TEFA Eligibility Requirements 2026 — Who Qualifies for Texas Education Freedom Accounts?

TEFA has clear eligibility rules. Here's who qualifies and what you need to prove.

Child Eligibility

Your child must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the United States
• Be eligible to attend a Texas public school or open-enrollment charter school (or pre-K/K if applicable)
• Reside in Texas

Parent/Guardian Eligibility

You must:

• Be a Texas resident
• Be the child's parent or legal guardian
• Submit a complete application during the open window (Feb 4 – March 17, 2026)

Is There an Income Limit?

No. TEFA has no income cap. All eligible families can apply. If applications exceed funding, a lottery prioritizes lower-income households.

Special Needs ($30K Tier)

For the $30,000 tier, your child must have an IEP on file with the Texas Education Agency by the end of the application period. A 504 plan alone does not qualify for the higher amount.

What You'll Need to Provide

• Proof of Texas residency (utility bill, lease, etc.)
• Child's birth certificate or similar
• IEP documentation (if applying for special needs tier)

See our Eligibility page for the full checklist and Application Guide for the process.