A day out from the application deadline, the Office of the Comptroller reports more than 200,000 families have applied for a Texas Education Freedom Account to be used in the 2026-2027 school year.
Lawmakers budgeted $1 billion for the program last year, which is estimated to cover 100,000 students. That spending was in addition to historic increases in public school spending. Applications must be submitted before midnight on March 17. After the application period closes, selections for the program will be “lottery-based” with priority given to students with disabilities and “low- and middle-income families.”
The program is administered by the comptroller and not the state’s education agency. Students can receive $10,000 for private school tuition or other approved educational expenses, though homeschoolers qualify for only $2,000. Students with disabilities can receive additional funding, based on their education plan and specific needs.
