School Uniforms: Eligible Items and Purchasing Guidelines

School uniforms are an eligible expense in the TEFA program. The following policies and guidelines are intended for vendors, schools, and parents to understand the restrictions while also providing flexibility regarding uniform sales.

What uniform items qualify? Can I buy school spirit hair ties and letterman jackets with TEFA funds? 

Required uniforms, including P.E. uniforms, shirts, pants, skirts, shorts, skorts, sweaters, jumpers, blazers, ties, and belts, are eligible. Non-essential items such as jewelry and lettermen jackets are not approved. 

How can parents purchase uniforms? 

1. Vendors can upload offerings to the program marketplace, with a complete description of each item including school, grade, gender, color, size, etc. Parents can browse for and purchase uniforms directly on the marketplace, as they would other items, such as curriculum or supplies. Uniforms may be shipped or picked up in store.
2. Vendors can offer “uniform credits” on the marketplace in varying amounts ($5, $10, $25, $50, $100). Parents can buy credits to purchase uniforms directly from the vendor’s website. We strongly advise parents to calculate the cost of their uniforms with the vendor prior to purchasing credits in the marketplace to ensure the credit is applied in full when the uniforms are purchased. For example, if the uniforms cost $202.50 and a vendor only offers credits in multiples of $25, then the parent should purchase only $200 in uniform credits and pay for the remaining $2.50 out of pocket. Maintaining partial balances or refunding uniform credits in strictly prohibited. Uniform credits are not taxable in the marketplace. Vendors must apply sales tax to the uniform purchase.
3. Schools can purchase uniforms directly from the vendor and charge a student’s account in the Odyssey portal where parents authorize payment to the school.

All purchases with TEFA funds are subject to audit. Uniform policy violations may result in repayment of funds to the program and/or suspension from the program. Schools and uniform vendors should keep clear and complete documentation of all uniform purchases.