More than 87,000 applications for school voucher program sent in, state officials say

Texas launched its $1 billion school voucher program one week ago, and thousands of families across the state have raced to apply.

The controversial program gives taxpayer dollars to families to send their children to private schools or homeschooling.

The Texas Comptroller's Office said it received over 87,000 applications for the program by Wednesday afternoon.

In Houston, the state website lists 527 approved schools. That is more than a quarter of all approved schools in Texas.

Most of the approved schools in Houston offer pre-K programs.

Families can apply for next year until March 17. If you qualify, you might be notified as early as April.

Families may get about $10,500 each year to help pay for private school tuition. This amount is 85% of what public schools receive per student from the state.

Children with disabilities can receive up to $30,000 in vouchers each year.

Home-schooled students can get up to $2,000 a year.

State officials say that once the $1 billion is exhausted, children will be prioritized based on financial need and disability status.

The comptroller has not yet provided specific guidelines on how schools are approved.

ABC13 has asked for more information and is still waiting for a response.

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