School Choice in Texas: TEFA at Holy Cross of San Antonio
A new path to fund private education for Texas families begins for the 2026-2027 school year!
The Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) allows parents to use a portion of state education funds to pay for private school tuition and other approved educational expenses.
Families may receive $10,474 per student, and eligible students with disabilities could receive up to $30,000 for specialized instruction or services.
Funds can be used for:
- Private school tuition and fees
- Textbooks or other instructional materials
- Required uniforms
- Uniforms, books, and technology
- Tutoring, assessments, and therapies
- Transportation and special services
- Meals provided by private school
How Funds Work
- Private school students: Approx. $10,474 per student, per year
- Students with disabilities: Up to $30,000 (based on diagnosis/IEP)
Funds are placed into a state-managed account and distributed in 3 allotments. Funds remaining at the end of the school year will roll over as long as the child remains in the TEFA program.
Who’s Eligible?
To qualify for the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA/ESA):
- The student must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident of Texas.
- The student must be eligible to attend public school in Texas.
- The student cannot be enrolled full-time in a public or charter school while receiving ESA funds.
Because the TEFA program may have more applicants than available funds, students are grouped into four tiers or prioritization categories.
- These tiers determine the order in which applications are considered:
Tiers for Funding
Texas ESA Income Guidelines
Resources for TEFA Application
Families who are preparing to apply for the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) may find the following tools helpful:
-
TEFA Parent Application Walkthrough – Odyssey - A step-by-step video walkthrough that shows families how to complete the TEFA parent application in the Odyssey portal.
-
Parent Application Checklist - To prepare for the TEFA application, parents should gather the following documents listed on the checklist.
-
Texas Education Freedom Accounts – Parent Application Guide - A detailed guide outlining each section of the student application and what information families should have ready before starting.
-
Odyssey Chat Bot – This tool can help answer basic questions related to the application process, navigation, and general troubleshooting.
Special Education Focus
For families applying under Priority Group #1 (students with disabilities), the following resources may be especially important:
-
How to Obtain a UID from Your School District - This resource explains how families can request their child’s Unique Student Identification (UID) number from their public school district.
-
Updated State Guidance on ESAs and IEPs - When families contact public school districts to request an uploaded IEP or UID number, some district staff may not yet be familiar with TEFA guidance. Families may share this official guidance from the Texas Education Agency with their district’s special education department.
Family Checklist: How to Apply & Enroll
Step 1: Gather all required documentation listed on the checklist above.
Step 2: Apply for admission to Holy Cross of San Antonio (you may do this before or after your TEFA application).
Step 3: The Texas Comptroller’s TEFA/ESA portal opens on February 4, 2026, and closes on March 17, 2026. Apply online here: https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/
Step 4: Families will be notified in early April if approved for funds. At this time, you’ll receive instructions to allocate funds toward your child’s Holy Cross tuition and expenses.
Step 5: Confirm your child’s spot at Holy Cross and submit your enrollment packet (tuition agreement included).
Pro Tip: Apply for Holy Cross admission early so your spot is reserved before the TEFA application window closes.
Interested in Joining the Knight Family?
If you're considering Holy Cross for the upcoming school year, we’d love to connect with you! Explore the links below to learn more about admissions, tuition, and other financial assistance opportunities.
Angelica Garza, M.A. '07
Director of Admissions
210-433-2178
agarza@holycross-sa.org
