School Vouchers - Hill Country Christian School of Austin
Source: https://www.hillcountrychristianschool.org/school-choice-esa-vouchers
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:10
School Vouchers - Hill Country Christian School of Austin
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School Choice is now law.
What does that mean for Hill Country Families?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Texas Education Freedom Accounts Program (TEFA)?
Senate Bill 2 creates the
Texas Education Freedom Accounts Program (TEFA)
, starting in the
2026–2027 school year
. The program gives eligible families
$10,474 per student each year
in public funds to pay for
private school tuition and other education costs
. For students with disabilities, families can receive upwards of $30,000 per child. TEFA aims to make private education more affordable, especially for low-and middle-income families and students with special needs.
Will Hill Country participate in the program?
Hill Country is an accredited private school and meets the state’s eligibility standards. While not required,
our school has decided to participate in a “soft-launch” of this program,
as we monitor the state’s guidelines and practices. We will continue, provided we can participate
without compromising our Christ-centered mission, curriculum, and autonomy
.
Which families are eligible?
A student must be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful resident eligible to attend a Texas public school. If applications exceed available funding, a lottery will decide placement.
Applicants are prioritized as follows:
Students with a disability (defined by the TX Educ. Code Sec. 29.003) whose family income is at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG).
Children whose family income is at or below 200% of FPG
Children whose family income is between 200% and 500% of FPG.
All other students may qualify if funds remain, with no more than 20% of spots reserved for this group, and priority given to those switching from public schools.
Siblings of children already in the program (after the first round of selections)
Household
Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) yearly income
200% of FPG yearly income
500% of FPG yearly income
1
$15,650
$31,300
$78,250
2
$21,150
$42,300
$105,750
3
$26,650
$53,300
$133,250
4
$32,150
$64,300
$160,750
5
$37,650
$75,300
$188,250
6
$42,150
$83,920
$215,750
To further understand these qualifications, we encourage families to visit the Texas Comptroller’s website,
Texas Education Freedom Accounts
.
When does the program begin?
The TEFA program will launch for the
2026–2027 school year
.
The application period
for families
to apply
will be
February 4 – March 31, 2026.
Award notifications
to families will
go out
beginning April 13, 2026.
For additional details and updates please visit the
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts TEFA Program
website.
How can TEFA funds be used at Hill Country?
TEFA funds can be used for
private school tuition, tutoring,
and other
approved education expenses
. Hill Country will accept funds for tuition and services administered through our Academic Resource and Counseling Center (ARCC).
If I am awarded TEFA funds, will this cover all of my tuition costs?
If a family receives and directs TEFA funds to Hill Country, the program can help cover tuition, but may not pay the full amount. The family is responsible for any remaining balance.
Will you allow families to “stack” TEFA funds with school-awarded tuition assistance?
We encourage families who may need tuition help to apply to
both
the TEFA program
and
our
Hill Country’s Tuition Assistance program
. If a family receives aid from both, the financial aid award may be adjusted. In many cases, the TEFA award will be greater than the school tuition assistance award. By limiting the total award to the highest of the two, we are able to extend the access of tuition assistance dollars to as many qualified mission-aligned families as possible.
Will Hill Country’s academics or Christian values be impacted?
No. Our commitment is unwavering: we will not accept any funding that compromises our faith, admissions standards, or educational curriculum. We will participate only as long as the law continues to uphold religious freedom and school autonomy. Hill Country is an active member of the
Texas Private Schools Association (TPSA)
, which has worked to ensure that religious protections are included in state law.
How do I stay updated on the latest information?
Check back as we update this
School Choice resource page
. In addition, sign up
here
for real-time updates from the Texas Comptroller’s office. If you are a
new family
, and have additional questions,
please contact
our Admissions Department at
admissions@hccsa.org
. For
existing Hill Country families
,
please contact
our Business Office at
studentbillinghelp@hccsa.org
.
Other useful website:
Texas Education Freedom Accounts
Skip to main content
Learn
Inquire
Visit
Apply
School Choice is now law.
What does that mean for Hill Country Families?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Texas Education Freedom Accounts Program (TEFA)?
Senate Bill 2 creates the
Texas Education Freedom Accounts Program (TEFA)
, starting in the
2026–2027 school year
. The program gives eligible families
$10,474 per student each year
in public funds to pay for
private school tuition and other education costs
. For students with disabilities, families can receive upwards of $30,000 per child. TEFA aims to make private education more affordable, especially for low-and middle-income families and students with special needs.
Will Hill Country participate in the program?
Hill Country is an accredited private school and meets the state’s eligibility standards. While not required,
our school has decided to participate in a “soft-launch” of this program,
as we monitor the state’s guidelines and practices. We will continue, provided we can participate
without compromising our Christ-centered mission, curriculum, and autonomy
.
Which families are eligible?
A student must be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful resident eligible to attend a Texas public school. If applications exceed available funding, a lottery will decide placement.
Applicants are prioritized as follows:
Students with a disability (defined by the TX Educ. Code Sec. 29.003) whose family income is at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG).
Children whose family income is at or below 200% of FPG
Children whose family income is between 200% and 500% of FPG.
All other students may qualify if funds remain, with no more than 20% of spots reserved for this group, and priority given to those switching from public schools.
Siblings of children already in the program (after the first round of selections)
Household
Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) yearly income
200% of FPG yearly income
500% of FPG yearly income
1
$15,650
$31,300
$78,250
2
$21,150
$42,300
$105,750
3
$26,650
$53,300
$133,250
4
$32,150
$64,300
$160,750
5
$37,650
$75,300
$188,250
6
$42,150
$83,920
$215,750
To further understand these qualifications, we encourage families to visit the Texas Comptroller’s website,
Texas Education Freedom Accounts
.
When does the program begin?
The TEFA program will launch for the
2026–2027 school year
.
The application period
for families
to apply
will be
February 4 – March 31, 2026.
Award notifications
to families will
go out
beginning April 13, 2026.
For additional details and updates please visit the
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts TEFA Program
website.
How can TEFA funds be used at Hill Country?
TEFA funds can be used for
private school tuition, tutoring,
and other
approved education expenses
. Hill Country will accept funds for tuition and services administered through our Academic Resource and Counseling Center (ARCC).
If I am awarded TEFA funds, will this cover all of my tuition costs?
If a family receives and directs TEFA funds to Hill Country, the program can help cover tuition, but may not pay the full amount. The family is responsible for any remaining balance.
Will you allow families to “stack” TEFA funds with school-awarded tuition assistance?
We encourage families who may need tuition help to apply to
both
the TEFA program
and
our
Hill Country’s Tuition Assistance program
. If a family receives aid from both, the financial aid award may be adjusted. In many cases, the TEFA award will be greater than the school tuition assistance award. By limiting the total award to the highest of the two, we are able to extend the access of tuition assistance dollars to as many qualified mission-aligned families as possible.
Will Hill Country’s academics or Christian values be impacted?
No. Our commitment is unwavering: we will not accept any funding that compromises our faith, admissions standards, or educational curriculum. We will participate only as long as the law continues to uphold religious freedom and school autonomy. Hill Country is an active member of the
Texas Private Schools Association (TPSA)
, which has worked to ensure that religious protections are included in state law.
How do I stay updated on the latest information?
Check back as we update this
School Choice resource page
. In addition, sign up
here
for real-time updates from the Texas Comptroller’s office. If you are a
new family
, and have additional questions,
please contact
our Admissions Department at
admissions@hccsa.org
. For
existing Hill Country families
,
please contact
our Business Office at
studentbillinghelp@hccsa.org
.
Other useful website:
Texas Education Freedom Accounts