Dual-Enrollment/High School Concurrent Scholarship for Arkansas Homeschoolers: The ACCESS to Acceleration (A2A) Scholarship - UPDATED 9/16/2025

UPDATE - 9/16/25: We have recently spoken with our contact at the Arkansas Department of Education, and he has provided us with updated information for homeschoolers seeking to utilize this scholarship. All homeschooled students taking dual enrollment courses in the state of Arkansas will automatically receive a $65 discount per credit hour ($195 discount for a three-hour credit). This will be reflected on your invoice. The remaining balance should be paid directly to the school. If you are a family using EFA funds then you will submit your receipt for reimbursement. If you are not taking EFA funds, then you will not be reimbursed for the remaining balance. This is the most up-to-date information on the ACCESS to Acceleration (A2A) Scholarship for homeschool families.

In 2025, Arkansas introduced the ACCESS Act—short for Acceleration, Common-sense, Cost-eligibility, Scholarships & Standardization. A key feature of this legislation is the ACCESS to Acceleration (A2A) Scholarship, a program that modernizes and expands the former Concurrent Challenge Scholarship. Its goal is to make it easier—and more affordable—for high school students, including homeschoolers, to earn college credit through concurrent (dual) enrollment.

What Is the ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship?

The ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship provides state funding to help Arkansas students in grades 9 through 12 pay for eligible college-level courses taken while still in high school.

Unlike its predecessor, which offered a flat amount per course, this scholarship funds students at a rate of $65 per credit hour, up to:

• 15 credit hours per semester

• 30 credit hours per academic year (fall, spring, and summer combined)

Note: A2A may not cover full tuition. If the tuition rate exceeds $65 per credit hour, families are responsible for the difference, plus any fees.

Funding comes from the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and is administered by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE). Awards are sent directly to the college or university. Students must take courses at an ADHE-approved institution.

Eligibility and Participation

The scholarship is available to public, private, charter, and homeschool students who:

• Are in grades 9–12

• Are Arkansas residents

• Enroll in eligible college-level courses at an approved institution

• Maintain a 2.5 GPA in their college coursework

Homeschoolers pay tuition to the college/university upfront and will then request reimbursement, possibly through the LEARNS portal. While the same portal is used for processing, ACCESS is not funded by LEARNS—it is its own program. (Edited to add: there is conflicting information as to which method should be used to request reimbursement. Contact the early college admissions advisor at the institution where your student wants to take a class for the best information. We will update here as we learn more.)

Cost Savings with the ACCESS Scholarship

ACCESS covers $65 per credit hour (up to the semester and annual caps).

Example – General Education Course:

• Tuition: $91/credit × 3 credits = $273

• ACCESS covers: $65 × 3 = $195

• Family pays: $78 plus any applicable fees

Higher-priced courses (e.g., health sciences at $127/credit) are also reduced by $65/credit.

The 120-Hour Lifetime Limit

Students may receive ACCESS funding for up to 120 credit hours total, including:

• Courses taken during high school

• Courses taken after high school

In the 2025-2026 academic year, rising 11th and 12th grade students are currently exempt from the 120-hour cap. This means they can take concurrent classes during high school without having those hours deducted from their lifetime total—allowing them to save more scholarship hours for their college degree after graduation.

Once these students start taking ACCESS-funded college courses after high school graduation, their 120-hour scholarship "clock" begins, and hours will be deducted from their account. For students entering 10th grade in the 2025-2026 school year and for all those after them, any ADHE-instution college courses taken during high school will be deducted from their total 120-hour account.

Why the A2A Scholarship Matters for Homeschool Families

The ACCESS scholarship allows homeschoolers to:

• Earn college credit early while saving money

• Build a transcript with credible/outside academic validation

• Gain college experience in a supported setting

• Graduate high school with completed college credits

Student Success Plan Requirement

Homeschool students must submit a Student Success Plan (SSP)*, which includes:

• Academic goals

• Selected courses

• Timeline for completion

• Benchmarks for success

• Signatures from the student, parent, and a homeschool or college advisor

This is a link to the template for the Student Success Plan provided by the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. The document is a bit clunky, but you can get the overall idea of what comprises a SSP and perhaps make one on your own.

Edited to add: We’ve received conflicting information from a local community college and remain unsure whether homeschoolers are responsible for creating and submitting the SSP themselves or if the admissions advisor handles it. To avoid confusion, we recommend reaching out directly to the admissions advisor at the college you plan to work with to clarify whose responsibility it is. Doing so could save you significant time and hassle.

Steps to Get Started

1. Find an ADHE-approved college offering concurrent enrollment.

2. Contact that institution's early college/concurrent academic advisor who serves homeschoolers

3. Create a Student Success Plan aligned with your student’s goals (check with college admissions advisor first...they may have a specific form for you to use).

4. Enroll in courses and pay tuition upfront.

5. KEEP ALL OF YOUR RECEIPTS for tuition, fees, textbooks, lab kits, e-books, etc.

6. Submit reimbursement requests via the LEARNS portal.

7. Track GPA and credit hours to maintain eligibility.

Participating Colleges

Many Arkansas institutions offer concurrent enrollment under ACCESS, including:

• University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) – Concurrent Enrollment

• Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) – Dual Enrollment

• University of Arkansas at Monticello

• Arkansas State University–Beebe

• Southern Arkansas University

• Black River Technical College

• Virtual Arkansas in partnership with Arkansas Tech University

Final Tips

Because the ACCESS scholarship has a semester cap (15 hours), an annual cap (30 hours), and a lifetime cap (120 hours):

• Prioritize general education courses that transfer widely.

• Work with an advisor to match courses to your student’s (possible) future degree plan.

• Budget for costs not covered by A2A, including fees or tuition beyond $65/credit.

The ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship is one of the most valuable opportunities Arkansas homeschool families have to reduce college costs, build strong transcripts, and give students a head start toward their degrees. With careful planning and proper guidance, you can maximize both the financial benefits and the academic advantages—helping your student graduate with confidence and college-readiness.

Don’t wait until deadlines are looming. Start exploring your concurrent enrollment options now and secure your student’s place in this year’s A2A program.

Want help navigating the process? Join one of our free workshops where we walk parents through high school planning, dual and concurrent enrollment, scholarship strategies, and much more. You’ll leave with practical, actionable steps for your homeschooler’s success.

See our upcoming workshop dates, both in-person and virtual, and reserve your spot today.

Or, you can also contact us to schedule a personalized meeting where we customize all that you need to homeschool through the high school years. We'd love to support you on your homeschool journey.