Last updated: March 2026

The application window for the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program was originally scheduled to close on March 17 but has now been extended to March 31 following a federal court order.

Interest in the program has been extremely strong. As of the final day of the application period, more than 220,000 families had applied statewide, and the final total is expected to be even higher.

For many parents, the weeks following the application deadline can be confusing. Families are often unsure when they will hear about funding, how the lottery process works, or what they should be doing while they wait.

Understanding the next steps can help families avoid unnecessary delays and prepare for the important decisions that will follow.

TEFA Timeline: What Families Should Expect

While exact timing may vary depending on administrative processing, the general timeline for the TEFA program is expected to look something like this:

March 31 – Student application deadline closes (extended by court order)

Late March–Early April – Applications are reviewed and sorted by priority group

April 6 (may be delayed due to deadline extension) – TEFA award letters begin going out to families

June 1 – Families must confirm enrollment in a TEFA-approved private school

June 15 – Schools confirm student enrollment and tuition amounts

July 15 – Students without a confirmed school placement must select a private school

July 31 – Schools finalize enrollment confirmations

August – TEFA payments begin flowing to participating schools

The most immediate question many families now have is whether they will receive TEFA funding and when they will find out.

When Will Families Learn If They Received TEFA Funding?

Current guidance indicates that award notifications are expected to begin around April 6.

These early notifications will most likely go first to Priority 1 applicants, which generally include students with disabilities and siblings of students with disabilities.

Each award letter is expected to include the actual funding amount assigned to the student, allowing families to understand immediately what level of support they may receive.

Because demand for the program is very high, not every applicant will receive funding during the initial round.

Where the Lottery May Occur

The TEFA program organizes applicants into several priority groups defined by state law.

Based on current application numbers and early estimates, current estimates suggest that:

• Priority 1 applicants will receive funding

• The lottery may occur within Priority 2

• Applicants in Priority 3–5 may not receive funding during the initial award phase

However, the final outcome will depend on two important factors:

1. How many Priority 1 students qualify

2. The amount of funding assigned to those students

Because the program operates within a fixed statewide budget, higher funding levels for Priority 1 students can reduce the number of students funded overall.

Once Priority 1 awards are finalized, the state will determine whether the lottery will occur in Priority 2 or Priority 3.

How Disability Funding Is Determined

Students with disabilities may qualify for additional TEFA funding beyond the base program amount.

These funding levels are determined using information from the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

In Texas, special education services are categorized using instructional setting codes, which describe the level of support a student receives.

Most TEFA applications involving an IEP appear to fall into a few common categories, such as:

• Code 40 – Mainstream classroom services

• Code 41 – Resource support

• Code 42 – Self-contained classroom support

In many cases:

• Code 40 students may receive little or no additional funding

• Codes 41 and 42 may receive modest additional funding, often estimated in the range of $2,000–$4,000

For this funding to be included in the TEFA award:

• The student’s IEP must already be completed

• The instructional code must be identified

• Documentation must be uploaded into TEA’s APEX system 

Families who believe their school district has not completed required special education documentation within mandated timelines may want to follow up with their district as soon as possible.

Why Some Families May Receive Funding Later

Even after the initial awards are announced, the list of funded students may continue to change.

Not every family that receives TEFA funding will ultimately use it.

For example:

• Some students may not be accepted into a private school

• Some families may decide to remain in their current school

• Some families may not complete enrollment requirements

When this happens, the unused funds are reallocated to other applicants, which means additional students may receive TEFA awards later in the process.

One Important Step Families Should Not Delay: Applying to Schools

One common mistake families are making right now is waiting to see if they receive TEFA funding before applying to schools.

This approach can create a serious problem.

Private schools have limited enrollment capacity, and many schools complete their admissions decisions months before the start of the school year.

If families wait until TEFA funding is confirmed before applying, they may find that the schools they are interested in are already full.

For this reason, families should strongly consider beginning conversations with schools now, even while they are waiting for TEFA results.

TEFA Funding Does Not Guarantee Admission to a School

It is also important to understand that TEFA funding does not automatically place a student into a private school.

Private schools still maintain their own admissions processes and determine whether a program is an appropriate academic fit for each student.

Students must still:

• apply to the school

• complete the admissions process

• be accepted

• secure an available seat

before TEFA funds can be used for tuition.

How Families Should Evaluate Private Schools

Because the TEFA program is new, many families will be exploring private school options for the first time.

When evaluating schools, families may want to consider several important factors:

• how long the school has been operating

• the experience and qualifications of the teaching staff

• the academic program and curriculum

• the types of students the school is designed to serve

Families may also want to look closely at schools that have only recently opened or whose tuition is set exactly at the TEFA funding cap. Strong schools typically have an established educational program and a clear mission for the students they serve.

What Families Should Be Doing Right Now

While waiting for TEFA award notifications, families can use this time to prepare for the next stage of the process.

Helpful steps may include:

• Monitoring TEFA communications for award notifications
• Ensuring that disability documentation has been uploaded correctly if applicable
• Researching private schools that may be a good fit
• Scheduling school tours or informational calls
• Asking schools about enrollment availability for the coming year

Taking these steps now can help families move quickly once TEFA funding decisions are announced.

New to TEFA?
If you’re still learning how the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program works, including eligibility, funding, and how to apply to private schools, you can start here:

→ Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) Overview

 How The Tenney School Is Preparing for TEFA Families

The Tenney School is an approved TEFA private school serving students in grades 5–12.

For more than 50 years, Tenney has specialized in helping students who benefit from:

• small class sizes

• individualized instruction

• structured academic support

• strong executive function coaching

Many of the students we serve have experienced challenges in traditional school environments and thrive in a smaller, more personalized setting.

In addition to our Houston campus, Tenney School Live provides a structured online learning option for students who need flexibility while maintaining a teacher-led academic program.

Families interested in learning more about whether Tenney may be a good fit are welcome to connect with our admissions team.