Texas is rolling out one of its most ambitious education initiatives in decades, with nearly 800 private schools now registered for the state’s new $1 billion voucher program that will provide families up to $10,474 per student beginning in 2026.
The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, created through Senate Bill 2, will open applications to families on February 4, 2026, with an initial cap of 90,000 students statewide. The program establishes education savings accounts that eligible families can use to cover private school tuition and other approved educational expenses.
How the program works
Families who secure a spot in the program will receive approximately $10,500 per year per child — specifically $10,474, which represents 85% of Texas’ average per-student public education funding. For children with disabilities, that amount could rise to as much as $30,000 annually, depending on their specific needs.
The Dallas–Fort Worth area will host about 200 of the participating private schools, with the remainder spread across Texas. Priority will be given to lower-income families and students with special needs, a point education officials have emphasized in promoting the program.
What can families use the money for? Beyond tuition, the funds can cover uniforms, tutoring, transportation, and various other educational expenses deemed appropriate under program guidelines. The flexibility has been a major selling point for supporters of the initiative.
Timing and implementation
Though applications open next February, the program won’t actually begin until the 2026-27 school year. The initial $1 billion appropriation is expected to support between 80,000 and 100,000 students, though the official cap has been set at 90,000 participants.
The rollout comes after years of legislative battles over school choice in Texas, with rural Republicans historically joining Democrats to block such programs. That resistance finally broke during the latest legislative session, delivering Governor Greg Abbott a long-sought policy victory.
Critics of the program worry it could divert crucial funding from public schools already struggling with budget constraints. Supporters counter that it provides educational options to families who otherwise couldn’t afford them while creating healthy competition that could improve all schools.
For Texas families considering private education but deterred by cost barriers, the countdown to February’s application opening has already begun — though they’ll need to wait until 2026 to actually use the funds.
