Using ESA and EFA Funds for a Child Who Struggles
Learning Success is an approved vendor in the ClassWallet marketplaces for Arizona and Arkansas. This page explains the rules, whichever provider you choose.
Arizona has the Empowerment Scholarship Account, or ESA. Arkansas has the Education Freedom Account, or EFA. Both currently use ClassWallet. These pages explain spending rules, checked October 2026. Arizona's rules come from its ESA law and current handbook. Arkansas's come from its EFA rule as changed June 29, 2026. Nothing here promises approval.
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ESA and EFA questions
How the funds can be spent, and how paying works.
TL;DR
- Arizona's program is the Empowerment Scholarship Account, or ESA. Arkansas's program is the Education Freedom Account, or EFA.
- Arizona's ESA and Arkansas's EFA both currently use ClassWallet. ClassWallet is the online platform where families spend the funds.
- Under Arizona's current ESA Parent Handbook, an online program for one child is allowed. Payment can cover only the contract year, July 1 to June 30. Arkansas's rule, as changed on June 29, 2026, names subscriptions for course-specific programs.
- Nothing here promises that a purchase will be approved. Each program decides what it pays for.
- We checked these rules in October 2026. Rules can change, so check with the program before you buy.
The state programs
Arizona's program is the Empowerment Scholarship Account, or ESA. The Arizona Department of Education runs it.
Arkansas's program is the Education Freedom Account, or EFA. Some parents call it an ESA too. The Arkansas Department of Education runs it.
Each state's program has different rules. These pages explain each state's rules.
How families spend the funds
Arizona's ESA and Arkansas's EFA both currently use ClassWallet. ClassWallet is the online platform where families spend the funds.
Arizona's current ESA Parent Handbook gives four ways to pay. They are the marketplace, Pay Vendor, a debit card and reimbursement.
Arkansas's 2026–27 Family Handbook describes four ways to pay. They are payment requests, Direct Pay, the ClassWallet marketplace and reimbursement.
Our page on ClassWallet explains Arizona's four ways to pay. It also covers Arkansas's marketplace and reimbursement.
What the rules name
As of October 2026, Arizona's ESA law lists what the funds can pay for. Arizona's list names curricula. It names tuition or fees for a non-public online program. Arizona's list also names tutoring by a tutor who meets state board standards.
Arkansas's rule, as changed on June 29, 2026, names curricula as an allowed cost. Arkansas's June 2026 rule also names tutoring services.
Under Arizona's current ESA Parent Handbook, an online program for one child is allowed. Arkansas's rule, as changed on June 29, 2026, names subscriptions for course-specific programs.
Our page on online programs has more on each state.
Nothing here promises that a purchase will be approved. Each program decides what it pays for.
When we checked these rules
We checked these rules in October 2026. Rules can change, so check with the program before you buy.
Arizona's rules here come from its ESA law and current ESA Parent Handbook. Arizona's State Board of Education adopted a 2026–27 handbook in March 2026. As of October 2026, its rules are the same as the 2025–26 handbook's.
Arkansas changed its EFA rule on June 29, 2026. Arkansas's newest Family Handbook is for 2026–27. It came out in September 2026. It does not describe the June 2026 rule's pre-approval step. Where the two differ, the June 2026 rule is the one in force.
What this section does not cover
These pages do not cover who qualifies or how much an account holds. They explain how spending works and what the rules name.
Common questions from parents
Is Arkansas's EFA the same as Arizona's ESA?
No. They are two programs in two states, with two sets of rules. Both programs currently use ClassWallet.
Who do I ask about a purchase?
In Arizona, ask the ESA program at the Arizona Department of Education. In Arkansas, there are two contacts. As of October 2026, the Department's families page lists the Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment. That office is part of the Arkansas Department of Education. Its line is 501-683-1876, and its email is ade.efa@ade.arkansas.gov. Arkansas's 2026–27 Family Handbook gives a different contact for the EFA program. It lists 501-462-4388 and help@schoolchoicear.org. Rules can change, so check with the program before you buy.
Do these pages say how much my account holds?
No. These pages do not cover who qualifies or how much an account holds.