Texas School Voucher Program Draws Huge Interest as Application Window Opens

Texas has launched one of the largest school voucher programs in the United States and demand is strong from the start. The Education Freedom Accounts initiative opened its online application portal on February 4, and by the end of the first day, nearly 30 000 families had already applied, far exceeding initial expectations.

The program is designed to redirect public education funds into private schooling options. Under the scheme, families can receive up to $10 000 per student to cover private school tuition and related costs. Students who have disabilities can qualify for up to $30 000, acknowledging the additional costs often tied to their education.

Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock highlighted the strong early response and noted that thousands of families applied within the first hour of the portal opening. By the time offices closed, applications continued to climb. Hancock pointed out that about 1 700 schools have opted into the program, offering a range of education options for families.

Supporters say the voucher approach expands educational choice for parents who want alternatives to traditional public schools. They argue that by giving families more control over where their education dollars go, children may find a better fit with a school’s approach or culture. Hancock also said that the program was designed with feedback from communities across the state.

Not everyone agrees with those points. Critics say that steering public funds toward private schools weakens the financial foundation of public education, particularly in areas where resources are already stretched. They note that public schools serve every child in their community, while private schools are not obligated to accept every student who wants to apply.

Education researcher Dr. Erin Baumgartner of Rice University said that in other states with similar programs, most participating pupils were already attending private schools before the voucher system began. She said the impact on public schools might be limited, but she also warned that not all private schools are required to participate, which can limit true choice.

A key concern for families in rural parts of Texas is that there may be fewer participating private schools nearby. Baumgartner pointed to areas where options are few and families might not realistically have a choice at all.

Applications are open until March 17, with families expecting to hear whether they are approved by April. Once approved, funds will be distributed directly into family accounts before the next school year starts.

The rollout in Texas illustrates how intense interest can be when education policy changes. With more than tens of thousands of families engaging in the first hours, the state will watch closely how the program unfolds. How public schools fare and how widely families across regions of the state benefit are questions likely to shape discussions about vouchers well beyond the current application period.