Application Timeline
Date | What Happens |
February 4, 2026 | Applications open at 9:00 a.m. CT |
March 31, 2026 | Applications close at 11:59 p.m. CT |
Important
The March 31 application deadline determines your funding amount.
Parents must indicate their child's learning setting (private school, homeschool, or other approved option) by this date.
Families with a qualifying IEP on file with the Texas Education Agency may be eligible for additional funding of up to $30,000.
School Selection Update
As funding amounts are finalized ahead of award notifications, please note the following:
Private School to Homeschool
If you have not yet received funding, you may change your school selection from private school to homeschool. Please note that for the 26-27 School Year, this change is one-way only, you cannot change your selection from homeschool to private school after your application has been submitted.
If you have already received funding, you may still change your school selection from private school to homeschool; however, this change cannot be made through the Parent Portal. Please contact our Support Team at [email protected] or 737-379-2362, and we'll be happy to assist you.
Homeschool/Other
Homeschool/Other selections are final and cannot be modified.
Funding allocations have been established based on this selection.
As stated in the original application, Homeschool/Other selections become final once submitted.
Funding Installments
Under Texas law, students receive TEFA funding in installments.
💡Please note: The earliest students can receive their first installment is July 1.
Private School Students
For students attending a participating private school:
Date | What Happens |
June 15 | Students whose schools confirm their enrollment by June 15 will receive funding July 1. |
July 1 | First installment (25% of the student's award amount) becomes available. |
July 31 | Students whose schools confirm their enrollment by July 31 will receive funding by mid-August. |
Mid-August | First installment funding becomes available for students confirmed by July 31. |
October 1 | Second installment (25% of the student's total award amount) becomes available for students whose schools verified their enrollment by the communicated deadline. |
February 1 | Final installment (remaining 50% of the student's total award amount) becomes available for students whose schools verified their enrollment by the communicated deadline. |
Students attending a participating private school must have their enrollment verified by their school's communicated deadline based on their award date. If the school does not verify enrollment by that deadline, the student will be removed from the program.
For most students who were initially awarded, the deadline is July 31. Students awarded from the waitlist will receive their verification deadline in their award notification, which is typically about four weeks after the award is issued.
Important:
If you received the award notification on June 23, then the deadline for opting in, selecting your school, and verifying enrollment is July 15.
If you received the award notification on July 8, then the deadline for opting in, selecting your school, and verifying enrollment is August 7.
Students attending a participating private school must have their enrollment verified by their school's communicated deadline based on their award date. If the school does not verify enrollment by that deadline, the student will be removed from the program. For most students who were initially awarded, the deadline is July 31. Students awarded from the waitlist will receive their verification deadline in their award notification, which is typically about four weeks after the award is issued.
Students must remain enrolled in a participating private school to receive future installments.
Students who are awarded from the waitlist at a later date will receive funding as soon as practicable.
Homeschool/Other Students
For students who selected Homeschool/Other:
Date | What Happens |
June 15 | Students must opt in to receive funding on July 1. |
July 1 | Full $2,000 award becomes available in a single installment. |
July 31 | Final deadline to opt in for mid-August funding. |
Mid-August | Funding becomes available for students who opted in by July 31. |
Students awarded from the waitlist at a later date will receive funding as soon as practicable.
Students who are found to be enrolled in a public or charter school during the school year will be removed from the program.
Funding Proration for Students Awarded from the Waitlist
Students who are awarded from the waitlist and join the program after July 15 may have their funding prorated depending on when enrollment is confirmed.
To receive the full award amount, students must do the following by September 15:
Confirm enrollment in a participating private school, or
Confirm they have opted in as a Homeschool/Other student
Funding Round | Confirmation Date | Funding Date | Funding Proration After Confirmation Date |
Initial 25% Funding (First Deadline) | June 15 | July 1 | N/A |
Initial 25% Funding (2nd Deadline) | July 31 | Mid-August | 100% |
Second 25% Funding | September 15 | October 1 | 75% |
Final 50% Funding | January 15 | February 1 | 50% |
Important Reminders
Funding timelines are subject to change based on guidance from the Texas Comptroller's Office.
Students must continue to meet all program requirements to remain eligible for future funding installments.