200K apply as Texas vouchers close; who qualifies, what’s next
Texas families have until the end of the day Tuesday to apply for the state's new school voucher program, but early indicators show demand could exceed available support.Applications for families hoping to use public funds to pay for private school during the 2026-2027 academic year will remain open until 11:59.
They are available on thefor Education Freedom Accounts, controlled by the Texas Comptroller's office. The application period started on February 4, and demand is high. The program — known as Education Savings Accounts, or ESAs — allows families to use state funds to help pay for private school tuition, tutoring, and other education-related expenses.have already been filed for students hoping to participate. Under the program, families can receive about $10,474 per student each year, with significant increases for students with disabilities that could exceed $30,000. The program is funded at around $1 billion in the first year, enough to serve only about 1.5% of Texas students. TheAccording to a state fact sheet, applicants span a wide range of income levels:The data also shows that most applicants are not currently in public schools.About 22% are in homeschool or other settings12% qualifying as students with disabilities in lower-income householdsState data shows thousands of applications are coming from North Texas school districts, including some of the largest in the region.The state has also been building out a network of approved education providers as the program launches. More than 2,200 private schools have opted in to accept voucher students, according toA significant number of those participating schools are located in North Texas, giving families in the region multiple options if they are selected for funding. The site lists more than 650 schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.State rules prioritize certain students, even though any eligible family can apply.Students with disabilities, particularly from lower-income householdsFamilies between 200-500% of the federal poverty level.The state says applications are not first-come, first-served; instead, all submissions will be reviewed after the deadline at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday. After the application window closes, the state will begin reviewing submissions and awarding funds based on its priority system and available budget. The state says any sibling of a student selected for the program will also automatically be admitted. Decisions on who receives funding are expected later this spring, with funds distributed ahead of the next school year.Due to limited funding, not every applicant will receive a voucher, and those not selected may be placed on a waitlist. State officials say students with disabilities are prioritized in the voucher program, but families should understand how services may differ outside the public school system. According to the state’s program website, private schools are not subject to the same federal and state requirements as public school districts when it comes to providing special education services.The state directs families to review their rights under federal and Texas law before enrolling, noting that services available in a private school setting may not match those provided in a public school or charter school.Students do not keep their IEP if they leave the public school systemPrivate schools are not required to provide the same services listed in an IEP There was also confusion about the program rules to qualify for additional funding for special education services. Legal documentation proving a child received a special education evaluation from a public school can take months. The Comptroller's office has sinceState guidance also clarifies that while students with disabilities may qualify for up to $30,000, that amount is not guaranteedIn some cases, qualifying for the higher funding level requires documentation tied to a student’s special education status in public school, such as an Individualized Education Program.
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