HOUSTON – Texas families can begin applying today, Feb. 4 at 9 a.m., for the state’s new Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), also known as the school voucher program, which runs through March 17.

State officials said that this is not first-come, first-served, but parents and guardians should have key documents ready before they start the application.

While the window is open now, if the number of applicants exceeds available funding, capped at roughly $1 billion, the state will prioritize applicants based on income and special-needs status. It may conduct a lottery to allocate funds.

Here’s what families should prepare before applying online:

• Valid ID and Social Security numbers for parents and children — proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful residence is also required.

• Income documentation, such as recent tax returns, because it is partially determined by household income.

• Documentation of special needs (like an IEP) if applying under that category.

• A plan for where the voucher money will go — funds are sent directly to registered schools or providers, not to families.

Families whose applications are approved can receive up to about $10,400 per student, with higher amounts, up to around $30,000, available for students with documented special needs.

About 1,600 private schools across Texas, including many in the Houston area, have already opted in to participate, and families must select one eligible school in the portal if they plan to use the funds for private education.

State officials say the application should take about 10 minutes to complete, and the portal will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on March 17.

Award notifications are expected beginning in early April, and initial funding for approved families will be available starting July 1 for the 2026-27 school year.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — As the state’s private school voucher program goes live, education experts said it’s not just parents with questions about what comes next.

On Wednesday, Texas’ private school voucher application process goes live, and Erin Baumgartner, Director of the Houston Education Research Consortium at Rice University, said public school districts will be watching to see how many families apply.

“This is something districts have been thinking about even before vouchers came along, is how can they make sure families know about all of the amazing programs they offer and how their needs can get met,” Baumgartner explained.

Baumgartner said the voucher program may not have a significant impact because many families who apply starting Wednesday may already be familiar with private schools. In other state voucher programs, more than 90 percent of participants were already enrolled in private schools.

It’s possible, she says, Texas is different. Texas is allocating $1 billion to benefit about 100,000 students, more than any other state.

“The budget is high for Texas because we’re a big state, but in other states where they’ve budgeted, it’s ended up far exceeding the budget than what the cost of the program was once they opened it up to families,” Baumgartner said.

“I think it’s about the needs of your family and your kids,” Baumgartner explained. “Knowing that if you have a student with special needs, there are certain private schools that may not be able to meet those needs, where we know public schools have to meet the needs for those students.”

How to apply

The process starts on Wednesday at 9 a.m. Officials said there’s no need to rush to submit an application, as families have until March 17th to apply.

You can fill out an application on your computer or phone on the Texas Education Freedom Accounts website. You have to provide documentation, including tax returns and citizenship information.

Parents don’t need to say which private school their child is attending, yet.

One thing to keep in mind is that if too many families apply, there will be a lottery. If that happens, the bill lays out what would happen.

There would be priority for children with disabilities, followed by income. Experts said that if a lottery is used, transparency will be key to ensuring those requirements are followed when allocating taxpayer funds.

For updates on this story, follow Nick Natario on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Step up to the plate: The 2026 softball season is here.

Texas won its first national championship in program history after defeating instate rival Texas Tech in a winner take all Game 3 in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. But the Red Raiders are ranked No. 1 in at least one preseason poll on the strength of NiJaree Canady’s right arm and the team’s top-ranked transfer class.

“Obviously it will be very difficult to improve upon our 2025 season, but as a staff we feel like we have made tremendous improvements as we enter our second season at Texas Tech,” head coach Gerry Glasco said.

More: USA TODAY Sports’ 2026 NCAA softball preseason All-Americans

Here’s five storylines heading into the 2026 softball season, including some early player of the year nominations:

NEBRASKA softball coach refuses to project ceiling for Huskers’ season

Who won the transfer portal?

The addition of Stanford transfer NiJaree Canady paid instant dividends for Texas Tech in Gerry Glasco’s first season as head coach. The Red Raiders made their first Women’s College World Series appearance last season and fell just short of the program’s first national championship as runner-up to Texas.

Don’t be surprised to see Texas Tech back in Oklahoma City. The Red Raiders reloaded their roster with a top transfer class that brings depth at the pitcher position and extra pop to the lineup. The seven newcomers combined for 105 home runs last season, an upgrade from Texas Tech’s 60 homers.

Texas Tech added All-Americans Mia Williams (Florida), Taylor Pannell (Tennessee) and Jasmyn Burn (Ohio State), plus Kaitlyn Terry (UCLA), Lagi Quiroga (Cal) and Jackie Lis and Desirae Spearman (Southern Illinois).

“We wanted to add depth and experience in as many places as possible as we try to win the national championship,” Glasco said.

Can Texas defend championship?

The Longhorns are in prime position to repeat with many contributors of their championship squad returning. Sure, the departure of senior third baseman Mia Scott is a blow, but Texas will have continuity in the circle with ace pitcher Teagan Kavan and catcher Reese Atwood back. Kavan had a 28-5 record with a 2.16 ERA and 230 strikeouts last season, while Atwood was named the NFCA Catcher of the Year after leading the team in home runs (21), RBIs (89), slugging percentage (.822) and walks (41).

Atwood and Kavan are among 10 players from Texas’ championship squad that are coming back. Four of those players —  Atwood, Kavan, Kayden Henry and Katie Stewart — were named to the 2026 preseason All-SEC Team selected by a vote of the conference’s 15 head coaches. Texas’ four selections tie Oklahoma for the most. The Longhorns were also picked to win the 2026 SEC Championship.

The Longhorns will also get a boost from the return of shortstop Viviana Martinez, who was sidelined the entire 2025 season with an injury. Martinez started 61 games in 2024 and had a .376 batting average with 70 hits, 52 RBIs and 46 runs.

Texas led the nation in hits (630) last season and its lineup will be even more dangerous with the additions of transfers Kaiah Altmeyer (Arizona), Taylor Anderson (Oklahoma State) and Brenlee Gonzales (Texas Tech).

What’s up with Oklahoma this season?

Oklahoma’s reign of four consecutive national titles ended last season, but the Sooners look to return to softball supremacy with a squad that features a mix of veterans, the top-ranked 2026 recruiting class and key transfers.

Let’s start in the circle. Right-handed pitcher Sam Landry was the Sooners’ ace last season with 191.2 total innings pitched, 114 more innings than left-handed pitcher Kierston Deal. With Landry having graduated, Deal will most likely get the ball and look to bounce back from a down year, where her ERA was up and strikeouts were down. She posted a 10-2 record with 50 strikeouts and a 3.42 ERA in 77.2 innings last season, compared to her 1.97 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 78.1 innings in 2024. Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso brought in reinforcements with transfer pitcher Sydney Berzon, who recorded a 18-8 record and 2.46 ERA as LSU’s ace in 2025.

That’s not the only additions. Oklahoma’s recruiting class includes Keegan Baker, Ki’ele Ho-Ching, Jerrell “Ori” Mailo, Malaya Majam-Finch, Ella Kate “EK” Smith and Payton Westra. 

“This is one of the best incoming freshman classes that we’ve had in a while,” Gasso said. “There’s a little bit of everything from pitching to great defense, but some big time hitters are going to make this offense powerful and elite. All of these athletes fit the championship mindset mentality.”

We can’t forget about the returning Oklahoma players. Gabbie Garcia, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, Ella Parker and Kasidi Pickering were all named to the 2026 All-SEC team. Despite battling an injury much of the season, Parker hit 15 homers and drove in 53 runs while batting .423.

Player of the Year candidates

• Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady: The 6-foot right-handed senior was unanimously named to the Big 12 preseason team after posting a 1.11 ERA last season and leading the Red Raiders with 11 home runs. Canady was named to the USA Softball 2026 Collegiate Player of the Year watch list. She was one of three finalists in for the award in 2025 after winning it in 2024 at Stanford.
• Texas catcher Reese Atwood: The 6-foot senior became the first Longhorns player to hit 20 or more home runs in back-to-back seasons and led the nation in with 89 RBIs, the second most in program history behind her own 90 mark in 2024. She was also solid behind the plate and posted a .988 fielding percentage with 313 putouts, 18 assists and four errors.
• Nebraska pitcher Jordy Frahm: The 5-foot-8 two-way player recorded 23 homers and a .462 batting average last season, in addition to 286 strikeouts and a 1.56 ERA. She was named Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, becoming the first player to earn both in the same season.
• Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens: The 6-foot-1 senior pitched over 226.2 innings last season and posted a 25–11 record with a 1.17 ERA and 306 strikeouts. She was named SEC Pitcher of the Year after leading the conference in ERA, games started (34), complete games (25), shutouts (7), innings pitched and strikeouts.