Accredited Schools:

What is Texas’s Education Savings Account? 

The Texas ESA provides parents with an account from which they can direct the purchase of approved educational materials, including private school tuition, textbooks and other instructional materials, and courses at local schools and colleges.  

Is my school eligible to receive ESAs? 

Students that enroll in schools that are accredited by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission or recognized by the Texas Education Agency are entitled to the full ESA amount and may use the ESA to pay for tuition. Students who enroll in schools that are not accredited may still receive the $2,000 ESA but may not use the ESA to pay a non-licensed educational service provider.  

How does the Texas Education Savings Account Program work? 

If you are interested in learning more about participating in the Texas ESA Program, contact the State Comptroller or one of the Certified Educational Assistance Organizations (CEAOs) that the Comptroller chooses to certify. Schools cannot be required to accept students in the ESA program. After your school indicates that it will be participating in the program, CEAOs will assist students in applying to your school and facilitate tuition payments.  

Will private schools need to conform to state standards to participate in the Texas ESA Program?  

No. School autonomy is protected. Schools may not be required to modify their creed, practices, admissions policies, curriculum, performance standards, employment policies or assessments.  

Will private schools be required to administer the STAAR exam? 

No. While private schools must administer annual assessments to ESA students, the school may choose between a nationally recognized, norm-referenced test, as required under their TPSAC accreditation, or the STAAR test.  

When will we receive ESA funds for accepted students? 

Once an ESA student submits a request to pay for your school’s tuition, the Texas Comptroller will issue payment to your institution in an efficient manner.  

How to become a provider through the Texas Comptroller: 

The comptroller will create an application for education service providers and vendors of educational products to be preapproved for participation in the program. 

New Private Schools:  

I am in the beginning steps of opening up a private school: 

You are in luck! The Herzog Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help set up new private schools. Herzog’s SchoolBox is a powerful tool that can help you get started.  

I am operating a private school and I am interested in seeking accreditation. 

If you are already operating a private school but are unaccredited and wish to seek accreditation, the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission has excellent resources that can get your school started on the pathway towards accreditation.