Welcome to Annapolis Christian Academy’s resource page on the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program.  We are excited about this new opportunity to expand access to a quality classical Christian education. TEFA, established by the 89th Texas Legislature through Senate Bill 2 in 2025, provides eligible families with state funds to support customized learning paths, including enrollment at private schools like ours. This page offers a clear overview, eligibility details, and next steps to help you explore how TEFA can benefit your family.

What is TEFA?

The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program is a groundbreaking school-choice initiative designed to put parents in the driver’s seat of their child’s education by providing eligible families with state-funded accounts to cover a wide range of approved educational expenses beginning in the 2026–27 school year. Administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts in partnership with Odyssey—a certified educational assistance organization—the program allocates up to $1 billion to support approximately 100,000 students in its initial rollout. Reflecting Texas’ commitment to educational freedom, TEFA empowers families to choose options such as private schools that best meet their child’s needs, and at Annapolis we are prepared to welcome TEFA families for the 2026–27 school year, provided they meet our standard enrollment requirements.

Eligibility Requirements for TEFA

All Texas students in PreK through 12th grade are eligible to apply for the TEFA, provided they are U.S. citizens or legal residents and eligible to attend a Texas public school. However, with limited funding, selection is prioritized and may involve a lottery system. Funds are not guaranteed for all applicants, but priority ensures support reaches those with the greatest needs first. Here is a breakdown of priority tiers:

How to Apply for the TEFA

The application window for TEFA opens on February 4, 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year via an online portal managed by Odyssey and will close on March 17, 2026. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

  1. Sign Up for Updates: Visit the Texas Comptroller’s TEFA page to receive notifications on the application website and requirements.
  2. Gather Documentation for completing TEFA Application: Parent Application Checklist
  3. Submit Online Application for TEFA: Access the Odyssey portal to complete the TEFA application, including child details and educational goals.
  4. Await Selection for TEFA: Approved families will be notified and gain access to their digital account in April 2026.
  5. Tour Annapolis Christian Academy: Contact our admissions office to schedule a tour.
  6. Complete Annapolis Christian Academy’s Online Application: Complete the online application and pay application fee.
  7. New Student Admissions Testing: Schedule and complete new student testing at Annapolis for all students entering Pre-K through 12th grade. 
  8. Complete Annapolis Christian Academy’s Online Enrollment Contract: Once accepted, complete the online enrollment contract to finalize the financial agreement and pay enrollment fee.
  9. Transfer Funds from TEFA to Annapolis: Once the funds are securely in your account, contact our business office to apply TEFA funds toward tuition—we’ll guide you through the process.

Note: Private schools like ours maintain independent admissions standards separate from TEFA funding decisions. Therefore, students must meet Annapolis’ admission requirements for acceptance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Annapolis Christian Academy eligible to participate in TEFA?

ACA is an accredited private school that meets the state’s eligibility standards.

When does the TEFA program begin?

The application window is February 4,  2026, though March 17, 2026. Families may sign up for updates from the Texas Comptroller’s Office.

How is the money made available to families?

Quarterly transfers into ESA accounts will be made on the first day of July, October, January, and April.  If a child enrolls in the program after the beginning of the school year, the amount transferred is prorated based on the date of enrollment. Any money remaining in a participating child’s account will be carried over to the next fiscal year. Transfers to an account are not considered taxable income unless otherwise provided by federal or another state’s law.

What are approved expenses?

Approved expenses include tuition and fees for a private school, higher education provider, online educational course or program, or any TEA-approved program offering an industry-based credential. Funds may also be used for the cost of breakfast or lunch provided during the school day by a private school, as well as for the purchase of instructional materials or uniforms. Families can apply TEFA funds toward fees for classes offered by a public school, academic assessments, private tutors or teaching services, fee-for-service transportation providers, and educational therapies or services not covered by government benefits or private insurance. Additionally, the program allows for the purchase of computer hardware, software, and other technological devices required by a provider or prescribed by a physician, up to 10% of the total annual ESA amount. However, funds may not be used to pay any person related to the program participant within the third degree of consanguinity.

Who qualifies as a "child with disabilities"?

A student may qualify as a child with a disability if they are between three and 21 years old and have a condition—such as a visual or auditory impairment, a physical, intellectual, developmental, emotional, learning, or speech disability, autism, or a traumatic brain injury—that prevents them from being adequately or safely educated in a public school setting without special services. Eligibility may also be established through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). To verify a child’s disability, families must provide one of the following: a letter confirming the child’s eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI); a written diagnosis from a licensed physician confirming one of the listed disabilities; or an IEP issued by a Texas public school district or open-enrollment charter school.

What is the dollar amount available to children accepted into the program?

The amount depends on the child’s situation.

For 2026-2027 the TEFA award per child will be $10,474. Students with qualifying disabilities may be eligible for up to $30,000 per year. Homeschooled students may be eligible for up to $2,000 per year.

What role has ACA played in this process?

ACA is an active member of the Texas Private Schools Association (TPSA), which worked to ensure religious protections in the law. We’ve engaged in weekly legislative briefings, collaborated with schools in other ESA states, and are committed to advocacy and wisdom-led discernment as we move forward.

Will ACA's academics or Christian values be impacted?

Absolutely not. Our commitment is clear: ACA will never accept funding that compromises our faith, admissions standards, or instructional content. We will only participate if the law continues to protect religious liberty and school autonomy.

Do I still need to apply for ACA's tuition assistance program?

Recognizing that not all families will receive an ESA award for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year, tuition assistance will continue to be awarded to families who meet eligibility requirements through ACA’s tuition assistance program. We know that ACA’s financial aid awards do not cover the full amount of tuition, but it is still an integral part of keeping our school affordable for many families. All families are encouraged to apply for TEFA, however, all families applying for ACA’s tuition assistance must also submit a TEFA application when available. TEFA funds, if awarded, will be applied first to the student’s tuition. Any internal tuition assistance awarded by the school may be reduced by the amount of TEFA funding received. If a family is not awarded TEFA, the school-provided tuition assistance will remain unchanged.