Texas Education Freedom Accounts Pass 100,000-Student Milestone

June 10, 2026

(AUSTIN) - Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock today announced that Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) have reached a major milestone, with more than 102,000 students awarded accounts for the 2026-27 school year.

The latest batch of waitlisted students - more than 4,100 - were awarded accounts this week. All the newly awarded students qualified for Tier 2 application priority, meaning they had family incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level ($66,000 per year for a family of four).

"Our history-making progress bringing school choice to Texas continues," Hancock said. "Our office is working diligently to ensure that as many families as possible are able to join this program in its first year as we manage the longest school choice waitlist in the country."

By July 15, families who receive TEFA awards must take one of the following actions: confirm enrollment in a participating private school; select homeschool/other (which provides $2,000 in funding); or opt out of the program.

So far, about 2,000 students previously awarded TEFA awards have opted out. A new fact sheet (PDF) from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts breaks down the demographics of current awardees.

Nearly 145,000 students, including nearly 13,000 Tier 2 applicants, remain on the waitlist.

As families complete their selections, opt out of the program and resolve appeals, any remaining funding will become available to students who are currently on the TEFA waitlist.

Families can stay up to date with program developments and check their application status at EducationFreedom.Texas.gov.