Every funding source for Houston families, in one place
Texas launched the country's largest first-year school choice program in 2026. Here are all 9 ways a Greater Houston family can pay for private, church, Catholic, Jewish, independent, homeschool and pre-K education, with who qualifies and when to apply.
Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA)
Texas's new education savings account. A student at a participating private school receives $10,474 for 2026-27, deposited in three installments and spent through the state's marketplace.
Who qualifies →IEP · Up to $30,000TEFA for Students with an IEP (up to $30,000)
A TEFA student with an IEP on file who attends a participating private school can receive up to $30,000, based on the home district and the IEP's instructional setting code.
Who qualifies →Homeschool · $2,000TEFA Homeschool / Other ($2,000)
A TEFA participant who is homeschooled — or otherwise not enrolled at a participating private school — receives $2,000 a year, deposited in full on July 1.
Who qualifies →Ages 3-5 · $10,474TEFA Pre-K & Kindergarten
TEFA pays $10,474 for eligible pre-K and kindergarten students at approved private providers — including hundreds of Houston child care centers and church preschools.
Who qualifies →New · Jan 2027Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (2027)
Governor Abbott announced Texas's intent to opt in to the new federal scholarship tax credit on December 10, 2025. Starting January 2027, donors get a dollar-for-dollar federal credit of up to $1,700 for gifts to scholarship organizations.
Who qualifies →Catholic schoolsArchdiocese of Galveston-Houston Tuition Assistance
Need-based tuition assistance at Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Catholic schools, awarded through a FACTS application and layered on top of TEFA.
Who qualifies →Income-based · Ages 0-12Workforce Solutions Child Care Assistance
Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions helps working and training families pay for child care at licensed providers, including many church preschools and private schools' early childhood programs.
Who qualifies →At the schoolSchool-Based Tuition Assistance
Most Houston private schools have their own need-based aid, sibling discounts, church-member rates or work-study that stack with TEFA.
Who qualifies →Partner fund · No income capEdu Fund Partner Scholarship
Our private partner is funding families enrolling in church-run and community schools across Greater Houston — designed to close the gap TEFA leaves, and to help waitlisted families now.
Who qualifies →Dates that matter
- NowJoin the 2027-28 TEFA interest list at educationfreedom.texas.gov — application dates for the second year have not been announced yet
- Jan 12, 202790th Texas Legislature convenes — sets TEFA funding for 2027-28 and beyond
- Jan 1, 2027Federal scholarship tax credit begins; Gov. Abbott announced Texas's intent to opt in on Dec 10, 2025
- Feb 1, 2027Final 50% of 2026-27 TEFA private-school awards deposited (25% arrived July 1, 25% October 1)
- Dec 1 – Mar 6Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston tuition assistance, Round 1 (FACTS) — confirm 2027-28 dates with your school
- RollingPrivate schools, pre-K providers, tutors and therapists can apply to join TEFA at any time
IEP amounts by district TEFA calculator What's left after TEFA
Find out what your family qualifies for
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