Texas Education Freedom Accounts: What we know about the state’s school voucher program
Texas families interested in school vouchers will soon be able to apply for what the state is calling Texas Education Freedom Accounts, according to documents obtained from the Texas Comptroller’s Office.
Texas families interested in school vouchers will soon be able to apply for what the state is calling Texas Education Freedom Accounts, according to documents obtained from the Texas Comptroller’s Office.
KPRC 2 obtained the rollout plan through a public information request, providing the clearest look yet at how the billion-dollar program will work, who qualifies, and when families can apply.
According to the documents, families will be able to apply for the program between Feb. 4 and March 20. Decisions on approved applications will be made by May 1, with funds distributed starting July 1.
The program, or “school vouchers”, will allow parents to use state funds for private school tuition, tutoring, or homeschool expenses beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.
The Texas Education Freedom Accounts will prioritize low-income families and are projected to serve around 100,000 students statewide.
Families could receive:
- Up to $10,500 per year for private school students
- Up to $30,000 per year for students with disabilities
- Up to $2,000 per year for homeschool students
The money will be deposited into digital wallets that families can use to pay for approved educational expenses.
The program will be managed by Odyssey, a technology company partnering with the Texas Comptroller’s Office to design the system families will use to apply and manage funds.
The Comptroller’s Office told KPRC 2’s Rilwan Balogun it is currently working with Odyssey to confirm a list of approved private schools, though that list has not yet been finalized.
While the Education Freedom Accounts are designed to expand access to private education, the application window may clash with private school admissions deadlines.
Many Houston-area private schools are already accepting applications for the 2025–2026 school year:
- Kinkaid School – Deadline: Dec. 3
- The John Cooper School – Deadline: Jan. 13
- Awty International School – Deadline: Jan. 15
That means some families may have to decide on private school applications before they know whether they’ll receive state funding.
What Happens Next
Records show the Comptroller’s Office plans to begin marketing the Education Freedom Accounts by the end of the month to raise awareness before the February application window opens.
Once applications are live, families will be able to apply through the Comptroller’s website. Approved funds are expected to be available by July 1, giving families time to prepare for the 2026–27 school year.
