Gov. Sanders announces 2024-2025 Education Freedom Account program expansion

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Starting April 1, applications are now open for eligible students to apply for the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program for the 2024-2025 school year.

This is the second year the program has been in effect. Last year 100 schools participated, and 5,407 student applications were funded.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced today that they are expanding the list of students who can apply for the program.

"We are excited to expand enrollment to an even wider group of students next year," said Gov. Sanders. "Students who currently attend a D-rated school, and also I'm very excited to announce, that children of veterans, current military reservists, first responders, and law enforcement officers will be allowed to enroll in this program as well as anybody who was able to last year."

Cassandra Bone applied for her son during the first year of the program.

"My son is autistic," said Bone. "I knew that public school was not going to be a good option for us. We couldn’t afford tuition for private school without that scholarship.”

She said it was the best choice for their family.

“I can’t even describe how beneficial it has been for our family to not have to worry about that and for him to be in an environment where he is included and getting an education," said Bone.

Below is a list of students now qualified to apply for the EPA program provided by the governor's office.

• First-time kindergarteners
• Students coming from “D” or “F” schools or “Level 5” districts
• Students coming from the Succeed Scholarship Program
• Homeless students
• Current or former foster care students
• Students with disabilities
• Children of active-duty military
• Children of Veterans
• Children of Military Reserves
• Children of First Responders
• Children of Law Enforcement Officers

For more information and parent/provider applications, click here.