How to Use TEFA Funds for Kids' Entrepreneurship Curriculum

If your family is part of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program this year, you've probably spent some time scrolling the Odyssey marketplace wondering, "Okay, what do I actually buy?"

Math and reading usually get the first dollars. That makes sense. But here's something a lot of Texas homeschool parents don't realize: your TEFA funds can also go toward real-world skills curriculum, including entrepreneurship.

And for kids ages 8 to 12, learning to run a business might be the most fun (and most useful) thing they do all year. They practice math when they price products. They practice writing when they make signs and pitches. They practice confidence every time they talk to a customer.

In this guide, I'll walk you through how TEFA works for homeschool families, why entrepreneurship deserves a spot in your plan, and exactly how to find Boss Kid Build on Odyssey.

A Quick TEFA Refresher

TEFA was created by the Texas Legislature through Senate Bill 2 in 2025, and the 2026–27 school year is its first year of funding. The program is run by the Texas Comptroller, and Odyssey manages the accounts and the marketplace where families shop.

How much your child receives depends on their learning setting:

Learning setting	2026–27 award
Homeschool	$2,000 per child
Approved private school	$10,474 per child
Students with an IEP (qualifying)	Up to $30,000 per child

A few things are important to know:

• It's not a reimbursement program. You don't buy something and send in a receipt. You shop inside your Odyssey account, and approved vendors are paid directly through the platform.
• Only approved vendors count. The product has to be listed in the Odyssey marketplace.
• Technology is capped. Computer hardware and software are limited to 10% of your annual award, which is $200 for a homeschool student. Curriculum and instructional materials are listed as their own approved category.

For the official rules on what qualifies, always check educationfreedom.texas.gov.

Why Entrepreneurship Belongs in Your TEFA Plan

Entrepreneurship isn't an "extra" subject. When it's taught well, it's a hands-on way to practice the core skills you're already teaching at home.

• Math with a purpose. Figuring out costs, setting prices, and counting profit turns worksheets into real decisions.
• Reading and writing. Kids write business plans, product descriptions, signs, and pitches.
• Financial literacy. They learn the difference between money coming in and money they actually keep.
• Confidence and communication. Talking to customers is a skill, and it grows with practice.
• Problem-solving. Something always goes wrong at a first sale. Figuring out what to change is the real lesson.

For homeschool families working with $2,000, there's another bonus: entrepreneurship curriculum is usually affordable. You can give your child a full year of business learning for a small slice of the budget and still have plenty left for your core subjects.

How to Get Boss Kid Build With Your TEFA Funds

Boss Kid Build is an approved TEFA vendor, so you can purchase our kits right inside your Odyssey account. Here's how:

1. Log in to your Odyssey account through educationfreedom.texas.gov.
2. Open the marketplace and search "Boss Kid Build."
3. Choose where to start. Most families begin with Kit #1, Find Your Big Idea, or pick a Launch Kit for the business their child already wants to start.
4. Complete your purchase in Odyssey. Your funds are applied directly, with nothing out of pocket and no receipts to submit.
5. Download, print, and start building! Each kit includes a student workbook your child can work through at their own pace.

Not sure where to start?

• Your child has no idea what business to start: Begin with the Build Kits, starting with Kit #1. The full series moves through four stages (Discover, Build, Launch, Grow) across 8 kits.
• Your child already has a business idea: Grab the matching Launch Kit, like the Lemonade Stand, Slime, Friendship Bracelet, Custom Sticker, Keychain, Pet Treat, Bath & Body, or Cookie business workbooks.
• You want to cover it all: Do both. Build Kits teach the thinking; Launch Kits get them selling.

What It Costs Out of a $2,000 Award

Each Boss Kid Build kit is $9 on the Odyssey marketplace, so business learning takes up a tiny slice of your homeschool budget.

Plan	What's included	Cost	Share of $2,000
Try it out	Kit #1 + one Launch Kit	$18	about 1%
One semester	Kits 1–4 (Discover + Build stages)	$36	about 2%
Full year	All 8 Build Kits + 2 Launch Kits	$90	about 4.5%

That leaves more than 95% of your award for math, reading, science, and everything else on your list.

Prices are current as of this post. Always check the Odyssey marketplace for the latest pricing.

TEFA + Boss Kid Build FAQ

Can I use TEFA funds for entrepreneurship curriculum? Yes, as long as you buy from a vendor approved in the Odyssey marketplace. Boss Kid Build is an approved TEFA vendor.

What ages is Boss Kid Build for? Our kits are designed for kids ages 8 to 12.

Can I buy on the Boss Kid Build website and get reimbursed? No. TEFA doesn't do reimbursements. To use your TEFA funds, purchase through the Odyssey marketplace.

Do I need a teaching background to use the kits? Not at all. The kits are written so kids can work through them with a parent nearby for support and encouragement.

Is Boss Kid Build aligned to Texas standards? Yes. You can see how the kits line up with Texas standards (and every other state) in our State Standards Alignment Library.

What if I have more questions about TEFA itself? The official source is educationfreedom.texas.gov. For account or marketplace help, Odyssey has a TEFA support center.

Ready to Raise a Boss Kid?

Your TEFA funds are meant to give your child the education that fits them best. For a lot of kids, that includes the chance to dream up a business, make a plan, and try it for real.

Find Boss Kid Build in the Odyssey marketplace and start with Kit #1, Find Your Big Idea.

Not sure what business your child would love?

Grab our free 80 Business Ideas for Kids card deck. It's the perfect first step before you spend a single TEFA dollar.

Get the free card deck →

With love & light, Miriam