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 through school choice programs.
According to Hancock, “Texas didn’t just meet expectations, we set the national record for year-one demand in a school choice program.” He said, “Families across Texas made it clear they want a greater role in their child’s education, and they showed up in record numbers.”
A detailed breakdown released by the Comptroller’s office shows that about 43,000 students applied on the program’s first day. Nearly three-quarters of all applicants are from low- or middle-income families. The data also indicate that nearly 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 figures are preliminary and based on information submitted by applicants.
The Comptroller’s office is working with Odyssey, the certified educational assistance organization for TEFA, to verify student information before notifying families about awards later this month. Funds are scheduled to be distributed to student accounts in July. Year-one funding is expected to be exhausted within the second priority tier; a lottery will allocate remaining funds within this group and determine waitlist order for other students. The waitlist will be reported to the Texas Legislature as required by statute.
Hancock emphasized that maintaining program integrity remains a top priority and encouraged parents, school personnel and members of the public to report concerns about fraud or unlawful activity related to TEFA.
