programs Educational Opportunities and Investments
Texas is taking a bold step to expand educational opportunities. In 2025, the Legislature created an education savings account program, formally named the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, to give parents the freedom to choose the best path for their child’s future. Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, funds will be made available to children accepted into the program that can be used for private school tuition, educational expenses for homeschoolers, tutoring, career and technical education programs and more. It’s an exciting new chapter for education in Texas — designed to put parents in the driver’s seat.
TEFA is administered through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Following a rigorous selection process, Odyssey was selected as the certified educational assistance organization that will assist the Comptroller’s office in administering the program.
Odyssey will manage an online parent portal to guide families through the application process, allow them to search for eligible schools and service providers, and access their account to pay for eligible education expenses. Applications are expected to open in early 2026.
Check out our list of frequently asked questions, which will be updated regularly as the program develops.
The Texas Legislature created the education savings account program in 2025 to give families more choices in their child’s education. The program was then officially named Texas Education Freedom Accounts. Starting in the 2026–27 school year, funds will be made available to eligible students accepted into the program that can be used for tuition, tutoring, home-school educational expenses or other approved education expenses.
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts will oversee the program to ensure funds are used properly. Odyssey was selected as the certified educational assistance organization (CEAO) that will help with administration of the program under the Comptroller’s oversight.
Children are eligible to participate if they are U.S. citizens or legal residents and are eligible to attend a Texas school district or open-enrollment charter school or pre-K program, including children of a parent who is an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces. The parent must be a Texas resident.
The amount depends on the child’s situation:
Not necessarily. If applications exceed available funding, a lottery will decide placement. State law sets this priority order:
If during an application period, there are more acceptable applications for admission than there are available positions, a wait list will be established based on the priority categories listed above.
The parent of the child can submit an application. Parent means a resident of this state who is a natural or adoptive parent, managing or possessory conservator, legal guardian, custodian, or other person with legal authority to act on behalf of a child.
No. Participants in good standing stay in the program automatically. Families only need to confirm they want to continue.
Yes, if the provider applies for approval and is accepted into the program.
Yes. Families may use funds for approved CTE programs.
The Comptroller is required to contract with a private entity to audit accounts and program eligibility at least annually to ensure compliance with applicable law. The State Auditor will also perform periodic audits to verify compliance with eligibility requirements and that funds are used for approved expenses.
We expect the application period for private schools to open in fall 2025; the exact date has not been finalized. Private schools must be in Texas, accredited by an organization recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission or another accreditor recognized by the Texas Education Agency, and in continuous operation for at least two school years preceding the date of application. They also must annually administer a nationally recognized, norm-referenced assessment to participating students in grades 3-12. More information will be forthcoming soon.
The initial application period is expected to open early in 2026, though the exact date has not yet been finalized. Families may sign up for updates from the Comptroller’s office.
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