Central Texas used the program heavily in year one. On July 29, 2026, the Comptroller counted 6,027 funded students in the Region 13 education service center area that includes Austin. Austin ISD residents held 1,020 of them, 13th among Texas districts, followed by Leander ISD (574), Round Rock ISD (544), Hays CISD (441) and Georgetown ISD (432).
The amount is tied to public school funding: 85% of the statewide average per student, which works out to $10,474 for 2026-27 at every grade from kindergarten to 12. It reaches the school in three pieces. A quarter is deposited July 1, another quarter October 1, and the remaining half February 1. Money not spent by year end stays in the account as long as the child remains enrolled in the program.
The Legislature created the program with Senate Bill 2 in 2025 and put $1 billion behind the first year. The Comptroller's office oversees it, and a contractor, Odyssey, runs the family portal, school payments and the vendor marketplace.
There wasn't enough money for everyone. Over 274,000 students applied statewide, 85,344 accounts were funded by July 29, and more than 121,000 applicants were still waitlisted. Inside Austin ISD's boundaries alone, City Cast Austin reported 4,896 applicants in July.
Families who weren't funded should plan to apply again for 2027-28. The second-year order puts brothers and sisters of current participants first, then other eligible new applicants. Dates haven't been posted yet.
Funded TEFA students by Austin-area district
| District of residence | Funded students (Jul 29, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Austin ISD | 1,020 |
| Leander ISD | 574 |
| Round Rock ISD | 544 |
| Hays CISD | 441 |
| Georgetown ISD | 432 |
| Pflugerville ISD | 329 |
| Hutto ISD | 214 |
| Liberty Hill ISD | 202 |
| Bastrop ISD | 188 |
| Lake Travis ISD | 171 |
| Manor ISD | 166 |
| San Marcos CISD | 165 |
| Jarrell ISD | 143 |
| Dripping Springs ISD | 139 |
Source: TEFA Annual Demographic Report (Texas Comptroller), parent-reported district of residence, data as of July 29, 2026. The Region 13 (Austin) total was 6,027.
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.