Only about 90,000 to 100,000 students are expected to get into the program in the first year.
AUSTIN, Texas — Tuesday, March 17, is the last day for families to apply for the state’s new Education Freedom Accounts school voucher program.
Starting next school year, those education savings accounts allow Texas families to get state funding to help pay for private school tuition.
On Monday, the comptroller’s office reported 200,000 families have applied so far.
Only about 90,000 to 100,000 students are expected to get into the program in the first year, but the accounts are not first-come, first-served. The state will give priority to children with disabilities and children in low-income families.
The application window closes Tuesday night at 11:59 p.m., and families will be notified if they got into the program sometime in April. Families will have until July 15 to confirm their school selections.
More than 2,200 schools across the state have signed up to participate in the program, the comptroller’s office said.
“Crossing the 200,000-student mark shows just how strongly Texas families are responding to the opportunity for more educational freedom,” Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock said. “Our team has worked to stand up a program that is transparent, accountable and focused on student success. As we head into the final hours before the deadline, I encourage any family still considering TEFA to take a few minutes to complete an application. This program gives parents more tools to support their child’s future, and we want every eligible student to have the chance to benefit.”
The Texas Legislature established the TEFA program in 2025 with $1 billion in funding.