Texas TEFA
Texas Education Freedom Account approved providers: the complete guide
Every Texas TEFA purchase must go through the Odyssey marketplace. Here is what provider types are eligible, how to find them, and how to avoid spending time on providers who are not enrolled.
How Texas TEFA provider approval works
Texas TEFA uses a two-layer system: the Texas Education Agency sets the rules for which expense categories are eligible, and ClassWallet manages vendor enrollment in the Odyssey marketplace. A provider must clear both — the expense must be an approved category under TEA rules, and the vendor must be actively enrolled in Odyssey.
All purchases flow through Odyssey. There is no out-of-pocket reimbursement path in Texas TEFA — unlike Arizona's program. If a provider is not in the Odyssey marketplace, TEFA funds cannot be used with them.
Provider categories and dedicated guides
| Provider category | Notes | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|
| Private Schools | Approved schools charge tuition directly billed through Odyssey | View guide |
| Homeschool Curriculum | Purchased directly through Odyssey from enrolled vendors | View guide |
| Tutoring Services | Individual tutors and tutoring centers; verify Odyssey enrollment | View guide |
| Special Education Therapy | SLP, OT, PT, ABA — must be licensed and Odyssey-enrolled | View guide |
| Educational Technology | Software, devices, and educational apps from enrolled vendors | Search Odyssey marketplace |
| Extracurricular Programs | Eligible enrichment; verify through Odyssey category search | Search Odyssey marketplace |
How to search for approved providers in Odyssey
- Log into your Texas TEFA Odyssey account at the link provided in your award letter.
- Open the Marketplace.
- Use the search bar to search by provider name, category, or service type.
- Filter by location if you need a local or in-person provider.
- Check the provider listing for active status, billing method, and service details.
- Contact the provider before booking to confirm they are actively billing Texas TEFA families through Odyssey.
What to do when a provider is not in the marketplace
If a school, tutor, or therapist you want to work with is not in the Odyssey marketplace, you have two options:
- Ask them to enroll: Share the Odyssey vendor enrollment information (available through ClassWallet). Enrollment is free and takes one to four weeks. Many providers — especially individual practitioners — are unaware they can enroll.
- Find an enrolled alternative: Use the marketplace category search to find similar providers who are already active.
Remember: in Texas TEFA, there is no reimbursement path for unenrolled providers. Any purchase made outside the marketplace is a personal expense with no avenue for recovery from TEFA funds.
Eligible expenses: what TEFA funds can pay for
Texas TEFA eligible expenses include (but are not limited to): private school tuition, homeschool curriculum, tutoring, special education therapies, educational technology, and approved extracurricular programs. The full list is defined by the Texas Education Agency and is available in your TEFA award documentation.
For the broader picture of what ESA funds can and cannot cover, see our eligible expenses guide.