This FAQ provides information for families currently on the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) waitlist, including approximate waitlist positions, sibling placement, future awards, and what to expect while waiting.
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- Will there be additional award rounds?
- When will I receive another waitlist update?
- What happens while my student is on the waitlist?
- Will my waitlist position change?
- When will I receive an award?
- Is there a deadline for receiving an award from the waitlist?
- Will my award amount be prorated if I receive an award from the waitlist?
- Does my waitlist position guarantee an award?
Will there be additional award rounds?
Additional awards may be issued as funding becomes available.
There is no set number of remaining award rounds, and the number of students who receive awards may vary from one round to another. The latest award round communicated on August 8th used the remaining TEFA budget. However, it is expected that some awarded students will opt out of the program which will allow for more students to be awarded. It is difficult to predict the exact number of students who will opt out of the program. We will continue to make awards as money is returned.
Students awarded from waitlist to date: ~47,000
When will I receive another waitlist update?
There is no set schedule for waitlist position updates.
Odyssey may provide updated approximate position ranges as the waitlist changes. You do not need to contact Odyssey Support to request a new waitlist position.
What happens while my student is on the waitlist?
While your student is on the waitlist, their status in the program will remain Eligible, and there is nothing you need to do at this time to remain on the waitlist.
Students may also remain enrolled in a public school while they are on the TEFA waitlist.
We’ll continue to keep you informed as the waitlist moves. If your student receives an award, we’ll notify you by email and text message, and the change will also appear in the Odyssey platform.
Will my waitlist position change?
Yes. Your approximate position may change as more students opt out and new students are awarded. Students coming off of the waitlist are always awarded by their position on the waitlist. Position is determined by your student’s household priority tier and household lottery number. If one student in your household is awarded from the waitlist, then all students will be awarded together.
When will I receive an award?
We cannot provide an estimated date for when an individual student may receive an award.
Additional families may receive awards as funding becomes available. If your student receives an award, you will be notified by email and text message, and the change will also be reflected in the Odyssey platform.
Is there a deadline for receiving an award from the waitlist?
There is currently no set deadline for receiving an award from the waitlist.
Awards may continue to be issued as additional funding becomes available.
Students who receive funding after September 15th 2026 will receive a prorated amount based on time remaining in the school year.
Will my award amount be prorated if I receive an award from the waitlist?
Students who receive an award from the waitlist later in the school year may receive a prorated award based on when they confirm enrollment.
To receive the full award amount, students must confirm enrollment in a participating private school or opt in as a Homeschool/Other student by September 15, 2026.
Students who confirm after September 15 may receive a reduced award amount based on the remaining funding available for the school year.
For more information, visit the TEFA Funding Timelines and Installments page.
Does my waitlist position guarantee an award?
No. Your approximate waitlist position does not guarantee that your student will receive an award.
The number and timing of additional awards depend on available program funding.