Odyssey Platform Guide
How to manage your ESA funds
What Is Odyssey?
Odyssey is the platform Iowa uses to manage Education Savings Accounts. Think of it as the bank account for your ESA funds.
Everything flows through Odyssey:
- Your ESA balance
- Approved vendors and schools
- Payment approvals
- Transaction history
Bookmark it now: withodyssey.com
Getting Started
Step 1: Create Your Account
After your ESA application is approved, you'll receive:
- Email from Iowa DOE with approval notice
- Instructions to set up your Odyssey account
- Login credentials
Keep these safe. You'll use Odyssey throughout the school year.
Step 2: Verify Your Information
Once logged in:
- Check your child's information is correct
- Verify your contact details
- Review your ESA allocation amount
Step 3: Link Your School
Your school must be registered as an approved vendor in Odyssey.
For ISP families: Iowa Sports Prep will appear in the vendor list. Select it as your school.
Key Features
Dashboard
Your home screen shows:
- Available balance — How much is in your ESA
- Pending transactions — Payments awaiting your approval
- Recent activity — What's been paid
Vendor Marketplace
Browse approved vendors for:
- Schools (like ISP)
- Tutoring services
- Testing providers
- Curriculum materials
Only approved vendors appear. You can't pay a vendor that isn't in the marketplace.
Transaction History
See every payment:
- Date
- Vendor
- Amount
- Status (pending, completed, rejected)
How to Pay Tuition
Step 1: School Submits Invoice
When you enroll, your school submits a tuition invoice to Odyssey. This appears in your "Pending Transactions."
Step 2: You Review
Log into Odyssey and review the invoice:
- Is the amount correct?
- Is this the right school?
- Do you have sufficient balance?
Step 3: You Approve
Click "Approve" to authorize the payment.
Step 4: Funds Transfer
Once you approve:
- Funds transfer from your ESA to the school
- Takes 2-5 business days
- You'll see confirmation in transaction history
Critical: Your school won't receive payment until YOU approve it. Don't skip this step.
Payment Schedule
ESA funds arrive in two installments:
| Date | Amount | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| July 15 | ~$3,994 (50%) | Approve first semester tuition |
| December 1 | ~$3,994 (50%) | Approve second semester tuition |
Set calendar reminders for these dates. Your school is waiting for payment.
Common Tasks
Check Your Balance
- Log into Odyssey
- View dashboard
- "Available Balance" shows current funds
Find a Vendor
- Go to Vendor Marketplace
- Search by name or category
- Click to view vendor details
- Request services if needed
View Past Payments
- Go to Transaction History
- Filter by date, vendor, or status
- Download records if needed
Update Your Information
- Go to Account Settings
- Update contact info
- Save changes
Troubleshooting
"I don't see my school in Odyssey"
Your school must be registered as an approved vendor. Contact them to confirm they're in the system.
"Payment is stuck on pending"
Did you approve it? Log in and check for any action items. If approved but not processing, contact Odyssey support.
"My balance is wrong"
Contact Iowa DOE. Balance issues are handled at the state level, not by schools.
"I forgot my login"
Use the "Forgot Password" link on the Odyssey login page. Check your email for reset instructions.
Odyssey Support
For technical issues with the platform:
| Method | Contact |
|---|---|
| Phone | 515-368-9564 |
| help.ia@withodyssey.com |
For ESA policy questions, contact Iowa Department of Education.
Tips for Success
- Bookmark Odyssey — You'll use it throughout the year
- Set reminders — July 15 and December 1 for payments
- Check monthly — Verify your balance and transactions
- Keep records — Download transaction history for your files
- Respond promptly — When you see pending items, act quickly