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Quick answer
TEFA helps a child with a disability in two ways: Tier 1 priority when applications exceed funding, and extra money at a participating private school. A child with a current Texas IEP on file with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) who attends a participating private school gets the $10,474 base plus the amount their school district would receive under that IEP. In that case your child’s TEFA account can hold up to $30,000 a year, though the Texas Comptroller says most students receive less. A child with a disability who is homeschooled or in another setting gets $2,000. PDSES, TEA’s one-time $1,500 grant, is only for public school students, so a child cannot use PDSES and TEFA at the same time.
How much does TEFA give a child with a disability?
It depends on where your child learns and what proof of disability is on file. Here are the 2026-27 amounts, according to the Comptroller:
| Your child’s situation (2026-27) | Yearly amount |
|---|---|
| Participating private school, with a current Texas IEP on file with TEA | $10,474 plus your district’s IEP amount (your child’s account is capped at $30,000) |
| Participating private school, no current IEP on file (for example, Disability Certification Form only) | $10,474 |
| Homeschool or other non-public setting, with or without an IEP | $2,000 |
As of October 1, 2026, 18% of the 116,574 participating students had a documented disability, according to the Comptroller’s participant fact sheet. In August 2026, about 7,300 students with documented disabilities at participating private schools were receiving $10,474 plus an average of over $5,000 in extra special education funding, according to the Comptroller’s August 2026 budget request to the Legislature.
Why is your child’s account amount below $30,000?
Your child’s TEFA account can hold up to $30,000 a year, and that figure is a ceiling. The extra money on top of $10,474 is the amount your school district would receive for your child under the IEP. The Comptroller says that amount depends on two things:
- Your district of residence. TEA sets the amount district by district, and it varies even for children with similar needs.
- The instructional arrangement (setting) code on the IEP. Each code carries its own amount in each district.
To estimate the extra amount, find the instructional arrangement code on your child’s current IEP. It is usually in the Least Restrictive Environment section or the Instructional Arrangement/Setting section, and Odyssey’s code list explains each number. Then look up your district and that code in TEA’s 2026-27 special education funding table and add the figure to $10,474. The IEP amount in your award notice can change once your school district of residence is confirmed, according to the Comptroller’s special education funding page.
Tier 1 affects your child’s place in line. It does not change the amount. If your child has a current Texas IEP but got no extra funding, the program may not have matched the IEP to your application. Appeals go through Odyssey at help.tx@withodyssey.com, and the Comptroller says they cannot be started through TEA or your school district. Odyssey’s spring 2026 deadlines for award and funding appeals have passed, and an appeal cannot add information that was not in your application. As of October 2026, the one appeal window still open is for families whose child was removed over public school enrollment: it appears in your Odyssey account under Student Profile, Complete appeal, and Odyssey’s deadline is November 2, 2026. See Odyssey’s appeals page for the details.
Which proof of disability adds money, and which only gives priority?
Only a current Texas IEP on file with TEA, from the 2023-24, 2024-25 or 2025-26 school year and on file by the end of the application period, adds money. Other proof gives Tier 1 priority but no extra funding:
| Proof of disability | Tier 1 priority (income at or below 500% FPL) | Extra funding (private school only) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Texas IEP on file with TEA | Yes | Yes |
| Full and Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE) by a Texas district | Yes | No |
| Out-of-state IEP, verified by the issuing state or district | Yes | No |
| Expired Texas IEP | Yes | No |
| TEFA Disability Certification Form | Yes | No |
The IEP is matched using your child’s Texas Unique Student ID (UID). A child has a UID if they have ever been enrolled in a Texas public or charter school, or have an IEP on file with TEA. If your child has only attended private school, the district that wrote the IEP loads it into TEA’s system. During the 2026-27 application, families who could not find a UID could enter "11111" plus their zip code to keep going, but only a validated IEP with a valid UID got the extra funding.
What is the TEFA disability certification form?
It is the Comptroller’s form that lets a qualified professional certify that your child has a disability, so your child can get Tier 1 priority. It does not create an IEP and does not change funding. If your child already has a current IEP on file with TEA, you do not need it.
The form covers the disability categories in Texas special education rules (19 TAC 89.1040). According to the Comptroller’s form instructions, only a professional qualified for that category can sign, and some categories need more than one person. For example:
- Speech impairment: a licensed speech-language pathologist.
- Deaf or hard of hearing: a licensed audiologist.
- Orthopedic impairment or traumatic brain injury: a licensed physician.
- Visual impairment: an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist), a teacher of students with visual impairments, and an orientation and mobility specialist.
Questions about the form go to DisabilityForm.TEFA@cpa.texas.gov.
How does a disability affect your child’s place in line?
A child with a disability in a household at or below 500% of the federal poverty level (FPL) is in Tier 1, the first group awarded when applications exceed funding. For a family of four, 500% FPL is $165,000, using the Comptroller’s published 2026 figures.
- Who counts for Tier 1: children with an IEP on file with TEA when applications close, and children who sent program-approved proof of disability.
- Above 500% FPL: your child is placed in Tier 4, not Tier 1. Sources differ on the extra IEP money for these children. The Comptroller’s Families page says a Tier 4 child with an IEP may still receive it if awarded, while Odyssey’s help center says it is limited to households at or below 500% FPL. Ask Odyssey to confirm your child’s amount in writing.
- Siblings come too: if one child is accepted, every eligible brother or sister who applied in the same period is accepted at the same time, even from a lower tier.
- Pre-K children: for a 3 or 4 year old, being in Early Childhood Special Education does not meet the TEFA pre-K rules by itself, according to Odyssey. Your child also needs a free public pre-K route, such as family income, English learner status, a military parent or foster care.
In 2026-27, the first awards, made April 22 to 24, 2026 to more than 42,600 students, went to all Tier 1 children and their siblings. Read TEFA eligibility, income limits and account amounts for the full tier table.
Can your child get an IEP if they are not in public school?
Yes. You can ask your school district for a full individual and initial evaluation even if your child is not in public school. The district must complete it within 45 school days of your consent and, if your child is eligible, write an IEP for TEFA purposes. TEA’s guidance says the district then uploads that IEP through TEA’s APEX ESA system. Parents cannot upload it themselves, and questions go to APEX-ESA@tea.texas.gov.
Timing matters. In 2026-27, the IEP had to be on file by the end of the application period to count for funding, and a later IEP change brought no extra funding that year. Whether a new or updated IEP will count for 2027-28 has not been announced. The Comptroller’s August 2026 budget request expects nearly 15,000 children to receive a new or updated IEP in the next two years, but no rule yet says how that will work. Our key dates, waitlist and renewal guide tracks announcements.
Can TEFA pay for therapy and tutoring for a child with a disability?
Yes. Educational therapies and private tutoring are both approved expenses. Private school students can use their account for tutoring, therapies or online learning on top of tuition, because the funding belongs to the student, not the school.
- Therapies: covered only to the extent they are not paid by Medicaid, CHIP, other government benefits or private insurance, or provided by a public school. They must be given by or at the direction of a licensed physician or licensed therapist to address academic performance.
- Tutoring: Senate Bill 2 lists "fees for services provided by a private tutor or teaching service" as an approved expense. State law caps only technology, at 10% of the year’s account amount, so tutoring has no separate limit beyond your child’s balance.
- Marketplace categories: the Odyssey marketplace lists behavioral, occupational, physical and speech therapy, as well as tutoring.
- Tutor rules: under the Comptroller’s Educator Credential Policy, your child’s lead educator must be a current or retired employee of an accredited school or college, or hold a relevant credential, such as a teaching license, a school district teaching permit, a method certification such as Orton-Gillingham, or a degree in a subject related to the lessons. Anyone at the tutoring company who works with your child must also pass a TEFA fingerprint background check.
All spending goes through the Odyssey marketplace, and purchases made elsewhere are not paid back. The Comptroller says a vendor’s presence in the marketplace "does not constitute an endorsement", so you choose who is right for your child. See how to pay for tutoring with TEFA for the steps.
Texas Education Freedom Accounts
Use your TEFA funds for 1-on-1 tutoring
- Approved TEFA vendor
- The same teacher every week
- A plan built from your child’s schoolwork
★★★★★4.9 from 250 Google reviews$0out of pocket, paid from your TEFA account
What should you know before choosing a private school?
A private school is not subject to federal and state special education laws in the same way as a public school. State law requires families to be told this. Ask any school you are considering how it supports children with needs like your child’s. TEA’s guidance says a child at a private school may still be able to get some services from the public school district where the private school is located, so ask that district about equitable services.
TEFA does not guarantee admission, and selecting a school in Odyssey does not enroll your child. You still complete the school’s own admission process. In 2026-27 the setting locked when applications closed, and families could move from private school down to homeschool or other ($2,000) but not up. Our guide to TEFA for homeschool and private school families covers both settings.
How does TEFA compare to PDSES?
PDSES (Parent-Directed Special Education Services) is a one-time $1,500 grant from TEA for students enrolled in a Texas public school who receive special education through an IEP. TEFA is a yearly account for children outside public school. Here they are side by side, as of October 2026:
| TEFA | PDSES | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Texas Comptroller, with Odyssey running accounts | Texas Education Agency, with help through Region 10 and SPEDTex |
| Who it is for | Texas children who are not enrolled in public school while funded. A disability gives Tier 1 priority | Students enrolled in a Texas public school or open-enrollment charter school, pre-K to 12, who receive special education through an IEP |
| Amount | $2,000 for homeschool or other, $10,474 for private school (2026-27), plus the district’s IEP amount at a private school with a current Texas IEP | One-time $1,500 per student |
| How often | Every year while your family is in good standing | One time only, ever |
| Who gets funded first | Tier order, then a lottery within each tier | Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, then the order applications were sent |
| Where you spend it | Odyssey marketplace | ClassWallet marketplace |
| Section 504 plan only | Open to any child who meets the basic rules | Not covered |
| Next application | 2027-28 dates not announced | Spring 2027 (for the 2026-27 school year) |
A few PDSES rules from TEA’s SPEDTex PDSES FAQ matter when you plan:
- Funding is limited. Grants depend on available funding, and within each priority group they go first come, first served.
- Activate within 30 days. Once funded, you must activate the ClassWallet account within 30 days of its welcome email.
- The money expires. Every PDSES account has an expiry date, and purchases made outside ClassWallet are not paid back.
- Vendors carry over. Vendors approved by TEA for PDSES and in good standing are approved for TEFA if registered with the Texas Secretary of State.
Can your child use TEFA and PDSES at the same time?
No. PDSES requires your child to be enrolled in a Texas public school, and TEA says a child who leaves for a private school, homeschool or other setting is no longer eligible for PDSES. TEFA funding requires your child to be out of public school, and Odyssey checks with TEA on or before October 1 and February 1. A funded student found enrolled in public school is removed from TEFA.
Your child can still hold a PDSES grant while in public school and apply for TEFA when applications open. If your child has unspent PDSES money, ask PDSES at PDSEShelp@region10.org or 1-855-773-3839 before leaving public school.
So the choice comes down to where your child will learn next year:
- Staying in public school with an IEP: PDSES fits, a one-time $1,500.
- Moving to a participating private school with a current Texas IEP: TEFA gives the most, the $10,474 base plus your district’s IEP amount.
- Moving to a participating private school without a current IEP: TEFA gives $10,474 a year, and a disability can still give Tier 1 priority.
- Homeschooling: TEFA gives $2,000 a year, with or without an IEP.
TEFA applications for 2027-28 had not been announced as of October 7, 2026. More than 44,000 children’s parents had joined the 2027-28 interest list by August 2026, according to the Comptroller’s budget request, and funding for that year depends on the Texas Legislature. Join the list on educationfreedom.texas.gov.
More on TEFA tutoring: TEFA tutoring in Texas and TEFA tutoring for students with an IEP.
Bottom line
The extra TEFA disability amount goes only to children with a current Texas IEP on file with TEA who attend a participating private school, and most receive less than the cap. Every other child with a disability gets the standard amount for their setting, with Tier 1 priority when household income is at or below 500% FPL. PDSES is for children who stay in public school, so plan for one program or the other, and confirm your child’s amount in your Odyssey account.
How this guide was written
Written by Tutero’s Texas team. Tutero is an approved TEFA vendor. We check our guides against the Texas Comptroller’s official TEFA rules and program documents on educationfreedom.texas.gov, and the Odyssey help center. Rules can change, so confirm details in your TEFA account before you buy.
Related guides: TEFA eligibility, income limits and account amounts, TEFA for homeschool and private school families and How to pay for tutoring with TEFA.
Your next step
See how families use TEFA for tutoring
Expert teachers, 1-on-1 and online, paid from your TEFA account with $0 out of pocket. How TEFA tutoring works.
Or keep reading: How to pay for tutoring with TEFA →
“With her teacher Lori, she’s focused. She never wants to miss a lesson.”
JillMom of Emma, 6th gradeQuick answer
TEFA helps a child with a disability in two ways: Tier 1 priority when applications exceed funding, and extra money at a participating private school. A child with a current Texas IEP on file with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) who attends a participating private school gets the $10,474 base plus the amount their school district would receive under that IEP. In that case your child’s TEFA account can hold up to $30,000 a year, though the Texas Comptroller says most students receive less. A child with a disability who is homeschooled or in another setting gets $2,000. PDSES, TEA’s one-time $1,500 grant, is only for public school students, so a child cannot use PDSES and TEFA at the same time.
How much does TEFA give a child with a disability?
It depends on where your child learns and what proof of disability is on file. Here are the 2026-27 amounts, according to the Comptroller:
| Your child’s situation (2026-27) | Yearly amount |
|---|---|
| Participating private school, with a current Texas IEP on file with TEA | $10,474 plus your district’s IEP amount (your child’s account is capped at $30,000) |
| Participating private school, no current IEP on file (for example, Disability Certification Form only) | $10,474 |
| Homeschool or other non-public setting, with or without an IEP | $2,000 |
As of October 1, 2026, 18% of the 116,574 participating students had a documented disability, according to the Comptroller’s participant fact sheet. In August 2026, about 7,300 students with documented disabilities at participating private schools were receiving $10,474 plus an average of over $5,000 in extra special education funding, according to the Comptroller’s August 2026 budget request to the Legislature.
Why is your child’s account amount below $30,000?
Your child’s TEFA account can hold up to $30,000 a year, and that figure is a ceiling. The extra money on top of $10,474 is the amount your school district would receive for your child under the IEP. The Comptroller says that amount depends on two things:
- Your district of residence. TEA sets the amount district by district, and it varies even for children with similar needs.
- The instructional arrangement (setting) code on the IEP. Each code carries its own amount in each district.
To estimate the extra amount, find the instructional arrangement code on your child’s current IEP. It is usually in the Least Restrictive Environment section or the Instructional Arrangement/Setting section, and Odyssey’s code list explains each number. Then look up your district and that code in TEA’s 2026-27 special education funding table and add the figure to $10,474. The IEP amount in your award notice can change once your school district of residence is confirmed, according to the Comptroller’s special education funding page.
Tier 1 affects your child’s place in line. It does not change the amount. If your child has a current Texas IEP but got no extra funding, the program may not have matched the IEP to your application. Appeals go through Odyssey at help.tx@withodyssey.com, and the Comptroller says they cannot be started through TEA or your school district. Odyssey’s spring 2026 deadlines for award and funding appeals have passed, and an appeal cannot add information that was not in your application. As of October 2026, the one appeal window still open is for families whose child was removed over public school enrollment: it appears in your Odyssey account under Student Profile, Complete appeal, and Odyssey’s deadline is November 2, 2026. See Odyssey’s appeals page for the details.
Which proof of disability adds money, and which only gives priority?
Only a current Texas IEP on file with TEA, from the 2023-24, 2024-25 or 2025-26 school year and on file by the end of the application period, adds money. Other proof gives Tier 1 priority but no extra funding:
| Proof of disability | Tier 1 priority (income at or below 500% FPL) | Extra funding (private school only) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Texas IEP on file with TEA | Yes | Yes |
| Full and Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE) by a Texas district | Yes | No |
| Out-of-state IEP, verified by the issuing state or district | Yes | No |
| Expired Texas IEP | Yes | No |
| TEFA Disability Certification Form | Yes | No |
The IEP is matched using your child’s Texas Unique Student ID (UID). A child has a UID if they have ever been enrolled in a Texas public or charter school, or have an IEP on file with TEA. If your child has only attended private school, the district that wrote the IEP loads it into TEA’s system. During the 2026-27 application, families who could not find a UID could enter "11111" plus their zip code to keep going, but only a validated IEP with a valid UID got the extra funding.
What is the TEFA disability certification form?
It is the Comptroller’s form that lets a qualified professional certify that your child has a disability, so your child can get Tier 1 priority. It does not create an IEP and does not change funding. If your child already has a current IEP on file with TEA, you do not need it.
The form covers the disability categories in Texas special education rules (19 TAC 89.1040). According to the Comptroller’s form instructions, only a professional qualified for that category can sign, and some categories need more than one person. For example:
- Speech impairment: a licensed speech-language pathologist.
- Deaf or hard of hearing: a licensed audiologist.
- Orthopedic impairment or traumatic brain injury: a licensed physician.
- Visual impairment: an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist), a teacher of students with visual impairments, and an orientation and mobility specialist.
Questions about the form go to DisabilityForm.TEFA@cpa.texas.gov.
How does a disability affect your child’s place in line?
A child with a disability in a household at or below 500% of the federal poverty level (FPL) is in Tier 1, the first group awarded when applications exceed funding. For a family of four, 500% FPL is $165,000, using the Comptroller’s published 2026 figures.
- Who counts for Tier 1: children with an IEP on file with TEA when applications close, and children who sent program-approved proof of disability.
- Above 500% FPL: your child is placed in Tier 4, not Tier 1. Sources differ on the extra IEP money for these children. The Comptroller’s Families page says a Tier 4 child with an IEP may still receive it if awarded, while Odyssey’s help center says it is limited to households at or below 500% FPL. Ask Odyssey to confirm your child’s amount in writing.
- Siblings come too: if one child is accepted, every eligible brother or sister who applied in the same period is accepted at the same time, even from a lower tier.
- Pre-K children: for a 3 or 4 year old, being in Early Childhood Special Education does not meet the TEFA pre-K rules by itself, according to Odyssey. Your child also needs a free public pre-K route, such as family income, English learner status, a military parent or foster care.
In 2026-27, the first awards, made April 22 to 24, 2026 to more than 42,600 students, went to all Tier 1 children and their siblings. Read TEFA eligibility, income limits and account amounts for the full tier table.
Can your child get an IEP if they are not in public school?
Yes. You can ask your school district for a full individual and initial evaluation even if your child is not in public school. The district must complete it within 45 school days of your consent and, if your child is eligible, write an IEP for TEFA purposes. TEA’s guidance says the district then uploads that IEP through TEA’s APEX ESA system. Parents cannot upload it themselves, and questions go to APEX-ESA@tea.texas.gov.
Timing matters. In 2026-27, the IEP had to be on file by the end of the application period to count for funding, and a later IEP change brought no extra funding that year. Whether a new or updated IEP will count for 2027-28 has not been announced. The Comptroller’s August 2026 budget request expects nearly 15,000 children to receive a new or updated IEP in the next two years, but no rule yet says how that will work. Our key dates, waitlist and renewal guide tracks announcements.
Can TEFA pay for therapy and tutoring for a child with a disability?
Yes. Educational therapies and private tutoring are both approved expenses. Private school students can use their account for tutoring, therapies or online learning on top of tuition, because the funding belongs to the student, not the school.
- Therapies: covered only to the extent they are not paid by Medicaid, CHIP, other government benefits or private insurance, or provided by a public school. They must be given by or at the direction of a licensed physician or licensed therapist to address academic performance.
- Tutoring: Senate Bill 2 lists "fees for services provided by a private tutor or teaching service" as an approved expense. State law caps only technology, at 10% of the year’s account amount, so tutoring has no separate limit beyond your child’s balance.
- Marketplace categories: the Odyssey marketplace lists behavioral, occupational, physical and speech therapy, as well as tutoring.
- Tutor rules: under the Comptroller’s Educator Credential Policy, your child’s lead educator must be a current or retired employee of an accredited school or college, or hold a relevant credential, such as a teaching license, a school district teaching permit, a method certification such as Orton-Gillingham, or a degree in a subject related to the lessons. Anyone at the tutoring company who works with your child must also pass a TEFA fingerprint background check.
All spending goes through the Odyssey marketplace, and purchases made elsewhere are not paid back. The Comptroller says a vendor’s presence in the marketplace "does not constitute an endorsement", so you choose who is right for your child. See how to pay for tutoring with TEFA for the steps.
Texas Education Freedom Accounts
Use your TEFA funds for 1-on-1 tutoring
- Approved TEFA vendor
- The same teacher every week
- A plan built from your child’s schoolwork
★★★★★4.9 from 250 Google reviews$0out of pocket, paid from your TEFA account
What should you know before choosing a private school?
A private school is not subject to federal and state special education laws in the same way as a public school. State law requires families to be told this. Ask any school you are considering how it supports children with needs like your child’s. TEA’s guidance says a child at a private school may still be able to get some services from the public school district where the private school is located, so ask that district about equitable services.
TEFA does not guarantee admission, and selecting a school in Odyssey does not enroll your child. You still complete the school’s own admission process. In 2026-27 the setting locked when applications closed, and families could move from private school down to homeschool or other ($2,000) but not up. Our guide to TEFA for homeschool and private school families covers both settings.
How does TEFA compare to PDSES?
PDSES (Parent-Directed Special Education Services) is a one-time $1,500 grant from TEA for students enrolled in a Texas public school who receive special education through an IEP. TEFA is a yearly account for children outside public school. Here they are side by side, as of October 2026:
| TEFA | PDSES | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Texas Comptroller, with Odyssey running accounts | Texas Education Agency, with help through Region 10 and SPEDTex |
| Who it is for | Texas children who are not enrolled in public school while funded. A disability gives Tier 1 priority | Students enrolled in a Texas public school or open-enrollment charter school, pre-K to 12, who receive special education through an IEP |
| Amount | $2,000 for homeschool or other, $10,474 for private school (2026-27), plus the district’s IEP amount at a private school with a current Texas IEP | One-time $1,500 per student |
| How often | Every year while your family is in good standing | One time only, ever |
| Who gets funded first | Tier order, then a lottery within each tier | Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, then the order applications were sent |
| Where you spend it | Odyssey marketplace | ClassWallet marketplace |
| Section 504 plan only | Open to any child who meets the basic rules | Not covered |
| Next application | 2027-28 dates not announced | Spring 2027 (for the 2026-27 school year) |
A few PDSES rules from TEA’s SPEDTex PDSES FAQ matter when you plan:
- Funding is limited. Grants depend on available funding, and within each priority group they go first come, first served.
- Activate within 30 days. Once funded, you must activate the ClassWallet account within 30 days of its welcome email.
- The money expires. Every PDSES account has an expiry date, and purchases made outside ClassWallet are not paid back.
- Vendors carry over. Vendors approved by TEA for PDSES and in good standing are approved for TEFA if registered with the Texas Secretary of State.
Can your child use TEFA and PDSES at the same time?
No. PDSES requires your child to be enrolled in a Texas public school, and TEA says a child who leaves for a private school, homeschool or other setting is no longer eligible for PDSES. TEFA funding requires your child to be out of public school, and Odyssey checks with TEA on or before October 1 and February 1. A funded student found enrolled in public school is removed from TEFA.
Your child can still hold a PDSES grant while in public school and apply for TEFA when applications open. If your child has unspent PDSES money, ask PDSES at PDSEShelp@region10.org or 1-855-773-3839 before leaving public school.
So the choice comes down to where your child will learn next year:
- Staying in public school with an IEP: PDSES fits, a one-time $1,500.
- Moving to a participating private school with a current Texas IEP: TEFA gives the most, the $10,474 base plus your district’s IEP amount.
- Moving to a participating private school without a current IEP: TEFA gives $10,474 a year, and a disability can still give Tier 1 priority.
- Homeschooling: TEFA gives $2,000 a year, with or without an IEP.
TEFA applications for 2027-28 had not been announced as of October 7, 2026. More than 44,000 children’s parents had joined the 2027-28 interest list by August 2026, according to the Comptroller’s budget request, and funding for that year depends on the Texas Legislature. Join the list on educationfreedom.texas.gov.
More on TEFA tutoring: TEFA tutoring in Texas and TEFA tutoring for students with an IEP.
Bottom line
The extra TEFA disability amount goes only to children with a current Texas IEP on file with TEA who attend a participating private school, and most receive less than the cap. Every other child with a disability gets the standard amount for their setting, with Tier 1 priority when household income is at or below 500% FPL. PDSES is for children who stay in public school, so plan for one program or the other, and confirm your child’s amount in your Odyssey account.
How this guide was written
Written by Tutero’s Texas team. Tutero is an approved TEFA vendor. We check our guides against the Texas Comptroller’s official TEFA rules and program documents on educationfreedom.texas.gov, and the Odyssey help center. Rules can change, so confirm details in your TEFA account before you buy.
Related guides: TEFA eligibility, income limits and account amounts, TEFA for homeschool and private school families and How to pay for tutoring with TEFA.
Your next step
See how families use TEFA for tutoring
Expert teachers, 1-on-1 and online, paid from your TEFA account with $0 out of pocket. How TEFA tutoring works.
Or keep reading: How to pay for tutoring with TEFA →
“With her teacher Lori, she’s focused. She never wants to miss a lesson.”
JillMom of Emma, 6th grade
Quick answer
TEFA helps a child with a disability in two ways: Tier 1 priority when applications exceed funding, and extra money at a participating private school. A child with a current Texas IEP on file with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) who attends a participating private school gets the $10,474 base plus the amount their school district would receive under that IEP. In that case your child’s TEFA account can hold up to $30,000 a year, though the Texas Comptroller says most students receive less. A child with a disability who is homeschooled or in another setting gets $2,000. PDSES, TEA’s one-time $1,500 grant, is only for public school students, so a child cannot use PDSES and TEFA at the same time.
How much does TEFA give a child with a disability?
It depends on where your child learns and what proof of disability is on file. Here are the 2026-27 amounts, according to the Comptroller:
| Your child’s situation (2026-27) | Yearly amount |
|---|---|
| Participating private school, with a current Texas IEP on file with TEA | $10,474 plus your district’s IEP amount (your child’s account is capped at $30,000) |
| Participating private school, no current IEP on file (for example, Disability Certification Form only) | $10,474 |
| Homeschool or other non-public setting, with or without an IEP | $2,000 |
As of October 1, 2026, 18% of the 116,574 participating students had a documented disability, according to the Comptroller’s participant fact sheet. In August 2026, about 7,300 students with documented disabilities at participating private schools were receiving $10,474 plus an average of over $5,000 in extra special education funding, according to the Comptroller’s August 2026 budget request to the Legislature.
Why is your child’s account amount below $30,000?
Your child’s TEFA account can hold up to $30,000 a year, and that figure is a ceiling. The extra money on top of $10,474 is the amount your school district would receive for your child under the IEP. The Comptroller says that amount depends on two things:
- Your district of residence. TEA sets the amount district by district, and it varies even for children with similar needs.
- The instructional arrangement (setting) code on the IEP. Each code carries its own amount in each district.
To estimate the extra amount, find the instructional arrangement code on your child’s current IEP. It is usually in the Least Restrictive Environment section or the Instructional Arrangement/Setting section, and Odyssey’s code list explains each number. Then look up your district and that code in TEA’s 2026-27 special education funding table and add the figure to $10,474. The IEP amount in your award notice can change once your school district of residence is confirmed, according to the Comptroller’s special education funding page.
Tier 1 affects your child’s place in line. It does not change the amount. If your child has a current Texas IEP but got no extra funding, the program may not have matched the IEP to your application. Appeals go through Odyssey at help.tx@withodyssey.com, and the Comptroller says they cannot be started through TEA or your school district. Odyssey’s spring 2026 deadlines for award and funding appeals have passed, and an appeal cannot add information that was not in your application. As of October 2026, the one appeal window still open is for families whose child was removed over public school enrollment: it appears in your Odyssey account under Student Profile, Complete appeal, and Odyssey’s deadline is November 2, 2026. See Odyssey’s appeals page for the details.
Which proof of disability adds money, and which only gives priority?
Only a current Texas IEP on file with TEA, from the 2023-24, 2024-25 or 2025-26 school year and on file by the end of the application period, adds money. Other proof gives Tier 1 priority but no extra funding:
| Proof of disability | Tier 1 priority (income at or below 500% FPL) | Extra funding (private school only) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Texas IEP on file with TEA | Yes | Yes |
| Full and Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE) by a Texas district | Yes | No |
| Out-of-state IEP, verified by the issuing state or district | Yes | No |
| Expired Texas IEP | Yes | No |
| TEFA Disability Certification Form | Yes | No |
The IEP is matched using your child’s Texas Unique Student ID (UID). A child has a UID if they have ever been enrolled in a Texas public or charter school, or have an IEP on file with TEA. If your child has only attended private school, the district that wrote the IEP loads it into TEA’s system. During the 2026-27 application, families who could not find a UID could enter "11111" plus their zip code to keep going, but only a validated IEP with a valid UID got the extra funding.
What is the TEFA disability certification form?
It is the Comptroller’s form that lets a qualified professional certify that your child has a disability, so your child can get Tier 1 priority. It does not create an IEP and does not change funding. If your child already has a current IEP on file with TEA, you do not need it.
The form covers the disability categories in Texas special education rules (19 TAC 89.1040). According to the Comptroller’s form instructions, only a professional qualified for that category can sign, and some categories need more than one person. For example:
- Speech impairment: a licensed speech-language pathologist.
- Deaf or hard of hearing: a licensed audiologist.
- Orthopedic impairment or traumatic brain injury: a licensed physician.
- Visual impairment: an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist), a teacher of students with visual impairments, and an orientation and mobility specialist.
Questions about the form go to DisabilityForm.TEFA@cpa.texas.gov.
How does a disability affect your child’s place in line?
A child with a disability in a household at or below 500% of the federal poverty level (FPL) is in Tier 1, the first group awarded when applications exceed funding. For a family of four, 500% FPL is $165,000, using the Comptroller’s published 2026 figures.
- Who counts for Tier 1: children with an IEP on file with TEA when applications close, and children who sent program-approved proof of disability.
- Above 500% FPL: your child is placed in Tier 4, not Tier 1. Sources differ on the extra IEP money for these children. The Comptroller’s Families page says a Tier 4 child with an IEP may still receive it if awarded, while Odyssey’s help center says it is limited to households at or below 500% FPL. Ask Odyssey to confirm your child’s amount in writing.
- Siblings come too: if one child is accepted, every eligible brother or sister who applied in the same period is accepted at the same time, even from a lower tier.
- Pre-K children: for a 3 or 4 year old, being in Early Childhood Special Education does not meet the TEFA pre-K rules by itself, according to Odyssey. Your child also needs a free public pre-K route, such as family income, English learner status, a military parent or foster care.
In 2026-27, the first awards, made April 22 to 24, 2026 to more than 42,600 students, went to all Tier 1 children and their siblings. Read TEFA eligibility, income limits and account amounts for the full tier table.
Can your child get an IEP if they are not in public school?
Yes. You can ask your school district for a full individual and initial evaluation even if your child is not in public school. The district must complete it within 45 school days of your consent and, if your child is eligible, write an IEP for TEFA purposes. TEA’s guidance says the district then uploads that IEP through TEA’s APEX ESA system. Parents cannot upload it themselves, and questions go to APEX-ESA@tea.texas.gov.
Timing matters. In 2026-27, the IEP had to be on file by the end of the application period to count for funding, and a later IEP change brought no extra funding that year. Whether a new or updated IEP will count for 2027-28 has not been announced. The Comptroller’s August 2026 budget request expects nearly 15,000 children to receive a new or updated IEP in the next two years, but no rule yet says how that will work. Our key dates, waitlist and renewal guide tracks announcements.
Can TEFA pay for therapy and tutoring for a child with a disability?
Yes. Educational therapies and private tutoring are both approved expenses. Private school students can use their account for tutoring, therapies or online learning on top of tuition, because the funding belongs to the student, not the school.
- Therapies: covered only to the extent they are not paid by Medicaid, CHIP, other government benefits or private insurance, or provided by a public school. They must be given by or at the direction of a licensed physician or licensed therapist to address academic performance.
- Tutoring: Senate Bill 2 lists "fees for services provided by a private tutor or teaching service" as an approved expense. State law caps only technology, at 10% of the year’s account amount, so tutoring has no separate limit beyond your child’s balance.
- Marketplace categories: the Odyssey marketplace lists behavioral, occupational, physical and speech therapy, as well as tutoring.
- Tutor rules: under the Comptroller’s Educator Credential Policy, your child’s lead educator must be a current or retired employee of an accredited school or college, or hold a relevant credential, such as a teaching license, a school district teaching permit, a method certification such as Orton-Gillingham, or a degree in a subject related to the lessons. Anyone at the tutoring company who works with your child must also pass a TEFA fingerprint background check.
All spending goes through the Odyssey marketplace, and purchases made elsewhere are not paid back. The Comptroller says a vendor’s presence in the marketplace "does not constitute an endorsement", so you choose who is right for your child. See how to pay for tutoring with TEFA for the steps.
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What should you know before choosing a private school?
A private school is not subject to federal and state special education laws in the same way as a public school. State law requires families to be told this. Ask any school you are considering how it supports children with needs like your child’s. TEA’s guidance says a child at a private school may still be able to get some services from the public school district where the private school is located, so ask that district about equitable services.
TEFA does not guarantee admission, and selecting a school in Odyssey does not enroll your child. You still complete the school’s own admission process. In 2026-27 the setting locked when applications closed, and families could move from private school down to homeschool or other ($2,000) but not up. Our guide to TEFA for homeschool and private school families covers both settings.
How does TEFA compare to PDSES?
PDSES (Parent-Directed Special Education Services) is a one-time $1,500 grant from TEA for students enrolled in a Texas public school who receive special education through an IEP. TEFA is a yearly account for children outside public school. Here they are side by side, as of October 2026:
| TEFA | PDSES | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Texas Comptroller, with Odyssey running accounts | Texas Education Agency, with help through Region 10 and SPEDTex |
| Who it is for | Texas children who are not enrolled in public school while funded. A disability gives Tier 1 priority | Students enrolled in a Texas public school or open-enrollment charter school, pre-K to 12, who receive special education through an IEP |
| Amount | $2,000 for homeschool or other, $10,474 for private school (2026-27), plus the district’s IEP amount at a private school with a current Texas IEP | One-time $1,500 per student |
| How often | Every year while your family is in good standing | One time only, ever |
| Who gets funded first | Tier order, then a lottery within each tier | Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, then the order applications were sent |
| Where you spend it | Odyssey marketplace | ClassWallet marketplace |
| Section 504 plan only | Open to any child who meets the basic rules | Not covered |
| Next application | 2027-28 dates not announced | Spring 2027 (for the 2026-27 school year) |
A few PDSES rules from TEA’s SPEDTex PDSES FAQ matter when you plan:
- Funding is limited. Grants depend on available funding, and within each priority group they go first come, first served.
- Activate within 30 days. Once funded, you must activate the ClassWallet account within 30 days of its welcome email.
- The money expires. Every PDSES account has an expiry date, and purchases made outside ClassWallet are not paid back.
- Vendors carry over. Vendors approved by TEA for PDSES and in good standing are approved for TEFA if registered with the Texas Secretary of State.
Can your child use TEFA and PDSES at the same time?
No. PDSES requires your child to be enrolled in a Texas public school, and TEA says a child who leaves for a private school, homeschool or other setting is no longer eligible for PDSES. TEFA funding requires your child to be out of public school, and Odyssey checks with TEA on or before October 1 and February 1. A funded student found enrolled in public school is removed from TEFA.
Your child can still hold a PDSES grant while in public school and apply for TEFA when applications open. If your child has unspent PDSES money, ask PDSES at PDSEShelp@region10.org or 1-855-773-3839 before leaving public school.
So the choice comes down to where your child will learn next year:
- Staying in public school with an IEP: PDSES fits, a one-time $1,500.
- Moving to a participating private school with a current Texas IEP: TEFA gives the most, the $10,474 base plus your district’s IEP amount.
- Moving to a participating private school without a current IEP: TEFA gives $10,474 a year, and a disability can still give Tier 1 priority.
- Homeschooling: TEFA gives $2,000 a year, with or without an IEP.
TEFA applications for 2027-28 had not been announced as of October 7, 2026. More than 44,000 children’s parents had joined the 2027-28 interest list by August 2026, according to the Comptroller’s budget request, and funding for that year depends on the Texas Legislature. Join the list on educationfreedom.texas.gov.
More on TEFA tutoring: TEFA tutoring in Texas and TEFA tutoring for students with an IEP.
Bottom line
The extra TEFA disability amount goes only to children with a current Texas IEP on file with TEA who attend a participating private school, and most receive less than the cap. Every other child with a disability gets the standard amount for their setting, with Tier 1 priority when household income is at or below 500% FPL. PDSES is for children who stay in public school, so plan for one program or the other, and confirm your child’s amount in your Odyssey account.
How this guide was written
Written by Tutero’s Texas team. Tutero is an approved TEFA vendor. We check our guides against the Texas Comptroller’s official TEFA rules and program documents on educationfreedom.texas.gov, and the Odyssey help center. Rules can change, so confirm details in your TEFA account before you buy.
Related guides: TEFA eligibility, income limits and account amounts, TEFA for homeschool and private school families and How to pay for tutoring with TEFA.
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In 2026-27, a child with a current Texas IEP at a participating private school gets $10,474 plus their district’s IEP amount. In that case your child’s TEFA account can hold up to $30,000 a year, and most students receive less. A child with a disability in homeschool or another setting gets $2,000.
It is the Texas Comptroller’s form that lets a qualified professional certify that your child has a disability under the Texas special education categories. It gives Tier 1 priority only. It does not create an IEP or add funding, and families with a current IEP on file with TEA do not need it.
No. The extra IEP funding is only for students at a participating private school. A homeschooled child with an IEP gets $2,000 a year, the same as other homeschool students, though the disability can still give Tier 1 priority.
Your child is placed in Tier 4, not Tier 1. Sources differ on the extra IEP money: the Comptroller says a Tier 4 child with an IEP may still receive it if awarded, while Odyssey’s help center says it is limited to households at or below 500% FPL. Ask Odyssey to confirm your child’s amount in writing.
That is PDSES (Parent-Directed Special Education Services), run by the Texas Education Agency. It is a one-time $1,500 grant for students enrolled in a Texas public school who receive special education through an IEP, spent through ClassWallet. Students with only a Section 504 plan are not covered.
No. PDSES requires your child to be enrolled in a Texas public school, and TEA says a child who leaves for a private school or homeschool is no longer eligible for it. TEFA funding requires your child to be out of public school. If you have unspent PDSES money, ask PDSEShelp@region10.org before leaving public school.
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