Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) help eligible families use state-managed funds for approved education expenses. Funding includes private preschool and pre-kindergarten (Pre-K / PK3 / PK4) tuition at participating schools like INIC Preschool- up to $10,474 per student. Students must meet TEFA’s eligibility requirements.
At INIC Preschool, TEFA funds may be applied only to qualifying early-childhood programs, specifically preschool and pre-K. TEFA rules do not allow funds to be used for infants or toddlers at this time.
Families exploring TEFA often combine funding questions with broader decisions about program quality, curriculum, and school fit. This page explains how TEFA works and how it aligns with INIC’s approach to early childhood education.
TEFA has been known by several names as the program has evolved:
School voucher law
Education Freedom Accounts (EFA)
Education Savings Accounts (ESA)
INIC Austin: Fully authorized and certified to accept TEFA funding for qualifying preschool and pre-K (PK3 / PK4) programs
When applying for TEFA and selecting a school, INIC Preschool might be listed as “International Immersion Center”
INIC Round Rock: Currently in the TEFA certification process for qualifying preschool and pre-K (PK3 / PK4) programs
Families are encouraged to book a tour online or contact us to discuss campus-specific availability and timelines.
The Texas Education Freedom Accouns program was passed by the Texas Legislature in May 2025 and signed into law by Greg Abbott in June 2025 as part of Senate Bill 2.
While the statutory framework is now law, the exact mechanics of how the system operates in practice – including application workflows, prioritization, and fund disbursement – continue to be finalized and refined by the State of Texas.
Families are encouraged to book a tour online or contact us to discuss campus-specific availability and timelines.
The State of Texas has announced that the initial TEFA family application window opens on February 4, 2026 and closes in mid-March 2026. Applications are not first-come, first-served, and eligibility does not guarantee funding. If applications exceed available funding under the State’s TEFA budget, some otherwise eligible families may not receive funds.
See application steps and link below. .
📌 Source (official announcement):
Texas Comptroller press release – “Texas Education Freedom Account family applications open…”
According to the TEFA program timeline, funding notifications are expected to begin in early April 2026, following state review and prioritization. Eligibility does not guarantee funding. See if your child meets TEFA’s eligibility requirements.
📌 Source (program timeline):
Official TEFA portal – Timeline & Program Overview
https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/program-overview/
For families who are awarded TEFA funding, the state has outlined a phased release schedule:
July 1, 2026 – At least 25% of awarded funds become available
October 1, 2026 – At least 50% of funds become available
April 1, 2027 – Remaining funds become available
📌 Source (funding schedule):
Official TEFA portal – Funding Availability & Disbursement
https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/funding/
Once funds are released, families may begin using TEFA dollars for state-approved educational expenses, including qualifying preschool and pre-kindergarten (Pre-K / PK3 / PK4) tuition, subject to eligibility rules and provider participation.
Approved uses and restrictions are governed by TEFA administrative rules and published guidance.
📌 Source (approved uses):
Official TEFA portal – Allowable Expenses
https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/allowable-expenses/
Texas Legislature — Senate Bill 2 (Education Freedom Accounts)
Full enrolled bill text (statutory authority):
https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00002F.htm
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts — TEFA Administration & Application Announcement
https://comptroller.texas.gov/about/media-center/news/20260128-texas-education-freedom-account-family-applications-open-one-week-from-today-1769617667460
Official TEFA Portal — Program Overview & Timeline
https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/program-overview/
Official TEFA Portal — Funding & Allowable Expenses
https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/funding/
https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/allowable-expenses/
Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number for the parent
SSN for the child
Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, for 2024 or 2025
Texas Driver’s license number or state ID number
If your driver’s license or state ID number cannot be verified, proof of residency can be established with one of the following: utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or voter registration certificate
If your child’s SSN cannot be verified, proof of lawful status can be established by uploading one of the following: birth certificate, report of birth abroad, certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship, or other official documentation affirming lawful admission
Click here to download a thorough TEFA application checklist
Click here to download the official Texas Education Freedom Accounts Parent Application Guide
Click here for a step-by-step TEFA application guide, including a video
INIC Preschool – Austin is fully authorized and certified to accept Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) funding for qualifying early-childhood programs, including preschool and pre-kindergarten (Pre-K / PK3 / PK4).
For our Austin campus, search for “International Immersion Center” or “INIC Preschool Austin” when selecting your school
INIC Preschool – Round Rock is currently completing the TEFA certification process for its preschool and pre-K programs. Based on the State’s implementation timeline, Round Rock is expected to be fully verified by the time families are able to access and use TEFA funds, assuming final state approval.
TEFA certification and participation status are determined by the program administrator under the oversight of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, and families are encouraged to confirm current status as funding windows approach.
Pre-K
Pre-Kindergarten
PK3
PK4
All refer to qualifying early-childhood programs for TEFA use at INIC.
Prekindergarten children must be at least 3 years of age and no older than 5 by September 1, 2026.
Kindergarten through 12th-grade children must be between the ages of 5 and 25 by September 1, 2026.
TEFA funding is limited by the State’s overall program budget
Eligibility does not guarantee an award
If applications exceed available funding, some eligible families may not receive funding
Final award amounts, approved uses, and disbursement schedules are determined by the State—not by individual schools
Tuition and eligible fees at participating private preschools and pre-kindergarten programs (Pre-K, PK3, PK4)
Required uniforms
Textbooks and instructional materials
Curriculum and educational supplies
Academic tutoring
Educational therapies not covered by other government programs (such as Medicaid)
Transportation to and from an approved provider
Technology and devices used for educational purposes (subject to state limits)
Not all expenses are automatically approved, and some categories have caps or restrictions. Final determinations about allowable expenses are made by the State through the TEFA program.
For the most current and complete list, families should always refer to the official TEFA guidance published by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
approved families are given access to TEFA funds through a state-managed account or payment system. Eligible expenses are paid directly from the TEFA account according to state rules and approved providers.
Key points to know:
Families generally do not pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement
Funds are accessed through the official TEFA platform and its approved payment process
Payments to participating schools (such as INIC Preschool) are made according to TEFA disbursement rules and timing
Funds are released in phases throughout the year, not all at once
Exact payment mechanics, timing, and workflows are set by the State and may continue to evolve as TEFA is implemented.
Families should monitor their TEFA account and official state communications for instructions on accessing and using funds.
The full list of TEFA eligibility requirements can be found here, on the TEFA website.
A participating child between the ages of 3-5 is eligible for enrollment in a pre-k or kindergarten program under this section if the child is at least three years of age and:
is unable to speak and comprehend the English language;
is eligible to participate in the national free or reduced-price lunch program;
is homeless, regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the child, or of the child’s guardian or other person having lawful control of the child;
is the child of an active-duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority;
is the child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty;
is, or ever has been, in:
an emergency medical first responder under Section 3106.004, Government Code; or
is the child of a person employed as a classroom teacher at a public primary or secondary school in the school district that offers a pre-k or kindergarten class under this section.
