Texas TEFA · Private Schools
Texas TEFA private schools: how the program pays approved schools and what families must verify
TEFA tuition payments flow through the Odyssey marketplace — the school must be enrolled, and the process is different from writing a check. Here is what Texas families need to know before the first day of school.
How tuition payment works in Texas TEFA
Unlike voucher programs where a check goes directly to the school, Texas TEFA tuition payments flow through the Odyssey marketplace:
- The private school must be enrolled as a vendor in the Texas TEFA Odyssey marketplace.
- After your child is admitted and enrolled, the school sets up a tuition billing arrangement in Odyssey — typically per semester, quarter, or month.
- You receive an Odyssey notification to review and authorize the tuition charge.
- Once authorized, your TEFA balance is debited and the school receives payment through Odyssey.
- Ongoing tuition charges continue through the same process for the duration of enrollment.
You never write a personal check for the TEFA portion of tuition. If your award does not cover the full tuition, you pay the difference out of pocket directly to the school — but the TEFA portion always flows through Odyssey.
What private schools must do to participate in Texas TEFA
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Texas private school status | Must be a recognized private school operating legally in Texas under state education law |
| Odyssey marketplace enrollment | Apply through ClassWallet's vendor enrollment portal (free) |
| Program terms agreement | Agree to ClassWallet/TEA program compliance requirements |
| Accreditation | Not required by TEFA, but some schools hold it independently |
| Annual renewal | Enrollment may require periodic renewal — confirm active status each school year |
Finding enrolled private schools in Odyssey
The best source for current enrollment status is your Odyssey account. Log in, go to the Marketplace, and search the private school category. You can filter by city, county, or school name. The results show only currently active, enrolled schools in the Texas TEFA program.
Do not rely on a school's own statement that they "accept TEFA" without verifying in Odyssey. Schools may have applied and not yet been approved, or may have previously been enrolled but not renewed.
What to ask a school before enrolling
- Are you currently enrolled in the Texas TEFA Odyssey marketplace? Can you share your vendor ID?
- How do you bill TEFA tuition — through Odyssey, and on what schedule?
- What is your total annual tuition, and how does that compare to what the TEFA award covers?
- What fees (registration, technology, activity) are not covered by TEFA and must be paid separately?
- Do you have experience supporting TEFA students with the Odyssey billing process?
TEFA award amounts and the tuition gap
Texas TEFA awards a per-student amount based on the state's per-pupil funding — typically in the range of $8,000–$11,000 per year depending on the student's grade and any special education classification. Many Texas private schools charge tuition above this amount. The gap is the family's responsibility.
Before enrolling at a specific school, calculate: (your TEFA award amount) minus (the school's annual tuition) = your out-of-pocket cost per year. Factor in any additional fees not covered by TEFA.