Arkansas introduced one of the newest education funding programs in the United States. Through the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program created under the LEARNS Act, families can receive state education funds to support their child’s learning.

For homeschooling families, EFA funds can help cover the cost of curriculum, learning platforms, tutoring, and other educational tools.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

The Education Freedom Account (EFA) program allows Arkansas families to receive education funding from the state and use it for approved educational expenses.

Instead of all education funding going directly to a public school, the funds are placed in a parent-controlled account.

Parents can then use these funds to purchase educational tools that support their child’s learning.

This gives families flexibility to build a personalized education plan that fits their child’s needs.

Many families use ESA funds for:

For homeschooling families, this funding can make it easier to access high-quality educational resources.

The Arkansas ESA program began under the LEARNS Act, with a phased rollout.

In the early years of the program, priority is given to:

Over time, the program is expanding access to all Arkansas K-12 students.

To qualify, families typically must:

ESA funding in Arkansas is approximately:

$6,600 per student per year.

Arkansas ESA funds can be used for a variety of education-related expenses.

Common examples include:

Many homeschooling families combine curriculum, tutoring, and digital learning tools to create a balanced learning routine.

For example, a parent might use:

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Yes. Arkansas ESA funds from the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program can be used to pay for approved homeschool curriculum and other educational learning resources.

This includes curriculum materials, textbooks, learning platforms, tutoring services, and other instructional tools used by homeschooling families.

Many families combine a core curriculum with additional learning tools to support reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and critical thinking.

Many homeschooling families in Arkansas use ESA funds to build a simple daily learning routine.

For example:

Short, consistent reading sessions are especially effective for building vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Programs that combine structured reading with comprehension support can help children stay engaged and develop confidence with books.

Many families use Chalky for their daily reading block — short sessions with AI-powered comprehension support that fits naturally into any homeschool routine. See how Chalky works

Families apply through the Arkansas Department of Education EFA portal once applications open.

After approval, the state deposits funds into your Education Freedom Account.

Parents can then use the funds to purchase approved educational materials and programs.

Most families build a flexible learning schedule that includes reading, math, exploration, and hands-on learning.

Reading comprehension is one of the most important skills children develop during homeschooling.

The right tools help children build vocabulary, develop analytical thinking, and gain confidence with books.

Chalky helps children practice through structured reading sessions, while parents receive insights that show exactly where their child is improving.

🟡 Start using Chalky with your ESA funds

Chalky is already being used by homeschool families across the United States. Here's what some of them are saying:

Yes. Arkansas Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds can be used by eligible homeschooling families to pay for approved educational expenses such as curriculum, textbooks, online learning platforms, tutoring services, and other learning materials.

Most students receive approximately $6,600 per year through the Arkansas Education Freedom Account program. These funds can be used to support a variety of educational tools and resources.

Yes. ESA funds can be used for approved digital learning platforms, including reading comprehension programs, educational apps, and online learning tools that support student development.

Arkansas families are gaining access to new education funding opportunities through the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program created by the LEARNS Act.

For homeschooling parents, this funding can help create a personalized learning environment with the tools their child needs to succeed.

If you want to strengthen your child’s reading skills as part of your homeschool routine, Chalky is a great place to start.

Use your Arkansas EFA funds with Chalky

Chalky is an ESA-approved learning tool that helps children build reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking — with AI insights that keep parents informed every step of the way.