Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that Arkansas will participate in a new federal tax credit scholarship program aimed at expanding school choice options for families across the state. The program was established through President Donald J. Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill and builds on Arkansas’s existing education initiatives.
State officials said the federal scholarship program complements Arkansas LEARNS and the Education Freedom Account program, which already serves more than 44,000 students statewide.
Beginning January 1, 2027, Arkansas taxpayers will be eligible to claim a nonrefundable federal tax credit of up to $1,700 annually for contributions to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations that support elementary and secondary education expenses.
Education leaders emphasized that the program is intended to give families greater flexibility in choosing educational paths that best meet their children’s needs, including private, parochial, and home-based options.
The announcement also highlighted broader impacts of the LEARNS Act, including increased teacher pay, merit-based bonuses, expanded paid maternity leave, statewide literacy coaching, and tutoring assistance for students requiring additional academic support.