Dear Texas High School Counselors,
There’s a window of opportunity open right now that could change the trajectory for some of your most vulnerable students—the ones who are falling through the cracks, disengaged, or at risk of not earning their diploma. The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) application period is open through March 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT, and it’s critical that families in need know about this program before that deadline passes.
What Are Texas Education Freedom Accounts?
The TEFA program represents the largest first-year school choice initiative in the nation, with $1 billion allocated to help Texas families access alternative educational pathways. Created through Senate Bill 2, TEFA allows eligible students to receive state funding that can be used toward approved private school tuition, educational services, and resources—at no out-of-pocket cost to qualifying families.
For the 2026-27 school year, students enrolled in participating private schools can receive $10,474, while students with special education needs who have an IEP on file with the Texas Education Agency may qualify for up to $30,000 based on their educational requirements.
The Students Who Need This Most
You know these students. They’re bright but struggling in a traditional classroom setting. They’ve experienced trauma, have anxiety about the school environment, or have fallen so far behind that catching up feels impossible. Some have already stopped attending regularly. Others are on your radar because you see the warning signs—they’re one semester away from giving up entirely.
These are precisely the students who can benefit from Resolute Academy (resoluteacademy.com), a TEFA-approved online private high school specifically designed to serve underserved students and teens who need a different pathway to their accredited diploma.
Why Recommend an Online Private School to Struggling Students?
Resolute Academy offers:
- Flexible, self-paced online learning that accommodates work schedules, family responsibilities, and individual learning speeds
- Online exams that meets Texas standards and leads to a recognized and accredited high school diploma
- No-pressure environment designed for students who haven’t thrived in traditional settings and prefer to learn from home
- Accessibility for students across Texas, regardless of location
Most importantly for the families you serve: Resolute Academy is TEFA-approved, which means eligible students can use their TEFA funds to cover tuition costs without any out-of-pocket expense to their families.
Understanding the Application Timeline: Why March 17 Matters
Here’s what counselors need to know about the TEFA timeline:
Application Window: February 4 – March 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT
- This is not a first-come, first-served program
- Applications submitted on February 4 have the same chance as those submitted on March 17
- All applications submitted within the window are treated equally for lottery purposes
After Applications Close:
- The Texas Comptroller’s office will conduct a lottery within each priority tier if demand exceeds available funding
- Funding notifications begin in early April 2026
- Families will have until June 1, 2026 to select their school
- Schools must confirm enrollment by June 15, 2026
Funding Disbursement:
- At least 25% of approved funding available by July 1, 2026
- At least 50% available by October 1, 2026
- Remaining funding available by April 1, 2027
The March 17 deadline is particularly crucial because it’s also the cutoff for students with IEPs to have their documentation on file with TEA in order to qualify for the enhanced funding level of up to $30,000.
The Lottery System: How Students Are Prioritized
If applications exceed available funding (which is anticipated given the $1 billion cap), Texas will use a lottery system with the following priority tiers:
Priority Tier 1: Children with disabilities whose household income is at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
Priority Tier 2: Children from households with income at or below 200% of FPL
Priority Tier 3: Children from households with income between 200% and 500% of FPL
Priority Tier 4: Children from households at or above 500% of FPL (limited to 20% of total program funds)
- Within this tier, students who attended a Texas public school or charter school for at least 90% of the prior school year receive priority
What this means for your students: Many of the at-risk teens you’re working with likely come from families in Tiers 1-3, giving them strong priority in the lottery system. However, they can only benefit if they apply before the deadline.
Breaking Down the Numbers: What Families Need to Know
The Federal Poverty Level thresholds for the 2026-27 school year provide helpful context:
- A family of four with an annual household income of approximately $150,000 or less would fall within the 500% FPL threshold
- A family of four earning approximately $60,000 or less would be in the 200% FPL category
Importantly, there is no hard income cutoff that automatically disqualifies families from applying. Income is only used for prioritization in the lottery, not for eligibility. Even families with higher incomes can and should apply—they simply may be selected in a later round if funding remains available.
Your Role as a Counselor: Spread the Word Now
Time is of the essence. With only weeks remaining until the March 17 deadline, here’s how you can help:
- Identify Students Who Could Benefit
Look for students who are:
- Credit-deficient and at risk of not graduating on time
- Chronically absent or disengaged from the traditional school environment
- Struggling with mental health issues exacerbated by in-person schooling
- Balancing family responsibilities (caring for siblings, working to support family)
- Talented students who’ve fallen through the cracks due to circumstances outside their control
- Students with IEPs who need more individualized support than their current placement offers
- Have Direct Conversations with Families
Don’t assume families have heard about TEFA—awareness is still surprisingly low, particularly among the families who need it most. Have individual conversations with parents and guardians of at-risk students. Explain that:
- The application is free and takes only 10-20 minutes
- They have nothing to lose by applying
- This could provide their child with a fully funded alternative pathway to graduation
- The deadline is firm: March 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT
- Provide Concrete Next Steps
Direct families to:
- TEFA official website: educationfreedom.texas.gov to learn more and access the application
- Resolute Academy: resoluteacademy.com to explore the online private school option
- Application portal: Available through the TEFA website
Families will need to gather:
- Social Security numbers for parent/guardian and student
- Texas Driver’s License or proof of Texas residency
- 2024 or 2025 tax return (for income verification and prioritization)
- IEP documentation (if applicable and seeking enhanced funding)
Address Common Concerns
“Will applying hurt my child’s current school placement?” No. Applying for TEFA doesn’t require any immediate changes. If selected for funding, families can decide whether to move forward with enrollment at a private school like Resolute Academy.
“What if we don’t get selected in the lottery?” Unselected applicants are placed on a waitlist in priority order. Additionally, families would simply continue with their current educational arrangement—there’s no penalty for applying.
“Does this guarantee admission to Resolute Academy?” TEFA funding and school admission are separate processes. Families interested in Resolute Academy should contact the school directly to discuss enrollment alongside their TEFA application. However, Resolute Academy’s mission is specifically to serve underserved students, making it an excellent match for students who qualify for TEFA.
The Bottom Line: A No-Risk Opportunity with a Hard Deadline
For families of at-risk students, TEFA represents a potential lifeline—a way to access quality educational alternatives without the financial barrier that typically makes private school impossible. Resolute Academy offers exactly the kind of flexible, supportive environment these students need, and TEFA makes it accessible at no cost to families who qualify.
But this opportunity has a clock ticking on it. March 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT is not a soft deadline—it’s the absolute cutoff for applications for the 2026-27 school year.
Students and families who miss this window will have to wait an entire year for the next application cycle, and by then, some students may have already dropped out.
As counselors, you have the unique ability to identify which students need this information most and to ensure their families understand both the opportunity and the urgency. A few minutes of your time to have these conversations could literally change a student’s life trajectory.
Don’t let your students miss this chance. Spread the word today.
Quick Reference:
- Application Deadline: March 17, 2026, 11:59 p.m. CT
- Apply at: educationfreedom.texas.gov
- Learn about Resolute Academy: resoluteacademy.com
- Funding Amount: $10,474 (standard) or up to $30,000 (students with IEPs)
- Key Fact: This is NOT first-come, first-served. Applications submitted anytime during the window have equal priority based on family circumstances, not submission time.
For questions about TEFA eligibility and the application process, families can visit the official TEFA website or contact the Texas Comptroller’s office. For questions about Resolute Academy specifically, contact the school directly through their website.