TAKE THE SURVEY
Help Shape Their Future
Your input is invaluable, and together, we can make a lasting impact on the future of Catholic education and the future of our schools. Take a moment to share your dreams, expectations, and suggestions by participating in our brief surveys.
Survey opens on January 28th until February 12th.
Multiply the Possibilities with Catholic Education!
In John 6, Jesus takes a small offering—five loaves and two fishes and transforms it into nourishment for thousands. This serves as a reminder of how God multiplies what we faithfully place in His hands.
TOP STORIES
Celebrating ‘Saints and Scholars’ in our Diocese
With the school year well underway, we celebrate that our Catholic schools continue to witness substantial growth in enrollment. Read the latest stories on the Texas Catholic.
About: Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFAs)
A Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) provides parents of students in non-public Texas schools a publicly-funded, government authorized savings account with restricted, but multiple, uses for their children’s education.
- Student enrolled in an eligible school: up to $10,000
- A student with a diagnosed disability: up to $30,000
- Home-schooled participants: $2,000
TEFA funds can be used for:
- Tuition at Catholic or other private schools
- Curriculum materials
- Uniforms
- Tutoring and educational therapies
- Specialized services for students with unique learning needs
- Transportation or other eligible expenses
Stay Informed!
Join Our TEFA Interest List
Yes, I would like to receive TEFA – School Choice updates.
Who can apply?
While final rules will be set by the state, the current guidelines state that families may be eligible if:
- Student is a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful resident eligible to attend a public school (PreK through 12 grade).
Please note, that once you apply for TEFA, you still have to apply to our Catholic Schools. Learn more about a Catholic education here.
Priority Groups
- Students with a disability (defined by Texas Educ. Code Sec. 29.003) whose family income is at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) - see chart below.
- Children whose family income is at or below 200% of the FPG.
- Children whose family income is between 201% and 500% of FPG.
- If a child is approved, so are the child’s siblings who applied.
- Everyone else, depending upon available funds. Students who move from public schools will be prioritized over currently enrolled private school students in this category only.
If you are uncertain about your eligibility, we recommend reaching out to Isabel Puente.
TEFA Timeline
- Late Summer 2025
- Early Fall 2025
- Sept. 1, 2025
- Sept. 30, 2025
- Fall 2025
- Early 2026
- School Year 2026–27
Late Summer 2025
State Comptroller posts requests for proposals for certified education assistance organizations (CEAOs).
Resource Links
- Loaves and Fishes - English TEFA Flyer
- Loaves and Fishes - Español TEFA Flyer
- Loaves and Fishes - Frequently Asked Questions
- Loaves and Fishes - Español - Preguntas Frequentes
- Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops TEFA Resources
- Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops TEFA Parent Explainer PDF
- Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2025
- About School Choice | Diocese of Dallas
Frequently Asked Questions
The state has budgeted $1 billion, which will serve approximately 70,000- 90,000 students. The amount available to each student is based on their circumstances.
A student may qualify as a child with a disability if they are at least three years old but not more than 21 years old and have one or more of the following conditions that prevent them from being adequately or safely educated in public school without special services:
- Visual or auditory impairment
- Physical disability
- Intellectual or developmental disability
- Emotional disturbance
- Learning disability
- Autism
- Speech disability
- Traumatic brain injury OR an Individual Education Plan (IEP)
- A letter verifying the child’s eligibility to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- A written diagnosis from a licensed physician verifying one of the listed disabilities
- An Individualized Education Program (IEP) issued by a Texas public school district or open-enrollment charter school.
- Quarterly transfers into Texas Education Freedom Accounts will be made on the first day of July, October, January, and April.
- If a child enrolls in the program after the beginning of the school year, the amount transferred is prorated based on the date of enrollment.
- Any money remaining in a participating child’s account will be carried over to the next fiscal year.
- Transfers to an account are not considered taxable income unless otherwise provided by federal or another state’s law.
Parents must agree to:
- Spend program money only for eligible expenses
- Share the child’s assessment results with EAO
- Not sell an item purchased with program money and notify the EAO within 30 days of the child enrolling in public school, graduating high school, or otherwise becoming ineligible to enroll in public school.
