In 2025, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 2, providing $1 billion in funding to create Texas Education Freedom Accounts, a program allowing families to apply for private school tuition, tutoring or homeschool expenses. Applications for the 2026-2027 school year will be open Feb. 4 through March 17, and demand for the limited funding is expected to be high.

On Feb. 19 at Texas Public Radio in San Antonio, Texas Tribune Editor-in-Chief Matthew Watkins sat down with a representative from Texas Education Freedom Accounts and others to discuss the program and share information on who may be eligible, how the program works, how to apply and key considerations for families deciding whether to participate. 

Speakers included:

• Travis Pillow, spokesperson, Texas Education Freedom Accounts

• Jennifer Allmon, executive director, Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops

• Stephanie Gray, owner, Books and Bibs Child Care and Learning Academy

• April Hallfrisch, principal, St. Matthew Catholic School

• Jennifer Sisk, principal, Holy Name Catholic School

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