Can I Pay for an Online Program With ESA or EFA Funds?
Learning Success is an approved vendor in the ClassWallet marketplaces for Arizona and Arkansas. This page explains the rules, whichever provider you choose.
Under Arizona's current ESA Parent Handbook, an online program for one child is allowed. A yearly plan fits only if it ends by June 30. Arkansas's rule, as changed on June 29, 2026, names subscriptions for course-specific programs. Nothing here promises approval.
TL;DR
- In Arizona and Arkansas, an online program can qualify. The rules differ by state. We checked these rules in October 2026.
- Under Arizona's current ESA Parent Handbook, an online program for one child is allowed. A family plan is not allowed, unless the receipt lists each ESA student's share.
- Under Arizona's current ESA Parent Handbook, pay only for this contract year. That year runs July 1 to June 30. A monthly plan fits. A yearly plan fits only if it ends by June 30.
- Arkansas's rule, as changed on June 29, 2026, names subscriptions for course-specific programs. We found no contract-year limit in what we read in October 2026. Ask the Arkansas EFA office before you pay for a full year.
- Nothing here promises that a purchase will be approved. Each program decides what it pays for.
The short answer
In Arizona and Arkansas, an online program can qualify. The rules differ by state.
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.
Arizona's ESA and Arkansas's EFA both currently use ClassWallet. ClassWallet is the online platform where families spend the funds.
Arizona: one child, one contract year
Under Arizona's current ESA Parent Handbook, an online program for one child is allowed. A family plan is not allowed, unless the receipt lists each ESA student's share. You can only pay for the current contract year. That year runs July 1 to June 30. A monthly plan fits. A yearly plan fits only if it ends by June 30. You cannot pay ahead into the next contract year.
The handbook lists items that need no curriculum document. It includes educational software and apps. Arizona's State Board of Education adopted a 2026–27 handbook in March 2026. As of October 2026, it keeps the same list. That is not a promise that an item will never need a curriculum document.
The handbook also lists purchases that are not allowed. Two are a family plan and a plan that runs past June 30. Buying before your child's contract starts is on the list too. So is paying for a brother or sister from one child's ESA.
Monthly or yearly in Arizona
For example, say you buy a 12-month plan in September. It would end the next September, past June 30. So under Arizona's current handbook, it would not fit.
A monthly plan paid inside the contract year does fit. A yearly plan fits only if it ends by June 30.
Arkansas: what the rule names
Arkansas's rule, as changed on June 29, 2026, names subscriptions for course-specific programs. The rule lists them as materials a course of study needs. It also names educational software and learning apps.
The rule also tests each cost. One part of the test is that the cost helps your child's learning directly. Another part is that the cost is needed for a documented learning goal. The test has other parts too.
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.
Arkansas's 2026–27 Family Handbook lists some things the funds do not pay for. They include gaming subscriptions and streaming services. The Department also has a list of non-qualifying expenses, effective August 18, 2026. That list excludes lifetime subscriptions or memberships.
Paying for a full year in Arkansas
We found no contract-year limit in Arkansas's June 2026 rule. We also found none in its 2026–27 Family Handbook, read in October 2026. Arizona's current handbook does set one. We cannot say whether Arkansas has a limit. Ask the Arkansas EFA office before you pay for a full year.
Paying for it
Arizona's current ESA Parent Handbook gives four ways to pay. They are the marketplace, Pay Vendor, a debit card and reimbursement. Our page on ClassWallet explains each one.
Arkansas's 2026–27 Family Handbook describes four ways to pay. They are payment requests, Direct Pay, the ClassWallet marketplace and reimbursement.
Under Arkansas's rule as changed on June 29, 2026, some reimbursements will need approval first. Arkansas's approval step starts from late December 2026. Core educational expenses is the rule's term for things like textbooks and workbooks. For reimbursement requests sent in from late December 2026, any cost that is not a core educational expense will need approval before you buy. Check pre-approval in ClassWallet before you pay out of pocket.
Before you buy
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.
Common questions from parents
Can I buy one subscription for two of my children in Arizona?
Under Arizona's current ESA Parent Handbook, an online program for one child is allowed. A family plan is not allowed, unless the receipt lists each ESA student's share. Paying for a brother or sister from one child's ESA is not allowed.
Can I pay for a whole year up front?
In Arizona, the current ESA Parent Handbook sets the rule. A yearly plan fits only if it ends by June 30. We found no contract-year limit in Arkansas's June 2026 rule. We also found none in its 2026–27 Family Handbook, read in October 2026. Ask the Arkansas EFA office before you pay for a full year.
Does the subscription need a curriculum in Arizona?
Arizona's current ESA Parent Handbook lists items that need no curriculum document. It includes educational software and apps. Arizona's State Board of Education adopted a 2026–27 handbook in March 2026. As of October 2026, it keeps the same list. That is not a promise that an item will never need a curriculum document. Ask the ESA program if you are unsure about an item.