Nearly 20,000 San Antonio Students Apply for School Vouchers

Texas Education Freedom Accounts program sees strong demand in first year

Mar. 12, 2026 at 2:51am

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More than 163,000 applications have been submitted across Texas for the new Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) school voucher program, with San Antonio students representing 19,422 of the total applicants so far. The program, which prioritizes students with disabilities and low-income families, has seen high demand, with the state comptroller's office predicting it will 'sell out' in the first year.

Why it matters

The TEFA program represents a major shift in education policy in Texas, providing public funds for students to attend private schools or be homeschooled. This could have significant impacts on local public school districts, which stand to lose funding if a large number of students utilize the vouchers.

The details

The TEFA program will prioritize students with disabilities whose families are at or below 500% of the federal poverty level, as well as families at or below 200% of the FPL. Families with incomes between 200-500% of the FPL can also apply, but state law limits them to 20% of the total funding. The program is expected to grow from $1 billion in the first year to around $4 billion annually by 2030, raising concerns from opponents about the diversion of public education funds.

  • The TEFA program launched in 2026.
  • The application deadline is March 17, 2026.
  • The state comptroller's office expects the program to 'sell out' in the first year.

The players

Kelly Hancock

Acting Comptroller of Texas, who touted the 'strong' demand for the TEFA program launch.

Texas State Teachers Association

An opponent of the TEFA program, warning that it will divert too much funding from public education.

Northside ISD

The San Antonio-area school district with the most TEFA applicants so far at 4,102.

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What they’re saying

“We're expecting to sell out in year one. We are also laying a strong foundation for school choice in Texas to flourish for years to come.”

— Kelly Hancock, Acting Comptroller

“The $1 billion lawmakers spent on the first year of the voucher program will increase to about $4 billion a year by 2030, the Legislative Budget Board has predicted.”

— Texas State Teachers Association

What’s next

The state comptroller's office will continue to monitor application numbers, and the Texas legislature will likely debate the long-term funding and impact of the TEFA program in future sessions.

The takeaway

The strong demand for the TEFA school voucher program in Texas highlights the ongoing debate over school choice and the potential impacts on public education funding and local school districts. As the program grows, it will be crucial to monitor its effects on access to quality education for all students.