Applications for Texas’ new school choice program officially opened Wednesday, marking the first opportunity for families to apply for Education Freedom Accounts under legislation enacted last year.
The Texas Education Freedom Account program was created by the legislature last year after Gov. Greg Abbott made school choice a top legislative priority.
The law authorizes eligible students to receive public funds for private school tuition, homeschooling expenses, and other approved educational services beginning with the 2026–27 school year.
“The Texas Education Freedom Account program puts parents firmly in charge of their children’s education, ensuring families have real options and the flexibility to choose the educational path that best meets their child’s needs, setting students across Texas up for success,” said Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, whose office oversees the accounts.
Under the program, students enrolled in participating accredited private schools or certain at-risk pre-kindergarten students may be eligible to receive more than $10,000 annually. Students with disabilities may receive up to $30,000 based on an Individualized Education Program.
Other participating students, including homeschool students, may be eligible for $2,000 per year.
The program has been seeded with $1 billion in initial funding for the first school year. Over 1,700 providers have been approved thus far.
By Wednesday evening, the program had received over 34,000 applications, making it the largest day-one rollout of a school choice program in the country.
“With Texas Education Freedom Accounts, more parents can choose the learning environment that’s best for their child and more students will be able to reach their unique potential,” Abbott said. “I encourage Texas families to apply for the program which puts parents in the driver’s seat of their child’s education. This program puts Texas on the pathway to become the No. 1 state for education.”
The application launch follows the recent adoption of final administrative rules by the comptroller’s office, which outline eligibility standards for students, schools, and education vendors. Families’ adjusted gross income is used to determine prioritization for participation, though income does not affect the amount of funding awarded.
The rollout also comes amid heightened scrutiny of which schools and vendors may participate in the program.
Last month, Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a legal opinion affirming that the comptroller’s office has exclusive authority to determine eligibility for participation in the Education Freedom Account program.
Paxton’s opinion responded to a request from Hancock seeking clarity on whether schools or vendors could be excluded if they are tied to entities designated under Texas law as foreign terrorist organizations, transnational criminal organizations, or foreign adversaries—like the Chinese Communist Party. The opinion concluded that the legislature “unambiguously vested” the comptroller with authority to administer the program and make factual determinations regarding eligibility.
“Let me be crystal clear: Texans’ tax dollars should never fund Islamic terrorists or America’s enemies,” Paxton said in announcing the opinion, adding that his office stands ready to defend lawful determinations made by the comptroller to prevent abuse of the program.
Applications will be open through March 17.
