Tuition & Financial Aid

Arkansas LEARNS Act

 

 

What is the Arkansas LEARNS Act?

On March 8, 2023, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Act 237, known as the Arkansas LEARNS Act, into law. The Arkansas LEARNS Act is bold and comprehensive and will transform education in Arkansas.  Arkansas LEARNS focuses on these critical areas for student success: Literacy, Empowerment, Accountability, Readiness, Networking, and School Safety. 

Phase 1 was implemented for the 2023-24 School Year.

Eligibility requirements for 2023-24, the first year of the Educational Freedom Account, included:

  • First-time kindergartners
  • Students coming from F-rated school or Level 5 districts
  • Students coming from the Succeed Scholarship Program
  • Specific special populations (homeless students, current or former foster care students, students with disabilities, and children of active-duty military personnel).

Phase 2 was implemented for the 2024-25 School Year.

Eligibility requirements for 2024-25 included:

  • All of the criteria from Phase 1
  • Students who were enrolled during the 2023-24 school year in a “D-rated” school
  • Specific special populations (children of military veterans, children of first responders, children of law enforcement officers)

If you believe your student is eligible based on these criteria to receive EFA funding for the 2024-25 school year, please click the link below to apply early for the 2025-26 school year. **EFA Applications opened on April 1, 2024 for the 2024-25 school year.

https://efa.ade.arkansas.gov/users/sign_in

Although the participation cap for this year has been reached, the EFA application portal will remain open to help Arkansas families get a head start on planning for the future. By applying now, families can prepare early for the next school year and secure their place in the process. You can apply at efa.ade.arkansas.gov.

Phase 3 will be implemented for the 2025-26 School Year.

Eligibility requirements for the 2025-26 school year will open to all Arkansas families with no limit on student approvals, subject to available funding as determined by the State Board of Education.

 

What is the Educational Freedom Account and how can I apply?

The Education Freedom Account program is a school choice initiative that empowers parents by funding students in private or home schools.

The Arkansas Department of Education has opened registration for Educational Freedom Account (EFA) funding. The EFA, made possible through the Arkansas LEARNS Act legislation, may be used by eligible families to cover private school tuition, fees, and some other required expenses. EFAs provide funding up to 90% of the state’s prior year per-student funding amount; for the 2024-25 school year, this represents approximately $6,856 per Education Freedom Account.

Learn more on the ADE website here: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-school-choice-and-parent-empowerment/education-freedom-accounts 

 

Who do I contact if I have questions?

If you have questions, contact the PCCA business office at businessoffice@providence-academy.com. 

As LEARNS EFAs are brand new to our state, we want to stay in regular communication with our families regarding all aspects of the program. Below, we will post all of our LEARNS-related communication related to using the funds to meet tuition requirements.