More than 121,000 eligible Texas students are waiting for funding through the state’s new $1 billion Education Freedom Account program, creating what the comptroller’s office says is the largest school-choice waiting list in the country.
The first annual demographic report released by Comptroller Don Huffines shows the state received approximately 274,000 applications for the 2026-27 school year. More than 248,000 students were determined eligible, but only 85,344 had funded accounts as of July 29.
The state has issued more than 122,000 awards, though some parents have not yet completed the steps necessary to confirm participation and receive funding. The award and funding process remains ongoing, meaning both the participation and waiting-list figures may change.
The report also shows that demand has been concentrated among families prioritized under the law.
Approximately 80 percent of funded students come from households earning no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, while nearly one in four participating students has a qualifying disability, reflecting the program’s priority system that favors students with disabilities and lower-income families.
So far, 20,700 students with disabilities have been funded in the first priority tier, along with 12,800 of their siblings. Another 51,800 students have been funded through the second tier for lower-income households. Fewer than 30 students in the third tier had been funded when the report was published.
“Parents from every walk of life are demanding the power to direct their children’s education,” Huffines said. “Giving all parents the power to choose the right education for their child encourages schools to compete and deliver better results for all students.”
The report found participating students reside in 895 Texas school districts. Houston ISD had the largest number, with 3,327 participating students, followed by Dallas ISD with 2,645 and Northside ISD in San Antonio with 2,271.
Huffines said he is committed to expanding the program so additional families can participate.
“No Texas child should be trapped in a failing school or forced to attend a school that is unable to provide the services they need,” he said.
