This policy explains how tuition refunds work for UFA students who withdraw or transfer from an approved UFA school.
Important: Under no circumstances can UFA funds be refunded directly to a parent or student. All refunds must be returned to Odyssey so the funds can be credited back to the student's UFA account. Refunding parents or students directly is against Utah state law and may result in adverse action against both the parent and provider.
Changing Schools During the Program Year
Yes — UFA students may change approved schools at any time during the program year. According to Utah Code §53F-6-405(6), a scholarship student may change the qualifying provider to which their scholarship account makes distributions at any time. Odyssey can redirect scholarship payments to the new approved school once the student officially transfers.
Parent Responsibilities for Enrollment Changes
In the event that a student changes schools, parents must select the new school within the Odyssey Parent Dashboard. If the student is switching to a non-approved school or becoming a home-based student, they must select “Home-Based Scholarship Student” in the dropdown. Parents must confirm enrollment changes within five business days.
Refund Eligibility
Before the school year begins: The school must return any UFA funds already distributed to Odyssey. These funds will be credited back to the student's account. (Utah Code §53F-6-403(5))
After the school year begins: Students may withdraw, as long as it does not violate the school's policies or agreements.
Refund Process
Parent contacts the school — parents must first request a refund directly from their school.
School initiates the refund — refunds must be handled by the school administration.
School contacts Odyssey — the school's team works with Odyssey to process the refund.
Funds returned to student account — once received, Odyssey credits the refund back to the student's UFA account.
Odyssey cannot process a refund without the school's direct coordination.