What TEFA funds can pay for

TEFA's eligible expenses are set by Texas Administrative Code rule §16.406. Every purchase and tuition payment goes through the Odyssey platform.

If your service or product isn't on the list, families can't buy it with program funds, however good it is. Check before you apply.

Schools and courses1

Tuition and fees at a private school registered through Odyssey
Dual-credit courses at a higher-education provider
Online educational courses and programs
Training for an industry-based credential approved by TEA
Classes or services from a school district or charter school that don't count toward its attendance funding

Tutoring from a private tutor or teaching service
Educational therapies such as behavioral, occupational, speech and physical therapy, when not covered by Medicaid, CHIP or private insurance
Academic assessments
Fee-for-service transportation to and from an approved provider

Textbooks and instructional materials required by the school or course
Uniforms required by the school or course
Breakfast or lunch provided by a private school
Technology required by the school or homeschool program and used mainly for education (capped at 10% of the annual award)

The expense list says tutors must hold an active teaching certificate, while TEFA's vendor licensing article also accepts educator employment or higher-education teaching experience. If you tutor without a certificate, check your application status carefully.1
Anything else needs approval from the Texas Comptroller.1

Texas vendor guide

Who can apply, documents and payment.

Price caps by state

Technology, instruments and lesson limits compared.

Application checklist

The documents to gather for TEFA.