Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA)

Understanding TEFA at HQA Spring

Texas families now have a new opportunity to access state funding for private school education. The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program allows eligible families to receive state funds that can be applied toward tuition and other approved educational expenses at participating private schools like HQA Spring. We are grateful for every resource that helps our families pursue an education rooted in academic excellence and Islamic values. This page is here to help you understand what TEFA is, whether it applies to your family, and exactly how it works at HQA Spring — so you can plan with confidence.

What is TEFA?

What Is the TEFA Program?

The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program was created by the Texas Legislature in 2025 and is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Through TEFA, eligible Texas families receive state funds deposited into a personal account — managed through a platform called Odyssey — that can be used to pay for a range of approved educational expenses.

For the 2026–27 school year, the base TEFA award for students enrolled in an eligible private school is $10,474 per student. Students with a qualifying Individualized Education Program (IEP) on file with the Texas Education Agency may be eligible for up to $30,000.

What can TEFA funds be used for?

TEFA funds can be used for a variety of state-approved educational expenses, including:

  • Private school tuition and approved fees
  • Textbooks and required instructional materials
  • School uniforms
  • Tutoring and academic assessments
  • Educational therapies or special services for students with disabilities
  • Transportation to and from approved education providers
  • Computer hardware and software (limited to 10% of the annual award)
  • School meals

Families choose how to allocate their funds across these categories. Unused funds can roll over to future years as long as the student remains enrolled in the TEFA program.

Is TEFA a scholarship from HQA Spring?

No. TEFA is a state-funded program administered entirely by the Texas Comptroller’s office — it is not affiliated with HQA Spring’s internal scholarship program. The two programs are separate. Families may be eligible for both, but they are applied for independently.

Does My Child Qualify?

HQA Spring participates in the TEFA program for students enrolled in grades Kindergarten (KG) through 12th grade. Because HQA Spring is accredited for KG–12, students enrolled in our Toddler, Pre-School (PS), or Pre-Kindergarten (PK) programs are not eligible to use TEFA funds for enrollment at HQA Spring at this time.

If your child is in KG–12, general TEFA eligibility requires that the student:

  • Is a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful resident
  • Is eligible to attend a Texas public school
  • Is enrolled at an accredited private school participating in the TEFA program

If applications exceed available funding, the state uses a prioritization system. Priority is given first to students with disabilities from lower-income households, then to students from lower-income households, then to others. For full eligibility details, visit educationfreedom.texas.gov.

How TEFA Works at HQA Spring

How TEFA Works With Your HQA Spring Account

We want to be transparent with our families so there are no surprises. Here is how TEFA works in the context of your financial obligations at HQA Spring.

TEFA funds are held in your personal account — not sent directly to us. When the state deposits your TEFA funds, they go into your family’s account on the Odyssey platform. To use those funds for HQA Spring charges, you must log into Odyssey and submit a payment request to our school. The funds are not automatically sent to us. This is an important detail: even after a disbursement date passes, HQA Spring will not receive anything until you take action in the Odyssey portal.

The state’s disbursement schedule for 2026–27 is:

  • July 1, 2026 — At least 25% of your approved award
  • October 1, 2026 — At least an additional 50% of your approved award
  • April 1, 2027 — Remaining balance of your approved award

Your tuition and fee obligations do not change. HQA Spring’s payment schedule applies to all families equally — TEFA or not. This is also a requirement of the TEFA program itself: schools may not charge TEFA families differently than other families, and all standard financial obligations remain in place regardless of TEFA status.

You may need to pay out of pocket first. Because enrollment fees and early tuition installments are due well before TEFA funds are available, most TEFA families will need to pay some charges out of pocket initially. Once your TEFA funds are available and you have directed a payment to HQA Spring through Odyssey, you can request reimbursement from our finance office for any amount you paid out of pocket toward that same charge.

The reimbursement process is simple:

  1. Pay your charge out of pocket as normal when it is due.
  2. Once your TEFA funds are available, log into Odyssey and submit a payment to HQA Spring for that charge.
  3. Notify our finance office in writing that you have submitted the payment and would like to be reimbursed for what you paid out of pocket.
  4. We will confirm receipt of the TEFA payment and process your reimbursement. Please allow up to 10 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do PS or PK students at HQA Spring qualify for TEFA?

No. HQA Spring’s TEFA participation covers grades KG through 12 only, as these are the grades within our current accreditation. Toddler, PS, and PK students are not eligible to use TEFA funds at HQA Spring at this time.

I've been approved for TEFA. Do I still need to pay the enrollment fee?

Yes. Being approved for TEFA means the state has selected your child to receive funds — it does not mean those funds are available yet. The enrollment fee is due at the time of enrollment to secure your child’s spot, and TEFA funds are not disbursed until July at the earliest. You will need to pay the enrollment fee out of pocket and may request reimbursement once your TEFA funds are received and directed to HQA Spring.

Can I wait to enroll until I receive my TEFA funds?

We strongly advise against this. HQA Spring enrollment is first-come, first-served, and spots fill quickly. Your child’s spot is not secured until the enrollment fee is received. Waiting until July risks losing your child’s place. Please contact our finance office if you have concerns about timing.

How do I get reimbursed for fees I've already paid out of pocket?

Once your TEFA funds are available in Odyssey, submit a payment to HQA Spring through the portal for the charge you’d like covered. Then notify our finance office in writing. We will process your reimbursement within 10 business days of confirming receipt of the TEFA payment.

Does TEFA cover 100% of my tuition?

Not necessarily. The base TEFA award is $10,474 for the 2026–27 school year. If your tuition exceeds that amount, you are responsible for the remaining balance through your normal payment plan with HQA Spring. You may also separately apply for HQA Spring’s Scholarship Program if you need additional financial assistance.

Can I use TEFA funds for things other than tuition?

Yes — TEFA funds can be used for any state-approved educational expense, and you choose how to allocate your funds. However, HQA Spring can only receive TEFA payments for charges that appear on your HQA Spring account (tuition, approved fees, etc.). For other approved expenses like tutoring or textbooks from outside vendors, you would pay those separately through Odyssey.

Where can I learn more about the TEFA program itself?

The official TEFA program website is educationfreedom.texas.gov. All program rules, eligibility details, and the Odyssey portal are managed there. HQA Spring can answer questions specific to how TEFA works with your school account, but for questions about your TEFA application, award amount, or account status, you will need to contact the Odyssey support team directly.