Can a Houston family pay for this from a TEFA account?
TEFA — private school ($10,474)Eligible
Pre-K or kindergarten at an approved provider, for an eligible child.
TEFA — with an IEP (up to $30,000)Eligible
A child with an IEP may receive more.
TEFA — homeschool / other ($2,000)Not eligible
Not applicable.
Rules that apply
- Pre-K eligibility follows free public pre-K criteria and the child must turn 3 before September 1.
- Providers must be licensed and meet a quality marker such as Texas Rising Star 3 stars.
What isn't allowed
- Care beyond the educational program day
In Houston
496 Houston-area pre-K providers appear in the state finder; we list them in the Pre-K section.
How to buy it
Log in to the TEFA parent portal (Odyssey). Pay your school or an approved provider through the platform, or buy approved products in the marketplace. If a provider isn't listed, it has to apply and be approved before it can be paid.
Build my child's spending plan →
Sources: educationfreedom.texas.gov (families page, Tuition and Fee Guidelines 5/28/2026, Educator Credential Policy 7/7/2026, Providers and Vendors) and Odyssey's eligible-expenses article for TEFA. This is a summary, not legal advice. Program rules control.