Eligibility Requirements for TEFA
Children are eligible to participate if they are U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the United States and are eligible to attend
a Texas school district or open-enrollment charter school or pre-K program, including children of a parent who is an active-
duty member of the U.S. armed forces. The parent must be a Texas resident.
For the 2026-27 school year, applicants will be prioritized as follows:
1. Children with a disability who are members of a household whose total annual income is at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level. *
2. Children who are members of a household whose total annual income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
3. Children who are members of a household whose total annual income is between 200% and 500% of the Federal Poverty Level.
4. Children who are members of a household whose total annual income is at or above 500% of the Federal Poverty Level. Children who were enrolled in a Texas public school or charter school for at least 90% of the prior school year will be prioritized within this group. Funds for children in this category may not exceed 20 percent of the amount of money appropriated from the program fund for that school year.
Note: Federal Poverty Level guidelines are set annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
How to Apply for the TEFA
Applications for the initial opening of the TEFA in early 2026 is for the 2026-2027 school year via an online portal managed by Odyssey.
Here's a simple step-by-step guide:
1.Sign Up for Updates: Visit the Texas Comptroller's TEFA page to receive notifications on the exact dates and requirements.
2. Gather Documentation for completing TEFA Application: Prepare proof of residency, income (if applicable), and disability verification for priority tiers. Download the Parent Pre-Checklist Here.
3. Submit Online Application for TEFA: Starting February 4th, access the Odyssey portal to complete the TEFA application, including child details and educational goals.
4. Await Selection for TEFA: Approved families will be notified and gain access to their digital account based on the timeline listed below.
5. Tour Grace Christian Academy: Contact our office to schedule a tour at (281) 488-4883.
6. Complete Grace Christian Academy's Online Application: Complete the online application and pay application fee. https://www.gcahtx.com/admissions/apply.cfm
7. Complete Grace Christian Academy's Online Enrollment Contract: Once accepted, complete the online enrollment contract to finalize the financial agreement and pay enrollment fee.
8. Transfer Funds from TEFA to GCA: Once the funds are securely in your account, contact our business office to apply TEFA funds toward tuition—we'll guide you through the process.