Austin has one of the deepest homeschool and microschool scenes in the state, and much of it lives on this tier. Texas law already treats a homeschool as a private school, so there is nothing to register before applying.
The money can only go to approved vendors. In the Austin area that list includes online math and coding courses, Kumon and Sylvan centers, therapists and tutors, and UT Austin's own online high school. A hybrid studio or pod that isn't approved can't be paid from the account, however popular it is.
The tier can change mid-stream. A homeschooler who enrolls at a participating microschool or private school moves up to $10,474, and a student who leaves a participating school to homeschool drops to $2,000.
Combining it with other sources
Most families pair this with the school's own aid and one or two other sources on this site. A funding check lays out which combination works for your child and in what order to apply.