Your Guide to Managing TEFA in FACTS
Clear steps for account status, tuition, lunch orders, and Odyssey funding—so you always know what to do next.
Understand your FACTS account
These details explain what you may see while TEFA funds are moving through the system.
Account Status: On Hold
This intentional status pauses automatic withdrawals from your personal bank account while TEFA funding is processing. “On Hold” does not mean your account is closed or delinquent.
Funding Timeline
Your account is flagged as TEFA, and the school adjusts the FACTS plan around the TEFA funding timeline. A FACTS balance may remain visible while an Odyssey transfer is pending.
What You Should Do
Review FACTS regularly and watch for unexpected scheduled withdrawals or notices that require action. Reach out to the school office if a personal-account draft appears when you expect TEFA to cover the charge.
Order Lunch Using TEFA Funds
The final step looks unusual, but it is important: close the payment window without paying.
1 Log in
Open your FACTS Family Portal and sign in.
2 Build the order
Choose the student, lunch dates, and menu selections.
3 Submit
Review the order and select “Submit.”
4 Confirm
Select “Confirm and Pay” to finish placing the order.
5 Close payment
When the payment window opens, close it without entering payment information. Do not pay with a personal card or bank account. Closing the window allows the order to remain available for the school’s TEFA billing process.
What happens next?
Order appears as unpaid → School bills FACTS account → Parent initiates Odyssey funds transfer when available
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers for TEFA families
Why does my FACTS account say “On Hold”?
For families using TEFA, On Hold is a protective status. It keeps FACTS from automatically withdrawing eligible charges from your personal bank account while TEFA funding is processed. It does not mean your account is closed or delinquent.
Will FACTS draft my personal bank account?
The school monitors and adjusts TEFA-flagged accounts around the funding timeline. While properly marked On Hold, FACTS should not automatically draft eligible TEFA charges. Contact the school promptly if you see a withdrawal you do not expect.
Why do I still see a balance in FACTS?
FACTS may show a balance while an Odyssey transfer is pending. This is expected during processing. A visible balance is not, by itself, a request for you to pay personally.
How are lunch orders paid with TEFA funds?
Complete the order in FACTS, select Submit, then Confirm and Pay. When the payment window opens, close it without entering payment. The order will appear on our Unpaid Lunch Orders report. The school can then bill FACTS, and Odyssey funds can be transferred when available.
Should I pay an unpaid lunch order myself?
No—not when you intend to use available TEFA funds. Leaving the order unpaid is an intentional step in the school’s TEFA lunch process.
Is a TEFA application required for school financial aid?
Yes. A TEFA application must be submitted before financial-aid consideration. Financial aid cannot be reviewed or awarded without the submitted TEFA application.