There is a high-school gap in the River Valley. After eighth grade, the private options in Sebastian and Crawford counties narrow to Union Christian Academy. That makes the account's flexibility more important here: it can pay for an online school, approved curriculum and tutoring instead of a campus.
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 the Arkansas River Valley's EFA students went in 2024-25
| School | City | EFA students | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Christian Academy | Fort Smith | 212 | 57% |
| Immaculate Conception School | Fort Smith | 121 | 53% |
| Christ the King Catholic School | Fort Smith | 115 | 56% |
| Joshua Academy | Van Buren | 95 | 83% |
| Harvest Time Academy | Fort Smith | 82 | 82% |
| Trinity Catholic School | Fort Smith | 71 | 30% |
| First Lutheran School | Fort Smith | 43 | 57% |
| Fort Smith Montessori School | Fort Smith | 33 | 94% |
Source: 2024-25 Arkansas EFA Program Annual Report, Table 1. All 9 local schools →
Questions we hear most
Is there a private high school in Fort Smith that takes the EFA?
Union Christian Academy runs through grade 12 and participated in 2024-25, with 212 EFA students. Most of the other participating schools serve elementary or middle grades only. Families who want something else for high school often use the account for an accredited online school instead.
Does the account cover Catholic school tuition in Fort Smith?
It pays toward tuition at the participating Catholic schools, and parish rates still apply. Christ the King had 115 EFA students out of about 205 in 2024-25, and Immaculate Conception had 121 out of about 230.
Can we use the EFA to homeschool in Van Buren or Alma?
Yes. Since 2024-25, Arkansas families can use the account for homeschool curriculum, approved tutoring, testing and some enrichment. About a quarter of all accounts statewide were used this way that year.
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.