The Arkansas LEARNS Act represents a significant investment in the state’s educational future, aiming to enhance learning opportunities for all students. A key component of this act is the Educational Freedom Account (EFA) Program, designed to provide families with expanded educational choices. This program empowers parents to direct their children’s education by providing state funds for approved educational expenses. For families seeking alternatives such as private schooling, specialized learning resources, or homeschooling, the EFA program under the LEARNS Act in Arkansas offers crucial support and financial assistance. Discover how the LEARNS Act and the EFA program can be a game-changer for your child’s educational journey.
Below you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about the Educational Freedom Account program, helping to clarify how you can benefit from this initiative under the Arkansas LEARNS Act.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Arkansas EFA Program
EFA Program Basics
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Past Reimbursements: How do I claim for previous eligible expenses?
If you have made eligible purchases under the EFA guidelines and need reimbursement, you can easily submit your requests through the ClassWallet portal. It’s important to ensure that all purchases comply with the EFA program guidelines. When submitting your reimbursement request, please include proof of purchase with the following details:
- Date of purchase
- Name of the vendor
- A clear description of each item purchased, including its cost
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Reimbursement Timeline: How long does it take to receive funds in my account?
Once your reimbursement request is processed and approved, you can typically expect the funds to be deposited into your designated bank account within 14 business days.
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2025-2026 Funding: What are the funding amounts for the next school year?
To help families plan effectively for the upcoming academic year, the EFA funding amounts for the 2025-2026 school year have been set. These amounts are net of transaction fees, ensuring families can utilize the full allocated amount:
- For students not in the “succeed” category: $6864 annually ($1716 per quarter)
- For “succeed” students: $7627 annually ($1906.75 per quarter)
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Quarter 3 Funding: When will the next deposit be made?
Deposits for Quarter 3 funding are scheduled to begin on February 6, 2025. Please ensure your account details are up to date to avoid any delays.
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Tuition Payments: How can I pay my school tuition using EFA funds?
For detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to make payments to your school or educational service provider, please refer to this guide: How to Pay a Vendor. This resource will walk you through the process within the ClassWallet portal.
Testing Requirements for Homeschool Students
Homeschool students benefiting from EFA funds under the Arkansas LEARNS Act are required to participate in a nationally recognized, norm-referenced test annually.
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Approved Tests: What are the approved testing options?
A list of ADE-approved test options is available here. Further instructions on how to submit test results to ADE will be provided later in the spring.
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Test Selection and Administration:
While the Arkansas Department of Education does not endorse any specific test from the approved list, several major test providers offer comprehensive support for homeschool families in administering these tests. Exploring providers linked in the approved list can offer additional resources and guidance.
Additionally, if there’s a private school in your vicinity, it may be beneficial to contact them. Many private schools accommodate homeschool students for testing alongside their enrolled students, which could simplify the testing process.
Navigating System and Account Issues
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Account Deactivation: Why is my existing EFA account deactivated?
The previous EFA portal, managed by Student First Technologies, was closed in December as part of a system upgrade to the ClassWallet platform. Your new EFA account can be accessed through the ClassWallet portal at https://app.classwallet.com since January 2025. For login assistance, please reach out to ClassWallet support at [email protected] or by phone at 877-969-5536.
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Application Account Issues: Why is my application account deactivated, and how do I submit documents?
- If you applied through the previous EFA portal, the Arkansas Department of Education will contact you via email in late February with instructions to complete your 2025-26 application.
- For applicants who did not complete their application in the prior system, a new application must be submitted starting March 3, 2025, via https://dese.link/efa.
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Account Updates: How do I change my personal details or school information?
- To change your email address or school information, please contact the ADE directly at [email protected].
- For updates to your shipping address or phone number, please contact ClassWallet support at [email protected] or 877-969-5536.
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Email Communication: Why am I not receiving program updates via email?
If you’re not receiving email updates, please first check your spam or junk email folders. To ensure you receive important communications, add email addresses from ADE and ClassWallet to your safe sender list.
Application Process for 2025-2026
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Application Availability: When and where can I apply for the 2025-26 school year EFA program under the LEARNS Act?
The application for the 2025-26 school year will be available starting March 3, 2025. You can access the application through the Arkansas Department of Education website: https://dese.link/efa when it launches.
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Fall Application Status: What is the status of my “eligible” application from last fall?
Applicants marked as “eligible” last fall who did not receive funding are currently on the waitlist for the 2024-25 school year. The ADE will email these applicants in late February with detailed instructions on how to proceed with the 2025-26 application process under the Arkansas LEARNS Act.
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Helpful Resources and Links
Webinars:
The Educational Freedom Account program, as part of the Arkansas LEARNS Act, is dedicated to empowering parents through school choice by providing funding support for students in private or home school settings.
Contact Information for EFA Program Assistance
Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
One Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-683-1876
Email: [email protected]
