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Texas Homeschool Funding

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Last updated: October 8, 2025

Texas Homeschool Funding

Charter/virtual options, grants, and legislation status.

TX
Funding guide
State programs

Main program

Program name: Texas Education Savings Account (ESA) Program (SB 2, 89th Legislature)

Admin: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, working with certified educational assistance organizations (in coordination with TEA)

Typical award

Amount: Private school students: up to about $10,000/yr; students with disabilities: higher caps (up to ~$30,000 per AP report); home-education support amount to be set by rule (introduced bill proposed ~$2,000). Final amounts and tiers will be set in rulemaking before launch.

Disbursement: ESA account with approved vendor marketplace and purchase approvals (not cash to families).

Who qualifies

  • Residency: Texas resident K–12 student.
  • Enrollment: Not simultaneously enrolled full-time in a Texas public school while using ESA funds.
  • Priorities (if oversubscribed): Students with disabilities, lower-income families, and other priority tiers defined in statute/rule.

Timeline

  • Rulemaking & setup: 2025–26 school year.
  • Application window: expected Spring–Summer 2026.
  • Fund availability: 2026–27 school year.

Overview

Texas enacted a statewide Education Savings Account (ESA) program in 2025. The Comptroller will run the program and may contract with up to five certified educational assistance organizations to operate accounts and marketplaces. Families will apply to the Comptroller’s portal, and approved funds can be used for eligible educational expenses (tuition, materials, tutoring, therapies, etc.). Launch is slated for the 2026–27 school year, with details finalized in rulemaking during 2025–26. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Texas law exempts children who attend a private or parochial school from compulsory public school attendance, and in practice most Texas home schools operate under this private-school exemption. (Texas Supreme Court precedent recognizes home schools as private schools; families commonly teach required basic subjects, including “good citizenship.”) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Important: public charter and district virtual schools (e.g., via the Texas Virtual School Network) are public school options—students enrolled there are not legally “homeschooled” and would not simultaneously receive ESA funds.

Programs

Texas Education Savings Account (ESA) Program

  • Type: ESA
  • Award: Private school students up to about $10,000/yr; students with disabilities have higher caps (reported up to ~$30,000); home-education support amount to be set by rule (introduced proposal ~$2,000).
  • Uses: Private-school tuition/fees; curriculum and instructional materials; tutoring; special-education services/therapies; educational software; testing; certain technology and education-related services (final list via rule).
  • Admin: Texas Comptroller with certified educational assistance organizations; TEA coordination for certain functions.

Legislative overview (SB 2)

Public online & charter options (not homeschool funding)

  • Type: Public school (district/charter virtual or brick-and-mortar)
  • Award: No direct funds to families; the school receives public funding.
  • Uses: Enrollment option if you want a free public program instead of homeschooling.
  • Admin: Local districts/charters; TEA oversight.

Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN)

Eligibility

  • Residency: Student must reside in Texas.
  • Age/grade: K–12 (as defined in ESA program rules).
  • Enrollment: Cannot be simultaneously enrolled full-time in a Texas public school while using ESA funds. Private-school students and home-educated students may qualify under the program’s rules.
  • Income / IEP: Program is designed for broad eligibility; if demand exceeds available funds, priority tiers (e.g., students with disabilities, lower-income students, certain school assignments) apply. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
  • Other criteria: Participation requires using funds only for approved educational expenses and complying with program accountability (e.g., receipt uploads, assessments/reporting set by rule).

How to apply

  1. Create an online account with the Texas Comptroller’s ESA portal (to be launched during 2025–26).
  2. Verify identity and student residency/age; upload any required documents (e.g., proof of Texas residence, birth certificate; IEP/diagnosis for disability tiers, if applicable).
  3. Select vendors/schools from the approved marketplace and submit purchase requests; or request reimbursement for eligible expenses per program rules.
  4. Track approvals and spending in the account dashboard. Keep records for audits/compliance.

Application portal (Comptroller – coming from this site)

Covered expenses

  • Curriculum & textbooks
  • Tutoring / instruction
  • Special education therapies & services
  • Tests & assessments
  • Educational software & online courses
  • Supplies & instructional materials
  • Certain tech needed for instruction
  • Private-school tuition/fees (if enrolled)
  • Transportation or other items if allowed by rule
  • Final eligible-use list will be set by rule.

Deadlines

Milestone Date Notes
Rulemaking begins 2025–26 Program rules, vendor approvals, and portal buildout. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
Application opens Expected Spring–Summer 2026 Exact window set by Comptroller in rule/notice. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
Funds available Aug 2026 (2026–27 school year) Upon approval and account funding. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

Docs & forms

Official sources

FAQs

Can funds cover extracurriculars?
ESA funds may be used only for approved educational expenses listed in program rules (e.g., tuition, curriculum, tutoring, therapies, testing, certain technology). Whether extracurricular fees qualify will depend on the final eligible-use list the Comptroller adopts.
How long will reimbursements take?
The ESA will use an online marketplace and pre-approval process; timelines for reimbursements or direct vendor payments will be set in the Comptroller’s rules and vendor contracts. Expect guidance with the portal launch in 2025–26.
Can I dual-enroll?
No. Students cannot be simultaneously enrolled full-time in a Texas public school and use ESA funds. If you enroll in a public charter/district (including TxVSN full-time programs), you are a public-school student and ineligible to draw ESA funds at the same time.

Contacts

ESA program (administering agency)

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Contact: Contact page

Texas Education Agency

Website  |  contactTEA@tea.texas.gov  |  (512) 463-9734

Law & regulations

  • SB 2 (89R), Education Savings Account Program — establishes statewide ESAs; Comptroller administration; certified assistance orgs; eligible uses; rollout 2026–27. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
  • Tex. Educ. Code §25.086 — private/parochial exemption to compulsory attendance (under which Texas homeschools operate in practice). :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
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