing requirement, and participation is optional. Families who apply can access additional resources; those who don’t can continue homeschooling just as they do now.

What You Need to Know

There are information sessions happening across Texas for families interested in learning more about the new ESA/TEFA program for the 2026-20267 school year. These events are designed to help families learn more about the program and apply. Click here to find an information session in your area. 

How? When? Where Do I Apply?

What Documents Will I Need To Apply?

What Else Do I Need To Know?

  • April 2026 – Funding notifications will be sent to parents beginning in early April 2026.
  • July 1, 2026 – At least 25 percent of approved funding will be available in participant accounts.
  • October 1, 2026 – At least 50 percent of approved funding will be available in participant accounts.

What Else Do I Need To Know?

The Texas Education Freedom Account website is your way of staying informed about all things related to ESA/TEFA. Please sign up for the latest updates as well as answers to TEFA FAQs. Signups are available for: parents and families, providers and vendors, and schools. 

Additionally, be sure to sign up for updates from the Texas Home School Coalition where you can find a robust list of TEFA FAQs. 

We think that’s it for now. As always, we remain grateful for your advocacy, engagement, and desire to help us Keep Texas Families Free.

How Will the Program Work for Families?

Families who choose to participate in the ESA program will:

  1. Apply to the program.
  2. Be selected to receive an ESA.
  3. Receive access to an account with the approved funds.
  4. Use the funds for qualified educational expenses, such as tuition, books, materials, tutoring, dual credit courses, and more.

NOTE: Funding for the program is limited, selection would be limited by available funds.

THSC’s Core Priorities for School Choice

 THSC defends homeschool freedom and supports families who choose to participate.

  1. Make Programs Usable
    Funds must cover real homeschool needs like curriculum, tutoring, therapies, dual credit, and supplies.

  2. Safeguard Participants
    Parents who use the program must keep full authority over their child’s education.

  3. Protect Non-Participants
    No new regulations or requirements for homeschoolers who choose not to participate.

Still Have More ESA Questions? We’ve Got You Covered

School choice/parental choice legislation is a broad term that most often refers to legislation allowing money to follow the child so that a parent whose child is not enrolled in public school can use a portion of the dollars designated for that student on an alternate form of education. These funds are most often used to pay for some form of private education, sometimes even including homeschooling, instead of being spent on the local public school.The idea is that if a student is not in the public school, the money earmarked for that student should follow the student to help fund their alternative style of education.

This means that tax dollars set aside for a child’s public education are made accessible to the parent to “follow the child” and can be used to fund educational expenses related to public, private, or homeschool.

This means that tax dollars set aside for a child’s public education are made accessible to the parent to “follow the child” and can be used to fund educational expenses related to public, private, or homeschool.

A voucher is a payment made directly by the government to a private school for tuition. An ESA gives parents flexibility to spend on a variety of approved educational services and products.

A voucher is a payment made directly by the government to a private school for tuition. An ESA gives parents flexibility to spend on a variety of approved educational services and products.

EAOs are organizations approved by the Texas Comptroller’s Office to help families and education providers use ESA funds properly.

Think of them as trusted go-betweens that make sure ESA funds are used smoothly and legally — helping the money move from the state to the right places, like tutors, curriculum providers, and schools.

Some EAOs focus on helping parents apply for and manage their ESA accounts. Others work directly with service providers, like co-ops or tutors, to help them get approved for the program.

In short, EAOs are here to help the ESA system run well for both families and education vendors and providers.

EAOs are organizations approved by the Texas Comptroller’s Office to help families and education providers use ESA funds properly.

Think of them as trusted go-betweens that make sure ESA funds are used smoothly and legally — helping the money move from the state to the right places, like tutors, curriculum providers, and schools.

Some EAOs focus on helping parents apply for and manage their ESA accounts. Others work directly with service providers, like co-ops or tutors, to help them get approved for the program.

In short, EAOs are here to help the ESA system run well for both families and education vendors and providers.

Families (program participants) will use an online portal similar to a marketplace to select approved vendors and service providers. The Comptroller’s Office pays the vendors directly; families never handle the funds.

  • Example #1: If a parent wants to use the ESA funds to pay for private school tuition, the parent will use the online platform to select the private school and then the Comptroller’s Office will then send the funds directly to the private school.
  • Example #2: If a parent wants to purchase a curriculum, the parent will use the online platform to select the desired curriculum and the Office sends the funds directly to that curriculum vendor.

Families (program participants) will use an online portal similar to a marketplace to select approved vendors and service providers. The Comptroller’s Office pays the vendors directly; families never handle the funds.

  • Example #1: If a parent wants to use the ESA funds to pay for private school tuition, the parent will use the online platform to select the private school and then the Comptroller’s Office will then send the funds directly to the private school.
  • Example #2: If a parent wants to purchase a curriculum, the parent will use the online platform to select the desired curriculum and the Office sends the funds directly to that curriculum vendor.

Only vendors and service providers registered to do business in Texas and approved by the EAO can participate.

Only vendors and service providers registered to do business in Texas and approved by the EAO can participate.

The application window is expected to open as early as Fall 2025, with the program launching in Fall 2026.

The application window is expected to open as early as Fall 2025, with the program launching in Fall 2026.

Concerns with Testing Requirements 

There is no testing requirement for homeschool families. Accredited private schools already require testing so there is no change.

Concerns with ESA and UIL

There is no testing requirement for homeschool families. Accredited private schools already require testing so there is no change.

No, there is no connection between the two programs. When you enroll in the ESA program, no one in the Comptroller’s Office knows that the family has someone participating in UIL activities.

Concerns with Parental Choice/Government Regulation/Homeschool Regulation/Segregation/UIL

No, there is no connection between the two programs. When you enroll in the ESA program, no one in the Comptroller’s Office knows that the family has someone participating in UIL activities.

No, the state is prohibited from regulating anything related to a participant’s curriculum, method of instruction, or religious practices.

No, the state is prohibited from regulating anything related to a participant’s curriculum, method of instruction, or religious practices.

Yes, participants can opt out at any time. Once opted out, participants aren’t required to repay any funds to the state that were spent on approved expenses before that point, and are completely released from program requirements.

Yes, participants can opt out at any time. Once opted out, participants aren’t required to repay any funds to the state that were spent on approved expenses before that point, and are completely released from program requirements.

Stay Informed

Stay informed and involved by following THSC as we continue to advocate for parental rights and education freedom.

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