Can a Houston family pay for this from a TEFA account?
The core use. Paid through the Odyssey platform to the participating school.
Same, with the larger IEP balance available for specialized schools.
A homeschool/other student is by definition not enrolled at a participating private school; enrolling moves the student to the $10,474 tier.
Rules that apply
- The school must be a TEFA participating school (accredited by a TEPSAC-recognized organization or TEA, at least two years in operation, annual norm-referenced testing in grades 3-12).
- A school may not charge a different tuition because a student has TEFA; sibling, employee and parishioner discounts still apply.
- Families may prepay future tuition with current funds; if the student leaves the program the school returns prepaid amounts to the state.
What isn't allowed
- Tuition at a school that is not a TEFA participant
- Refunds or credits paid back to a parent's personal account
In Houston
291 K-12 schools in our Houston directory are TEFA participants. Each school page shows the state's participation flag and the date we checked it.
How to buy it
Log in to the TEFA parent portal (Odyssey). Pay your school or an approved provider through the platform, or buy approved products in the marketplace. If a provider isn't listed, it has to apply and be approved before it can be paid.
Build my child's spending plan →
Sources: educationfreedom.texas.gov (families page, Tuition and Fee Guidelines 5/28/2026, Educator Credential Policy 7/7/2026, Providers and Vendors) and Odyssey's eligible-expenses article for TEFA. This is a summary, not legal advice. Program rules control.