Every way to pay for school in San Antonio
Here are the 9 sources a San Antonio-area family can combine for private, church, Catholic, homeschool and pre-K education, with who qualifies for each and when to apply.
Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA)
Texas's education savings account. For 2026-27 a San Antonio student at a participating private school receives $10,474, paid to the school through the state's platform in three deposits.
Who qualifies →IEP · Up to $30,000TEFA with an IEP (up to $30,000)
A TEFA student with a current IEP on file with the Texas Education Agency gets the base award plus a district add-on at a participating private school, capped at $30,000.
Who qualifies →Homeschool · $2,000TEFA Homeschool / Other ($2,000)
A TEFA student who isn't enrolled at a participating private school (most often a homeschooler) receives $2,000 a year, all of it deposited on July 1.
Who qualifies →Ages 3-5 · $10,474TEFA Pre-K & Kindergarten
TEFA pays the full award at approved pre-K and kindergarten providers, but pre-K is limited to children who meet one of Texas's free pre-K criteria. Military families often qualify.
Who qualifies →New · Jan 2027Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (2027)
Starting January 2027, taxpayers in opt-in states get a federal credit of up to $1,700 for gifts to scholarship granting organizations. Texas announced it would opt in on December 10, 2025.
Who qualifies →Catholic schoolsArchdiocese of San Antonio: Hope for the Future
Hope for the Future is the Archdiocese of San Antonio's tuition assistance fund for its Catholic schools. The Archdiocese says its funds are now reserved for families who don't receive TEFA.
Who qualifies →Income-based · Ages 0-12Child Care Assistance (Workforce Solutions Alamo)
Texas's child care subsidy program helps working and training families pay a licensed provider. In the San Antonio region it is run by the local workforce board, Workforce Solutions Alamo.
Who qualifies →At the schoolSchool-Based Tuition Assistance
Most San Antonio private schools offer their own aid, sibling discounts, church-member rates or work-study, and these stack with TEFA.
Who qualifies →Partner fund · No income capEdu Fund Partner Scholarship
A private partner focused on church-run and community schools funds families enrolling at partner schools. It is meant to close the gap above TEFA and to help families still on the waitlist.
Who qualifies →Dates to know
- NowJoin the state's 2027-28 interest list at educationfreedom.texas.gov. Second-year application dates have not been published.
- Dec 1Archdiocese of San Antonio Hope for the Future tuition assistance has opened on December 1. Its funds are reserved for families who do not receive TEFA.
- Jan 1, 2027The federal scholarship tax credit begins. Texas announced its intent to opt in on December 10, 2025.
- Jan 12, 2027The 90th Texas Legislature convenes and sets TEFA funding for 2027-28 and beyond.
- Feb 1, 2027The final 50% of each 2026-27 private-school award is deposited. The first two 25% deposits arrived July 1 and October 1.
- SpringHope for the Future award notifications. Many San Antonio private schools also hold re-enrollment and new-family deadlines in January and February.
- RollingSchools, pre-K providers, tutors and therapists can apply to join TEFA at any time.
IEP amounts by district TEFA calculator What's left after TEFA
Find out what your family qualifies for
Take the two-minute funding check and a School Funding Advisor will call you back. No sales pitch, no obligation.