To learn more about TEFA and to schedule a tour of Holy Spirit Catholic School, please contact Lisa Rosenfeld. We look forward to welcoming your family and partnering with you in faith-filled education.

science crew

What Is The Texas Education Freedom Account?

  • The Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) is an education savings account (ESA) program created by the state of Texas through Senate Bill 2 and overseen by the Texas Comptroller's Office.
  • Odyssey has been selected as the
  • It is designed to give parents greater flexibility and choice in paying for education expenses. 
  • The program will begin in the 2026-2027 School year, and applications are currently open.
  • Visit the Archdiocese of San Antonio (click here) for more details. 

Important Things to Note & Who Is Eligible for TEFA?

  • Citizenship & Enrollment Eligibility: Students must be U.S. citizens or lawful residents and otherwise eligible to enroll in a Texas public school.

  • Priority Consideration: The program prioritizes students from low-to moderate-income families and students with identified special learning needs, expanding access to those who may benefit most.

  • Private School Participation & Holy Spirit Catholic School: Participation in TEFA is voluntary for private schools, meaning not every school is required to accept TEFA funds. We are pleased to share that, as a fully accredited independent Catholic school, Holy Spirit Catholic School will be eligible to accept TEFA funds once the program begins disbursing for the 2026–2027 school year.

  • Accreditation & State Compliance: Our accreditation and longstanding commitment to academic excellence ensure that we meet all state requirements for participating private schools, positioning us to confidently participate in the program.

  • Rollover of Funds: Funds that are not used in a given year may roll over to future years, provided the student remains eligible for the program.

  • Application Timeline: The online application for Texas families opened on February 4, 2026, and will close on March 17, 2026, with notifications being sent early April. Families may visit the Texas Comptroller website for additional details.

  • Approved Vendor Status: Holy Spirit Catholic School is an approved vendor in the Odyssey platform for the State of Texas, ensuring a streamlined process for participating families.

Girl Reading her book

How Much Funding Is Available And What Can It Be Used For?

TEFA offers annual scholarship funding based on student eligibility.

⭐ Students in eligible non-public schools (such as Holy Spirit Catholic School), the standard TEFA award is estimated at around $10,000 per year.  

⭐ Students with a diagnosed disability (who have an IEP), the award may go up to $30,000.

TEFA funds can be used for a variety of approved education-related expenses, such as:

⭐ Tuition at participating private schools

⭐ Tutoring, online education programs, and therapies

⭐ Textbooks, uniforms, technology (hardware/software), and instructional materials

What Can I Do Now?

TEFA

Stay Informed: We will continue sharing updates as they become available. You may also sign up for alerts through the Diocese of  San Antonio by clicking here.

Apply Now: The TEFA application is now open! Gather your documents - proof of income, citizenship or residency, and any applicable IEP or diagnosis - so your student can be considered for funding as soon as possible.

Connect With Us: If TEFA may benefit your family, contact our Admissions Office (contact us here) to explore how the program could support your student. You are also encouraged to attend one of the Diocese-hosted information sessions for a detailed overview of TEFA. Please refer to the flyer for upcoming dates, and feel free to attend any session listed by clicking here.