Austin Jewish Academy has registered to participate in the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program. TEFA (sometimes referred to as vouchers) is a new statewide initiative that provides eligible Texas families with publicly funded education savings accounts that may be used for private school tuition and some related expenses.
The Board of Directors decided unanimously to participate in the TEFA program following several months of discussion and extensive research. During this process, we consulted with our incoming Head of School, Dr. Karyn Hopper Rayburn, and our Interim Head of School, Kari Loya. As with all significant decisions affecting our community, the Board approached this deliberatively, guided by AJA’s mission, long-term financial sustainability, and the diverse needs of our families.
Importantly, participation in TEFA does not require AJA to change any school policies or practices in any way.
Families may begin applying for TEFA on Wednesday, February 4. All eligibility and funding decisions are made by the state based on state-established eligibility criteria, including financial need, with priority consideration for students with documented disabilities. Funding is limited statewide, and awards are distributed according to these criteria and, if necessary, through a lottery process.
Families who are interested in learning more, determining eligibility, or applying can find information on the state’s website: https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/
While AJA has enrolled in the program, participation in TEFA is entirely optional for families. A family’s decision about whether to apply for or use TEFA funds will not affect a student’s standing.
Families who do participate will not find out if they will receive money until later in the spring. For this reason, families who were planning to apply for tuition assistance from AJA should still do so this year.
As the program launches, we recognize that families may have questions about logistics, timing, and how TEFA interacts with tuition and financial aid. Our Business Officer, Susan Snyder, will serve as the primary point of contact for TEFA-related questions and can be reached directly for assistance.
Looking ahead, the Board and school leadership will continue to monitor the program closely, including its impact on our families. We are committed to keeping the community informed as the program evolves and as we develop any related policies.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of AJA. We will keep you updated as this process moves forward.
