ADE weekly email
EFA Families,
Happy Wednesday! We're a day early this week, but here is your January 21, 2026 EFA Program update:
Current queue dates
We are currently reviewing submissions from the following dates:
Reimbursement - 1/8/26
Direct Pay - 1/14/26
Marketplace - 1/12/26
If you have a submission from before these dates that has not yet been reviewed, it is likely being given closer consideration. Feel free to reach out to ADE if you have submissions in this situation.
Spring Testing
We received quite a few questions about testing after our email last week. Here are a few clarifications:
Testing should generally be completed in March or later and then submitted by June 30th. However, if your student is taking the PSAT, which is usually offered in the fall, that will still be eligible. Additionally, students using the ACT as their test for EFA can use any testing date from the spring semester, including January or February.
You don't have to worry about your child's test scores disqualifying them from EFA participation. The main use of these scores is for aggregate data reporting. We will also be looking for evidence of academic growth over time, but we understand that students are coming from different educational situations. Simply scoring low on one of these tests will not jeopardize your child's program participation.
Preapproval Documentation
Our new preapproval system successfully launched last week. Here is the link again in case you need it: EFA Expense Preapproval Request.
Filling out this form and getting approved is only the first step to getting reimbursed. You will still need to take the preapproval documentation and submit it, along with your usual receipt, in a reimbursement request in ClassWallet. Please note that preapproval documents are one-time use only. Please do not use the same preapproval document to be reimbursed for multiple purchases.
Invoices vs. Receipts
A common error we are seeing in submissions is mixing up invoices and receipts. Invoices request payment to a vendor and should be submitted under Direct Pay.
Invoices must have:
The vendor's name.
The child's name (if paying for services - not necessary for product purchases).
A clear list of items and services being paid for, with relevant details like dates and prices.
Total amount due.
Receipts show that a payment has already been made and should be submitted as a reimbursement request. Receipts must have:
The vendor's name.
(If the vendor is not an approved vendor) Vendor Contact info
A clear list of items and services being paid for, with relevant details like dates and prices.
Total amount paid.
Confirmation of payment (amount paid, payment method, $0 due, etc.)
Date of payment.
Alternatively, if you have an invoice that you have already paid, you can combine it with a screenshot from your bank statement or credit card statement showing payment to that vendor for that amount. The date on the screenshot should make sense with the invoice in question.
We are happy to be serving all of you. Have a good rest of your week!
Sincerely,
EFA Team
Helpful Links
Mileage Reimbursement Form (Please make a copy before editing)
Testing Information (everything you need to know about testing!)