How to Apply for Texas TEFA: Every Step of the Process

The Texas Education Freedom Act gives eligible families a way to use state funds toward private school tuition, but an award is not automatic. In the first application cycle, more than 274,000 families applied and just over 100,000 received awards. Understanding how the process works, and where your family falls in the priority tiers, is the most important thing you can do before the next cycle opens.

TEFA is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and was created by Senate Bill 2 in 2025 with $1 billion in initial funding. The standard award for an approved private school is $10,474 per child for the 2026-27 school year, set by the Texas Education Agency. That amount is enough to cover Novatio's $8,500 annual tuition in full, with funds remaining for other approved educational expenses.

What is TEFA and who runs it?

TEFA is a state education savings program that deposits funds into an account families use to pay tuition at an approved private school. It is not a voucher paid directly to the school. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts administers the program, and families access their funds through a designated account to pay an accredited private school. Novatio is a Cognia-accredited virtual private school, and Cognia is recognized by TEPSAC, which means Novatio meets the accreditation requirement for participating private schools.

Is every Texas family eligible?

TEFA is open to Texas K-12 residents, but eligibility does not guarantee an award. When the number of eligible applicants exceeds available funding, a lottery determines who receives an award within each priority tier. In the 2026-27 cycle, that happened: over 274,000 families applied and roughly 100,000 received awards. Applying early within an open cycle is important, but it does not guarantee selection.

What are the priority tiers?

For 2026-27, TEFA uses four priority tiers to determine who receives an award first when funding is limited.

Tier 1 covers students with a disability and a household income at or below 500% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, 500% FPL is roughly $165,000. Disability status alone does not place a student in Tier 1 if household income is above that threshold.

Tier 2 covers students with a household income at or below 200% FPL, which is about $66,000 for a family of four.

Tier 3 covers households with income between 200% and 500% FPL.

Tier 4 covers households with income above 500% FPL. Within Tier 4, students who were enrolled in a Texas public school for at least 90% of the 2024-25 school year receive extra priority.

Families should identify their tier before applying. Tier 1 and Tier 2 applicants have historically faced better odds in a competitive cycle.

How much is the TEFA award?

The standard TEFA award for an approved private school is $10,474 per child for the 2026-27 school year. A student with a current IEP on file may qualify for a higher award based on the documented disability. Senate Bill 2 sets a $30,000 cap for IEP-related awards, though most students with an IEP receive less than the cap. The exact amount depends on the individual IEP. The maximum for homeschool families or students not enrolled in an approved private school is $2,000.

If Novatio's $8,500 tuition is paid from a standard $10,474 award, the remaining funds stay in the family's account for other approved educational expenses.

Does Novatio admission guarantee a TEFA award?

No. Novatio accepts students without academic entry requirements, and all applicants to Novatio are accepted. But TEFA funding is separate. Novatio has no control over TEFA approval, and being accepted to Novatio does not affect a family's position in the TEFA lottery. Families should begin the TEFA process independently and let both applications run in parallel. You can start the Novatio admissions process at any time.

What happens after a family receives a TEFA award?

Once a family receives a TEFA award, they select Novatio through the TEFA portal and complete Novatio's enrollment requirements. That includes an admissions call, any required documentation, and transferring tuition from the TEFA account to Novatio. Novatio's tuition for the 2026-27 school year is $8,500. Because the standard TEFA award is $10,474, most families have funds remaining after tuition is paid.

If your child has an IEP and may qualify for additional TEFA funding, the admissions team can walk you through what documentation to have ready. The special education support page covers what Novatio offers for students with an IEP or 504 plan.

Does the sibling rule help families with more than one child?

Yes. If one child in a family receives a TEFA award, an eligible sibling who applies during the same period is also accepted. This means families with more than one child in grades 2-8 do not need both children to clear the lottery independently, as long as they apply in the same cycle.

Where is the application cycle right now?

The 2026-27 application cycle has closed. An interest list is currently open for the 2027-28 school year. Families who want to be notified when the next cycle opens should join that list through the official TEFA portal at educationfreedom.texas.gov. Application dates and portal instructions are time-sensitive and can change between cycles, so the official site is the authoritative source.

What should families do while they wait?

Waiting for the next TEFA cycle to open is a reasonable time to learn how Novatio works so you are ready to move quickly once an award comes through. Novatio is a Cognia-accredited virtual private school for students in grades 2-8. Students complete approximately two hours of focused, personalized academics each morning with support from certified teachers, then spend their afternoons in live, teacher-led clubs. There is no homework.

First-cohort NWEA MAP data showed that Novatio students learned 4.6 times faster than expected during the measured period. One student moved from the 8th to the 80th percentile in reading over a single school year. Individual results vary, but the data gives families a concrete reference point when evaluating programs. You can explore how the curriculum works before the next cycle opens.

What should families do right now?

If you are planning for the 2027-28 school year, the practical steps are straightforward. Join the TEFA interest list at educationfreedom.texas.gov so you receive cycle-opening information directly. Identify your priority tier using the FPL thresholds above. If your child has a disability and a current IEP, gather that documentation now, because it may affect your award amount and tier placement.

You can also complete a Novatio application at any time. It takes under two minutes, there is no application fee, and there is no commitment. If you have questions about fit, funding, or what the school day actually looks like, book a 1:1 call with Karissa to talk through your family's situation before the next cycle opens.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the TEFA award for a private school in 2026-27?

The standard TEFA award for an approved private school is $10,474 per child for the 2026-27 school year, as set by the Texas Education Agency. A student with a current IEP on file may qualify for a higher amount based on the documented disability, up to a $30,000 cap under Senate Bill 2. Most IEP students receive less than the cap.

Is TEFA funding guaranteed if I apply?

No. When eligible applicants exceed available funding, a lottery is used within each priority tier. In the first cycle, over 274,000 families applied and just over 100,000 received awards. Applying does not guarantee an award, and receiving a Novatio acceptance has no effect on TEFA approval.

What are the TEFA priority tiers and where does my family fit?

Tier 1 is for students with a disability and household income at or below 500% of the federal poverty level (roughly $165,000 for a family of four). Tier 2 is for households at or below 200% FPL (roughly $66,000). Tier 3 is for households between 200% and 500% FPL. Tier 4 is for households above 500% FPL, with extra priority for students who attended a Texas public school for at least 90% of 2024-25.

Can TEFA cover Novatio's full tuition?

Yes, for families who receive a standard award. Novatio's tuition is $8,500 per year for the 2026-27 school year. The standard TEFA award is $10,474, so the award covers Novatio's tuition in full with funds remaining for other approved educational expenses. Novatio does not control TEFA approval.

What if the 2026-27 cycle is already closed?

The 2026-27 application cycle has closed. An interest list for the 2027-28 school year is open at educationfreedom.texas.gov. Joining that list is the best way to be notified when the next cycle opens. Families can also complete a Novatio application now so they are ready to enroll quickly once a TEFA award arrives.