In 2023, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed the LEARNS Act into law — creating Arkansas's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program and making Arkansas one of the most progressive states in the country for education choice. Starting with the 2025–2026 school year, every K–12 student in Arkansas became eligible regardless of income, location, or prior school enrollment.
For families with children who are struggling with reading, writing, or spelling, this means $6,864 in state funds is now available every year to pay for expert tutoring. Education Interventions is an approved Arkansas EFA vendor — and we're here to help your family use every dollar.
What Is Arkansas's Education Freedom Account?
The Arkansas Education Freedom Account — formally the Children's Educational Freedom Account Program — is a state-funded education savings account created under the LEARNS Act of 2023. The state deposits $6,864 per student per year into a digital wallet called ClassWallet, which families use to pay approved vendors directly for educational expenses.
The spending flexibility is one of the program's strongest features. You are not locked into one vendor or one type of service. You can direct funds toward tutoring, private school tuition, curriculum materials, educational technology, and testing fees — all from the same account. Families with multiple children each receive a separate account per child.
Who Qualifies?
Qualifying is straightforward. Your child must be eligible to enroll in an Arkansas public elementary or secondary school, and at least one parent or guardian must be an Arkansas resident. That's it. If demand exceeds available funding, priority goes to students with disabilities, siblings of current EFA recipients, and then other students ranked by income — but all eligible applicants are generally expected to receive funding.
What Can EFA Funds Pay For?
Arkansas EFA funds cover a broad range of approved educational expenses including private school tuition and fees, tutoring services from approved vendors, curriculum and textbook materials, educational technology (excluding TVs, video games, and cell phones), standardized testing and college exam fees, career training courses and industry credentials, and transportation to approved educational providers (up to 25% of total funds).
Tutoring is one of the most impactful uses of EFA funds — and one of the most popular. For students struggling with reading, writing, or spelling, consistent one-on-one sessions with a certified literacy specialist deliver results that curriculum materials simply cannot replicate on their own.
How to Apply — Step by Step
Visit the EFA Application Portal
Go to arkansasefa.com or the Arkansas Department of Education EFA page at dese.ade.arkansas.gov. The 2026–27 application window runs March 9 – June 1, 2026.
Create Your FACTS Account
New applicants apply through the FACTS portal. You'll need your child's birth certificate and proof of Arkansas residency. Returning families renew through a quick survey in ClassWallet — no new documents required.
Submit and Wait for Approval
The application takes about 10–15 minutes per child. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis during priority processing windows. Approval typically takes about 10 days. You'll receive email updates throughout the process.
Access Your ClassWallet Account
Once approved, you'll receive instructions to access ClassWallet. Funds are deposited quarterly — $1,716 per quarter. You can pay vendors directly from the platform or request reimbursements for approved purchases.
Select Education Interventions
Education Interventions is an approved Arkansas EFA vendor. Contact us and we'll walk you through the ClassWallet payment process from start to finish — making it as easy as possible for your family.
Start Tutoring!
Virtual sessions begin — paid directly from your ClassWallet account. No out-of-pocket cost for the covered amount. Your child gets expert one-on-one literacy support from a certified educator.
Why Education Interventions for Arkansas EFA Families
✅ Certified teachers only — every tutor holds a teaching certification and brings real classroom experience. No college students.
✅ Orton-Gillingham inspired methods — research-based structured literacy proven to work, especially for students with dyslexia and reading differences.
✅ 100% virtual — expert support accessible from anywhere in Arkansas, including rural communities.
✅ Regular progress reports — you always know exactly how your child is growing. Full transparency with every family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Arkansas EFA funds for online tutoring?
Yes. Online tutoring from approved vendors is a fully qualifying expense. Education Interventions provides 100% virtual sessions — making expert literacy support accessible from anywhere in Arkansas, including rural areas where local tutoring options may be limited.
Can I apply for multiple children at once?
Yes — each child receives their own separate EFA account. A family with three eligible children would receive $6,864 × 3 = $20,592 total for the year across three individual ClassWallet accounts.
What if I miss the application window?
The application window for 2026–27 closes June 1, 2026. If you miss it, you'll need to wait for the next application cycle which opens in March 2027. Don't miss it — apply as early as possible within the window to be processed in the first priority round.
Does my child need to leave public school to qualify?
The Arkansas EFA is designed for students who are enrolled in private school or homeschooling. Contact us and we can help you understand how the program applies to your family's specific situation and educational goals.
Ready to Use Your Arkansas EFA for Tutoring?
Education Interventions is an approved Arkansas EFA vendor. Contact us today and we'll walk you through exactly how to use your ClassWallet funds for expert virtual literacy tutoring — reading, writing, and spelling for K–12 students across Arkansas.
Contact Us Today →Sources: Arkansas Department of Education — EFA Program (dese.ade.arkansas.gov); School Choice Arkansas (schoolchoicear.org); EdChoice — Arkansas EFA Profile; ArgoPrep Arkansas EFA Guide (2026). EFA program details change annually — always verify current information at dese.ade.arkansas.gov.