Arkansas has over 20,000 applicants for second year of universal school choice

Arkansas’ universal school choice program is thriving in its second year with over 20,000 applicants.

The Arkansas LEARNS website shows a total of 20,190 applications for Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), including 3,251 homeschool students.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who has been a strong proponent of education reform and spearheaded the legislation making school choice possible, celebrated the program’s expanded eligibility when applications for the 2024-25 school year opened.

“We are excited to expand enrollment to an even wider group of students next year,” Sanders, a Republican, said in April. “Students who currently attend a D-rated school, and also I’m very excited to announce that children of veterans, current military reservists, first responders and law enforcement officers, will be allowed to enroll in this program, as well as anybody who was able to last year.” 

Other eligible students include first-time kindergarteners, homeless and foster students, and students with disabilities. 

The EFA program launched in 2023 and is expected to be fully universal in 2025. Participants can receive up to 90% of the $9,020 the state spends per pupil in public education. 

Last year, the program approved almost 5,000 students. They can use the money until they graduate or turn 21, whichever occurs first, and unused funds roll over year to year. 

The EFA can cover a variety of expenses, including private school tuition, curriculum and textbooks, school supplies or other educational services. 

The Arkansas Department of Education said up to 3% of the public school student enrollment can be approved for EFAs, representing more than 14,000 students for the 2024-25 school year. 

Subsequent years will have no set enrollment cap but may still be subject to funding limits. 

Despite being a young program, EFAs have already had a tremendous impact on Arkansas families.  

“My son is autistic,” said EFA parent Cassandra Bone in April. “I knew that public school was not going to be a good option for us. We couldn’t afford tuition for private school without that scholarship. 

“I can’t even describe how beneficial it has been for our family to not have to worry about that and for him to be in an environment where he is included and getting an education.”