Texas school vouchers offer up to $10,474 per student in 2026-27. Review who can apply, amounts, calendar, and key requirements.
The new Texas school-voucher program begins with many questions for parents: how much money is provided, who can apply, what it can be used for, and when the support arrives. Starting with the 2026-27 school year, thousands of students will be able to receive public funds to pay for private schools, homeschooling, or microschools, with amounts differentiated according to their needs.
In the Houston area, the impact will be broad: there are already more than 100 private schools authorized to accept these supports, many of them Christian-oriented. That is why it is crucial to understand how the program works, what the state requires, and what the deadlines are to avoid missing out.
Below, we answer the main questions that families across Texas have raised about Texas school vouchers, with the official information available so far.
How Texas school vouchers work and how much money they provide
The voucher amount depends on the type of school the student attends and whether they have special educational needs. For the 2026-27 school year, students who attend an approved private school will receive $10,474.
Those enrolled in homeschooling or in microschools may obtain up to $2,000. In these cases, the support is used to offset educational expenses outside the traditional school system.
Children with disabilities can access much higher amounts: the program provides up to $30,000, depending on the intensity of the services they would receive in a public school. For that level of support, an evaluation and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) issued by a Texas school district are required.
Families can request this special evaluation through the district where they live or through the district whose boundaries include the private school their child attends.
What expenses do the school vouchers cover and which schools participate
The school voucher funds are not provided in cash; instead, they are managed through an account that can only be used with providers approved by the state.
According to the program rules, the funds can cover a wide range of education-related expenses:
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Preschool and kindergarten through 12th-grade tuition
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School uniforms
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Textbooks and materials
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Standardized testing fees
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Computers and equipment needed for study
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Tutoring
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Food and transportation to and from school
Families can use the support at any private school that meets two conditions: having been recognized by a national accreditation program for at least two years and being approved by the Texas Comptroller’s Office to accept vouchers.
The list of schools is continuously updated. More than 100 private campuses in the Houston area are already authorized, and many of them are Christian institutions. Additionally, some parent-run microschools could qualify if they meet the program requirements.
Who can apply for Texas school vouchers
The program is open to any school-aged child living in Texas who is a United States citizen, regardless of whether they currently attend a private school, homeschool, traditional public school, or a charter. Preschool students are also included.
This means that:
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Eligible are students who are already paying for a private school.
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Eligible are those who are currently in homeschooling or microschools.
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Eligible are those who are currently in public or charter schools if their family decides to switch educational options.
There is a key point: those who receive a voucher must withdraw from the public school system. The program is designed so that public funds are used outside traditional schools, whether in approved private centers or in other permitted educational models.
Timeline for applying for and using the Texas school vouchers in 2026-27
The calendar is one of the most important aspects for families in Houston and across the state. The application window is scheduled to open on February 4 and close on March 17.
During that period, mothers, fathers, or guardians may submit their application. All applications will be reviewed after the deadline: vouchers are not awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. While the application arrives before the closing date, the family will be considered on equal footing for the amount they are eligible for.
The company contracted to operate the program, Odyssey, is developing an online portal where the process will take place. Although the platform is not yet open to the public, it is expected to be up and running starting February 4 so that families can register.
It is important to understand that applying for the voucher and the admission process to a private school are separate procedures. Some private schools handle enrollment deadlines in the fall or early spring, even before the voucher window closes. Others accept applications year-round or reserve spots for students participating in the program.
Therefore, interested families should inquire directly at each school about their admission dates and policies, to avoid losing a place even if they obtain the voucher.
According to the official plan, the Texas Comptroller’s Office will notify parents in April 2026 whether their child was selected to receive a voucher.
If there are more applications than funds available, Odyssey will conduct a lottery to select the first group of beneficiaries. Priority will be given to students from low-income households and those with learning or developmental disabilities.
Those who are selected will have access to their Odyssey accounts on the platform around July 1, 2026. The funds will be deposited in four installments throughout the year:
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At least 25% of the funds on July 1, 2026
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Another 50% on October 1, 2026
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The remaining amount on April 1, 2027
At the end of the school year, families will be able to decide whether to save part or all of the balance for use the following year.
Texas school vouchers will be used for the first time in the 2026-27 cycle, following this payment schedule.
Additional support for students with disabilities
Children with special needs occupy a central place in this program. In addition to having priority in the lottery when demand exceeds the budget, they may receive higher amounts than other students.
To demonstrate disability status, families can present:
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A written diagnosis issued by an authorized physician.
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A Social Security Administration letter verifying income or disability-related benefits.
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An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) issued by a Texas public school.
However, to access the maximum funding—up to $30,000—the program requires both a current evaluation and a valid IEP. That combination is what the state uses to calculate the level of support the student would receive if they remained in the public system.
For many families in the Houston area, including those already in private schools or homeschooling, these requirements involve coordinating with school districts to schedule evaluations in advance.
