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Texas School Vouchers for Students with Disabilities (TEFA): 2026–27 Parent Guide

Last updated: February 3, 2026 (rules and forms can change—always cross-check official TEFA pages before submitting.)

Texas created Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA)—often called a “Texas voucher” or “Texas ESA”—to fund approved education expenses for eligible children who choose private school or homeschool options. This guide focuses on what matters most for families of children with disabilities: priority tiers, how disability status is documented, the “up to $30,000” funding pathway, therapies, and the special education rights tradeoffs.

Critical warning for IEP families:

TEFA states that private school students with a disability may be eligible for up to $30,000—but to qualify, the child must have an IEP on file with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) by the end of the application period. If you are still in the evaluation process or your ARD/IEP is not finalized and on file, you may miss the higher funding category.

Official links:
◦ TEFA official program page
◦ TEFA School & Provider Finder
◦ Parent Application Checklist (PDF)

Table of contents

  1. What TEFA is (Texas “voucher” / ESA)
  2. Key dates and funding schedule (2026–27)
  3. Eligibility basics
  4. How much TEFA pays (including up to $30,000)
  5. Lottery + priority tiers
  6. Disability documentation: priority vs. increased funding
  7. Approved expenses (including therapies)
  8. Special education tradeoffs: what changes outside public school
  9. How to choose a private school/provider for a child with disabilities
  10. How to prepare and apply
  11. If you return to public school later
  12. FAQs
  13. Sources

1) What TEFA is (Texas “voucher” / ESA)

Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) is the official name for Texas’s education savings account / voucher-style program. TEFA is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, and TEFA’s website states that Odyssey was selected as the certified educational assistance organization (CEAO) to help administer the program under Comptroller oversight.

Quick answers:

Question Verified TEFA answer (2026–27)
When can we apply? February 4, 2026 through March 17, 2026.
Is funding first-come, first-served? No. TEFA explains that if eligible applicants exceed available funding, selection happens by lottery within priority tiers.
How much for private school? $10,474 for 2026–27 (as stated on TEFA’s site).
How much for a student with a disability? Up to $30,000 if the child has an IEP on file with TEA by the end of the application period (award is based on what the local district would receive under the IEP).
How much for homeschool / not enrolled in private school?

 $2,000 annually.

Official TEFA support contacts (from TEFA’s website): 737-379-2362 / help.tx@withodyssey.com and educationfreedom@cpa.texas.gov.

2) Key dates and funding schedule (2026–27)

  • Application window: February 4, 2026 to March 17, 2026.
  • Funding notifications: begin in early April 2026.
  • Private school confirmation: families indicate enrollment; private schools confirm enrollment.
  • Funds available in accounts: at least 25% on July 1, 2026; at least 50% on October 1, 2026; remaining funds on April 1, 2027.

Planning tip: Because TEFA funds are released in stages, ask schools and providers about payment schedules, deposits, refunds, and what happens if your child withdraws mid-year.

3) Eligibility basics

TEFA lists baseline eligibility requirements including that the child:

  • is a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted into the United States,
  • resides in Texas, and
  • is eligible to attend a Texas public school/open-enrollment charter or eligible to enroll in certain public/charter pre-K or kindergarten programs.

TEFA states that if accepted into the program, the child remains eligible until the child graduates from high school, is no longer eligible to attend a Texas public school/charter/pre-K or kindergarten program, enrolls in a Texas public or charter school, or moves out of Texas.

Private school notice (from TEFA): TEFA includes a notice that a private school is not subject to federal and state laws about educating children with disabilities in the same manner as a school district or open-enrollment charter school.

Translation: outside public school, the service guarantees, procedural safeguards, and discipline protections your child has under IDEA can change significantly. See Section 8 below.

4) How much TEFA pays (including up to $30,000)

Private school students

TEFA states that private school students receive 85% of the estimated statewide average of state and local funding per student, and TEA set that amount at $10,474 for the 2026–27 school year.

Private school students with a disability (potentially up to $30,000)

TEFA states that a participating child with a disability enrolled in an approved private school (or participating pre-K/kindergarten program) may be eligible to receive up to $30,000. TEFA also states the child must have an IEP on file with TEA by the end of the application period, and that the award amount is based on what the child’s local district would receive to provide services under that IEP.

Homeschool or not enrolled in a private school

TEFA states that a participating child who is homeschooled (or not enrolled in a private school, pre-K, or kindergarten program) may receive $2,000 annually.

Important distinction: TEFA explains that a child can be treated as “a child with a disability” for prioritization either with an IEP on file or with a program-approved proof-of-disability form. But TEFA also states that only children with an IEP on file who are accepted into TEFA are eligible for the increased funding amount.

5) Lottery + priority tiers

TEFA states that if eligible applicants exceed available program funding, TEFA will prioritize applicants as follows for Year 1 (2026–27):

  1. Tier 1: Children with a disability in households at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
  2. Tier 2: Households at or below 200% of FPL.
  3. Tier 3: Households between 200% and 500% of FPL.
  4. Tier 4: Households at or above 500% of FPL (with additional sub-prioritization for children who were enrolled in Texas public/charter for at least 90% of the prior school year). TEFA also states funds for Tier 4 may not exceed 20% of the program appropriation.

TEFA also states that after Year 1, applicants are prioritized first by: siblings of participating children; new eligible applicants; then prior participants who ceased participation due to enrolling in a public or charter school—then within each group TEFA applies the Year 1 order.

6) Disability documentation: priority vs. increased funding

Common mistake: Families assume a medical diagnosis alone (for example, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety) automatically equals the TEFA disability category. TEFA’s disability documents focus on whether the child meets criteria aligned with Texas special education eligibility categories and the need for special education/related services.

What TEFA says counts as proof for disability prioritization: TEFA’s Disability Certification Form Instructions state that for prioritization, parents must submit proof that the child meets criteria for at least one disability category in 19 Texas Administrative Code § 89.1040. TEFA lists the following as acceptable proof (submit one):

  • Texas IEP (or authorization to verify with TEA),
  • Texas Full Individual and Initial Evaluation (FIIE),
  • Verified out-of-state IEP (if moving to Texas), or
  • Comptroller’s Disability Certification Form (completed by qualified professionals).

Form limitation: TEFA’s instructions state the Disability Certification Form is used only for prioritization and is not used to establish the amount of TEFA funds, create an IEP, or for any other purpose.

Increased funding (up to $30,000): TEFA’s Parent Application Checklist states that for additional funding, the child must have a Texas IEP on file with TEA by the end of the application period and must not have been exited from special education services.

7) Approved expenses (including therapies)

TEFA lists approved education-related expenses including:

Educational services and materials

  • Tuition and fees at an approved private school or qualifying programs
  • Textbooks and instructional materials
  • Required uniforms
  • Fees for classes provided by school districts that do not qualify the child to be included in the school’s average daily attendance

Other approved expenses

  • Academic assessment costs
  • Private tutoring
  • Transportation to/from approved providers
  • Educational therapies not covered by federal/state/local government benefits (TEFA gives Medicaid as an example)
  • Computer hardware/software (TEFA states this must not exceed 10% of the total amount transferred to the child’s account that year)
  • Meals provided by a private school

Spending restrictions TEFA lists: You cannot pay a family member with TEFA funds. Unused funds may roll over as long as the child remains in TEFA.

8) Special education tradeoffs: what changes outside public school

TEFA explicitly warns that private schools are not subject to special education laws in the same manner as public schools. The practical differences can be enormous for students with disabilities.

Public school (district/charter): IDEA = FAPE + enforceable rights

In public school, eligible students generally have rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including an IEP, procedural safeguards, and discipline protections (such as manifestation determinations).

Private school/homeschool: “equitable services” may exist, but not an individual entitlement

Texas guidance for “parentally placed private school children with disabilities” explains that the LEA (district) where the private school is located may provide “equitable services” through a services plan. TEA’s guidance also states that parentally placed private school children with disabilities have no individual entitlement to receive some or all of the services they would receive if enrolled in public school.

Civil rights laws may apply, but coverage varies

  • Section 504 applies to programs/activities receiving federal financial assistance.
  • ADA Title III can apply to private schools as public accommodations, but religious entities are exempt.

9) How to choose a private school or provider for a child with disabilities

TEFA funds can be helpful only if the school/program can actually meet your child’s needs. Use the TEFA Finder and then do due diligence like you would for any high-stakes placement decision.

Questions to ask every private school (and get in writing)

  • Will the school accept your child’s disability profile and support needs (academics, behavior, medical, sensory, communication)?
  • Who provides supports (licensed staff? aides? contractors?), and what happens if staff changes mid-year?
  • How does the school handle discipline, suspension, and expulsion? Does it consider disability-related behavior?
  • Does the school offer related services (speech/OT/PT/behavior support), or will you need outside providers?
  • What are the refund/withdrawal terms if the placement is not working?
  • Does the school coordinate with outside therapists and allow therapy during the school day?
  • What data will the school track (progress monitoring, curriculum-based measurement, etc.)?

Therapies + Medicaid + TEFA

TEFA lists “educational therapies not covered” by government benefits as an approved expense. If your child uses Medicaid or other benefits, ask:

  • Is the therapy already covered (in whole or part) by Medicaid/other benefits?
  • Is the TEFA-funded service a different educational therapy service not covered?
  • What documentation will the provider give you for TEFA compliance?

10) How to prepare and apply

TEFA publishes a Parent Application Checklist that lists what families should gather before applying. Below is a condensed version you can use as a working checklist.

Documents TEFA lists for all applicants

  • Parent SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
  • Child SSN
  • Form 1040 (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) for 2024 or 2025
  • Texas driver’s license number or Texas state ID number
  • If residency cannot be verified by ID: one of TEFA’s listed proofs (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, voter registration certificate)
  • If the child’s SSN cannot be verified: proof of lawful status (TEFA lists several acceptable documents)

Optional documents (important for disability priority and funding)

  • For prioritization: Texas IEP (or authorization to verify), Texas FIIE, verified out-of-state IEP, or TEFA Disability Certification Form.
  • For additional funding (up to $30,000): TEFA states this requires a Texas IEP on file with TEA by the end of the application period.

If you need an IEP: TEFA’s checklist warns that for additional funding, the IEP must be on file with TEA by the end of the application period—so start the IEP process as soon as possible if you need one.

11) If you return to public school later

TEFA states that enrolling in a Texas public school or charter school ends TEFA eligibility. If your child returns to public school, plan for how services will start (or restart).

Records you should keep (and bring to the district):

  • Most recent IEP (and any amendments)
  • Evaluations (FIIE, private evaluations, therapy reports)
  • Progress reports and grades
  • Discipline records (if behavior is a concern)
  • Service logs (if the child received outside therapy)

12) FAQs

Is TEFA the same thing as a Texas school voucher?

Many families use “voucher” as shorthand. The official name is Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), which functions like an education savings account for approved expenses.

Will every eligible child who applies be approved?

TEFA states not necessarily. If applications exceed available funding, TEFA uses a lottery process within priority tiers.

Does the TEFA Disability Certification Form get my child an IEP?

No. TEFA’s disability instructions state the form is used only for prioritization and does not create an IEP or determine the amount of TEFA funds.

Do we have to reapply every year?

TEFA states participants in good standing do not need to reapply each year; families typically confirm they want to continue.

 

This page is built from primary/official sources. If any official source conflicts with this summary, rely on the official source.

Reading on your own is a good first step, but you do not have to figure this out alone. If you reach a point where the school is not listening, deadlines are being ignored, or your child’s placement or safety is at risk, it may be time to talk with an attorney.

To see whether we can help in your specific situation, you can call us at (832) 422-7333 for a free discovery call. Or, schedule through the online calendar. You can also learn more about our process here.

Legal disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Special education and TEFA decisions can be fact-specific. If you need advice about your child’s situation, talk with an attorney.