Awards, Approvals, and Accreditation
TEFA application is closed. If you have received an award notification (or are still awaiting one), select Red Comet through the Odyssey portal as your child's school. Confirmation deadline: June 1. Final school selection deadline: July 15. Red Comet’s Texas-based enrollment team standing by to assist you.
Confirmation deadline: June 1.
Final school selection deadline: July 15.
Red Comet’s Texas-based enrollment team standing by to assist you.
Red Comet's enrollment line. Not affiliated with the Texas Comptroller's office or the Odyssey TEFA platform.
To apply for TEFA, visit educationfreedom.texas.gov.
Red Comet tuition includes a laptop for use during the academic year. The laptop is part of the contracted Instructional Technology Package and is not a separate purchase from your TEFA account.
You applied during the official window (February 4 – March 31, 2026, extended by court order). Applications for 2026–27 are now closed. Didn't apply this year? Join our 2027–28 Interest List to be notified when the next window opens in February 2027.
Join 2027–28 Interest List →The Texas Comptroller notifies approved families in priority-tier order. Tier 1 (students with disabilities + ≤500% FPL) notifications were sent the week of April 22, 2026. Tier 2 (≤200% FPL) notifications were sent the week of May 4. Lower-tier notifications and waitlist movements continue through 2026–27. Check your application status at educationfreedom.texas.gov
Once you've received your award, log into your Odyssey portal and choose Red Comet as your child's school. The TEFA program's initial confirmation deadline is June 1, 2026; the final school selection deadline is July 15, 2026. This is the binding step that directs your award to Red Comet.
Find Red Comet on School Finder - Search for RED COMET
Get Ready for Red Comet. Once you've selected Red Comet on the Odyssey portal, our Texas-based enrollment team gets you ready for the year.
Engage with Red Comet →Funds Released and School Year Begins. At least 25% of your TEFA award is released July 1, with additional funds on October 1 and April 1, 2027. Your tuition is directed to Red Comet through the Odyssey marketplace. Red Comet's 2026–27 academic year begins on August 12. Your child's laptop ships before the first day of school. Account access and login details are provided before classes begin.
Both options are fully covered by your TEFA award. Red Comet tuition is $0 out of pocket.
Your $10,474 TEFA award covers tuition fully. The remaining amount may be applied through the Odyssey marketplace to instructional materials, supplemental tutoring, transportation, or other approved expenses.
Your $10,474 TEFA award covers Premium tuition fully. The remaining amount may be applied through the Odyssey marketplace to additional approved expenses (instructional materials, tutoring, etc., subject to category caps).
One of the most comprehensive online K–12 programs in Texas — every course TEFA-eligible.
From core subjects like Math, English, Science, and Social Studies to an extensive catalog of electives and career-focused courses. Every course is fully accredited and credit-bearing, recognized by schools and universities nationwide.
No fixed schedules. Students learn on their own timeline — at whatever pace works best. Whether your child accelerates quickly or needs extra time, Red Comet's model adapts to every learner.
Every Red Comet course is supported by fully certificated, experienced educators. Students have access to qualified teachers who provide guidance and feedback — and not just automated modules.
One of the most extensive career and elective catalogs available for K–12 students online. From Business and Technology to Healthcare, Law, and Personal Finance — students explore real career pathways and build career-ready skills alongside academic credits.
Every student is paired with a Texas-based local mentor who checks in regularly, tracks progress, and provides the encouragement and accountability that online learners need to thrive.
Red Comet is accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED), the unified successor to several historic regional accrediting bodies including the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), the North Central Association (NCA), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS CASI). Cognia accreditation is recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) and is one of 19 accrediting bodies approved for participating schools under the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program.
Many courses feature an AI companion that responds in the student's language — including Spanish — providing real-time guidance any time of day.
Owned and operated by Texas residents, a U.S. citizen-founded company. Approved as a TEFA-participating private school by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Accredited by Cognia, a TEPSAC-recognized accrediting body.
Through our partnership with the National Education Foundation (NEF), Red Comet's Premium Career-Ready Pathway includes SkillSoft license access — comprehensive online training that prepares high-school students for industry-recognized certification exams in IT, cybersecurity, cloud computing, project management, and business. Students can study toward credentials such as CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Cisco CCNA, AWS Cloud Practitioner, and PMI CAPM — credentials accepted by colleges and listed by employers nationwide.
What's included with Red Comet tuition: SkillSoft training modules, study materials, and practice tests aligned to each certification.
What's not included: The certification exams themselves. Exams are administered and priced by the issuing body (CompTIA, Cisco, AWS, PMI, etc.) and typically cost $100–$500 each. Students take the exam separately, on their own schedule, after they complete the preparation track. Many families apply part of their remaining TEFA balance toward exam fees through the Odyssey marketplace, where industry certification exams may qualify as an approved educational expense — confirm in your portal before purchase.
Real preparation. Real credentials earned by the student. Red Comet provides the path; your student earns the certification.
TEFA application submitted. Application window: Feb 4 – Mar 31, 2026 (extended by court order from Mar 17).
Award notifications. Tier 1 issued week of April 22; Tier 2 issued week of May 4; lower-tier notifications continue. Check your Odyssey portal for status.
Initial enrollment confirmation deadline. Select Red Comet through Odyssey.
Final school selection deadline.
The first 25% of your TEFA award is released into your Odyssey account on July 1. Additional funds will be released on October 1, 2026, and April 1, 2027. To pay Red Comet, you will have to log into your Odyssey portal and make a direct payment to Red Comet through the marketplace. Funds remain in your TEFA account until you direct them — they do not automatically move to a school.
Additional 25% (50% total) released.
Remaining funding released.
Have questions? We have answers.
Red Comet's enrollment line. Not affiliated with the Texas Comptroller's office or the Odyssey TEFA platform. To apply for TEFA, visit educationfreedom.texas.gov.