An Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) provides parents of students in non-public Texas schools a publicly-funded, government-authorized savings account with restricted, but multiple, uses for their children’s education. The TEFA program will be administered on behalf of the State by a Certified Educational Assistance Organization (CEAO), selected by the Comptroller.

Link: TEFA for Families

According to the TEFA information page, the state’s family application portal is scheduled to open on February 4, 2026, and close on March 17, 2026. Families will be notified of their award the week of April 6. Here are key elements of the program based on information currently published by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts:

• Texas Education Agency (TEA) currently estimates that the students who qualify will receive $10,474.
• Students with documented disabilities who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) on file with their school district may receive up to $30,000.
• Participation by families is optional, and acceptance into TEFA does not guarantee admission to Shelton.

Shelton’s admissions criteria, curriculum and high-quality multisensory instruction will not change as a result of TEFA participation.

Under rules outlined by the Texas Comptroller’s Office of Public Accounts, families seeking the enhanced disability award (up to $30,000) must provide documentation issued by a Texas public school district:

• To qualify for the supplemental disability award, a child must have a district-issued Individualized Education Program (IEP) on file with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) before the application period ends and meet the income requirements.
• Private psychoeducational evaluations — including those many Shelton students already hold — do not meet TEFA’s documentation requirements for supplemental disability-based awards. Review the Texas Private Schools Association Q&A at this link.
• Shelton does not upload IEPs or any testing to TEA. TEA’s guidance directs Texas public school districts (school systems) to upload IEP documentation when required. Families should work directly with their local public school district regarding evaluations, IEP development and TEA submission. Learn more at this link link.

We encourage families who believe their child may qualify for disability-based funding to begin the process of securing the necessary documentation from their local public school district. 

Link: www.accessible-educationtx.com/post/tefa-school-voucher-final-rules-what-parents-of-children-with-disabilities-need-to-know

APEX-ESA is a Texas Education Association (TEA) system used by Texas public school districts to upload IEP documentation for families applying for TEFA. TEA uses this information to communicate disability-related funding entitlement to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Learn more at this link.

• February 2, 2026 — TEA’s APEX-ESA IEP upload system opens for school districts
• February 4, 2026 — TEFA family application portal is scheduled to open
• March 17, 2026 — TEFA family application portal closes; APEX-ESA upload deadline for school districts
• Week of April 6, 2026 — Families will be notified of their award
• 2026–27 school year — Funds may first be used for approved educational expenses

Link: www.educationfreedom.texas.gov/#approved-expenses

According to the TEFA information page, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts will oversee the TEFA program. Odyssey was selected as the certified educational assistance organization that will help with administration of the program under the Comptroller’s oversight.

For a student enrolled in an eligible school, the standard award is estimated at $10,474. A child with disabilities will be given up to $30,000, and home-schooled participants will receive $2,000.

Link: www.educationfreedom.texas.gov/

No. Shelton's admissions criteria, curriculum and multisensory instructional model remain unchanged. 

TEFA eligibility does not guarantee admission to Shelton. 

No. TEFA may reduce a family’s out-of-pocket tuition cost, but it will not cover the full cost of a Shelton education.

• Visit the TEFA website and sign up for family updates.
• The Texas Private Schools Association (TPSA) also offers information and resources:
  • TPSA: Question and Answer page 
  • TPSA: A Guide to TEFA
  • TPSA: How to Get an IEP for Your Child
     

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• For program questions, contact the Texas Comptroller’s office at educationfreedome@cpa.texas.gov
• For questions on your application or eligibility, contact the Odyssey support line at 737-379-2362 or help.tx@withodyssey.com
• For questions about Shelton and TEFA, enter questions at this link.
• For questions about Shelton tuition assistance, email dliese@shelton.org
   
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