Texas ESA Application Guide

$10,500

Annual funding per student

$30,000

Enhanced special needs funding

75,000+

Projected year-one enrollment

Odyssey

Fund management platform

Step-by-Step Application Process

Texas' Education Savings Account program provides $10,500 per student annually (up to $30,000 for students with special needs). The program is administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) with funds managed through Odyssey. Here's how to prepare and apply.

Confirm Your Eligibility

The Texas ESA is a universal program open to all K-12 students in the state. Eligibility requirements include:

Texas resident with proof of residency
Student must be eligible for K-12 enrollment in Texas (ages 5-19)
Student must not be concurrently enrolled in a Texas public school
Students with disabilities may qualify for enhanced funding up to $30,000/year with qualifying documentation
Students from low-income families may receive priority in initial enrollment periods

Tip: Texas is expected to prioritize applications from students currently in low-performing public schools and students with disabilities during the first enrollment window. If you fall into either category, apply as soon as the portal opens.

Gather Required Documents

While the TEA hasn't finalized all requirements, based on the legislation and other state ESA programs, you should prepare:

Proof of Texas residency — utility bill, lease agreement, property tax statement, or TX driver's license
Child's birth certificate or government-issued proof of identity and age
Prior school records — most recent report card, transcript, or enrollment verification
Withdrawal documentation — if transferring from a Texas public school, obtain a withdrawal letter
Special needs documentation — IEP, Section 504 plan, or medical documentation (for enhanced funding applicants)
Parent/guardian photo ID — Texas driver's license or government-issued ID
Income documentation — may be required for priority placement (tax return or pay stubs)

Submit the Online Application

When enrollment opens, applications will be submitted through the Texas Education Agency's ESA portal:

Visit educationfreedom.texas.gov to access the application portal
Create a parent/guardian account
Complete the student information form for each child
Upload required documents
Sign the ESA participation agreement (including the agreement to withdraw from public school)
Submit your application

Tip: Texas law requires notification to families within 30 days of application submission. Bookmark educationfreedom.texas.gov to check for portal launch announcements and sign up for email notifications from the TEA.

Receive Approval & Set Up Odyssey

After your application is approved:

You'll receive an approval notification from the TEA via email
Set up your Odyssey account — this is the platform where your ESA funds will be managed
Complete any required orientation or onboarding steps through Odyssey
Funds will be deposited into your Odyssey account on a quarterly schedule
Quarterly deposits will be approximately $2,625 per quarter ($10,500 ÷ 4)

Use Your Funds on Approved Expenses

Texas ESA funds can be used for a range of approved educational expenses:

Private school tuition — full or partial tuition at approved private schools
Tutoring & supplemental instruction — hire qualified tutors through Class Bridge
Curriculum & textbooks — educational materials and curricula
Therapies — occupational, speech, physical, and behavioral therapy
Standardized testing fees — required annual assessments
Educational technology — devices, software, and online learning tools
Transportation — costs related to educational activities

Tip: All purchases will need to be made through Odyssey or submitted with receipts for verification. Keep all receipts and documentation for your records. Texas law includes provisions for auditing ESA accounts.

Meet Annual Requirements & Renew

To maintain your Texas ESA year over year:

Annual standardized assessment — your student must take an approved norm-referenced test each year
Maintain records — keep documentation of all educational expenditures
Annual renewal — submit a renewal application through the TEA portal before the deadline
Demonstrate compliance — respond to any audit requests from the TEA in a timely manner

Important Dates & Timeline

When	What	Details
October 2024	Law signed	Governor Abbott signed the Texas ESA legislation into law
2025-2026	TEA building infrastructure	The Texas Education Agency is establishing the application portal, rules, and vendor partnerships
2026 (projected)	Enrollment opens	First enrollment window for families — exact date TBD by the TEA
Quarterly	Fund deposits	Once enrolled, funds deposited quarterly (~$2,625/quarter) into Odyssey
Annually	Standardized test + renewal	Students must take an approved assessment and parents must renew ESA each year

Document Checklist

📋 Documents to prepare now

Proof of Texas residency (utility bill, lease, property tax statement, or TX driver's license)
Child's birth certificate or government-issued proof of identity
Most recent school records (report card, transcript, or enrollment verification)
Parent/guardian government-issued photo ID
IEP, Section 504 plan, or medical documentation (for enhanced special needs funding)
Withdrawal letter from current public school (if applicable)
Income verification documents (tax return or pay stubs — may be needed for priority placement)
Social Security Number for the student

Standard vs. Enhanced Funding

Texas offers two funding tiers depending on your student's needs:

📚 Standard ESA — $10,500/yr

Available to all K-12 Texas students
Universal eligibility — no income restrictions
Covers tuition, tutoring, curriculum, technology
Funds managed through Odyssey
Annual standardized test required

♥ Enhanced ESA — up to $30,000/yr

For students with qualifying disabilities
Requires IEP, 504 plan, or medical documentation
Additional therapy and specialized services covered
Higher funding for intensive educational needs
May require additional reporting/documentation

What Makes Texas Different

As one of the largest ESA programs in the country, the Texas ESA has several unique features families should know about:

Highest standard funding in the nation — at $10,500/year, Texas offers more than most other ESA states
Generous special needs tier — the $30,000 enhanced funding level is among the highest available nationally
Odyssey platform — Texas partnered with Odyssey (not ClassWallet) for fund management, offering a different vendor marketplace
Scale — with 75,000+ projected year-one enrollees, Texas will be one of the largest ESA programs immediately
No income cap — the program is truly universal with no income-based restrictions on eligibility

Common Questions

When can I apply?

The enrollment portal is expected to open in 2026. Sign up for notifications at educationfreedom.texas.gov to be alerted when applications go live.

Do I have to withdraw from public school first?

Yes. Texas ESA participants cannot be concurrently enrolled in a Texas public school. You'll need to formally withdraw, though you can submit your ESA application before completing withdrawal.

Can homeschoolers apply?

Yes. Families currently homeschooling in Texas are eligible for the ESA. You don't need to have been previously enrolled in a public school to qualify.

What if my child has special needs?

Students with documented disabilities (IEP, Section 504, or medical diagnosis) may qualify for enhanced funding of up to $30,000/year. Prepare your documentation in advance so you can apply for the enhanced tier immediately.

How is Odyssey different from ClassWallet?

Odyssey is the fund management platform Texas chose for its ESA program (Arizona and several other states use ClassWallet). Odyssey provides a similar marketplace for approved vendors and a similar receipt/reimbursement system. The user experience may differ, but the core function — managing your ESA funds and making approved purchases — is the same.

Will there be enough spots for everyone?

Texas' law provides for universal access, but the initial enrollment period may have capacity limits. If demand exceeds capacity, priority is expected to go to students from low-income families, students with disabilities, and students zoned to low-performing schools.

Texas ESA: How to Apply

New Program — Enrollment Opens 2026