You got your Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) funding — now comes the part that can make or break it: choosing the right school.

In this episode of the Homeschool Money Podcast, Crystal and Anthony Obey walk Texas families through exactly how to find TEFA-participating schools, what questions to ask before you commit, and how to make sure your enrollment is confirmed so your funding actually flows on time.

This is Part 4 of our TEFA Series. Go back and listen to Episodes 1–3 for the full program overview, application walkthrough, and disability funding deep dive.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

1. How to use the official TEFA School Finder and what to do if your preferred school isn't listed yet
2. The difference between "accredited" and "registered" — and why it matters for your $10,474
3. The four key questions every family must ask before choosing a school
4. What happens when tuition is more (or less) than your TEFA amount
5. The enrollment deadlines inside the Odyssey platform you absolutely cannot miss
6. Pro tips for smart school selection before April lottery results arrive

This is the homeschool funding opportunity Texas families have been waiting for. But the best schools fill up fast. Start your school search now.

👉 FREE Class: FREE INTRO CLASS:  Get $30,000+/Yr to Fund Your Homeschool Without a 9-5 Job

SHOW NOTES & LINKS

1. Program website & School Finder: educationfreedom.texas.gov
2. Application & account platform (Odyssey): support.withodyssey.com
3. Odyssey phone support: 737-379-2362
4. Odyssey email support: help.tx@withodyssey.com
5. Texas School District Locator: tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/general-information/school-district-locator
6. Parent school selection deadline: June 1, 2026 (initial) / July 15, 2026 (final)
7. School enrollment confirmation deadline: June 15, 2026 (initial) / July 31, 2026 (final)
8. First funding distribution: July 1, 2026
9. TEFA Media Contact: Travis Pillow — Travis.Pillow@cpa.texas.gov | (407) 376-3105

So let's say you apply for Tifa.

2

You locked in your educational

setting, you did the hard part.

3

Now comes the part that is actually

really exciting to choosing where

4

your child is going to learn.

5

For a lot of Texas families, this

is the first time they have ever

6

had the freedom to truly choose

their child's school without the

7

decision being made by a zip code.

8

And that is a big deal, but it also

means there are real decisions to

9

make, real deadlines to hit, and

real mistakes that can cost you

10

your funding if you're not careful.

11

Today we are walking you through

exactly how to find tifa participating

12

schools, what to look for when you

visit, how to compare your options,

13

and how to make sure your enrollment

actually connects to your Tifa account

14

so the money flows the way it should.

15

A fast growing number of parents are

starting their homeschooling journey while

16

others have been homeschooling for years.

17

All of these parents are asking one big

question, how can I afford to homeschool?

18

We are here to answer that

important question once and for all.

19

Hi, I'm Crystal Obby.

20

And I'm Anthony Obby.

21

We've been homeschooling our five

kids for 13 years and we funded it.

22

Through our online consulting business

that we've been running for over 17

23

years now, we're combining Crystal's

financial coaching expertise with my

24

digital marketing background where I help

entrepreneurs launch and sell online.

25

We're here to help fellow homeschooling

parents self-fund their homeschool

26

journey and create lifestyle businesses.

27

For financial freedom without a nine to

five job, are you ready to start living

28

life on your own terms and make your

homeschooling experience a lot more fun?

29

Well then sit back, crank up

the volume, and enjoy this

30

episode of Homeschool Money.

31

We want to welcome you to

the Homeschool Money Podcast.

32

I'm your host, Anthony Oby.

33

I'm your host, crystal Oby, and this

is the next episode of Art a series.

34

Let's get into it

35

But before we talk about how to

choose a school, let's make sure

36

everyone understands what the options

actually are, because Tifa isn't

37

just for traditional private schools.

38

If you selected private school in

your application, your funding is set

39

at $10,474 for that funding level to

activate the school your child attends,

40

must be both accredited and registered

as a team of participating school.

41

Those are two separate requirements.

42

Accredited means the school meets

recognized academic standards.

43

Registered means they signed up with

the TFA program and agreed to its rules.

44

If a school is accredited but has not

registered with TA, your child cannot

45

receive the $10,474 at that school.

46

This is one of the most important

things to verify before you get

47

attached to a particular school.

48

If you selected homeschool or other

non-public setting, your funding

49

is $2,000 and you are not choosing

a school through the TFA system,

50

that money goes to curriculum.

51

Materials, tutoring therapies,

and up to 10% on technology, and

52

you manage it through the Odyssey

platform on your own schedule.

53

One thing that surprises a lot of

families, TIFA also opens up the door to

54

career and technical education programs.

55

Educational therapies and other

specialized services, even for students

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who are primarily homeschooled.

57

So the $2,000 can be used pretty

strategically if you plan it?

58

Well.

59

For today's episode, we're going to

focus primarily on families choosing

60

a participating private school,

since that's where most of the

61

school selection decisions happen and

where the most money is on the line.

62

Your starting point for every

school search is the TFA School

63

finder@educationfreedom.texas.gov.

64

This is the official database of

schools that are registered and

65

eligible to participate in the program.

66

If a school is not in this tool, your

TFA funding cannot be used There.

67

At least not for the full $10,474 amount.

68

Here's what you need

to know about using it.

69

Schools are being added

on a rolling basis.

70

So if you search today and your preferred

school is not there, check back next week.

71

Schools can apply and be added

at any time during the process.

72

Do not give up on a school just

because it isn't listed yet.

73

If a school you love is not

in the finder, call them.

74

Ask if they are registered with

tifa or planning to register.

75

A lot of schools are still

going through the process.

76

Being an informed parent and

asking the right questions can

77

actually move that process forward.

78

Hey, real quick, if you're liking the

show, hit follow so you don't miss a

79

single episode and drop a five star

rating and a review to let us know that

80

you're loving the content and tell us

what topics you'd like us to cover.

81

This will help more people find

the show, and please share this

82

episode with a friend, your

co-op, or anyone who needs it.

83

They'll be glad you did.

84

Now, back to the show.

85

When you use the school finder,

you can search by location.

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There are a wide range of participating

schools in each region covering

87

different faith traditions, academic

philosophies, and specialty programs.

88

The finder will show you what's within

your reach, once you have a list of

89

schools that are registered with TFA

and located near you, you're ready

90

to start the real evaluation process.

91

And that's where a lot of parents

aren't sure what to look for.

92

We've got to cover.

93

Choosing a school is one of the most

personal decisions a parent can make, but

94

there are some universal questions that

every family should be asking regardless

95

of what kind of school they're looking at.

96

Let's walk through them.

97

Start here.

98

Ask the school directly.

99

Are you registered with tfa?

100

Do you have experience with TFA students?

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How do you handle the

enrollment confirmation process

102

with the Odyssey platform?

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A school that knows these answers

and has a clear process is one

104

that has prepared for this.

105

A school that doesn't know

what you're talking about

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needs more time to get ready.

107

Also ask about their application

and enrollment process.

108

A selection does not guarantee admission.

109

Schools have their own

admissions processes.

110

Their own timelines and

sometimes wait lists.

111

Ask them what their tepa enrollment

deadlines look like and whether

112

they align with the program

Summer confirmation window.

113

Let's talk about academic fit.

114

What is the school's

educational philosophy?

115

Is it classical, traditional

project-based, faith-based Montessori?

116

Does that approach match

how your child learns?

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Best?

118

Ask about class sizes.

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Smaller classes often mean more

individual attention, which matters

120

a lot for kids who struggle in

traditional public school settings.

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Which matters a lot for kids who struggled

in a traditional public school setting.

122

Ask about accreditation

specifically, which accrediting

123

body has certified the school.

124

Common ones in Texas include coa, the

Texas Private School Accreditation

125

Commission, the Association of Christian

Schools International and others.

126

Accreditation Matters for both

TFA eligibility and for future

127

academic record recognition.

128

Now let's talk about support services.

129

If your child has a disability, a learning

difference, or needs any kind of academic

130

support, this section is critical.

131

Ask whether the school has

learning support, staff tutors.

132

Or intervention programs built in.

133

Ask whether they have experience with

children who have IEPs, dyslexia,

134

A DHD, or autism A School's honest

answer to these questions will

135

tell you a lot about whether your

child will truly thrive there.

136

Remember from a previous episode,

private schools are not required to

137

provide the same special education

services as public schools.

138

So if your child needs specific

therapeutic services, make sure

139

you know exactly what the school

provides versus what you'll be funding

140

separately through your Tifa account.

141

Now let's take a look at

tuition and TFA coverage.

142

This is a practical conversation

every family needs to have.

143

Your TFA account provides $10,474.

144

Ask the school what their total

annual tuition and fees are.

145

If tuition is less than $10,474, your

remaining TFA funds can be used for other

146

eligible expenses like tutoring therapies,

curriculum materials, and technology.

147

If tuition is more than $10,474, ask the

school about financial aid, payment plans,

148

or scholarship options to cover the gap.

149

and for families with a disability

funding amount higher than $10,474.

150

Ask the school how they work with TEFL

accounts that carry additional funding.

151

Make sure they understand the process

and are set up on the Odyssey platform

152

to receive those payments properly.

153

Hey, friend, quick break.

154

If you're ready to fund your homeschool

without relying on a nine to five

155

job, you have to check this out.

156

We're giving you instant access to.

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Afford a world-class education for

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you deserve, that's gonna give you

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This is the system that changed everything

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for hundreds of other families too.

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Go to homeschool money.com

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newsletter full of tips and support.

168

Don't wait.

169

Your freedom starts right now.

170

Now let's take a look at

culture and community.

171

Never underestimate the culture.

172

Question visit the school in

person if at all possible.

173

Watch how the teachers

interact with students.

174

Ask whether families are

involved in school life.

175

Talk to other parents if you can.

176

The academic program matters,

but so does whether your child is

177

going to feel welcomed, challenged,

and safe every single day.

178

Okay?

179

You found your school,

you've been accepted.

180

Now let's make sure the money actually

flows correctly, because this is

181

where a few families dropped the

ball and it cost them their funding.

182

Here's the enrollment timeline

you need to work with.

183

June 1st is the initial deadline

for parents to select their school

184

inside the Odyssey platform.

185

June 15th is the initial deadline

for the school to confirm your

186

child's enrollment on their end.

187

The final deadline for parents

to select a school is July

188

15th, and the final deadline for

schools to confirm is July 31st.

189

Missing these windows can delay or

prevent your first round of funding,

190

which is scheduled to hit by July 1st.

191

So here's the sequence.

192

One, apply to your chosen school directly

and complete their admissions process.

193

This is completely separate from tifa two.

194

Once you're accepted, log back into the

Odyssey platform and select that school.

195

Three.

196

The school will receive a

notification through Odyssey

197

to confirm your enrollment.

198

Four.

199

Once both sides confirm your

account is linked, and your first

200

round of funding becomes available,

201

the earlier you do this,

the smoother it goes.

202

Schools are managing many

enrollments at once, especially

203

in year one of the program.

204

When everything is new, give them time

to confirm your enrollment rather than

205

waiting until the last week of July.

206

Now, let's talk about some pro tips.

207

Pro tip number one, do not

wait to apply to schools.

208

The TFA lottery notification

comes in early April.

209

Start researching and

visiting schools now.

210

Before you know if you've been selected.

211

If you wait until April to

start, you may find that the best

212

schools have filled their spots.

213

Pro tip number two, apply

to more than one school.

214

You are not committing to

a school by applying to it.

215

Submit applications to your top two or

three choices and let the admissions

216

process play out in parallel.

217

This gives you options if your first

choice fills up or has a wait list,

218

coach it.

219

Number three, confirm your school's TFA

registration status directly with them,

220

not just through the school finder.

221

Schools can apply to join the program

at any time, and the finder may

222

not always be updated in real time.

223

A direct conversation with the

admissions office is the most

224

reliable confirmation pro.

225

Tip number four, ask the

school about their experience

226

with the Odyssey platform.

227

If they're new to it, ask who their

designated chief of contact person is.

228

Knowing who to call at the school when a

payment or confirmation question comes up

229

will save you hours of frustration later.

230

Pro tip number five, keep

records of everything.

231

Save confirmation emails.

232

Note the dates of phone calls,

and screenshot your Odyssey

233

account status at each stage.

234

If there's ever a question about

your enrollment confirmation.

235

Your documentation is your protection,

and here's an important reminder.

236

Selecting a school in the Odyssey platform

is separate from applying for admission.

237

You must complete each school's

own application process.

238

TFA selection does not give

your child a spot at the school.

239

So what if your preferred

school isn't registered yet?

240

We wanna spend a minute on this because

it's a situation a lot of families are

241

going to find themselves you have a school

you love, it's a great fit, but it's

242

not in the teeth of school finder yet.

243

Here's what you do First, call the school

and ask whether they are registered

244

or planning to register with Tifa.

245

Some schools are in the process.

246

Some haven't heard enough from

families to prioritize it yet.

247

Your call can be the nudge

that gets them moving.

248

Second, ask them what they need to

know about registering the program

249

website at Education Freedom dot

Texas gov has resources for schools.

250

You can point them there.

251

Sometimes a parent who is informed

and enthusiastic is exactly the push

252

a school administrator needs to get

through the registration process.

253

Third, have a backup plan while

you're waiting to see if your

254

preferred school registers.

255

Identify one or two other schools

that are already participating and

256

that you could also feel good about.

257

This protects you against the scenario

where your preferred school does not get

258

registered in time for the program year.

259

And remember, you can always start the

school year in one setting, and the

260

program does allow for some adjustments.

261

What you cannot do is change to a

setting that requires more funding

262

after the application window closes.

263

So plan strategically from the beginning.

264

Hey, I hope you're enjoying the show.

265

We'll get right back to the

discussion, but I do want to talk

266

high level with you real quick.

267

You see, transforming your

finances so you can self-fund your

268

homeschooling journey without a nine

to five job takes a roadmap, right?

269

And you may be wondering,

where do I even start?

270

Start at step one.

271

Our Homeschool Money Makeover

program breaks it down into five

272

practical steps that help any family

achieve a financially abundant.

273

Homeschooling lifestyle.

274

Step one, install the

abundance Operating system.

275

Most people believe that they

need two, nine to five jobs to

276

make it in America the truth.

277

With all the technology and the tools

available today, there's never been an

278

easier time to generate six figures.

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A year in income working just 15

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280

When you have a strong why for

homeschooling and you know the

281

real costs, you unlock the courage

that you need to become a money

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magnet without a nine to five job.

283

Step two, get crystal clear about what

you're gonna do with your first $1,000

284

that you make outside of your day job.

285

Write down specific homeschool needs

that a thousand dollars can cover.

286

Yes, this is a small amount, but if

you can learn how to set a target

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of make your first thousand dollars

outside of your nine to five job,

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that's going to set a fire in your belly

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To make the next a

hundred thousand dollars.

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Listen, she's gonna help you be able to

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Step four.

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Step five, launch or Scale your

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Through our marketing consulting

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332

Let's close with your action

plan for school selection.

333

These are the things to do right now, even

before you know your tifa lottery results.

334

Step one, go to education

freedom.texas.gov

335

and use the school finder.

336

Make a list of every TIVA

registered school within a

337

reasonable distance of your home.

338

Do this today.

339

Step two, research each

school on your list.

340

Visit their websites.

341

Look for their accreditation,

their academic philosophy, their

342

support services, and their tuition.

343

Narrow your list to your top two or three.

344

Step three, schedule school

visits and start the admissions

345

process at your top choices now.

346

Don't wait for your TFA notifications.

347

In April, the best schools fill up fast.

348

Step four, have the T TFA conversation

with each school directly.

349

Ask if they are registered.

350

Ask who handles their TFA enrollment.

351

And ask about their timeline for

confirming enrollment through Odyssey.

352

Step five.

353

Once you receive your Tepa

notification in April, log into Odyssey

354

promptly and select your school.

355

Don't sit on that step.

356

The earlier you confirm the

earlier your funding is secure.

357

In the next episode, we're going to cover

what happens after you get approved.

358

How to manage your account and what

mistakes can get your account suspended,

359

and how to make this funding work

for your family year after year.

360

Be sure to check the show notes

of this episode for details and

361

important contact information.

362

We'll see you in the next episode.

363

If you like today's episode, make

sure you tap the follow button so you

364

never miss a thing, and if it help

you share it with a friend or your

365

homeschool group sharing is caring.

366

Do you love free stuff?

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Like me?

368

Sign up and watch our free games

class called Get 30,000 a year

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to Find Your Homeschooling.

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With our nine to five job, when you sign

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For tips and strategies to make your

homeschooling journey affordable,

373

go to homeschool money.com

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Head over to homeschool money.com

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Go to homeschool may.com

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to give us some love with the

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five star rating and review.

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It'll help more people find ourselves.

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Have a great day.

390

Bye.