Customer Care Phone Number

Introduction: This guide explains the process for exiting the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program and the associated policy for returning state funds. If your child becomes ineligible—by enrolling in public school, graduating, or otherwise—you are legally required to notify the program and any unused funds must be returned. Understanding this procedure is crucial to remain in good standing.

2. ELIGIBILITY TO EXIT & CRITICAL DEADLINES

Exiting the TEFA program is not a choice in many cases; it’s a mandatory requirement triggered by specific events. The following decoder outlines who must exit and the critical actions required.

flowchart TD
    A[Child's Status Changes] --> B{What is the change?}
    B --> C[Enrolls in Public/Charter School]
    B --> D[Graduates High School/GED]
    B --> E[Becomes Otherwise Ineligible<br>e.g., Moves out of TX]
    B --> F[Parent Chooses to Withdraw]
    C --> G[**MANDATORY NOTICE REQUIRED**]
    D --> G
    E --> G
    F --> H[Voluntary Withdrawal Process]
    G --> I[Notify Odyssey within<br>**30 Business Days**]
    H --> I
    I --> J[Account Suspended & Reviewed]
    J --> K[Any Remaining Funds<br>Returned to State]
    K --> L[Process Complete]

• Who Must Initiate an Exit: The parent/guardian on the account.
• Critical Deadline: 30 business days from the date the child becomes ineligible.
• Documentation Needed for Notification: Likely the child’s new school enrollment confirmation or graduation proof. The program (Odyssey) will instruct you.
• Contact Method for Exit/Notification: Use the primary Odyssey support channels.
  • Phone: 737-379-2362
  • Email: help.tx@withodyssey.com
  • Online Support: support.withodyssey.com

3. STEP-BY-STEP EXIT & FUND RECOVERY PROCESS

1. Identify the Triggering Event: Determine the exact reason for exit (e.g., accepted a public school spot, graduation).
2. Gather Supporting Information: Have details ready such as the date of the event and any relevant documentation (e.g., new school acceptance letter).
3. Formally Notify Odyssey: Within 30 business days, contact Odyssey via phone, email, or the support portal. Clearly state your child’s name, TEFA account identifier, and the reason for ineligibility.
4. Follow Odyssey’s Instructions: The administrator will guide you through any required forms or verification steps. Do not assume notification is complete without confirmation.
5. Account Freeze & Review: Odyssey will suspend the account and conduct a review of transactions to ensure all funds were used for qualified expenses.
6. Final Settlement: Any remaining, unused funds in the account will be returned to the State of Texas. You will not receive a personal refund.

Common Pitfalls:

• Missing the 30-Day Deadline: Failure to notify is a violation of your program attestations and could lead to account closure and legal referral.
• Assuming Automatic Withdrawal: Enrollment in a public school does not automatically trigger an exit from TEFA. You must proactively notify Odyssey.
• Misunderstanding “Refunds”: Families do not receive a cash refund. Unused state funds are recovered by the state.

4. EXIT SCENARIOS: WHAT TRIGGERS A FUND RETURN

5. PRO TIPS & COMMON COMPLIANCE ISSUES

• How to Ensure a Smooth Exit:
  • Set a calendar reminder for the 30-day notification deadline as soon as a triggering event occurs.
  • Keep all correspondence with Odyssey (emails, support ticket numbers) for your records.
• How to Avoid Audits & Penalties:
  • Never sell any item purchased with TEFA funds.
  • Only use the Odyssey marketplace/platform for approved purchases. You cannot be reimbursed for outside purchases.
  • No provider/school may rebate, refund, or credit program money to you personally.
• Most Common Reasons for Account Closure & Fund Recovery:
  1. Failure to notify upon public school enrollment.
  2. Use of funds for non-qualified expenses.
  3. Attempting to cash out or personally benefit from program funds.
• Appeal Procedures: If you disagree with an account suspension/closure decision, you must follow the appeals process outlined by the Texas Comptroller’s office and Odyssey, likely detailed in the Participant Handbook.

6. TIMELINE & WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER NOTIFICATION

gantt
    title TEFA Exit & Fund Recovery Timeline
    dateFormat  M
    axisFormat %b
    section Your Actions
    Trigger Event Occurs (e.g., Enrollment) : milestone, trig, 0d
    Notify Odyssey :crit, active, after trig, 30d
    Submit Requested Docs : active, after trig, 15d
    section Odyssey/State Actions
    Account Review & Audit :active, after trig, 45d
    Funds Returned to State : milestone, fundreturn, after trig, 60d
    Official Closure Confirmation : milestone, closure, after trig, 65d

• Expected Processing: The review and fund recovery process can take 60-90 days after complete notification.
• How to Check Status: Contact the Odyssey support team directly for updates on your account status.
• Escalation Path: For disputes regarding the process, escalate within Odyssey’s support structure. Final authority rests with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

FINAL COMPONENTS

Key Takeaways Summary:

• Exiting TEFA is often mandatory, not optional, triggered by ineligibility events.
• You have 30 business days to formally notify Odyssey.
• No personal refunds are issued. Unused state funds are returned to the state treasury.
• Violating program rules can lead to immediate closure, fund recovery, and legal consequences.

Official Contact Information Box

TEFA Program Administrator (Odyssey)

• Phone: 737-379-2362
• Email: help.tx@withodyssey.com
• Support Site: support.withodyssey.com
• Program Website: educationfreedom.texas.gov

Next Steps / Recommended Actions:

1. Bookmark the Odyssey support portal.
2. Review the full TEFA Participant Handbook (when available) for detailed compliance rules.
3. If considering a change that may affect eligibility, contact Odyssey proactively to understand the implications.

Disclaimer:

This guide is for informational purposes based on the TEFA Parent Application Guide (February 2026). The official policies of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and Odyssey supersede this information. Policies are subject to change. Always refer to educationfreedom.texas.gov for the most current program rules and documentation.