Arkansas Homeschool Funding & ESA Guide (2026)

Arkansas now offers one of the nation's most straightforward homeschool funding programs. Through the Children's Educational Freedom Account—created under the landmark LEARNS Act—every K-12 student can receive $6,864 annually for approved educational expenses^[1].

The program phased in from 2023 and reached universal eligibility for the 2025-26 school year. If you're homeschooling in Arkansas, this guide covers everything you need to know: eligibility requirements, what you can and can't buy, the application process, and the testing requirements you'll need to satisfy.

What Funding Is Available for Arkansas Homeschoolers?

Arkansas offers the Children's Educational Freedom Account (often called the LEARNS Act ESA) program. Created in 2023 as part of Governor Sanders' comprehensive education reform, the program became universally available to all Arkansas students beginning with the 2025-26 school year^[2].

The program deposits state education funds into a family-controlled ClassWallet account. You spend those funds on approved educational expenses throughout the year and submit documentation through the platform. Unlike some states where homeschoolers receive reduced amounts, Arkansas homeschool families receive the same funding as private school families.

Eligibility Requirements

How Much Funding Can You Receive?

The standard ESA scholarship amount is $6,864 per student annually, disbursed in four quarterly payments of $1,716^[1].

Students with documented special needs receive enhanced funding of approximately $7,627 annually ($1,906.75 quarterly). To qualify for enhanced funding, you'll need documentation of your child's disability or special needs status.

Funds roll over within the school year but generally don't carry over to subsequent years. The state expects families to use funds during the academic year for which they're awarded.

What Can You Spend ESA Funds On?

• Curriculum & textbooks — Print, digital, online courses, and educational subscriptions
• Tutoring services — From approved providers at any subject level
• Educational therapy — Speech, occupational, behavioral therapy
• Testing fees — Standardized tests, college entrance exams, AP exams
• Educational technology — Tablets, computers, and educational software
• Tuition — Microschool, private school (part-time or full-time)
• Transportation — Up to 25% of your annual award
• Extracurricular activities — Up to 25% of your annual award

What ESA Funds Cannot Cover

Some expenses fall outside Arkansas ESA guidelines^[3]:

- Transportation exceeding 25% — Travel expenses capped at $1,716 annually - Extracurriculars exceeding 25% — Sports, music, art classes capped at $1,716 annually - Parent compensation — You cannot pay yourself to teach - Non-educational items — General household supplies, non-educational games - Vacations — Even to educational destinations

The 25% caps on transportation and extracurriculars are a distinctive feature of the Arkansas program. Plan your spending accordingly—these categories are popular but have firm limits.

How to Apply for the Arkansas ESA

Key Deadlines for 2026-27

Managing Your ClassWallet Account

Arkansas uses ClassWallet as the official spending platform for ESA funds. Here's what to expect:

Getting Started: - Login credentials arrive via email after contract approval - Browse the approved vendor marketplace before making purchases - Link a backup payment method if you need to cover expenses beyond your balance

Making Purchases: - Search vendors by name or product category - Some vendors ship directly; others provide digital codes - Keep documentation for all purchases—even those made through the platform

Common Issues: - Vendor not in marketplace? Submit a vendor addition request - Purchase flagged? Provide documentation of educational purpose - Balance questions? Contact ClassWallet support

Annual Testing Requirement

Arkansas ESA participants must complete annual standardized testing—this is a firm requirement, not optional^[1].

Approved Tests: You can choose from several nationally-normed standardized tests. Common options include the Iowa Test, Stanford Achievement Test, CAT, and others. Check the program handbook for the current approved list.

Score Reporting: Test results must be submitted to the Department of Education. While there's no minimum score requirement, you must demonstrate participation in the assessment process.

Consequences: Failing to complete annual testing can result in loss of ESA eligibility. Build testing into your homeschool calendar early.

Arkansas ESA Expense Categories

Multi-Child Family Strategies

If you have multiple children enrolled in the Arkansas ESA program:

Separate Accounts: - Each child has their own ESA with individual funding ($6,864 each) - Purchases must be made from the correct child's account - You cannot transfer funds between siblings

Shared Curriculum: - Technically, curriculum should be purchased per student - For multi-level resources, document which child is the primary user - Consider rotating which child's account covers shared items year-to-year

Record Keeping: - Maintain separate folders (digital or physical) for each child - Color-code receipts if it helps keep things straight - Track which purchases came from which account

Important Considerations Before Accepting ESA Funds

The Arkansas ESA is generous, but accepting it comes with trade-offs worth understanding:

Testing Requirements: Unlike traditional Arkansas homeschoolers who have flexible assessment options, ESA participants must complete annual standardized testing. If you've chosen homeschooling partly to avoid standardized testing, this is a significant consideration.

Documentation Burden: You'll need to track purchases, save receipts, and submit expense reports. The ClassWallet system streamlines this, but it's more record-keeping than traditional homeschooling requires.

Spending Constraints: The 25% caps on transportation and extracurriculars can feel limiting if your homeschool approach emphasizes travel learning or extensive activities. Plan your budget carefully.

Program Changes: The LEARNS Act is relatively new (2023). Rules may evolve as the program matures. Stay informed about any changes to approved expenses or requirements.

For many families, $6,864 in educational funding makes these trade-offs worthwhile. Just go in with clear expectations.

The Bottom Line

Arkansas's LEARNS Act ESA offers homeschool families $6,864 annually for curriculum, tutoring, therapy, and educational resources—with universal eligibility and no income restrictions.

The program requires more documentation and testing than traditional Arkansas homeschooling, but for families comfortable with those requirements, it's a substantial financial benefit.

Start by filing your Notice of Intent to Homeschool, then create your account at the Department of Education ESA portal. With proper planning, you can maximize your funding while maintaining the educational approach that works for your family.