An Education Freedom Account (EFA) is a state-managed account that lets parents control public education funds. Instead of going to public schools, families can use this money for their chosen education options.
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. As of 2024, 12 states have enacted universal or near-universal Education Savings Account (ESA) programs, with Arizona's program alone serving over 75,000 students — making state-funded homeschooling more accessible than ever (EdChoice, 2024).
What is an Education Freedom Account?
An Education Freedom Account (EFA) is a special type of Education Savings Account (ESA). It puts public education funds directly into an account that parents manage. Instead of the money going to a public school, families can use it for their preferred education choices. States like New Hampshire, Arkansas, and Texas call it an EFA. Other states might use names like Empowerment Scholarship Accounts or ESAs. The goal is the same: giving families flexible funding for personalized education.
Eligible expenses for homeschoolers
EFA funds can cover lots of costs that homeschool families usually pay for themselves. This includes:
- Curriculum and textbooks
- Online learning programs
- Private tutoring
- Educational therapy services
- Standardized testing fees
- Educational software
- Dual enrollment college courses
Some states even allow transportation costs (often capped at 25% of funds) and educational extracurriculars. Check your state’s approved vendor list and expense guidelines before buying anything.
How EFA funds are managed
Once you get approved, you can access your EFA through an online portal—often ClassWallet or a similar site. Funds get added quarterly during the school year. Parents can buy from approved vendors and submit receipts for reimbursement, or use a special debit card for direct purchases. Each expense gets checked to make sure it follows the rules. Unused funds usually roll over to the next quarter, and some states allow you to save funds for college expenses.
The bottom line
Education Freedom Accounts are changing how states support education choices. For homeschool families, EFAs can help with costs for curriculum, tutoring, and services that they used to pay for out of pocket. If you live in a state with an EFA program—or one starting soon, like Texas—it's smart to learn about eligible expenses and how to apply. This funding can really enhance your homeschooling experience.
