LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – More than 100,000 students were accepted for Texas Education Freedom Account funding for the upcoming school year. The first payments for non-homeschool students are set to begin July 1, but only for families who have completed every required step in the Odyssey parent portal.<\/p>\n
How to check your status in the Odyssey portal<\/p>\n
Families approved for funding should already have an account in the Odyssey parent portal. After logging in, families should confirm their student\u2019s participation by clicking the green \u201cConfirm Participation\u201d button in the \u201cAnnouncements\u201d box, then following the directions in the subsequent pop-ups.<\/p>\n
Once confirmed, a green marker will appear next to the child\u2019s name. If that marker reads \u201cEligible,\u201d the student is on the waitlist. If the child received the award, the marker should read \u201cApproved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Families should also check the enrollment status marker, located between the school name and grade level fields:<\/p>\n
Pending \u2014 The school still needs to review the enrollment request. Homeschool families will also see \u201cPending,\u201d but no action is required.Verified \u2014 The school confirmed the student will enroll and needs to enter tuition and fee amounts in the school portal.Confirmed \u2014 Both the family and the school have submitted all required information.Denied or Closed \u2014 The family must choose a new school.Enrollment in Odyssey does not replace school enrollment<\/p>\n
Choosing a school in the Odyssey platform does not automatically enroll a child. Families must still contact the school directly and complete its enrollment requirements.<\/p>\n
Payment timeline<\/p>\n
Schools needed to confirm a student\u2019s enrollment by June 15 for families to receive the first payment on July 1. If that deadline was missed, enrollment must be confirmed by July 31 for families to receive funds by mid-August. Students whose enrollment is not confirmed by July 31 will lose their spot to a student on the waitlist.<\/p>\n
Non-homeschool students will receive funding in three installments:<\/p>\n
25% \u2014 July 1 or mid-August (depending on enrollment confirmation date)25% \u2014 October 150% \u2014 February 1<\/p>\n
Homeschool families follow the same enrollment timeline but will receive their full funding amount in a single installment.<\/p>\n
Funds are not deposited into personal bank accounts<\/p>\n
Texas Education Freedom Account money will not be deposited into a family\u2019s personal bank account. Funds are only accessible through the Odyssey platform.<\/p>\n