Texas School Choice Program Launch Shatters Records
Dallas, TX - Texans made their enthusiasm for school choice crystal clear Wednesday when they turned out in force to apply for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program. More than 35,000 applications were submitted by Wednesday evening, making it the largest day-one school choice program launch to date.
Thousands of applications poured in within an hour of the TEFA application window’s opening. By noon, the program had logged more than 20,000 applications, Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock said in a press release.
TEFA accounts can cover tuition, tutoring, therapies, instructional materials, and other expenses. Most students will be awarded $10,474, with up to $30,000 for students with special needs. The billion-dollar program is the largest day-one, state-based school choice program in the country.
AFC encourages families who have not yet applied to do so as soon as possible. Applying takes roughly 15 minutes, even for families with multiple children.
Families can apply through March 17. The program is not first-come, first-served, and those who apply early in the application window will have the same chance as those who apply later.
Statement from Nathan Cunneen, Texas State Director, American Federation for Children:
“The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program launched in true Texas style, with application figures eclipsing those of other states. This extraordinary response underscores Texans’ demand for school choice. If you have not yet applied for TEFA, please do so today by visiting educationfreedom.texas.gov.”
