HOUSTON – Tuesday is the last day for Texas families to apply for the state’s new school voucher program, with the application window closing on March 17.
The program, known as the Texas Education Freedom Account initiative, allows families to use state funds for private school tuition, homeschooling, tutoring, and other approved education expenses.
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The 41-day application period opened Feb. 4 and ends March 17, according to the Texas Comptroller’s Office.
Interest in the program has been high.
According to the Texas Comptroller’s Office, the number of applications has topped 200,000 students, making it one of the largest school choice launches in the country.
“Crossing the 200,000-student mark shows just how strongly Texas families are responding to the opportunity for more educational freedom,” acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock said. “Our team has worked to stand up a program that is transparent, accountable and focused on student success. As we head into the final hours before the deadline, I encourage any family still considering TEFA to take a few minutes to complete an application. This program gives parents more tools to support their child’s future, and we want every eligible student to have the chance to benefit.”
If applications exceed available funding, the state says students will be selected through a lottery system, with priority given to children with disabilities and families with low or middle incomes.
Officials say all applications are reviewed after the deadline, and selections are made based on eligibility and priority tiers.
A spokesperson for the Comptroller’s Office says parent’s must get their applications in on time. They’re also aware of some issues with parents getting the proper special education paperwork in time.
“We are aware of some parents having issues with special education documentation and are working on ways to accommodate them by accepting alternative documentation to confirm their child’s disability,” a spokesperson told KPRC 2’s Gage Goulding. “The best way we can make sure to accommodate them is if they submit a completed application by the March 17 deadline and let us know about any issues they encounter that may be beyond their control.”
Under the program, selected students could receive about $10,000 per year for private school tuition, while homeschool students may receive smaller amounts for educational expenses.
Funding decisions are expected to be announced starting in early April.
State leaders encourage families who are interested to submit their application before the deadline on Tuesday, as late applications will not be accepted for the first year of the program.
If an application is denied, parents will have the opportunity to appeal.
“We will have an appeals process for situations where families face processing errors or issues beyond their control, but we want families to make sure they submit their applications, and make any necessary updates to their child’s information, before the March 17 application deadline,” a spokesperson for the Comptroller’s Office wrote KPRC 2.
To apply, visit the Texas Education Freedom Program website.