This article looks to guide private schools intending to participate in the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program.
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. Further details are provided below on the requirements for private schools.
Once approved, private schools will be sent a registration link. The school must accept this registration and connect their banking information in order to participate in the program and receive UFA funds.
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 our marketplace and offer curriculum and educational services to UFA students. This allows parents who would like to choose non-approved schools for their students the ability to do so.
Private Schools with 150 Or More Enrolled Students
A private school with 150 or more enrolled students must comply with the following requirements in order to be eligible to receive scholarship funds on behalf of a scholarship student:
- Be a full-time, tuition-bearing educational institution where the student receives the majority of the student's academic instruction.
- The school must contract with an independent licensed certified public accountant to obtain an audit, audit report, or letter of solvency that:
- a licensed independent certified public accountant conducts in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards;
- presents the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and
- audits financial statements from within the 12 months immediately preceding the audit; and
- Submit the audit report, audit review, or solvency letter to the program manager
- Comply with the antidiscrimination provisions of 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000d;
- Provide a written disclosure to the parent of each prospective scholarship student before the student is enrolled, of:
- the education services that the school will provide to the scholarship student, including the cost of the provided services;
- tuition costs;
- additional fees the school will require a parent to pay during the school year;
- and the skill or grade level of the curriculum in which the prospective scholarship student will participate.
- Submit the following individuals to a nationwide, fingerprint-based criminal background check and ongoing monitoring, in accordance with Section 53G-11-402, as a condition for employment or appointment, as authorized by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-248:
- an employee who does not hold:
- a current Utah educator license issued by the state board under Title 53E, Chapter 6, Education Professional Licensure; or
- if the private school is not physically located in Utah, a current educator license in the state where the private school is physically located
- a contract employee.
- an employee who does not hold:
A private school with 150 or more enrolled students is not eligible to receive scholarship funds if:
- The private school requires a scholarship student to sign a contract waiving the scholarship student's right to transfer to another qualifying provider during the school year;
- The audit report described above contains a going concern explanatory paragraph;
- The report of the agreed upon procedures described above shows that the private school does not have adequate working capital to maintain operations for the first full year.
- The private school is owned and operated by a parent of a scholarship student who would receive scholarship funds as payment for their time spent educating their own child.
- Section 53f-6-409(1)(c) states a UFA provider cannot act as a consultant, clearing house, or intermediary that connects a scholarship student with or otherwise facilitates the student's engagement with a program or service that another entity provides.
Odyssey retains discretion to determine whether a private school with 150 or more enrolled students meets the standards necessary to participate as an eligible school under the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program. In addition to the specific requirements outlined above, Odyssey may deny or revoke approval if, in its professional judgment, the school presents operational, financial, legal, or compliance risks that could adversely impact the integrity, efficiency, or lawful administration of the program.
Necessary Information and Documents:
A private school with 150 or more enrolled students must provide the following information:
- Provider’s address.
- Providers contact information.
- The schools Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Independent licensed certified public accountant document that proves the school has adequate working capital to maintain operations for a full year. Can include:
- An audit report
- An audit review
- A solvency letter
- Copy of the written disclosure to the parent of each prospective scholarship student.
- Any other written documentation requested by Odyssey
Private Schools with Fewer Than 150 Enrolled Students
A private school with fewer than 150 enrolled students must comply with the following to be eligible to receive scholarship funds on behalf of a scholarship student.
- Be a full-time, tuition-bearing educational institution where the student receives the majority of the student's academic instruction
- Must provide:
- A federal employer identification number
- The provider's address
- Contact information
- description of each program or service the provider proposes to offer a scholarship student
- Comply with the antidiscrimination provisions of 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000d
- Must be in operation for 1 school year (minimum) OR provide financial information or a financial report that proves the institution has sufficient working capital to operate for the next year.
A private school with fewer than 150 enrolled students is not eligible to receive scholarship funds if:
- The private school requires a scholarship student to sign a contract waiving the student's rights to transfer to another qualifying provider during the school year.
- The private school is owned and operated by a parent of a scholarship student who would receive scholarship funds as payment for their time spent educating their own child.
- Section 53f-6-409(1)(c) states a UFA provider cannot act as a consultant, clearing house, or intermediary that connects a scholarship student with or otherwise facilitates the student's engagement with a program or service that another entity provides.
Odyssey retains discretion to determine whether a private school with fewer than 150 enrolled students meets the standards necessary to participate as an eligible school under the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program. In addition to the specific requirements outlined above, Odyssey may deny or revoke approval if, in its professional judgment, the school presents operational, financial, legal, or compliance risks that could adversely impact the integrity, efficiency, or lawful administration of the program.
Necessary Information and Documents:
A private school with fewer than 150 enrolled students must provide the following information and documents:
- Provider’s address.
- Providers contact information.
- The schools Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Description of each program or service the provider proposes to offer a scholarship student.
- Any other written documentation requested by Odyssey