Arkansas

Opted In

Opted in on January 16, 2026

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Governor , R

“Arkansas is a national leader in school choice and I'm excited to see that with President Trump back in office, he's taking the education freedom movement nationwide. Paired with the EFA program established by Arkansas LEARNS, which more than 44,000 students already participate in, this federal scholarship makes sure that Arkansas families have more education options than ever before.”

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, January 16, 2026 (Governor's Office press release)

EFTC Status in Arkansas

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Arkansas's participation on January 16, 2026.

Great news!

Arkansas has opted in to the Education Freedom Tax Credit.

Gubernatorial announcement of participation.

EFTC Readiness Checklist for Arkansas Schools

Arkansas has opted in to the EFTC. Use this 7-step checklist to prepare your school for participation.

1

Confirm Eligibility

Verify your school is an eligible K-12 institution (private, religious, or homeschool cooperative) under EFTC program rules.

2

Identify SGOs

Research which Scholarship Granting Organizations operate in Arkansas. Contact them to understand application processes and timelines.

3

Estimate Family Eligibility

Use the EFTC Income Eligibility Calculator to estimate how many of your families fall within the 300% median income threshold.

Open Calculator
4

Prepare Documentation

Gather documentation of qualifying educational expenses: tuition, fees, tutoring, curriculum materials, and educational therapy costs.

5

Designate a Coordinator

Assign an EFTC coordinator to manage scholarship applications, SGO partnerships, and family communications.

6

Develop Communication Plan

Create materials to inform families about EFTC eligibility, the application process, and covered expenses. Plan for information sessions and one-on-one support.

7

Build SGO Relationships

Establish relationships with at least one SGO before the application window opens. Understand their requirements, reporting expectations, and disbursement timelines.

Recent News

Governor Sanders announced Arkansas would participate in the education freedom tax credit scholarship program.

January 16, 2026 · Governor's Office press release

Read Full Article

Get Your EFTC Prep Kit

Arkansas has opted in. Explore eligibility tools and school readiness resources to make the most of the Education Freedom Tax Credit.

Get My Prep Kit

Stay Informed

Get updates on the Education Freedom Tax Credit in Arkansas and across the country.