The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program is now underway for the 2026–2027 school year. Families whose students qualify for additional special education funding should understand how Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), evaluations, and Texas education records affect both TEFA eligibility and funding.

If your child attends—or plans to attend—an accredited online private school such as Tenney School Live, understanding these requirements can help you prepare for future funding opportunities and ensure your documentation is current.

But there’s an important requirement:

To qualify for the higher TEFA funding amounts, the student must have a completed IEP from a Texas public school or public charter.

It is expected Texas will roll-out “TEFA IEPs” in 2026 to meet the additional demand expected for IEPs.

This requirement applies even if the student currently attends an online private school like Tenney School Live.

Why This Matters for Online School Students

Many families choose online school because their child thrives with:

  • A quieter environment

  • Consistent routines

  • One-on-one support

  • Reduced anxiety

  • Flexible pacing

These same students often also have learning differences, attention-related challenges, or anxiety-related needs that may qualify them for TEFA priority status.

Online private schools cannot issue Texas public-school IEPs. Families seeking additional TEFA funding should ensure that qualifying documentation has been completed through the appropriate public school process and that their records are current before future application cycles or funding reviews.

The Evaluation Timeline Can Take Several Months

Families planning to participate in future TEFA funding cycles should begin the evaluation process as early as possible. A special education evaluation, eligibility determination, and IEP development can take several months, depending on the school district and the student’s needs.

If a family waits until TEFA applications open, it may be too late.

Here’s the typical process through a public school:

  1. Written request for evaluation

  2. School must respond within 15 school days

  3. If approved, the evaluation must be completed within 45 school days

  4. The IEP meeting is held within 30 calendar days

That means the full process may take 90–120 days, depending on breaks and district capacity.

With thousands of families expected to pursue IEP evaluations before TEFA goes live, delays are likely.

Will TEFA Cover Online School Tuition?

Yes. Participating online private schools may receive TEFA payments for eligible tuition and approved educational expenses. Families should verify that their selected school participates in TEFA and review the latest guidance from Odyssey regarding eligible expenses and payment schedules.

What About 504 Plans?

TEFA rules currently indicate:

  • A 504 plan may qualify a student for basic-level TEFA eligibility

  • Only an IEP, with a corresponding PEIMS code, qualifies a student for increased TEFA funding tiers

So while a 504 may help a student gain entry into TEFA, it does not qualify them for the higher $20,000–$30,000 funding amounts.

How Online School Families Can Start the IEP Process

Even if your child attends Tenney School Live, you are legally entitled to request an evaluation from your local public school district.

Families typically:

  1. Determine the resident public school district

  2. Send a written evaluation request to the district’s Special Education office

  3. Keep written records of dates and responses

  4. Follow through the evaluation timeline

  5. Attend the IEP meeting once testing is complete

TSL can help families understand what the school may look for, but we are not permitted to perform or issue the evaluation.

TEFA Program Update

The first year of the TEFA program has generated significant interest from families across Texas. More than 107,000 students have received awards, and additional students continue to move from the waitlist into the program as funding becomes available.

If your family is currently on the waitlist, continue monitoring your Odyssey account, email, and text messages for updates regarding award status, enrollment verification, and funding deadlines.

The Tenney School Live team will continue updating this guide as new information is released for future TEFA application cycles.

Stay Updated on TEFA — Texas Education Freedom Accounts

Join our TEFA update list to receive clear, timely updates about program rules, application dates, funding tiers, IEP requirements, and guidance for families. We’ll notify you as soon as new information is released.

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