General Eligibility Requirements
To become an approved vendor or service provider under TEFA, applicants must:
Operate as a U.S.-based business entity.
Be in good standing with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts on the payment of Texas franchise taxes, if applicable.
Be registered with the Texas Secretary of State to conduct business in the state. Out-of-state vendors can review this article for more information on how to register their business: How Can Out-of-State Vendors or Service Providers Qualify for Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA)?
If a sole proprietorship or general partnership, registration of assumed name from your local County clerk’s office will be accepted.
Offer educational products or services that are eligible under TEFA guidelines.
Maintain compliance with all program policies and applicable laws.
Service Provider Categories
Vendors and service providers must apply under the appropriate category and provide documentation as outlined below. For licensing information, review When Are Professional Licenses Required in the TEFA Vendor Application?
Private School
Private school that wants to participate as a vendor to offer individual courses or services.
One of the following documents:
Certificate of Fact from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Formation from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Filing from the Texas Secretary of State
If a sole proprietorship or general partnership, registration of assumed name from your local County clerk’s office will be accepted.
Independent School District/Charter School
Independent School District/Charter School that wants to participate as a vendor to offer individual courses or services.
Are accredited by the TEA; and
Can provide services or products to participating students without counting those students toward the district’s or charter school’s average daily attendance for purposes of the allocation of funding under the Foundation School Program.
Higher Education Provider
Accredited postsecondary or career education institutions offering approved courses or credentials.
One of the following documents:
Certificate of Fact from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Formation from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Filing from the Texas Secretary of State
If a sole proprietorship or general partnership, registration of assumed name from your local County clerk’s office will be accepted.
Pre-K Approved Provider
One of the following documents:
Certificate of Fact from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Formation from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Filing from the Texas Secretary of State
If a sole proprietorship or general partnership, registration of assumed name from your local County clerk’s office will be accepted.
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services License
Therapist
Licensed professionals who provide educational or developmental therapies (for example, occupational, speech, behavioral, or physical therapy).
One of the following documents:
Certificate of Fact from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Formation from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Filing from the Texas Secretary of State
If a sole proprietorship or general partnership, registration of assumed name from your local County clerk’s office will be accepted.
Copy of professional license
Fingerprint criminal history background check (within the past 30 days)
Tutor
Licensed professionals who provide tutoring services.
One of the following documents:
Certificate of Fact from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Formation from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Filing from the Texas Secretary of State
If a sole proprietorship or general partnership, registration of assumed name from your local County clerk’s office will be accepted.
Teaching Certificate
Fingerprint criminal history background check (within the past 30 days)
Teaching Service
Licensed professionals who provide teaching services
One of the following documents:
Certificate of Fact from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Formation from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Filing from the Texas Secretary of State
If a sole proprietorship or general partnership, registration of assumed name from your local County clerk’s office will be accepted.
Teaching Certificate
Fingerprint criminal history background check (within the past 30 days)
Educational Products
Vendors who sell educational products or materials directly to families (for example, curriculum publishers, uniform providers, or educational technology retailers).
One of the following documents:
Certificate of Fact from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Formation from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Filing from the Texas Secretary of State
If a sole proprietorship or general partnership, registration of assumed name from your local County clerk’s office will be accepted.
Must be in good standing with the Comptroller’s office (current on franchise tax payments, if applicable)
Other
Vendors who offer educational products or services that do not fall within any of the categories above.
One of the following documents:
Certificate of Fact from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Formation from the Texas Secretary of State
Certificate of Filing from the Texas Secretary of State
If a sole proprietorship or general partnership, registration of assumed name from your local County clerk’s office will be accepted.
All vendor applications and offerings will be reviewed by Odyssey and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to determine eligibility before appearing in the Odyssey Marketplace.