In May 2025, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 2 — creating the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program and backing it with $1 billion in funding. It is the largest day-one ESA program in United States history. For the 2026–27 school year, more than 274,000 families applied for TEFA funds — a staggering level of demand that shows just how many Texas families are ready to take control of their children's education.
Tutoring is an explicitly approved TEFA expense. Education Interventions is actively working toward TEFA vendor approval and is ready to serve Texas families the moment approvals are in place. Here's everything you need to know.
What Is Texas's TEFA Program?
The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program is a state-funded Education Savings Account that deposits public education dollars directly into a family-controlled account. Families can use those funds to pay for a range of approved educational expenses — including private school tuition, tutoring, curriculum, educational technology, and more. The program is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and operated through the Odyssey platform — the same system used by Louisiana's LA GATOR program.
TEFA is the largest day-one ESA program in United States history, backed by a $1 billion budget and designed to serve an estimated 90,000 students in its first year. The first round of award notifications began going out in April 2026, with funds available in accounts starting October 1, 2026.
How Much Can Texas Families Receive?
$10,474 per student
The standard award for students enrolled in an approved private school for 2026–27. This amount represents 85% of the statewide average state and local funding per public school student.
Up to $30,000 per student
Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) on file with the Texas Education Agency may receive up to $30,000 — one of the most generous special needs awards in the country. The IEP must have been on file with TEA at the time the application period closed.
$2,000 per student
Homeschooled students receive $2,000 per year which can be used for curriculum, tutoring, educational materials, and other approved expenses. Unused funds roll over year to year.
Who Qualifies for TEFA?
Your child qualifies if they are a Texas resident, U.S. citizen or lawfully present, and eligible to attend a Texas public school. There is no income cap — all eligible families can apply. However, if applications exceed available funding, a prioritization order determines who receives funds first.
Priority order for funding:
Students with disabilities, family income at or below 500% FPL
Highest priority. These students also qualify for the increased funding amount of up to $30,000 if they have an IEP on file with TEA.
Family income at or below 200% FPL
Second priority group. Standard $10,474 award.
Family income between 201%–500% FPL
Third priority group. Standard $10,474 award.
All other eligible applicants
Funded based on remaining available budget after Tiers 1–3 are served. Within this tier, students transitioning from public to private school are prioritized.
What Can TEFA Funds Be Used For?
Approved expenses include tuition at participating private schools, textbooks, tutoring, educational therapies, computer hardware and software (up to 10% of the annual amount), transportation to approved providers, and other items listed on the official program site. Funds cannot be used to pay a family member.
For Texas families focused on literacy intervention, tutoring is a fully approved expense. Whether your child needs reading support, spelling intervention, writing help, or SAT prep — these are all covered uses of your TEFA funds when working with an approved tutoring vendor.
How TEFA Works — Step by Step
Apply During the Application Window
Applications for 2026–27 are now closed. For 2027–28, the window is expected to open in early February 2027. Sign up for updates at educationfreedom.texas.gov and apply on day one — demand is extremely high.
Receive Your Award Notification
Tier 1 families began receiving notifications in April 2026. Additional tiers are notified in order of priority. If you applied and didn't receive an award, you may be placed on a waitlist for future openings.
Access Your Odyssey Account
Starting October 1, 2026, at least 50% of approved funding will be available in participant accounts. Remaining funding will be available April 1, 2027. All payments to vendors are made through the Odyssey platform.
Select Education Interventions
Education Interventions is actively pursuing TEFA vendor approval. Contact us to be notified the moment we are approved and ready to accept Texas TEFA payments through Odyssey.
Why Texas Families Should Use TEFA for Tutoring
Texas has a literacy crisis. According to the Texas Education Agency, fewer than half of Texas 3rd graders read at grade level. For students who are behind — whether due to dyslexia, learning differences, gaps from COVID, or simply insufficient reading instruction — one-on-one tutoring with a certified educator using structured literacy methods is one of the most evidence-backed interventions available.
With $10,474 in TEFA funds, a Texas family can fund a full year of two-to-three sessions per week with a certified literacy tutor — at zero out-of-pocket cost. For students with an IEP, up to $30,000 means comprehensive support across reading, writing, spelling, and beyond.
✅ Certified teachers only — Every tutor holds a teaching certification. No college students or uncredentialed tutors.
✅ Orton-Gillingham inspired structured literacy — The gold standard for reading intervention, especially for students with dyslexia.
✅ 100% virtual — Expert support from anywhere in Texas — Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, or rural communities across the Lone Star State.
✅ Approved in 12 other states — We have a proven track record navigating ESA programs across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
I missed the 2026–27 application window. What can I do?
Sign up for the 2027–28 interest list at educationfreedom.texas.gov and set a reminder for early February 2027 when the next application window opens. The 2026–27 window filled in just 6 weeks — apply on day one next year.
My child has an IEP. Do they qualify for the higher $30,000 award?
Potentially yes — students with an IEP on file with the Texas Education Agency who were accepted into TEFA may receive up to $30,000. The IEP must have been on file with TEA at the time the application period closed. Contact the Texas Comptroller's office for details specific to your child's situation.
Can TEFA funds roll over year to year?
Yes — funds are renewable annually and may roll over if not used during the school year. This is a significant benefit that allows families to accumulate funds for larger educational investments.
Is Education Interventions currently approved as a Texas TEFA vendor?
We are actively pursuing TEFA vendor approval. Texas requires out-of-state vendors to register as a foreign entity doing business in Texas before applying through the Odyssey vendor portal. We are working through that process now and will notify interested families the moment we are approved. Contact us to be added to our Texas notification list.
Can I use TEFA for virtual tutoring?
Yes — online tutoring is an approved TEFA expense. The tutoring provider must be an approved vendor in the Odyssey system. Once Education Interventions completes our vendor approval, Texas families will be able to pay for virtual literacy tutoring sessions directly through their TEFA Odyssey account.
Texas Families — Get Notified When We're Approved
Education Interventions is actively pursuing Texas TEFA vendor approval. Contact us today and we'll add you to our Texas notification list — you'll be first in line the moment we're ready to accept TEFA payments for expert virtual literacy tutoring.
Contact Us Today →Sources: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts — educationfreedom.texas.gov (2026); Incarnate Word Academy — Texas TEFA Guide (2026); Learner.com — Texas TEFA Complete Guide (February 2026); TEFAprogram.com — TEFA Overview and Eligibility (2026). Program details change annually — always verify current information at educationfreedom.texas.gov.