The Texas Comptroller’s Office has finalized the rules for the state’s new Education Savings Account (ESA) program, setting the stage for one of the most significant changes to Texas public education in decades. Families will be able to apply beginning February 4 for funding that can be used toward private school tuition, homeschooling costs, and other approved education expenses.
This announcement marks the beginning of a major shift in how Texas supports educational options. And for thousands of families across Williamson County—one of the fastest-growing regions in the state—the impact could be substantial.
A New Direction for Texas Families
Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock described the finalized rules as a direct effort to place families at the center of educational decision-making. His statement emphasized that the state is following legislative requirements while ensuring parents have a clear path to determine the best learning environment for their children.
For WilCo families navigating crowded schools, long waitlists, and rapidly changing district boundaries, the timing of this program is meaningful. With cities like Georgetown, Leander, Round Rock, Hutto, Cedar Park, and Taylor experiencing record growth, parents have increasingly expressed interest in more flexible education options.
The new rules suggest that Texas is preparing to meet that demand.
How the Program Will Work
The ESA program includes a tiered priority system designed to distribute funds first to students with the greatest need.
Priority will go to:
Students with disabilities from families of four earning under approximately $160,000.
Low-income families earning under approximately $64,300.
All remaining eligible families until the statewide cap is reached.
Funding amounts vary depending on the student’s circumstances.
Students leaving a public school special education (IEP) program will receive $30,000.
Most other students, including pre-K, will be eligible for around $10,300.
Homeschoolers can receive $2,000.
These funds can be used only on approved educational services or tuition at accredited private schools. However, the state stresses that receiving an ESA does not guarantee placement at a private campus. Families must still apply and be admitted through each school’s enrollment process.
With private schools across Williamson County already operating near capacity, from Round Rock Christian Academy to Grace Academy in Georgetown, administrators are reviewing the new rules and preparing for an influx of inquiries.
Applications Managed by Odyssey
The application portal will be operated by Odyssey, a finance and technology company that runs a similar system in Iowa. Texas awarded Odyssey a contract worth up to $50 million to build and manage the program.
Odyssey’s role will include verifying eligibility, managing family accounts, and distributing funds for the 2026–2027 school year.
Families living in rapidly expanding communities like Leander, Cedar Park, and Hutto—where enrollment growth has strained campus capacity—may find the online portal especially important as they explore alternatives.
Private Schools Respond
Laura Colangelo with the Texas Private Schools Association said her organization intends to help families navigate the application process, especially those from low-income backgrounds who may not have had access to private school options previously.
She reiterated that the program provides funding but does not ensure acceptance. Schools maintain their own admission standards, and many are still studying the finalized rules to understand their obligations and reporting requirements.
Several WilCo schools have expressed interest in the ESA program but have not yet announced formal participation.
Public Debate and What Comes Next
The debate surrounding school vouchers has been intense. It was one of the most contested issues in Austin this year, generating crowded hearings and passionate testimony on both sides. Still, as of today, no legal challenges have been filed against the program’s rollout.
The Comptroller’s Office will collect data during the first year and deliver a full report to lawmakers in 2027. Students using ESAs will be required to take the STAAR exam or a similar nationally normed assessment. Annual audits will also be part of the program’s oversight.
What This Means for Williamson County
Williamson County is at the center of Texas’s population boom, adding tens of thousands of new residents each year. School districts are scrambling to build campuses fast enough to keep up. This new ESA program arrives at a time when many WilCo families are evaluating their options more closely than ever before.
Some will see this as an opportunity for more customized education.
Some will see it as necessary relief from overcrowded classrooms.
Others may have questions about accountability, long-term costs, or the impact on public schools.
No matter the viewpoint, the program represents a major change for families across Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, Taylor, Leander, and Cedar Park.
February 4 will mark the beginning of the application period, and for many WilCo parents, it could also mark the beginning of a new educational path for their children.
