The deadline to apply for Texas’ new school voucher program is 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, and demand has already surged past what the state can fund in the first year.
State officials say more than 200,000 students have applied for the state’s new Education Freedom Accounts program, reaching a major milestone just before the application window closes.
But the program’s first year funding will cover far fewer students.
Lawmakers approved $1 billion to launch the program, which is expected to fund about 90,000 students statewide during its first year.
If applications exceed available funding — as expected — the state will conduct a lottery to determine which students receive the accounts.
KFDM obtains local application numbers
KFDM has obtained a district-by-district breakdown of applications, offering a closer look at how many families across Southeast Texas are seeking the vouchers.
The data below reflects applications as of Monday morning, and KFDM will update.
Beaumont ISD: 987 Port Arthur ISD: 183 Lumberton ISD: 166 Hardin-Jefferson ISD: 105Vidor ISD: 97Silsbee ISD: 95Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD: 80Nederland ISD: 78West Orange Cove CISD: 49Port Neches-Groves ISD: 46Bridge City ISD: 45Hamshire-Fannett ISD: 44Jasper ISD: 31
“Districts with fewer than 30 applicants are omitted to protect student privacy,” the Texas Comptroller’s Office said.
Anahuac, East Chambers, Sabine Pass, High Island, Orangefield, Devers, Liberty, Kountze, Hull-Daisetta, Warren, Spurger, Woodville, Kirbyville and Hemphill do not appear on the list.
The numbers reflect applications submitted by families living within each school district as of Monday morning.
What the voucher program does
The Education Freedom Accounts program allows families to use state education dollars for expenses outside traditional public schools.
Those funds can be used for private school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies, homeschooling curriculum, and other approved education costs.
Most students selected for the program would receive about $10,474 per year, which is roughly 85% of the state’s average public school funding per student. Students with disabilities could receive larger awards to cover specialized services.
The program is scheduled to begin for the 2026–2027 school year.
A long-running political fight in Texas
School vouchers have been one of the most controversial education issues in Texas politics for years.
Governor Greg Abbott and many Republican lawmakers have pushed for the program, saying it gives parents more control and flexibility over where their children attend school.
But the proposal faced strong opposition from Democrats, public school advocates, and some rural Republicans, who argued vouchers could divert taxpayer money away from public schools that rely on enrollment-based funding.
Supporters say the program expands school choice and gives families more options. Critics argue it could reduce resources for public schools and primarily benefit families who already send children to private schools.
What happens next
Families have until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday to apply for the Education Freedom Accounts.
After the application window closes, the state will review applications and conduct a lottery if demand exceeds the available funding.
With more than 200,000 students already applying for about 90,000 available spots, thousands of families who apply may ultimately not receive the vouchers in the program’s first year.