UCA appears in the state report's spending list, so some Faulkner County families have used the account for college courses. For a high-schooler at home or online, that's a way to earn college credit inside the account. Confirm the specific course is approved before you enroll.
The rules, briefly
- How much
$7,208 per student for 2026-27 ($8,011 for students who came from the former Succeed Scholarship), deposited quarterly into ClassWallet, about $1,802 a quarter. In 2024-25 it was $6,856.
- Who qualifies
Any Arkansas student eligible to enroll in a public school, kindergarten through grade 12, with a parent who lives in Arkansas. The program has been universal since 2025-26. Kindergartners must be 5 by August 1.
- What it pays for
Tuition and fees at participating private schools; for homeschool students, curriculum, instructional materials, approved tutoring, testing and assessment, and some enrichment; services for students with disabilities from licensed or accredited providers; approved college courses; and limited transportation. A 2025 law (SB 625) caps spending on extracurriculars, PE and transportation.
- How you apply
New students apply through the state's FACTS portal (arkansasefa.com) during the spring window. For 2026-27 it ran March 9 to June 1, 2026. Returning families renew inside ClassWallet. 2027-28 dates have not been announced.
- What schools must do
Participating schools are approved by the Arkansas Department of Education, accept ClassWallet payments, and give participating students a nationally norm-referenced test each year. The results feed the state's annual report.
- Unused money
Unused funds can roll over within limits set by program rules, and no cash withdrawals are allowed.
Where Faulkner County's EFA students went in 2024-25
| School | City | EFA students | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conway Christian School | Conway | 290 | 50% |
| St. Joseph Catholic School | Conway | 234 | 53% |
| Compass Academy | Conway | 105 | 75% |
| Ambassador Baptist Academy | Greenbrier | 13 | 37% |
| Central Christian Academy | Greenbrier | 4 | 5% |
Source: 2024-25 Arkansas EFA Program Annual Report, Table 1. All 5 local schools →
Questions we hear most
Does Compass Academy qualify for the higher amount?
Students who came from the former Succeed Scholarship receive $8,011 instead of $7,208 in 2026-27. Compass serves students with learning differences, and 105 of its roughly 140 students used an account in 2024-25.
Can a Conway high-schooler use the EFA for UCA classes?
The account can pay for approved college courses and fees, and families recorded EFA spending at the University of Central Arkansas in 2024-25. Check that the course is approved in ClassWallet before you register.
Is there an online Christian school option?
Yes. AmFaith (American Faith Academy) is an online classical Christian K-12 school and our featured partner. Tuition is about $2,260 for K-2 and $3,000 for grades 3-12. Confirm its current Arkansas EFA approval in ClassWallet before you pay from the account.
Other money that stacks with the account
School-based aid and discounts come first. Catholic families can ask about parish rates and diocesan assistance. From January 2027, a new federal tax credit lets donors fund K-12 scholarships through approved scholarship-granting organizations, and Arkansas has opted in, so expect new scholarship money for the balance after the EFA. Our partner scholarship (terms pending) is aimed at church-run schools.