New to TEFA? Start here — 5 steps
- Check you’re eligible. Your child must live in Texas and be eligible to attend a Texas public school, open-enrollment charter school, or pre-K program.
- Apply for TEFA on the official site. Applications run through the state’s official TEFA process (educationfreedom.texas.gov). The 2026-27 application window has closed. For 2027-28, join the state’s interest list to hear when applications open — dates and award amounts for 2027-28 have not been published yet.
- Pick schools. Shortlist 2-3 schools by grades and the TEFA-accepted badge. A TEFA-accepted badge in this directory means we verified the school’s participation through the official TEFA finder or direct school confirmation.
- Contact the schools. Use the listing form on each school’s page. Ask about seats, tuition after TEFA, and tours. TEFA acceptance is not school admission — you still apply to the school.
- Apply and enroll. Complete the school’s own application. Once enrolled at a TEFA-approved school, TEFA funds go toward approved education expenses.
What is TEFA?
Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) is a Texas state program that gives eligible families funds to use toward approved private-school education. The program is overseen by the Texas Comptroller’s office. Only schools approved for TEFA can accept TEFA funds — a school must apply and be approved by the state.
Who is eligible?
To apply, a student must live in Texas, be a U.S. citizen or lawful resident, and be eligible to attend a Texas public school, open-enrollment charter school, or pre-K program. Acceptance into TEFA does not guarantee admission to any school — each school has its own admissions process.
How much does it pay?
For the 2026-27 school year, the standard award was $10,474 per student for tuition and approved expenses. Students with disabilities could receive up to $30,000 (with an IEP or approved disability certification). Homeschooled students could receive up to $2,000.
For 2027-28, award amounts and application dates have not been published yet (as of October 2026). Check the official TEFA site for current figures — do not rely on last year’s numbers.
TEFA funds can be used for approved education expenses, including private school tuition and fees, textbooks and instructional materials, tutoring, academic testing, transportation, technology, therapies and diagnostic services, and school meals. State guidelines say participating schools should not charge different tuition or fees simply because a student receives TEFA funds.
How do parents apply?
- Go to the official TEFA site: educationfreedom.texas.gov.
- Create an account and submit an application during the application window.
- Watch for a funding notification from the program.
- Confirm your enrollment at a TEFA-approved school.
TEFA is not first-come, first-served. When demand exceeds funding, the state uses a priority system: students with disabilities and students from lower-income households receive priority. If you are waitlisted, you may still receive an award later if spots open up — awards can be prorated depending on when enrollment is confirmed.
How do you pick a school?
- Start with the TEFA-accepted badge. In this directory, a school shows a TEFA ACCEPTED badge only after we verify its participation through the official TEFA finder or direct school confirmation. “Verification pending” means we have not confirmed it yet — not that the school does not participate.
- Match the grades. Check that the school serves your child’s grade.
- Compare tuition after TEFA. Ask what tuition remains out of pocket once TEFA funds are applied.
- Visit. Tour the school, meet the teachers, and ask about class sizes, Quran/Hifz programs, and school culture.
- Ask about capacity. A TEFA award does not create a seat. Ask whether the grade you need has space or a waitlist.
What should parents ask a school?
- Are you TEFA-approved for this school year?
- Which grades does TEFA cover at your school?
- What does TEFA cover, and what would we still pay out of pocket?
- What is your enrollment timeline, and do you have capacity in the grade we need?
- Do you have a waitlist? If so, how does it work?
- What does a typical school day look like, including Quran, Islamic studies, and Hifz?
- What are your school hours, calendar, and after-school options?
What TEFA does not do
- It does not guarantee admission. You still apply to the school and meet its admissions requirements.
- It does not guarantee an award. If demand exceeds funding, priority rules apply and some families are waitlisted.
- Approval is not permanent. A school approved one year is not automatically approved the next. Always confirm with the school and the official TEFA site.
- It does not cover everything. Confirm with the school what remains out of pocket.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply to TEFA before choosing a school? Yes — apply through the official TEFA process, and shortlist schools in parallel. Confirm your chosen school is TEFA-approved before enrolling.
What if my first-choice school is waitlisted? Ask how the waitlist works and keep a second-choice school in play. TEFA waitlisted families can still receive awards later if spots open.
Does TEFA cover Hifz or summer programs? It depends on the school and the program. Ask the school directly what TEFA covers for its Hifz, summer, and after-school programs.
Where do I check official TEFA details? educationfreedom.texas.gov — the official Texas Education Freedom Accounts site.
Important notes
- TEFA participation can change. Always confirm with the school and the official TEFA site.
- This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. For final answers, use the official TEFA site and talk to the school directly.