The $2,000 account
Deposited once on July 1 and spent through Odyssey's marketplace on curriculum, approved classes, tutoring, tests and therapy. Payments to relatives are never allowed.
STC's homeschool rule
South Texas College lets a homeschooled student who is at least 16 enroll in regular course sections after meeting admission, Texas Success Initiative and GPA requirements. The spring 2027 deadline is January 8.
Private-school dual credit
Covenant Christian Academy in McAllen became an STC dual-credit partner in 2025 with 22 students in its first group. Ask any high school you're considering which college it partners with and who pays the course fees.
Microschools
The Prenda pod in Edinburg was in the finder as a school, so its students are funded at $10,474 rather than $2,000. A part-week program that isn't a participating school can only be paid from the homeschool account, and only as an approved vendor.
Approved tutors and therapists
Our providers page lists the approved tutoring, therapy and enrichment businesses with an address in Hidalgo or Starr County, along with their specialties.
Valley private schools through grade 12 (8)
| School | Type | Community | Grades | TEFA | Students* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covenant Christian Academy 4201 N Ware Rd, McAllen 78504 | Christian Schools Christian (non-denominational) | McAllen, Mission & the West Valley | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | 307 |
| Harvest Christian Academy 1000 Trooper Moises Sanchez Blvd, Edinburg 78541 | Christian Schools Christian (non-denominational) | Edinburg & North Hidalgo County | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | 237 |
| Macedonian Christian Academy 135 State Highway 495, Alamo 78516 | Christian Schools Baptist | Pharr, San Juan, Alamo & Weslaco | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | 204 |
| San Juan Diego Catholic Regional High School (Juan Diego Academy) 5208 S FM 494, Mission 78572 | Catholic Schools | McAllen, Mission & the West Valley | 9-12 | ✓ TEFA | 68 |
| Sanctuary Christian Academy 508 E Van Week St, Edinburg 78541 | Christian Schools Pentecostal | Edinburg & North Hidalgo County | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | 1 |
| South Texas Christian Academy 7001 N Ware Rd, McAllen 78504 | Christian Schools Seventh-day Adventist | McAllen, Mission & the West Valley | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | 212 |
| The Learning Journey Day School 2602 Cornerstone Blvd, Edinburg 78539 | Independent & Montessori Schools | Edinburg & North Hidalgo County | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Valley Christian Heritage School 932 N Alamo Rd, Alamo 78516 | Christian Schools Church of Christ | Pharr, San Juan, Alamo & Weslaco | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | 37 |
* K-12 enrollment reported to the NCES Private School Survey (2023-24 or 2021-22). "Not listed" means the school wasn't in the state TEFA finder when we checked on October 12, 2026.
Next step
Take the funding check. It takes about two minutes, and an advisor will call back with each source your family can use and the dates that go with them.