Short answer
Arkansas EFA approved expenses, 2026-27
Arkansas EFA funds cover "ordinary and necessary" expenses that directly support the student's education: private or microschool tuition and fees, curriculum, tutoring, therapies, test fees, educational software and technology, instruments, and co-curricular classes. Transportation and the extracurricular/PE/field-trip category are each capped at 25% of the annual award. Private school families pay tuition first.
Allowed Arkansas EFA expense categories
| Category | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | Private school tuition and required fees; microschool tuition with approved providers. Required school uniforms. |
| Curriculum and supplies | Curriculum, textbooks and general school supplies. |
| Tutoring and classes | Tutoring and academic classes, educational software, apps and online courses, and dual enrollment during high school. |
| Therapies | Therapies from approved providers. |
| Tests and competitions | Standardized test fees (AP, ACT, SAT, CLEP) and academic competition fees. |
| Co-curricular courses | Music, art, dance, coding, languages and career-technical classes; musical instruments. |
| Technology | Technology needed for the curriculum, within annual technology limits. |
| Transportation and enrichment | Transportation to approved providers; extracurriculars, PE, in-state field trips and educational memberships such as zoos and museums. |
Caps and limits
- Transportation: up to 25% of the annual award.
- Extracurriculars, PE, field trips and memberships: up to 25% of the annual award.
- Technology: annual limits apply (the program's family-support site lists $1,000 a year for computing devices).
Not allowed
- Meals, lunch accounts and snacks
- Childcare, including before and after school care
- Non-uniform clothing and athletic uniforms
- Internet, phone plans and utilities
- Phones, smartwatches, TVs, consoles and streaming
- Medical, dental and insurance
- Late fees, fines and donations
- Recreational or out-of-state travel and lodging
- Sports equipment, furniture and household items
- Gift cards and cash equivalents
Source: Arkansas Department of Education: EFA Family Handbook 2026-27 (as of October 21, 2026)
Not sure about a specific purchase?
Run it through the free ESA expense checker. It points you to the Arkansas rule it relies on so you can confirm before you spend.
Check an expenseHow to pay for an approved expense
Payment requests
A school or provider sends a request in ClassWallet; the parent accepts it and picks a category, then the Department reviews it.
Direct pay (Pay Vendor)
The parent uploads an itemized invoice from an approved vendor under "Pay Vendor"; the Department reviews it.
ClassWallet Marketplace
Shop participating vendors inside ClassWallet. Every order is reviewed; being listed does not make an item eligible.
Reimbursement
Link a bank account and upload an itemized receipt with proof of payment. Allowed, but the Department notes it carries more audit risk than direct pay.
Source: Arkansas Department of Education: EFA Family Handbook 2026-27 (as of October 21, 2026)
Arkansas EFA expenses FAQ
Can homeschoolers use the Arkansas EFA?
Yes. File a Notice of Intent each year and use the funds for curriculum, tutoring, classes and therapies. Students in grades K-10 take an approved annual test.
Can I get reimbursed for EFA purchases?
Yes, by uploading an itemized receipt with proof of payment in ClassWallet. The Department prefers Marketplace or direct pay because reimbursements face more audit scrutiny.
Are there spending limits on the Arkansas EFA?
Transportation and the extracurricular/PE/field-trip category are each capped at 25% of the annual award, and technology has annual limits.
Can the EFA pay a tutor?
Yes, tutoring and academic classes are allowed. The easiest route is for the tutor to become an approved provider so they can send a payment request or invoice through ClassWallet.
This summarizes official guidance and is not a ruling on any specific purchase; the program decides each request. Questions about your own account: Arkansas Department of Education EFA office. GetESAPaid is not affiliated with the program. Maintained by the GetESAPaid Research Desk.