If your family has a Texas Education Freedom Account, you may have heard that swim lessons don't qualify. Sports and PE aren't on the state's general list of approved expenses, so a lot of parents assume swimming is off the table.
Here's the good news: Squiddles is an approved TEFA vendor. That means you can use your TEFA funds for our survival swim course.
What is TEFA?
TEFA stands for Texas Education Freedom Accounts. It's the state's education savings account program, run by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. A company called Odyssey manages the accounts and the online marketplace where families spend their funds.
For the 2026-27 school year, the Comptroller lists these amounts:
About $10,474 for a student attending an approved private school
Up to $30,000 for a student with a disability who has an IEP and attends an approved private school
$2,000 a year for homeschool and "other" students
Why survival swim belongs in your child's education
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in the United States. It happens fast and it happens quietly, often in the few seconds an adult looks away.
At Squiddles, we teach survival before swimming. An infant doesn't need a perfect stroke. They need to roll onto their back, float and breathe until help comes. No math curriculum or reading program will ever teach that, and it's a skill your child carries for life.
Our founder, Anatasia, started Squiddles after losing her twin boys to drowning. Every lesson we teach is for the parent who gets to keep their child because that child knew what to do.
How to use your TEFA funds at Squiddles
Log in to your TEFA account in the Odyssey portal.
Open the marketplace and search for Squiddles.
Select our survival swim course and check out with your TEFA funds.
Call or message us to set up your child's lesson schedule.
All TEFA purchases have to go through the Odyssey marketplace. The program doesn't allow reimbursements, so please don't pay us out of pocket and plan to get paid back later. Book through Odyssey from the start.
TEFA or PDSES: which one fits your family?
Squiddles is approved for two Texas programs, so most families have a path to survival swim lessons with us.
| Your child | Program to look at | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Attends an approved private school and has a TEFA account | TEFA | Your Odyssey account |
| Is homeschooled and has a TEFA account | TEFA ($2,000 a year) | Your Odyssey account |
| Attends a Texas public school and has an IEP | PDSES | Learn about PDSES at Squiddles |
| Is on the TEFA waitlist | TEFA, if a spot opens | Watch for your award notice |
| Doesn't have TEFA yet | TEFA 2027-28 | State interest list |
PDSES is a grant from the Texas Education Agency for public school students who receive special education services. Squiddles is an approved PDSES provider, so eligible families can use those funds with us too.
Quick answers
Can I use TEFA for swim lessons?
You can use TEFA at Squiddles, because we're an approved TEFA vendor. Find us in the Odyssey marketplace.
Can I pay out of pocket and get reimbursed by TEFA?
No. TEFA purchases must go through the Odyssey marketplace, and reimbursements aren't allowed.
Can I use my $2,000 homeschool TEFA amount for swim lessons?
Yes, if you have a homeschool TEFA account, you can use it for our survival swim course in the marketplace.
My child is on the waitlist. What should I do?
Keep an eye out for your award notice. The state says waitlisted students get a chance as other families decline or leave, and funding may be prorated depending on timing.
How do I apply for TEFA next year?
Applications for 2026-27 are closed. Join the state's 2027-28 interest list to hear when the window opens.
Where do I get official TEFA answers?
Go straight to educationfreedom.texas.gov. Rules can change, so check there before you plan.
Survival first. Always.
Your TEFA funds can go toward the one lesson that could save your child's life. We're here, door open, always.
Find Squiddles on Odyssey | Contact us
Last updated November 2026. This post is for general information and isn't legal or financial advice. For eligibility questions, contact the TEFA program directly.
