This article explains how LEAs may participate and the requirements that apply.
Local Education Agencies (LEAs), including public school districts and charter schools, may participate in the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program as qualifying providers or eligible schools. LEA participation is governed by Utah Code 53F-6-403, 53F-6-406, and 53F-6-408.
Participating in the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program
An LEA may provide approved educational services, courses, or programs to scholarship students if the LEA is approved by the program manager.
To participate through the Odyssey platform, an LEA must complete the provider application process.
Register and begin your application here: https://ufa-vendors.withodyssey.com/registration/
Provide organizational information
During the application process, an LEA will be asked to provide basic information such as:
• Organizational contact information.
• Identification information required for payment processing.
• A description of the courses, programs, or services offered to scholarship students.
• Any additional documentation requested by the program manager.
Both the provider account and each offering submitted will be reviewed for compliance with the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program.
Participation Requirements for LEAs
Under Utah Code 53F-6-408, an LEA may provide educational services to scholarship students but may not require a scholarship student to enroll in the LEA in order to receive those services.
LEAs that participate in the program must:
• Provide services directly to scholarship students.
• Ensure offerings align with approved scholarship expenses.
• Follow program procedures established by the program manager.
• Comply with applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000d).
• Offer only products or services that will not result in the dual enrollment of the scholarship student.
• Ensure enrollment systems provide a distinct separation of a scholarship student from a public education student.
LEAs that wish to participate cannot:
• Require a scholarship student to sign a contract waiving the student's rights to engage with another qualifying provider for a scholarship expense during the school year.
• Refuse to offer services that do not require LEA enrollment to scholarship students under the program.
• Refund, rebate, or share scholarship funds with scholarship students or scholarship student's parents in any manner except remittances or refunds processed through Odyssey.
• Not deny a scholarship student participation in any activity, team, or program simply because the student is a scholarship student or of liability concerns specific to the student's scholarship status.
Regulatory Authority
Utah Code 53F-6-406 clarifies that participation in the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program does not expand the regulatory authority of the state or any LEA over private schools, qualifying providers, or home-based education providers.
Important Notes
• Participation as an LEA provider is voluntary.
• All offerings must be reviewed and approved before they are available to families through the Marketplace.
• LEAs are responsible for proper enrollment reporting and to resolve any enrollment errors.
If an LEA has questions about participating in the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program, please contact Odyssey Support for assistance.