Texas Opens Applications for $1 Billion Statewide School Voucher Program

Statewide Voucher Applications Begin for 2026-2027 School Year

Texas will open the application window on Wednesday for a new statewide school voucher program that will allow families to use public funds for private school tuition and other approved education-related expenses starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The program was created by Senate Bill 2 and establishes Texas Education Freedom Accounts.

The program is funded at $1 billion and will provide families with $10,474 per student each year to spend on approved educational costs. Students with disabilities who are enrolled in approved private schools or in pre-K or kindergarten programs may be eligible to receive up to $30,000. More than 1,600 schools across Texas are eligible to receive vouchers under the program.

Structure and Timing of Funding

Applications for the school voucher program will close on March 17, and funding notifications will be sent to families beginning in early April. At least 25% of the approved funds will be available in participant accounts starting in July, followed by an additional 50% in October. The remaining funds are expected to be released by April 2027.

Approved educational expenses can include private school tuition, textbooks, tutoring services, and certain transportation costs. The program’s accounts are intended to give families direct access to the allocated funds for these specified uses.

Eligibility and Application Priorities

Eligible students must be U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the country and must qualify to attend a Texas public school, charter school, or pre-K program. Parents of participating students must be Texas residents. Any student who meets these criteria may apply for the program.

If available funding is exhausted, the state will use a lottery system to allocate remaining spots. Under this system, priority will be given first to students with disabilities from families of four earning up to about $240,000 per year. Next in priority are students from lower-income households earning about $60,000, followed by families earning up to $240,000. Higher-income families will receive vouchers only if funds remain after these groups have been considered.

Legislative Outcome and Implementation

The rollout of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts follows a years-long legislative battle at the Texas Capitol and marks a significant legislative victory for the governor after repeated failed attempts to pass similar school voucher measures. Supporters, including Gov. Greg Abbott, state that the program expands parental choice and gives families more control over their children’s education.

Opposition has come from public school advocates and many rural lawmakers, who argued during the legislative process that the voucher initiative would divert taxpayer dollars from public schools. Hundreds of opponents testified against the measure at a Texas House hearing early last year, and the proposal prompted months of protests before ultimately passing as Senate Bill 2.