The Application for New EFA Service Providers and Vendors is now OPEN!

Types of Educational Service Providers

An educational service provider is a person or entity, not including a participating private school, that receives payments from program accounts to provide goods and services that are covered as qualifying expenses.  There are three categories of providers:

Full-Time Student-Facing Providers
Service providers who are responsible for the full-time education of participating students. They directly interface with a participating student while delivering educational services.
-Micro-schools, learning pods, online schools, etc.

Part-Time Student-Facing Providers
Service providers offering a good or service that contributes to the education of a participating student on a part-time basis.  They directly interface with a participating student while delivering educational services.
-Tutors, therapists, transportation providers, etc.

Vendors
Service providers delivering an educational good or service who do not directly interface with participating students
-Retailers, curriculum providers, educational assessment providers, etc.

Eligibility Criteria to Become an Educational Service Provider

Full-Time Student-Facing Service Providers
Full-time student facing providers must comply with the following requirements:​

• Complete background checks for all student-facing employees, available upon request.
• Provide education in ELA, math, social studies, and science.
• Administer assessments to participating students.
• Must not discriminate on any basis prohibited by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d.
• Cannot employ anyone who may pose a risk to the use of EFA funds.
• Provide a list of all goods and services offered with corresponding prices or rates.
• Provide proof of credentials to demonstrate that relevant staff meet at least one of the following:
  • Hold an Arkansas Standard or Provisional Professional Teaching License or qualify through an ADE-recognized Alternative Route Program.
  • Meet the requirements set by a tutoring organization accredited/recognized by the State Board.
  • Are employed in the teaching/tutoring role at an accredited higher education institution.
  • Hold a baccalaureate or graduate-level degree in the subject are they teach.
  • Have at least three (3) years of prior teaching experience demonstrating special skills, knowledge, or expertise qualifying them to provide instruction.
  • Provide evidence of subject matter expertise in their field.

Part-Time Student-Facing Service Providers: All part-time student facing service providers must:

Vendors

• Non-student facing providers, like uniform or school supply vendors, do not need to apply as service providers.
• Additional information will be available in the near future.

Eligible Expenses Under the EFA Program

Eligible expenses for the 2024-2025 school year include tuition/fees, uniforms, testing, instructional materials, tutoring services, curricula, supplemental supplies, specific technology devices, transportation costs, and fees for college courses.

If you have questions about the eligibility of a specific expense not listed here, please reach out to the Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment.

Who do I contact for help with the EFA Program?

Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
One Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-683-1876
Email: ade.efa@ade.arkansas.gov