All private schools applying to the Odyssey platform are subject to approval by the Odyssey team. The Odyssey team will review each private school individually by utilizing the Utah Fits All law, relevant rules and regulations, and Odyssey's own discretion to ensure it is an eligible school for the Utah Fits All program.
Schools that do not meet the criteria below are not eligible to receive tuition via the Odyssey platform. However, these schools may qualify to be providers in the Marketplace and offer curriculum and educational services to UFA students.
Definition of an Approved Private School
Under 53F-6-401, a private school is defined as 'a full-time, tuition-bearing educational institution where the student receives the majority of the student's academic instruction.' Schools must meet all three of the following criteria:
Full-time: Instruction must be required and provided for a minimum of three days per week.
Tuition-bearing: The school must charge a single, comprehensive tuition rate that covers enrollment as a whole, rather than charging per course or per subject.
Majority of instruction: The school must be the student's primary school, not a supplement or enrichment program, and provide instruction by an instructor other than the student's parent.
Website Requirements
All schools must maintain and operate a functioning website that includes:
Clearly posted tuition costs
All additional fees required during the school year
The school's refund and reimbursement policies in an easily accessible location
Contact information for the school's administration
The school's address
Is publicly viewable
A social media page or group is not a sufficient website.
Required Documentation
Documentation verifying the school's federal employer identification number (EIN)
The private school's address
The private school's contact information
Accreditation documentation (optional, not a program requirement)
Written disclosures: (1) Tuition Disclosure — detailing tuition costs, additional fees, and the school's refund policy; (2) Services Disclosure — detailing the education services that will be provided and the skill or grade level of curriculum.
Required Attestations
All private schools must attest that:
Tuition refunds will be remitted directly to Odyssey for deposit back into the student's scholarship account — under no circumstance will the school directly refund the student or parent.
Scholarship students will not be charged different amounts or subject to different refund terms than other students enrolled in the same program.
The school will not require a scholarship student to sign a contract waiving the student's right to transfer to another qualifying provider.
The school will report to Odyssey within five business days when a scholarship student withdraws.
The school will comply with the antidiscrimination provisions of 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000d.
Additional Requirements for Schools with 150 or More Enrolled Students
In addition to the requirements above, schools with 150 or more enrolled students must:
Submit verification of an agreed-upon procedures engagement or audit conducted by an independent licensed certified public accountant (CPA) confirming financial solvency and working capital adequacy.
Submit required individuals to a nationwide, fingerprint-based criminal background check and ongoing monitoring.
Grounds for Denial or Ineligibility
A private school is not eligible to be approved if:
The school fails to submit an application or recertify within the application deadline.
The school is solely owned and operated by a parent of a scholarship student who would receive scholarship funds directly as payment for educating their own child.
The school acts as a consultant, clearing house, or intermediary.
The school fails to provide required documentation or provides documentation deemed insufficient.
The school requires a scholarship student to sign a contract waiving the right to transfer.
The school distributes, rebates, or passes through scholarship funds to families, or shares common ownership with such an entity.
The school has previously been found to violate program rules and policies.
Odyssey retains discretion to deny or revoke approval if, in its professional judgment, the school presents operational, financial, legal, or compliance risks that could adversely impact the program.