PROGRAM EXPENDITURES

(a) The comptroller shall disburse from the program fund to each certified educational assistance organization the amount specified under Section 29.361(a) for each participating child served by the organization. (b) To initiate payment to an education service provider or vendor of educational products for an education-related expense approved under Section 29.359, the participating parent must submit a request in a form prescribed by comptroller rule to the certified educational assistance organization that serves the child. (c) Subject to Subsection (d) and Sections 29.362(f) and 29.364, on receiving a request under Subsection (b), a certified educational assistance organization shall verify that the request is for an expense approved under Section 29.359 and, not later than the 10th business day after the date the organization verifies the request, send payment to the education service provider or vendor of educational products. (d) A disbursement under this section may not exceed the applicable participating child's account balance. (e) A certified educational assistance organization shall provide participating parents with electronic access to: (1) view the participating child's current account balance; (2) initiate the payment request process under Subsection (b); and (3) view a summary of past account activity, including payments from the account to education service providers and vendors of educational products. (f) A payment system established by a certified educational assistance organization may not allow a program participant to: (1) withdraw cash or remove funds from a participating child's account; or (2) receive payment or reimbursement directly from the program. (g) A certified educational assistance organization may not require a program participant to pay a fee to the organization or an affiliate of the organization related to the use of a participating child's account, including a transaction fee.