Home / Education / Texas Unveils $1 Billion Education Savings Program for Private Schools
Texas Unveils $1 Billion Education Savings Program for Private Schools
9 Sep
Summary
- New $1 billion program provides taxpayer funds for private school tuition
- Qualifying families can receive up to $10,800 per student, or $30,000 for students with disabilities
- Program open to school-age children, including those already in private school
In a significant move, the state of Texas is set to introduce a groundbreaking $1 billion Education Savings Account (ESA) program that will provide taxpayer-funded assistance for families to send their children to private schools.
According to the details unveiled by the Texas Education Agency, the ESA program will be open to school-age children who are U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the country, including those already enrolled in private schools. Qualifying families will be eligible to receive approximately $10,800 per student for the first year, with the potential for the amount to change in subsequent years. Families with a child who has a disability can receive up to $30,000, while homeschooled students are eligible for up to $2,000.
The funds can be used to cover tuition and other education-related expenses, such as textbooks and uniforms. If there are more applicants than available funds, a lottery system will be implemented, with priority given to students with certain qualifications.
The program is part of a broader effort to expand access to private education in Texas. While not all private schools will participate, those that do must be accredited and have been in operation for at least two years. Families can start applying for the ESA program in early 2026.
