AUSTIN, Texas – More than 160,000 students have already been signed up for school vouchers, marking a significant start to the Texas school choice initiative.
19,422 applications come from the San Antonio area…
3,386 North East ISD2,171 Comal ISD1,335 San Antonio ISD1,183 Judson ISD953 Boerne ISD793 Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD690 New Braunfels ISD579 East Central ISD532 Northside ISD347 Southwest ISD312 Seguin ISD203 South San Antonio ISD198 Alamo Heights ISD
Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock made the announcement Monday about the school choice initiative called the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program.
With the application period one month underway, officials expect that number to climb before the March 17 deadline.
“Demand is strong for the record-setting launch of school choice in Texas,” Hancock said in a statement. “While there is still some time to apply, we want to make sure families don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in this historic program’s first year.”
Hancock encouraged families to submit applications early to avoid last-minute delays.
The Comptroller’s office released preliminary data alongside the announcement, detailing applicant trends across grade levels, school districts, and Education Service Center regions. Officials noted that the figures are subject to change as more applications arrive and that not every applicant will ultimately participate in the program.
Once the application window closes, the state will distribute funding through a lottery system. Priority will be given to students with disabilities and those from low- and middle-income families.
The office plans to report the resulting waitlist to the Texas Legislature to help determine funding levels for future years.
“We’re expecting to sell out in year one,” Hancock said. “We are also laying a strong foundation for school choice in Texas to flourish for years to come.”
More than 2,200 schools have registered to participate in the program. Families are not required to select a specific school at the time of application, and additional schools are expected to join on a rolling basis.
Applications are not first come first serve, meaning families who apply now have the same chance of receiving funding as families who applied on Feb. 4.
If the number of applications exceeds available program funding, certain applicants who meet qualifying criteria will be prioritized as follows:
Year 1
For the 2026-27 school year, applicants will be prioritized as follows:
Children with a disability who are members of a household whose total annual income is at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level1.
Children who are members of a household whose total annual income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Children who are members of a household whose total annual income is between 200% and 500% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Children who are members of a household whose total annual income is at or above 500% of the Federal Poverty Level. Children who were enrolled in a Texas public school or charter school for at least 90% of the prior school year will be prioritized within this group. Funds for children in this category may not exceed 20 percent of the amount of money appropriated from the program fund for that school year.
Year 2
After year 1, applicants will first be prioritized in the following order, and then will be prioritized within each group in the order stated in the year 1 prioritization:
Siblings of participating children.
New eligible program applicants.
Prior program participants who ceased program participation due to enrollment in a public or charter school.
If a child is accepted for participation during an application period, any eligible sibling of that child who applies during the same period will also be accepted.
Participants who remain in good standing do not need to reapply each year.
Families can edit their applications, upload additional documents and update their children’s information up until the March 17 deadline.
If you wish to apply or get more information visit EducationFreedom.Texas.Gov.