Texas families begin applying for state-funded school vouchers as $1B program rolls out

Texas families can begin applying Wednesday for the state’s new private school voucher program, a major education policy set to launch in the 2026–27 school year. The program allows families to use taxpayer-funded education savings accounts to pay for private school tuition or home-school expenses. Applications close March 17.

As first reported by The Texas Tribune, more than 35,000 families had submitted applications by Wednesday night, according to the comptroller’s office. Lawmakers have allocated $1 billion for the current two-year budget cycle, which ends Aug. 31, 2027. If demand exceeds available funds, the state will prioritize applicants based on income level and disability status.

Budget analysts estimate long-term costs could rise to roughly $4.8 billion by 2030, depending on future legislative decisions.

Who can apply and how priority works

Most Texas families with school-age children are eligible, including those already in private school or home schooling. Families currently enrolled in public school must plan to withdraw their child to participate.

Parents must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful residency for their child.

If applications exceed funding, priority will go to:

• Students with disabilities from families earning at or below 500% of the federal poverty level (about $165,000 annually for a family of four)
• Families earning at or below 200% of the poverty level (about $66,000 for a family of four)
• Families earning between 200% and 500% of poverty
• Families earning above 500% of poverty (capped at $200 million in total funding)

The priority system does not guarantee acceptance. Students must still find a private school willing to enroll them. Private schools are not required under state or federal law to provide special education accommodations.

Documents required for application

Families must submit:

• Social Security numbers for parent and child
• IRS Form 1040 from 2024 or 2025
• Proof of Texas residency (ID, utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or voter registration)

To verify citizenship or lawful residency, families may provide birth certificates or naturalization documents.

For private pre-K eligibility, children must be at least 3 years old and meet state criteria, such as qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, being in foster care, or having limited English proficiency.

How much funding families can receive

Most participating families with children in private schools will receive about $10,500 per year under the program, while home-schooling families can receive up to $2,000 annually. Students with disabilities may qualify for up to $30,000 each year, based on the estimated cost of educating the child in a public school setting.

To receive the higher level of disability funding, families must submit an Individualized Education Program (IEP). If they do not already have one, they can request an evaluation from their local public school, which must complete the assessment within 45 days of receiving parental consent.

The funds will be distributed through digital education savings accounts managed by Odyssey and can be used for tuition, tutoring, transportation and school meals.

Private school participation and related concerns

More than 1,600 private schools have opted into the program, with most located in the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth areas.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a January opinion stating that the comptroller can block schools allegedly tied to terrorist groups or foreign adversaries. The issue arose after concerns about schools accredited by Cognia hosting events connected to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

CAIR has sued Gov. Greg Abbott over being labeled a terrorist organization, calling the designation false. The U.S. State Department does not list CAIR as a terrorist group.

According to The Texas Tribune, hundreds of Cognia-accredited schools were initially excluded from participation. The comptroller’s office has since said it is inviting schools it considers compliant with state law to join the program.

What happens next

Families will receive funding notifications in April. Approved applicants must confirm private school enrollment by June 1, or July 15 if granted an extension.

Private schools will verify enrollment between June 15 and July 31. The first portion of funding will become available between July 1 and mid-August.
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