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Aid & Texas vouchers

Can school financial aid and a Texas voucher be used together?

A family may receive both school support and TEFA, but the amounts do not always stack dollar for dollar. A school may consider TEFA when setting need-based aid.

Reviewed 2026-09-08 · Which Private School editorial guide · How we work

Separate discounts from need-based aid

Texas guidance distinguishes generally available discounts from aid based on family finances. A sibling, employee, or parishioner discount should remain available when its normal conditions are met. Need-based aid can change after the school considers TEFA. Ask the school to label each reduction.

  • Published discount and its rules
  • Need-based school grant
  • Outside scholarship and restrictions
  • TEFA for eligible charges

Get two firm figures

Get the full billed cost for the grade, including mandatory fees. Then ask for the final school-aid amount after TEFA review. Do not subtract the largest award shown on a website unless it applies to your child.

  • Total tuition and mandatory fees
  • Confirmed discounts
  • Confirmed post-TEFA school aid
  • Deposit and family balance

Use the right 2026-27 amount

The standard 2026-27 approved-private-school award is $10,474. A student with a current qualifying IEP may receive up to $30,000, but the official amount depends on the IEP. Homeschool and other eligible nonpublic settings receive $2,000. Texas has not announced 2027-28 amounts.

  • $10,474 only for the standard 2026-27 private-school case
  • Use the official account amount for an IEP
  • Do not project this amount into a future cycle
  • Unused funds are not a personal refund

Match the budget to payment dates

The 2026-27 private-school schedule provides 25% initially, 25% on October 1, 2026, and 50% on February 1, 2027, subject to program conditions. Schools control their own due dates. Ask whether the school adjusts payments around TEFA.

  • When is the deposit due?
  • Will the school wait for installments?
  • How are late or prorated awards handled?
  • What happens after withdrawal?

Build two scenarios for pending funds

The 2026-27 application window is closed, and eligible applicants were not guaranteed funding. Make one budget without any pending award. Add a second labeled case only after you know the applicable official amount. Before signing, request a final net-cost statement and refund terms.

  • Confirmed school aid with no pending TEFA
  • Confirmed school aid plus official awarded funds
  • Written balance, dates, and refund rules
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