(The Center Square) – Texas has created another new national record, this time for the most students applying to a new school choice program on the first day it launched.
Texas’ first school choice program launched on Wednesday with 20,000 students applying by noon.
Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced the successful launch of Texas’ new Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) stating that nearly 8,000 applications were filed in the first hour. By noon, more than 20,000 students had applied “for the largest year-one school choice initiative in the nation,” The Center Square reported.
More than 35,000 applications had been received by Wednesday evening on the first day of the program’s launch.
By Thursday morning, that number topped 42,000 and is continuing to climb, the comptroller’s office, which is managing the program, said.
“The total represents a nationwide record for most enrollments for day one of a new school choice program, surpassing Tennessee’s 33,000 student applications in 2025,” Hancock said.
“Texas families made history yesterday,” Hancock added. “This record-breaking response shows a powerful groundswell across our state of parents who are excited about the freedom to choose the best possible education for their child, and we’re proud to deliver a program that puts students first.”
Of the students who applied on the first day, 80.3% indicated they plan to attend a participating private school next year; 19.7% said they plan to choose another option like homeschooling, according to comptroller data.
One of the biggest complaints opponents of the program made is that taxpayer money would be used to fund private school education for wealthy students. According to SB 2, the law establishing the program, applications are prioritized by economic thresholds with disabled and low-income students at the top of the list. A lottery system is next implemented if applications exceed available funding.
The legislature allocated $1 billion for ESA grants of roughly $10,000 for roughly 100,000 students. ESA funds are available for private school tuition, educational expenses for homeschoolers, tutoring, career and technical education programs, among other expenses.
Two-thirds of those who applied on the first day meet the criteria established by law to receive prioritized consideration based on need. They are among economically disadvantaged families.
Of the students with verified information, 34% of the students who applied have household incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level ($66,000 for a family of four), the comptroller’s office said. Another 38% have household incomes between 200% and 500% of the federal poverty level ($165,000 for a family of four), according to the data.
Nearly 75% of those who applied on the first day have already been placed in one of three top priority groups established by SB 2.
So far, 10% of applicants have been placed in the top priority tier for students with disabilities and household incomes below 500% of the federal poverty level, the comptroller’s office said.
Another 29% were placed in the second priority tier for students with household incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Another 33% were placed in the third priority tier for students with household incomes between 200∞ and 500% of the federal poverty level.
The application process remains open through March 17.
The Comptroller’s office has published an application checklist, a detailed guide and a video walk-through for families seeking to apply.
“Our office is moving at business speed to deliver a user-friendly experience for every family who wants to participate,” Hancock said. “We are committed to implementing this program responsibly and transparently so families across Texas can take full advantage of the opportunities ahead.”
Eligibility is based on economic need, not based on who applies first.
