TEFA 2027–28: what we know so far

Updated Nov 9, 2026. We'll update this page as soon as the state announces dates, amounts and funding.

What the November 2026 election means for TEFA

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Election results are still being certified.

  • Nothing changes this school year. TEFA is still state law, and 2026–27 accounts are funded, including the last 50% of private school awards on Feb 1, 2027.
  • Funding for 2027–28 isn't set. The Legislature writes the next two-year budget in its session, Jan 12, 2027 to May 31, 2027. The governor can then sign it or veto individual items, including TEFA's funding; overriding a veto takes two-thirds of both the House and the Senate. Ending TEFA itself would take a new law passed by both.
  • New state leaders take office in January. Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa (taking office Jan 19, 2027), Lieutenant Governor-elect Vikki Goodwin and Comptroller-elect Sarah Eckhardt, whose office runs TEFA, are Democrats. Democrats won a majority in the Texas House; Republicans kept their majority in the Senate.
  • Where things stand. Hinojosa campaigned on ending the program, and Eckhardt has said her office will audit it. In September, the comptroller's office under Don Huffines asked lawmakers for more than $2 billion for the next two years, enough to keep the roughly 110,000 students funded so far; funding the waitlist as well would take about $4 billion.
  • No dates yet. The state hasn't announced 2027–28 application, renewal or award dates.

What you can do now: keep more than one school on your list, ask each school about financial aid and payment plans, and get our seat alerts and TEFA updates. We'll update this page when the budget is decided.

The short version

  • Funding for 2027–28 isn't set yet. The Legislature decides it in its 2027 session.
  • The state hasn't announced when 2027–28 applications open. Last year's window ran Feb 4 to Mar 31, 2026.
  • You can join the state's 2027–28 interest list now to get updates.
  • Families already in TEFA in good standing don't reapply. They confirm their child is continuing.
  • The 2027–28 amounts aren't set yet. For 2026–27, the private school amount was $10,474.
  • Applying to a private school is a separate step from applying to TEFA, and some school deadlines come first.

Who gets priority in year two

If applications outnumber the money available, the state ranks new applicants by group. For year two, siblings of children already in TEFA come first, then new eligible applicants, then former participants who left for a public or charter school. Within each group, the year-one order by family income applies.

Demand was far higher than funding in year one. More than 274,000 applications came in for about 90,000 funded spots, and about 153,000 students were on the waitlist in May 2026.

What depends on the Legislature

The Texas Legislature starts its next session on Jan 12, 2027 and writes the state budget for the next two years. Its regular session ends May 31, 2027. How much money TEFA gets for 2027–28 depends on that budget and on the governor, who can veto individual budget items.

What you can do now

  1. Join the state's interest list. It's the official way to hear when 2027–28 applications open. Go to the interest list
  2. Get your documents together. Last year's application asked for Social Security numbers for the parent and child, a 2024 or 2025 federal tax return (Form 1040) to verify income, and proof of Texas residency such as a driver's license. Pay stubs and W-2s weren't accepted for income. If your child has an IEP, keep a copy handy.
  3. Check private school deadlines. Some DFW schools close 2027–28 applications in early January, before TEFA applications are expected to open. Ask each school on your list for its deadline and whether it has room in your child's grade.
  4. Shortlist schools with room. Browse participating schools and sign up for open-seat alerts.

Key dates

WhenWhat happens
NowThe 2027–28 interest list is open on the state's TEFA site.
Jan 12, 2027The Texas Legislature's session begins. It writes the budget that sets 2027–28 TEFA funding.
Jan 19, 2027Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa takes office.
Feb 1, 2027Current private school families get the last 50% of their 2026–27 award.
Early 2027 (not announced)2027–28 applications expected to open. Last year: Feb 4 to Mar 31.
Spring 2027 (not announced)Award notices. Last year they went out in waves starting April 22.
May 31, 2027Last day of the Legislature's regular session.
By Jun 20, 2027Last day for the governor to sign or veto bills passed at the end of the session, including the budget.
Summer 2027Families pick a school and the school confirms enrollment. Last year's final deadline to pick a school was July 15.

Sources