🆕 Texas's First-Ever ESA Program
Signed into law as Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program launches for the 2026–2027 school year with $1 billion in funding. This is the largest new ESA program in the country — and it explicitly covers reading intervention services.
Funding Amounts
TEFA funding depends on your child's educational setting and needs:
What TEFA Covers for Reading Help
The Texas Education Freedom Accounts program covers a wide range of educational expenses, including everything your child needs for reading intervention:
1-on-1 reading intervention and specialist instruction
Speech-language, reading specialists, learning support
Nationally norm-referenced testing and evaluations
Curriculum, textbooks, decodable readers
Educational software (limited to 10% of award)
Travel to approved education providers
Sample Plan — $10,474 Private School Track
Screening & Assessment Package: $499
Intervention Sessions (2x/week, 12 months): $7,200
Curriculum & Materials: $500
Digital Learning Platform: $180
Total: $8,379 — Fully covered, with $2,095 remaining
Who's Eligible?
All Texas K–12 students are eligible to apply, including students currently in public school, private school, or homeschool. If applications exceed available funding, students are prioritized in this order:
- Students with disabilities + income ≤ 500% FPLThose with a qualifying IEP or disability certification get top priority, especially from lower-income households.
- Household income ≤ 200% FPLLow-income families without disability documentation.
- Household income 200%–500% FPLMiddle-income families, with preference for those previously in public school.
- Household income ≥ 500% FPLHigher-income families. Limited to 20% of total program funding.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
⏰ Application Window: Feb 4 – March 17, 2026
This is not first-come, first-served. You can apply anytime during the window without affecting your chances. But you must submit by 11:59 PM CT on March 17. Decisions expected in April 2026.
- Start with a free ReAid consultationWe'll walk you through the TEFA application, help you gather documents, and make sure nothing gets missed before the March 17 deadline. Book your free call →
- Gather your documentsYou'll need: proof of Texas residency, child's birth certificate, income documentation, and — if applicable — disability certification (IEP, physician letter, or SSA documentation).
- Submit your application by March 17Complete the online application with all required documentation. The program is managed by Odyssey on behalf of the Texas Comptroller.
- Receive your decision (April 2026)Successful applicants will be notified. If accepted, funds are loaded into your account for the 2026–2027 school year.
- Use funds with approved providers like ReAidAll purchases go through the state-administered payment platform. ReAid is registering as an approved education service vendor.
Important Things to Know
All purchases go through the state platform. Unlike some other ESA programs, Texas requires all transactions through the Comptroller's approved payment system. Funds go directly to approved vendors — no reimbursement model.
Private school students must take annual tests. Students in grades 3–12 attending private school must take a nationally norm-referenced exam each year.
Technology has a 10% cap. Digital learning tools and technology expenses cannot exceed 10% of the annual award.
Official Resources
Don't Miss the March 17 Deadline
We can help you understand your eligibility, prepare your application, and build a reading intervention plan your TEFA covers.
Not in Texas? Check all state ESA deadlines →