What's left after TEFA? Six Dallas examples
Seeing the award is step one; the question every Dallas parent asks next is whether it covers the bill. These six cases set the 2026-27 amounts beside sample Dallas tuition and show what fills a shortfall or where a surplus goes.
| Scenario | 2026-27 TEFA | Tuition + fees (illustrative) | Result | Then what |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocesan parish school in Oak Cliff, grades K-8 | $10,474 | $9,800 | $674 left | The award covers tuition. What's left can pay registration, books and lunch, which the account treats as eligible fees. |
| Church academy in Garland, K-5 with fees | $10,474 | $10,900 | $426 to pay | A $426 gap that a church-member rate often erases. Partner church schools may also qualify for the partner fund. |
| Catholic college-prep high school, North Dallas | $10,474 | $21,000 | $10,526 to pay | A sizable gap. Diocesan or school aid, sibling pricing and any balance carried from earlier years are the next layers. |
| Learning-differences school, Dallas ISD resident with a mainstream IEP | $16,757 | $28,000 | $11,243 to pay | The IEP add-on lifts the account to $16,757. School aid, insurance-billed therapy and payment plans have to close the rest. |
| Classical Christian school in Collin County, grades 6-12, Plano ISD resident | $10,474 | $14,200 | $3,726 to pay | Ask about sibling discounts. Dual-credit and testing fees can also come out of the account. |
| Homeschool high schooler taking Dallas College dual credit and online courses | $2,000 | $2,600 | $600 to pay | Tuition may be waived for Dallas County residents; the account covers fees and curriculum, with about $600 left to pay. |
These tuition numbers are examples, not quotes. No state agency collects private school tuition in Texas, so get current figures from the school.
If there's a gap
Try school aid first, then the Diocese of Dallas tuition assistance program for diocesan Catholic schools, the partner scholarship at partner church schools, and the federal scholarship tax credit beginning January 2027.
Funding sources →If there's money left
Unspent money carries into next year as long as your child remains a participant, and it can go toward fees, tutoring, therapy, curriculum, dual credit, testing or transportation.
What TEFA pays for →See which Dallas-area funding your child can use
Answer a few questions and a School Funding Advisor will phone you with a plan built around your district, your schools and the 2026-27 amounts. It's free, and you're under no obligation.