AHF announcements
Weekly Announcements
The queue is currently at these dates
Marketplace – 4/2
Direct Pay – 3/27
Reimbursements – 3/17
Pre-Approvals – 4/20
** Note, anything not reviewed that was submitted before these dates is likely in further review for one of many reasons. But as a WHOLE this is where the queue is at.
Seniors have until JUNE 30th to submit anything they need to submit but be very very careful to not miss any required documents when doing so. Anything submitted through the 30th of June will be processed but there will be ZERO access to the system for those students’ come July 1st so there will be no ability to resubmit or adjust for any errors after that date.
Clarification on Mileage
Ok so mileage is not ALL in one category
Core Classes - mileage or transportation category
Co-curricular classes – mileage or transportation category
EC classes - STILL mileage or transportation category
Field trip mileage does go in the EC/PE/field trip category
These are TWO separate categories and EACH category is capped at 25% of the yearly awarded amount per fiscal year.
https://www.arkansashomeschoolfreedom.com/mileage-rules-and-sheets
Clearing account funds
This time of year many have purchases they need to make that due to funds being mostly spent on microschools or coops or curriculum earlier in the year your funds will not fully cover the amount you need to put into other endeavors. You are able to clear the funds to cover the max amount that you can and then pick up the rest in many instances to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
The ONLY time it is possible to request a partial REIMBURSEMENT is of clearing the account BUT it can’t be for something that’s price is over the allowed amount
Example you have $700 left you reimburse for a $900 pc you CAN reimburse only the $700
Example you have $1000 left you can NOT reimburse for a $1500 computer and just use the $1000 cap
Basically you can not use it to get around the caps on items with price limits,
You can NOT request a partial amount of a direct pay or marketplace order. If your vendor is direct pay and you do not have enough funds to cover the costs this quarter and plan to pay the difference you will need to FIRST pay the difference to the vendor. Then, have the vendor send you an invoice for direct pay that reflects only the balance now due which does not exceed the amount in the purse and can be fully covered by your available funds.
MUSEUM INFO
I have created another category on the ad pages on the website and welcomed the first DIRECT PAY museum to the program.
More Museums will be joining in direct pay over the summer. Tickets for tours to the museums will remain reimbursement only but the museums understand that a proper receipt is needed for mileage reimbursement and are prepared to make certain that is obtained.
THAT SAID… museums with CLASSES they offer are setting up direct pay for students to register and pay for classes directly with classwallet. By adding this option and not remaining reimbursement ALL STUDENTS from all socioeconomic backgrounds will be able to participate and enjoy the benefits that the states museums have to offer.
As class dates come and go and new classes are scheduled I will be updating their pages for them to help keep students informed of upcoming available class options.
CLICK THE LINK TO THE MUSEUM PAGE ON THE WEBSITE TO VIEW THE CATEGORY
https://www.arkansashomeschoolfreedom.com/museums
And I am getting closer on mapping the library system to help locate what free classes, tools, resources ect are available in the various libraries.
TESTING INFO
Students only need to test Math and Reading but you may test other subjects should you choose to. ONLY math and reading results will be collected when they send the links out in June. The window to test on time is closing and available testing dates are filling up so do not wait any longer to select and schedule your test if you have not yet.
***TEST results will be DUE by June 30th. The EFA office will send out links for submitting tests in early June. You just need to hold onto the scores until that time.
REMINDER
A lot of crap for the 2026-27 school year can be paid for now, like curriculum, supplies, and required registration fees. (This means the policy has a SET due date that falls before July 1st in order to hold your spot for the fall)
What is NOT eligible to be paid for now are fees for tuition, courses, and other services in specifically associated with the 2026-27 school year. The new fiscal year begins July 1st. These fees can be paid after that date.
I created a page to give better steps and better instructions on requesting preapproval to hopefully clear up some questions and issues. Especially reminders about not forgetting about tax and shipping for the item when submitting the amount needed.
https://www.arkansashomeschoolfreedom.com/preapprovals
NOTES
The trade and give group can be joined by messaging me for a link. Remember ALL educational and educationally adjacent items are fine to trade or give. But it is not a selling platform.
AND in OTHER news…
My baby is 4…Yesterday my youngest turned four years old. It is bittersweet. I am definitely ready for the next stage. And you goobers keep me so busy I for certain can not manage another newborn around here. (well I am also old and need to work on my health too but I’m let you all own your own crazy LOL)
That said… I have had a baby or toddler to chase for 26 years of my own. And I helped raise others before that time. It’s been many decades since I did not have the task of daily toddler wrangling.
It’s a rather odd feeling.
She made her own cake with her big sister’s help. It was a whole event as SHE wanted the cake to BE bluey…. Her sister was absolutely NOT in any mood to roll out fondant and go those extra several miles.
The compromise was a bluey-colored cake with characters on top. So thankful for Walmart quick delivery because once they compromised of course, we could not FIND all of the character figures. So, along with some groceries, Walmart had to fast run us a new box of Bluey characters to complete the cake.
This did end up quite lovely and she was totally thrilled, which is an improvement for Brownie. Last time her sister made her a special Bluey themed treat she was far less gracious. Attaching an image of the cake they managed to create.
The Troll is finally having potty training success, dry all day for a full week now. Still some #2 struggles but major progress. BUT- now my roses are all dead, who bushes are not gonna make it as now the troll and the damn dog and in a war over who has had the last pee on my bushes. Why are boys so….. BOY????
Ann Snelson CALL 501-412-5107
www.ArkansasHomeschoolFreedom.com
ArkansasHomeschoolFreedom@gmail.com
Helpful Links from the ADE and Outbridge
EFA Parent Handbook https://static1.squarespace.com/static/68151adf2f76c675181b06a7/t/68a4de3db65261743e79c64e/1755635261799/AR+EFA+Family+Handbook+2025-26+%281%29.pdf
Mileage Reimbursement Form (Please make a copy before editing) https://ardoe-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/austin_sirles_ade_arkansas_gov/IQByjOesXQM8QItWSGS_Q1pTARiS2jzX6Nu2Ez6fNS3QPN0?rtime=zcbab_Jy3kg
Testing Information (everything you need to know about testing!) https://app.schoolchoicear.org/testing-requirements
Educational Vendor Finder https://app.schoolchoicear.org/
EFA Expense Preapproval Request https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVfJmztt3u5LcN86X1eHW18u79YjNy_J0dYGWsy0bi48JF6Q/viewform
Helpful links NOT from the ADE but just as helpful
· Arkansas Homeschool Freedom Website www.ArkansasHomeschoolFreedom.com
· Survey to help us compile testing data https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzTO23f9xLKrhXiSDZpZACqbi-rGd9cK9nNrq-LqQN4Y4gDQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor
· Review vendors and share the review with us! https://www.arkansashomeschoolfreedom.com/blogs
· Toni’s Search engine https://sites.google.com/view/efapartners
· The AD pages on the Homeschool Freedom website https://www.arkansashomeschoolfreedom.com/producttype