How to Use Your TEFA Funds

Step 1: Access Your Odyssey Account

After receiving your award notification, you'll get login credentials for Odyssey — the online platform that manages TEFA accounts. This is where you'll:

• View your available balance
• Browse approved vendors
• Request payments to vendors
• Track your spending

Tip: Bookmark the Odyssey portal and save your login credentials securely.

Step 2: Find Approved Vendors

TEFA funds can only be used with approved vendors registered in the system. The Odyssey platform includes a vendor directory where you can search by:

• Service type (tutoring, therapy, curriculum, etc.)
• Location
• Specialty area

We're a TEFA-approved vendor. You can find us in the Odyssey directory under tutoring services.

Step 3: Contact Vendors & Arrange Services

Once you find vendors you're interested in:

1. Contact them directly to discuss your child's needs
2. Confirm they can provide the services you need
3. Agree on scheduling and pricing
4. Confirm they're set up to receive TEFA payments

Step 4: Request Payment Through Odyssey

Here's the key thing to understand: You don't pay vendors directly.

Instead:

1. Vendor provides services to your child
2. Vendor submits an invoice through Odyssey
3. You approve the payment request in your Odyssey account
4. Texas Comptroller pays the vendor directly

No out-of-pocket costs. The money flows from your TEFA account to the vendor without you handling any funds.

Step 5: Track Your Balance

Your Odyssey dashboard shows:

• Total award amount
• Amount spent
• Remaining balance
• Pending transactions
• Payment history

Funds roll over year to year as long as you remain in the program. Unused funds aren't lost.

Important Rules to Remember

Using TEFA for Tutoring

Tutoring is one of the most straightforward TEFA expenses. Here's how it works with us:

1. Schedule your free consultation with us
2. We match your child with the right tutor
3. You select us as a vendor in Odyssey
4. Sessions begin; we invoice through Odyssey
5. You approve; Comptroller pays us directly

Simple, no out-of-pocket, no paperwork hassle.