The Texas Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), explained.

Program at a glance

Program name

Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA)

Runs on

Odyssey (certified educational assistance organization under the Texas Comptroller)

Annual amount

$2,000 – $30,000 per student

What you can spend it on

Tuition and fees for an online educational course or program, Private school tuition and fees, Textbooks and instructional materials, Private tutoring, Academic assessment costs, Educational therapies, Computer hardware/software (up to 10% of annual transfer), Transportation to/from approved providers, Required uniforms and private school meals

Documents you’ll need

• ✓Form 1040 federal tax return (2024 or 2025) for income verification at application
• ✓Proof of child's citizenship or lawful presence (if not auto-validated)
• ✓Proof of Texas residency (TX driver license/ID, utility bill, lease, or voter registration)
• ✓Spending records maintained automatically via the Odyssey marketplace (annual third-party audit plus State Auditor reviews)

Key dates

• 📅2026-27 application window (closed) — 2026-03-31
• 📅Homeschool participants receive 100% of award — 2026-07-01
• 📅Private school installment 2 (25%) — 2026-10-01
• 📅Private school installment 3 (50%) — 2027-02-01
• 📅2027-28 application window (TBA; interest list open) (every year)
• 📅Vendor applications accepted on a rolling basis (every year)