Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced on Apr. 2 that more than 274,000 students applied for Texas Education Freedom Accounts during the program’s first year.
The high number of applications signals significant interest among Texas families in having a greater role in their children’s education choices. The program aims to provide educational options through state-supported accounts.
According to the Comptroller’s office, a record 43,000 students applied on the program’s first day. Tens of thousands more submitted applications before the March 31 deadline. Nearly three-quarters of applicants are from low- or middle-income families in Texas.
The data shows that almost 30,000 applicants qualify for the first priority tier—low- or middle-income students with disabilities—while another 79,000 qualify for the second priority tier as students from low-income households. All application data is preliminary and based on information provided by applicants.
The Comptroller’s office is working with Odyssey, a certified educational assistance organization, to verify student information before notifying families about awards later this month and distributing funds to student accounts in July. Year-one funding is expected to be exhausted within the second priority tier; remaining funds will be allocated by lottery within this group and used to set waitlist order for other students. The waitlist will be reported to the Texas Legislature as required by statute.
Hancock said: “Texas didn’t just meet expectations, we set the national record for year-one demand in a school choice program. Families across Texas made it clear they want a greater role in their child’s education, and they showed up in record numbers.”
Maintaining integrity remains a top priority for TEFA administrators. Concerns about fraud or unlawful activity can be reported via tefa.watchdog@cpa.texas.gov.
