Arkansas EFA SAT ACT Prep Funding: The Overlooked Advantage That Could Save Your Child Thousands
- Manit Kaushal
- Aug 19
- 3 min read
A Missed Opportunity Most Parents Don’t See Coming
Every year in Arkansas, thousands of students miss out on scholarship money — not because they aren’t smart enough, but because their SAT or ACT scores fall just a few points short.
What most parents don’t realize is that those few points could be worth thousands of dollars in merit aid. And now, with the Arkansas EFA SAT ACT prep funding, you don’t have to pay out of pocket to help your child get there.
The Power of Arkansas EFA SAT ACT Prep Funding
The Arkansas Education Freedom Account (EFA), launched under the LEARNS Act in 2023, gives families the power to choose how to spend their child’s state education dollars.
For the 2025–2026 school year, those amounts are:
Non-Succeed Scholarship students: $6,864 per year ($1,716 per quarter)
Succeed Scholarship students: $7,627 per year ($1,906.75 per quarter) (Arkansas Department of Education)
And here’s the part many families overlook — this money can pay for SAT and ACT prep programs if the provider is on the approved vendor list.
Why Test Prep Still Matters in 2025
Some colleges are going test-optional. But for scholarships, test scores still matter — a lot.
The College Board says a 100-point SAT score increase can mean thousands more in scholarship offers.
ACT, Inc. reports students who receive structured coaching improve their scores by 1–3 points on average, enough to open doors to more competitive schools and better aid packages.
When you use Arkansas EFA SAT ACT prep funding, you’re essentially turning state dollars into scholarship dollars.
How to Use Arkansas EFA SAT ACT Prep Funding Through ClassWallet
If you’re approved for the Arkansas EFA, everything runs through ClassWallet. Here’s the simple playbook:
Log into your ClassWallet account.
Search for approved SAT or ACT prep vendors.
Submit a payment request from your EFA balance.
Track your remaining funds to plan for other expenses — such as dual-credit courses or test fees.
No reimbursements. No upfront bills. Just direct payments.
A Parent’s Story: From Average to Exceptional
Last spring, Jennifer Lawson from Conway was worried. Her daughter, Mia, was aiming for a nursing program that required a minimum ACT score of 25. On her first try, she scored a 22.
Jennifer used Arkansas EFA SAT ACT prep funding to enroll Mia in an intensive eight-week ACT prep course. With weekly practice exams and targeted coaching, Mia’s second attempt scored a 27 — enough to secure a $5,000 annual scholarship at her chosen college.
“I never thought test prep could make that much difference,” Jennifer says. “But it changed everything — and we didn’t spend a dime out of our own pocket.”
Making Arkansas EFA SAT ACT Prep Work Harder for You
The smartest families aren’t just using Arkansas EFA SAT ACT prep funding for test coaching alone. They’re combining it with:
Dual-credit courses — so a student graduates high school with both high test scores and college credits.
Subject-specific tutoring — improving grades and reinforcing key test concepts.
Official test registration fees — if offered by approved vendors, so the prep and the exam are covered.
This layered approach makes the EFA go further — boosting both admissions chances and scholarship potential.
Expert Advice on Arkansas EFA SAT ACT Prep Funding
Dr. Samuel Greene, a college admissions consultant, explains it simply:
“The return on investment here is massive. If your child raises their ACT score by just two points, that could mean $10,000 more in scholarships over four years. The Arkansas EFA lets you make that investment without touching your savings.”
Final Word for Parents
You already have the money. The question is whether you’ll use it in a way that could change your child’s future.
The Arkansas EFA SAT ACT prep funding isn’t just about test scores. It’s about confidence, opportunity, and giving your child the freedom to apply to the colleges they really want — without being held back by cost.
Comments