Arkansas LEARNS is a significant education reform that includes the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program. This program helps families pay for approved educational expenses with state funds.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. Studies show that homeschooled students are accepted to college at rates comparable to or higher than their traditionally schooled peers, and they tend to earn higher GPAs in their first year of college (Journal of College Admission, 2010).
What is Arkansas LEARNS?
The Arkansas LEARNS Act, also known as Senate Bill 294, became law in March 2023, thanks to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. This law is a big step in education reform for the state. LEARNS stands for Literacy, Empowerment, Accountability, Readiness, Networking, and School Safety. For homeschool families, the main focus is the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program. This program deposits state funds into accounts quarterly for approved educational expenses. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, all K-12 students in Arkansas will be eligible.
Three-phase implementation
Arkansas introduced EFAs in three phases.
- Phase 1 (2023-2024): Only 1.5% of public school students could apply. This included kids with disabilities, first-time kindergartners, foster kids, military families, and those from failing schools.
- Phase 2 (2024-2025): Eligibility grew to 3% and added kids in D-rated schools and children of veterans and first responders.
- Phase 3 (2025-2026): Now, there are no limits. All K-12 students can apply, no matter their income or school history.
Eligible expenses for homeschoolers
EFA funds can cover homeschool expenses from any vendor, not just those in the ClassWallet marketplace. You can buy from your favorite sources and get reimbursed. Approved expenses include:
- Curriculum and supplemental materials
- Textbooks
- Tutoring services
- Technology (no TVs, gaming consoles, or phones)
- Internet equipment (not monthly service)
- College dual enrollment
- SAT/ACT prep and exam fees
- Music lessons and educational enrichment
You can also use up to 25% of funds for extracurricular activities, PE, and in-state educational field trips. Transportation costs can be covered up to 25% of total funds.
How to apply
To apply, create an account at arkansasefa.com. You'll need to submit an application for each student. First-time applicants must provide proof of birth date (like a birth certificate or passport) and proof of Arkansas residency (like a driver’s license or utility bill). Applications are processed in three-week Priority Windows until January 31, 2026. Once approved, you’ll get access to your ClassWallet account to manage funds. If you have questions, reach out to the EFA team at ade.efa@ade.arkansas.gov or call 501-683-1876.
The bottom line
The Arkansas LEARNS EFA is a great help for homeschool families, offering nearly $7,000 each year. You can buy curriculum from any source, not just approved vendors. The quarterly funding of $1,716 fits well with academic planning. Plus, you can roll over funds to save for bigger purchases like computers or dual enrollment tuition. The annual testing requirement is similar to what many homeschool families already do. For those in Arkansas homeschooling without state support, the EFA is a valuable new resource to explore.
