This article explains the appeal process for the TEFA program.
Overview
Parents have the right to appeal a decision made on behalf of their students. This may include eligibility, prioritization, or funding decisions.
We encourage parents to reach out to Odyssey support with any questions or issues. If a parent does not agree with a particular outcome, they may initiate an appeal.
Important Appeals Deadline Information
Parents have 30 calendar days from the date of their appeal notification email to submit an appeal.
Please review the applicable appeal deadlines below:
| Appeal Type | Appeal Deadline |
|---|---|
| Ineligible Appeals | May 23, 2026 |
| Tier 1 Award Campaign Appeals | May 31, 2026 |
| Tier 2 Award Campaign Appeals | June 5, 2026 |
| Waitlist Appeals (T-2/T-3/T-4/T-5) | June 12, 2026 |
| Public School Enrollment Appeals | November 2, 2026 |
Appeals submitted after the applicable deadline cannot be accepted.
How to Initiate an Appeal
The process for starting an appeal depends on the type of appeal.
Public School Enrollment Appeals
If your student is eligible to submit a Public School Enrollment Appeal, the appeal option will automatically appear in your Odyssey account. You do not need to contact Odyssey Support before submitting the appeal.
Log in to your Odyssey account and navigate to the Student Profile page. Select Complete appeal for the applicable student to begin the appeal.
Clicking “Complete appeal” will bring the parent to the appeal form, which will allow them to indicate the reason for the appeal, provide details, and upload any necessary documentation.
Generally, an appeal is not for uploading brand new student information for the purposes of re-determining eligibility or prioritization. Evidence required to determine eligibility and priority must have been collected during the application window. However, an appeal may be necessary to clarify previously submitted information, or request that previously submitted information be reviewed again.
Other Appeals
For other appeal types, contact Odyssey Support to request an appeal and provide the reason for your request. If the situation warrants an appeal, an Odyssey Support agent will initiate the process.
Once the appeal is initiated, log in to your Odyssey account and navigate to the Student Profile page. The Complete appeal button will appear for the applicable student.
Selecting Complete appeal opens the appeal form, where you can provide the reason for your appeal, add details, and upload any necessary documentation.
Once the Appeal is Submitted
After the appeal form is completed, the Odyssey team will make the decision in conjunction with the Comptroller’s Office.
The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program application window opened on February 4, 2026 and closed on March 31, 2026. All information required to determine a student’s eligibility must have been submitted during this period.
A student may have been determined ineligible due to one or more of the following situations:
- Unable to verify household income or adjusted gross income (AGI) from a valid 2024 or 2025 Federal 1040 form
- Unable to verify parent Texas residency or proof of address
- Unable to verify student citizenship or lawful presence
- Student age is outside of the approved range as specified by program rules
- (Pre-K only) Student does not meet the eligibility criteria for a Texas public or open-enrollment charter school’s free prekindergarten program
For questions about what type of information and documentation was accepted please refer to this article.
Alternatively to contacting Odyssey support, an appeal may also be filed by mail by sending the decision you are appealing, a brief description of the facts and any supporting documentation to:
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Attn: Education Freedom Accounts Appeals
P.O. Box 13407, Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711-3407