Dallas, TX – The Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) Program officially surpassed 100,000 student applications in just 12 days, reaching 101,797 Sunday. This historic milestone spotlights extraordinary demand from Texas families seeking expanded educational options.
Thanks to the excellent work of Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock and his team, the program has experienced a smooth and successful rollout, with families across the state navigating the application process without major technical issues or delays. The strong early demand reflects both the urgency families feel and their enthusiasm for greater flexibility in choosing the best educational setting for their children.
Importantly, the program is not first-come-first-served. Families should continue applying! Applications received on opening day will have the same chance of success as those received by the March 17 deadline. Applications for students from low-income families and for students with special needs will be prioritized.
TEFA is already having a positive impact on communities who traditionally face the greatest barriers to accessing educational options. While all Texas pre-K through 12th grade students are eligible, early data shows that the overwhelming majority of TEFA applications have come from low-income and working-class families.
Statement from Nathan Cunneen, Texas State Director, American Federation for Children:
“This six-figure application milestone is a powerful testament to how popular education freedom is in Texas. Families are embracing the opportunity to customize their child’s education, and we are proud the program has launched so efficiently and effectively to meet that demand. We thank Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, his team, and Odyssey for their excellent work on the rollout of this program.
It is now clear that demand will exceed supply for the first year of the TEFA program. Texas lawmakers should take note and prepare to fully fund the program waitlist in future legislative sessions so that every family who wants a choice can access it.”
About AFC:
The American Federation for Children is the nation’s largest school choice advocacy organization and a leading force in advancing education freedom. AFC has helped pass more than 200 school choice laws nationwide, empowering families with meaningful options and elevating parent voices in education policy. The organization’s affiliated Super PAC, AFC Victory Fund, is focused on electing education reform champions at state and federal levels.
