Texas Education
Freedom Accounts (TEFA)
Register here to attend the Diocese Information Session on January 8, 2026, at 5pm
What Is TEFA?
- TEFA is an education savings account (ESA) program created by Texas through Senate Bill 2.
- It’s designed to give parents more flexibility and choice when it comes to paying for education expenses.
- The program will begin in the 2026–2027 school year, with applications expected to open in early 2026.
- Visit Texas Comptroller for more details.
Who Is Eligible?
- Students must be U.S. citizens or lawful residents who are otherwise eligible to enroll in a Texas public school.
- The program gives priority to children from lower- to moderate-income families and children with special learning needs.
- Visit Texas Private Schools Association for more information.
How Much Funding Is Available?
For students in eligible non-public schools (like The Highlands School), the standard TEFA award is estimated to be around $10,000 per year.
For students with a diagnosed disability (who have an IEP), the award may go up to $30,000.
What Can TEFA Money Be Used For?
Tuition at participating private schools
Tutoring, online education programs, and therapies
Textbooks, instructional materials, and uniforms
Technology (hardware/software), and transportation to education providers.
How the Program Is Administered
- The Texas Comptroller’s Office oversees TEFA.
- Odyssey has been selected as the Certified Educational Assistance Organization (CEAO) to manage the platform, including applications, account access, and eligible payments.
- Once funds are awarded, families will use a secure parent portal to access their “education savings wallet” and pay for approved services.
Important Things to Note
- Participation in TEFA is voluntary for private schools. Not every school is required to accept TEFA funds. We are pleased to share that, as a fully accredited independent Catholic school, The Highlands School will be eligible to accept TEFA funds once the program begins disbursing for the 2026–2027 school year. Our accreditation and longstanding commitment to academic excellence ensure that we meet the state requirements for participating private schools.
- There are reporting requirements: for example, TEFA requires sharing assessment (test) scores (THS will fulfill this) and completing a satisfaction survey.
- Funds that are not used in one year may roll over for future years while the student remains eligible.
- The online application for Texas families will open February 4, 2026, well in advance of the 2026–27 school year. Visit Texas Comptroller for more details.
- The Highlands School is an approved vendor in the Odyssey platform for the state Texas.
What You Can Do Now
- Stay Informed: We’ll be sharing updates as we receive them. You can also sign up for alerts through the Diocese of Dallas office by visiting TEFA website.
- Prepare Documentation: It’s a good idea to begin gathering relevant documents—such as proof of income, citizenship or residency, and any IEP or diagnosis if applicable.
- Talk With Us: If TEFA is of interest to your family, reach out to our Admissions Office. We are more than happy to explore how TEFA could work alongside. You can also sign up for sessions hosted by the Diocese that will explain in detail the TEFA program. I have attached a flyer with the information of the dates available. You are welcome to attend any of the sessions in the calendar.
Why This Matters for The Highlands School
We believe deeply in the mission to make a faith-centered, character-rich education accessible. TEFA represents a powerful opportunity for many families. By combining TEFA funds with our existing tuition assistance resources, we hope to expand access and support even more students in growing academically and spiritually in our community. We strongly encourage all parents to apply for the program.