102,000 Students Receive Education Freedom Accounts

We celebrate a major milestone for educational freedom in the Lone Star State as Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced that more than 102,000 students have now been awarded Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) for the 2026-2027 school year. The overwhelming response from Texas families demonstrates what parents have known all along: families deserve meaningful choices when it comes to educating their children.

When Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 2 and established the Education Freedom Account program in 2025, supporters argued that Texas parents, not government bureaucracies, are best equipped to determine the educational environment that will help their children thrive. The unprecedented demand for the program has proven that argument correct. More than 274,000 students applied during the inaugural application period, far exceeding initial expectations and setting a national record for first-year school choice demand. 

According to the Comptroller’s Office, the program has now surpassed the 100,000-student milestone, with approximately 145,000 students still remaining on the waitlist. As families complete enrollment decisions and additional funding becomes available, more students may have opportunities to participate.

Texas Family Project strongly supported the creation of Education Freedom Accounts because they empower parents while fostering competition and innovation in education. For too long, many Texas families have been trapped in educational systems that fail to meet their children’s unique needs. Education Freedom Accounts allow parents to direct state education dollars toward approved educational expenses, including private school tuition, tutoring services, educational therapies, curriculum materials, and other learning opportunities tailored to their child’s needs. 

One of the most encouraging aspects of the program is its prioritization of students with disabilities and lower-income families. The first rounds of awards focused on children with qualifying disabilities and families with limited financial resources, ensuring that educational opportunities are not reserved only for those from upper class families. The program’s tiered system demonstrates a commitment to helping families who may have the fewest alternatives available in their local school districts.

Critics of educational choice have long argued that there is insufficient demand for alternatives to traditional public schools. The response from Texas parents has thoroughly disproven that claim. More than 2,200 schools have registered to participate in the program, and hundreds of thousands of applications have been submitted by families seeking greater educational flexibility.

The sheer volume of participation sends a clear message that parents are eager for options beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to education.

Governor Greg Abbott recently celebrated the rollout of the program, noting Education Freedom Accounts give parents greater flexibility to choose the educational setting that best serves their children. Texas Family Project agrees. Every child learns differently, every family has unique values and priorities, and parents should have the freedom to select the educational environment that aligns with their family’s needs. 

The success of the program’s first year should serve as a reminder to policymakers that educational freedom is not a partisan talking point, it is a practical solution that thousands of Texas families are actively pursuing. The fact that demand has significantly exceeded available funding suggests lawmakers should explore opportunities to expand the program in future legislative sessions so more families can access educational choice.

Texas Family Project applauds Governor Greg Abbott, legislative leaders, and the countless parents who fought for educational freedom across the state. The milestone of 102,000 awarded accounts is more than just a number; it represents thousands of families gaining greater control over their children’s future.

Educational freedom is working in Texas. The demand is real, the need is evident, and the success of the Education Freedom Account program should encourage state leaders to continue expanding opportunities for families across the Lone Star State. When parents are empowered, children benefit, and strong families remain the foundation of a strong Texas.