TEFA vs. Voucher — How Texas Education Freedom Accounts Differ From Vouchers

TEFA is often mentioned alongside "school choice" and "vouchers," but it's technically an Education Savings Account (ESA)—and that distinction matters for how you use the money.

Vouchers vs. ESAs

Vouchers typically send money directly to a school. You choose a school, and the state pays the school on your behalf. Your options are usually limited to participating schools.

ESAs deposit funds into an account you control. You can use the money for tuition at a participating school, but also for tutoring, curriculum, therapies, homeschool materials, and other approved expenses. The funds are more flexible.

Why TEFA's ESA Model Matters

With TEFA, you're not locked into a single school. You can:

• Pay tuition at a participating private school
• Use funds for tutoring or therapies even if your child attends a different school
• Use the $2,000 homeschool amount for curriculum and materials
• Combine expenses (e.g., part-time school + tutoring)

The account is managed through Odyssey. You submit expenses for reimbursement or direct payment to approved providers.

TEFA and Texas School Choice

TEFA is part of Texas's broader school choice expansion. It gives families more options—private school, homeschool, hybrid—with state support. The program launches for the 2026-27 school year.

For funding amounts and eligibility, see our TEFA Overview.