In preparation for the 2026–27 school year, Odyssey has published an updated Purchasing & Reimbursement Policy and Acceptable Documentation for Reimbursements guide. While many core rules remain the same, there are several important changes families should be aware of before making purchases.
1. Faster Reimbursement Processing
Odyssey will process reimbursement requests within 10 business days of receiving a complete submission.
2. Expanded Proof of Payment Requirements
Families should expect to submit:
An itemized receipt showing exactly what was purchased
Proof that payment was completed (not just an invoice or order confirmation)
Documentation identifying the payment method used
If you pay using a payment app (such as Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, or Cash App), you must submit both the vendor's itemized receipt or invoice AND a screenshot of the completed transaction (including the transaction ID and payment method).
3. New Requirements for Cash and Check Payments
Families requesting reimbursement for purchases paid by cash or check must obtain a receipt or invoice generated through the vendor's point-of-sale system. The document must include:
The vendor's name and contact information
The transaction date and time
An itemized list of goods or services
A system-generated transaction or confirmation number
The total amount paid
Self-prepared invoices will not be accepted for cash or check purchases.
4. New Requirements for Manually Created Receipts and Invoices
Receipts and invoices created using Word, PDF, or other document editors may still be accepted, but families must now provide additional proof of payment, such as:
A bank or credit card statement showing the transaction and vendor
Documentation of a completed digital payment
A second copy of the invoice, a letter from the vendor confirming payment, or a photo of an uncleared check will not satisfy this requirement.
5. New Review Standards for Higher-Cost Purchases
Reimbursement requests for goods over $1,000 will receive additional scrutiny. Reimbursements will be honored for items and services comparable to those available in the Odyssey Marketplace, provided the cost does not exceed the Marketplace price by more than 10%.
Families who use the Marketplace whenever possible and keep detailed, itemized receipts with proof of payment will have the smoothest experience spending their funds this year.