Weekly EFE Update Email
This weeks update email is below. A lot of important and new information, and a recap on the most important recent questions.
EFA Families,
We are getting closer to Q3 funding, testing, and applications for the 2026-27 school year. In this email, we will cover important dates, mileage reimbursement, and a new pre-approval process.
Current queue dates
We are currently reviewing submissions from the following dates:
Reimbursement - 1/5/26
Direct Pay - 1/9/26
Marketplace - 1/9/26
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.
Upcoming Dates
February 3rd - Q3 funding target date.
March 1st - Required testing for students must be administered on or after this date. For more information, please see the link about testing under the helpful links below.
March 2nd - Target date for 2026-27 EFA applications to open. All current families will need to reapply.
April 13th - Q4 funding target date.
Late spring, early summer - sometime at the end of this semester, we will email all homeschool families test submission instructions and links. There won't be a way to submit before this time.
Mileage Reimbursement
Travel to and from eligible educational activities can be reimbursed at the rate of $0.52 per mile. You will need the following documentation to submit for reimbursement:
The Mileage Reimbursement Form - This can be found in the helpful links below. You will need to go to File -> Create a Copy before you will be able to fill it out. There are additional rules at the bottom of the form that you should read before submitting.
A screenshot of GPS showing the distance - Please take a screenshot of a GPS app showing the route traveled and the total distance. This distance should match the distance entered on the Mileage Reimbursement Form.
Attendance documentation (sometimes required) - In order to request reimbursement, there must be proof of attendance. If you are submitting for reimbursement for an activity that you are paying for in ClassWallet, no additional documentation is usually required. However, if attendance is not clear from previous ClassWallet payments, please include documentation that shows attendance on the dates in question.
New Preapproval System
We have created a new preapproval system! If you have an item that might not be ordinarily eligible or is more expensive than other options, please seek pre-approval by following these steps:
Follow this link to the pre-approval form: EFA Expense Preapproval Request.
Fill out the form. Please make sure your explanation is thorough, but brief. Only provide information relevant to the educational needs of the child (we're going to be reading a lot of these).
Provide any helpful links, for example a link to the expense being preapproved or to any relevant curriculum or courses being used.
Wait for an email with either an approval or denial of your request. If your request is approved, the email will include a preapproval document to be submitted with your reimbursement request. If more information is needed, you can submit a new preapproval request at the same link.
If you receive preapproval, please go to ClassWallet and submit your reimbursement request along with the usually required documentation and the preapproval document you received via email. Make sure the actual price of the product is similar to the anticipated price in the preapproval document.
Thank you all for your patience as we continue to bring significant improvements to this program. We love serving you and are excited to see the ways this program is improving educational freedom in Arkansas!
Sincerely,
EFA Team
Helpful Links
Mileage Reimbursement Form (Please make a copy before editing)
Testing Information (everything you need to know about testing!)