Editor’s note: The above video was recorded in January, 2026.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — We have a final look at who applied for the state’s new school voucher program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts or TEFA.

The Texas Comptroller’s Office released the final data Thursday evening following an extended application period that ended on Tuesday. A TEFA spokesperson told KXAN a final tally of 274,183 students applied to be a part of the program which will allow selected families to use public funds to pay for private or homeschool educations next school year.

According to the final numbers, nearly three-quarters of the applications came from low- or middle-income students. 37% came from families living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. 36% were between 200-500% of the federal poverty level.

According to the most recent enrollment report from the Texas Education Agency for the 2024-2025 school year, 60% of public school students were considered economically disadvantaged that academic year.

In terms of race and ethnicity, 45% of the students who applied for TEFA were white, 23% were Hispanic, 12% were Black, 11% were multiracial, 8% were Asian or Pacific Islander, and 1% were American Indian or Alaskan native.

The 2024-2025 enrollment report showed Hispanic students made up the majority of students in the state that school year at 54%. That was followed by white students at 24%, Black students at 13%, Asian and Pacific Islander students at 6%, multiracial students at 3% and American Indian students at less than 1%.

Because of the high demand, state leaders said students would be selected through a tiered lottery system that prioritizes students at varying levels of disability and/or economic disadvantage.

The data shows 12% of the applications came from the highest priority tier — students with a disability who live at or below 500% of the federal poverty level.

TEFA recently told KXAN most students who qualify should receive a little more than $10,000 per year to cover or offset the cost of a private education. That figure goes up to $30,000 for students with certain disabilities. Qualifying homeschoolers should receive about $2,000.

The Texas Tribune this week reported roughly 73% of applicants attended a private school or homeschool last academic year. KXAN reached out to TEFA Thursday night for the final tally.

The TEFA website lists 2,363 schools participating in the program, including 210 in the Austin area. The Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth areas have the most participating schools, at 700 and 681, respectively.

Funding notifications will be sent to parents beginning this month.

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