Texas Education Freedom Accounts at SJCS
St. Joseph Catholic School proudly participates in the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program. Approved families may use TEFA funds toward tuition and other eligible educational expenses at SJCS.
What Is TEFA?
Texas Education Freedom Accounts, or TEFA, is a state-administered program that provides approved families with funds for eligible educational expenses, including tuition at a participating private school.
For the 2026–27 school year, the standard award for a student attending a participating private school is $10,474. Students with a qualifying Individualized Education Program, or IEP, on file with the Texas Education Agency may be eligible for additional funding based on their IEP.
TEFA is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, and family accounts are managed through Odyssey.
Receiving a TEFA award does not guarantee admission to St. Joseph Catholic School. Families must complete the SJCS admissions and enrollment process separately.
Interested in Using TEFA at SJCS?
Families interested in attending St. Joseph Catholic School should complete both the SJCS admissions process and the TEFA process.
1. Apply to SJCS
Complete the St. Joseph Catholic School application and admissions process. TEFA participation does not replace the school’s application or enrollment requirements.
2. Apply for TEFA
Families must apply through the official TEFA website during the state’s application period.
3. Check Your Odyssey Account
Funding, waitlist and eligibility decisions are posted in each family’s Odyssey portal. Check your account regularly for updates, even if you have not received an email notification.
4. Select St. Joseph Catholic School
If your child receives a TEFA award, select St. Joseph Catholic School as your participating private school in Odyssey.
5. Complete Enrollment
After your child is admitted and enrolled, SJCS will confirm the enrollment through the TEFA portal.
6. Begin Using Your Funds
Once your child’s Odyssey wallet is funded, you can begin authorizing eligible tuition payments and purchases.
Eligibility, waitlist positions and award decisions are managed by the state TEFA program. SJCS cannot view or change these decisions.
TEFA Funding Schedule
For students attending a participating private school, TEFA funding is scheduled to be distributed in installments.
For the 2026–27 school year, the scheduled installments are:
25% of the annual award beginning July 1, 2026
25% beginning October 1, 2026
The remaining 50% beginning February 1, 2027
Students must remain enrolled at a participating private school to receive later funding installments. Families receiving an award later or coming off the waitlist may follow a different funding schedule, and the award may be prorated based on the student’s enrollment confirmation date.
SJCS tuition is divided into four quarterly payments. TEFA funding dates and SJCS tuition due dates may not occur on the same day.
TEFA Payment Help for Enrolled Families
Once funds are available in your child’s Odyssey wallet, you are responsible for submitting each tuition payment.
How to Make an SJCS Tuition Payment
Log in to your Odyssey account.
Open your child’s wallet.
Select the SJCS tuition payment.
Review the payment amount shown.
Approve and submit the payment.
Check your transaction history for the payment status.
A newly submitted payment may initially appear as pending. The status should update after the payment has been processed.
Understanding Odyssey and FACTS
Odyssey and FACTS serve two different purposes.
Odyssey
Odyssey manages your TEFA account. This is where you can:
View your child’s TEFA wallet
Review the available balance
Authorize tuition payments
Track TEFA transactions
Purchase approved products and services
FACTS
FACTS is SJCS’s regular tuition and billing system. Families participating in TEFA may receive a FACTS statement showing tuition as closed, adjusted or reduced to zero.
This is an accounting adjustment within the school’s billing system. It does not mean that a TEFA payment has been submitted.
*A zero balance in FACTS does not mean SJCS has received your TEFA payment. Your payment is submitted only after you authorize it through Odyssey.
Why Is My Odyssey Amount Higher Than Base Tuition?
The amount displayed in Odyssey may be higher than the school’s base tuition because it can include eligible required school fees, such as:
Book fees
Technology or device fees, when applicable
School supply kits
Other eligible required fees
Please submit the amount shown in Odyssey unless the SJCS office has instructed you otherwise.
Using TEFA Funds for Uniforms
All required SJCS uniform pieces are purchased through FlynnO’Hara. Families who want to use TEFA funds must first purchase a FlynnO’Hara credit through the Odyssey Marketplace.
How to Use TEFA Funds at FlynnO’Hara
Visit FlynnO’Hara or add the required uniform items to your online cart to determine the total cost.
Log in to the Odyssey Marketplace and purchase a FlynnO’Hara credit for that amount.
Allow one to two days for the credit code to arrive by email.
Enter the credit code in your FlynnO’Hara cart to complete the purchase or give your credit code to the store assiociate for in store purchases.
New families are encouraged to visit FlynnO’Hara in person for sizing before purchasing the credit, as uniform sizing may differ from standard children’s clothing.
*Plan ahead when ordering uniforms. The FlynnO’Hara credit code is not issued immediately and may take one to two days to arrive by email.
Student Support and Educational Services
At St. Joseph Catholic School, we understand that every student learns differently. SJCS provides personalized academic support through our Resource Lab, including reading, math and dyslexia intervention.
We also partner with Emerald City Therapy Services to make speech therapy available on campus.
TEFA may cover certain approved educational therapies when the service and provider meet program requirements and the expense is not already covered by insurance or another government program.
Families should confirm provider participation and expense eligibility through Odyssey before beginning services.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. The SJCS admissions process and TEFA application process are separate. Families are encouraged to begin the school application process even if their TEFA status is still pending.
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No. Receiving a TEFA award does not guarantee admission or reserve a place at SJCS. All families must complete the school’s admissions and enrollment process.
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After receiving an award, log in to Odyssey and select St. Joseph Catholic School as your participating private school. SJCS will then confirm your child’s enrollment through the TEFA portal.
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No. Waitlist positions and funding decisions are managed by Odyssey and the state TEFA program. SJCS does not have access to a family’s waitlist position.
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Contact Odyssey directly for information about the decision and any available next steps. SJCS cannot view or change TEFA eligibility decisions.
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No. Funds are placed in your child’s Odyssey wallet. You must log in and authorize each tuition payment.
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SJCS may adjust or close the balance in FACTS as part of its accounting process for TEFA families. This does not mean that Odyssey has paid the school. You must still authorize your tuition payment through Odyssey.
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The amount may include eligible required fees such as book fees, technology fees and school supply kits.
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A pending status generally means the payment has been submitted but has not finished processing. Check your Odyssey transaction history for updates.
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Yes. To use TEFA funds, families must first purchase a FlynnO’Hara credit through the Odyssey Marketplace. The credit code will be sent by email and can then be applied to the FlynnO’Hara cart. Please allow one to two days for the code to arrive.
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Before- and after-school care is not currently listed as an eligible SJCS TEFA expense.
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Certain approved educational therapies may be eligible. The provider must meet TEFA requirements, and the expense cannot already be covered by insurance or another government benefit.
Families receiving related services through another program should confirm eligibility with Odyssey before using TEFA funds for a similar service.
Who Should I Contact?
Contact St. Joseph Catholic School
The SJCS office can assist with:
Admissions and enrollment
Tuition amounts
Required school fees
Enrollment confirmation
SJCS-specific payment questions
Student Support Services
Phone: 972-937-0956
Contact Odyssey/TEFA
Contact Odyssey for help with:
Eligibility decisions
Waitlist status
Award amounts
Funding delays
Wallet issues
Marketplace purchases
Technical support
Phone: 737-379-2362
Email: help.tx@withodyssey.com