Texas Education Savings Account Program

The Texas legislature created its first school choice program, an ESA with an initial $1 billion in funding that will begin in fall 2026. All Texas K–12 students are eligible, and they need not have first attended a public school in the state. The funding allotment means up to 90,000 accounts could be awarded during the program’s first year, though it will likely be less because students with special needs qualify for higher awards. A multi-tiered priority system will kick in if the number of applications exceeds the number of available seats. Most participants will receive an account value of around $10,500 ($30,000 for students with special needs). Homeschooled students may participate, but their accounts are capped at $2,000. Participants in 3rd through 12th grade who attend a private school must take a nationally norm-referenced examination every year.

Funding Mechanism: Legislative appropriation 

Honorable Mention Fact: Texas is the most populous state to enact a school choice program. 

Universal Eligibility: ✅
Universal Usage: ✅
Universal Funding: ❌
Truly Universal: ❌

(Last updated December 16, 2025)

Account funds may be spent on qualifying expenses, which include tuition and fees for private school, college, online coursework, industry-based credentials, textbooks, uniforms, classes and services provided by a school district or open-enrollment charter school, assessments, tutoring, transportation, computer hardware and software, other technological devices, and breakfast or lunch when provided during the school day by a private school. 

Families not enrolled in a private school will receive up to $2,000 and may use the funds for qualifying expenses, including textbooks, exams and assessments, transportation, educational therapies and services, and certain technological devices, among other expenses. Families enrolled in accredited private schools may use the funds for private school tuition and fees, as well as all other approved expenses. 

(Last updated December 16, 2025)

View program requirements for parents, schools, and scholarship granting organizations by clicking on each hyperlink.

(Last updated December 16, 2025)

Tex. Code §§ 29.351 – 29.374, 22.092, 411.109, 811.002

(Last updated May 14, 2025)