Quick Summary
- Texas created a statewide education savings account program through Senate Bill 2, officially called the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program.
- The program launched for the 2026-27 school year and is administered by the Texas Comptroller's office.
- For 2026-27, the standard award was set at about $10,474 for an approved private school setting, with higher amounts for students with disabilities and smaller amounts for homeschool use.
- Demand far exceeded available spots in the first year, so families planning for 2027-28 should prepare early.
- iBis Learning is following the program closely and is pursuing the approvals that would let participating families use these funds in the future.
What Is the Texas Education Savings Account Program?
An education savings account, often shortened to ESA, is a state-funded account that families can use to pay for approved education expenses. Texas established its version through Senate Bill 2, which became law in September 2025. The state runs it under the official name Texas Education Freedom Accounts, with individual accounts referred to as Education Freedom Accounts. You will see families and news coverage use the terms interchangeably, so do not be confused if you hear it called an ESA, a Texas Education Freedom Account, or simply school choice funding. They all refer to the same program.
The program is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, working through an approved organization that manages the accounts. Once a family is approved and an account is funded, parents can direct the money toward a defined list of approved educational expenses rather than receiving cash directly.
What Can the Funds Be Used For?
The program is designed to give families flexibility across a range of educational settings. Approved expenses generally include:
- Tuition at an approved private school
- Instructional materials and curriculum
- Tutoring and certain academic services
- Approved therapies and services for eligible students
The exact list and the rules around each category are set by the state and continue to be refined. Families should always check the current approved-expense guidelines through the official program before counting on a particular use.
How Much Funding Is Available?
Funding depends on the setting a family chooses, and the amounts are recalculated by the state each year. For the program's first year, 2026-27, the figures looked like this:
- A child attending an approved private school, pre-kindergarten, or kindergarten program was set to receive about $10,474, calculated as a percentage of the statewide average per-student funding.
- A participating child with a disability in an approved private school setting could be eligible for substantially more, up to $30,000.
- Families using the funds for homeschool expenses rather than an approved private school received a smaller amount, reported at up to roughly $2,000.
These numbers give a useful sense of scale, but the 2027-28 amounts will be set separately. Treat the 2026-27 figures as a guide rather than a guarantee, and verify the current year's amounts through the official program.
Who Qualifies, and How Selection Works
The Texas program is open to a broad range of school-age children, including students already enrolled in private school and those entering from public school, homeschool, daycare, or preschool. Because the program is popular, eligibility is only the first step. The first year drew far more applicants than there were funded spots, so the state used a selection process with priority categories.
In practical terms, this means two things for your family. First, qualifying does not automatically guarantee an account, especially in a year of high demand. Second, certain families receive priority, including students with disabilities and families with lower household incomes. Understanding where your family fits in those priority tiers helps you set realistic expectations and plan accordingly.
Why 2027-28 Is the Year to Watch
If you are reading this with the 2027-28 school year in mind, your timing is good. The first-year application window for 2026-27 has already closed, and demand outpaced supply, with a waitlist established for families who were not selected. That history tells you something important. The families who fare best are the ones who prepare before the window opens rather than scrambling once it does.
The state maintains an interest list for upcoming years, and joining it is the simplest way to make sure you receive updates the moment the 2027-28 application period is announced. Getting your documents in order early, understanding which priority categories may apply to you, and deciding in advance which educational setting you want all put your family in a stronger position.
How to Prepare Your Family Now
You do not have to wait for the next application window to take useful steps. Families planning for 2027-28 can do the following:
- Join the state's official interest list so you are notified when applications open.
- Gather key documents, such as proof of residency and income, which the program typically requires.
- Decide on your educational setting, since funding amounts and approved expenses differ between private school and homeschool use.
- Confirm provider approval, because funds can only be used at schools and with providers the state has approved.
- Verify the latest rules through the official program, as details continue to be finalized.
A little preparation now turns a stressful, deadline-driven application into a straightforward one.
Where iBis Learning Fits In
iBis Learning serves both full-enrollment and homeschool families in Houston's Spring Branch neighborhood, and we know how much these funding questions matter to the families we work with. iBis is led by a teacher certified by the Texas Education Agency and operates under a structured, research-based curriculum framework. We are actively pursuing formal accreditation and approval that would allow participating families to use education savings account funds at iBis in the future.
Because that status is still in progress, we encourage interested families to contact us directly for the most current information rather than relying on a general timeline. You can also find the latest details on our Financial Aid and ESA page, which we update as the program and our approval status evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Texas education savings account the same as a voucher?
People often use the words interchangeably, but the official program is the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program. It works as an account of state funds that families direct toward approved education expenses, rather than a single payment, and it can be used across several educational settings.
Can homeschool families use the funds?
Yes, homeschool families can participate, though the funding amount for homeschool use is smaller than the amount for an approved private school setting. The approved-expense rules also differ by setting, so families should review the current guidelines through the official program.
Does qualifying guarantee I will receive funding?
Not necessarily. In a high-demand year, meeting eligibility requirements is only the first step, and the state uses a selection process with priority categories. This is why preparing early and joining the interest list matter so much.
Can I use these funds at iBis Learning?
iBis is pursuing the approvals that would make this possible in the future, but the status is still in progress. The best step is to contact us directly so we can share the most current information for your family's situation.
Plan Ahead With Confidence
The arrival of education savings accounts in Texas is a meaningful shift for Houston families, opening doors that used to require paying entirely out of pocket. The families who benefit most will be the ones who understand the program early and prepare before the next window opens. Keep an eye on the official state program for the latest rules and amounts, and decide now what kind of educational setting fits your child best.
If you would like to talk through how iBis fits into your plans for 2027-28, we are here to help. Request a Family Tour or reach out through our contact page to start the conversation.