New Hampshire families have a powerful tool for funding their children's education, and the window to use it is about to open. Applications for the state's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program for the 2026 to 2027 school year begin on March 16, 2026. Each qualifying student receives roughly $4,600 in state funds that parents can spend on New Hampshire Education Freedom Account curriculum, online learning programs, tutoring, and more. That's real money for real learning materials.
This guide covers everything you need to know: who qualifies, how to apply, what your EFA funds can pay for, and exactly how to put them toward curriculum that keeps your child on track. I'll also break down specific product recommendations and a sample budget so you can plan your purchases before the application even opens.
What Is New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account Program
New Hampshire launched the Education Freedom Account program in 2021 to give families more control over how state education dollars are spent. The idea is straightforward. Instead of funding flowing only to a school district, it follows the student. Parents receive a grant based on the state's per-pupil adequacy amount and choose how to spend it on their child's education.
As of the 2024 to 2025 school year, more than 5,300 students are enrolled in the EFA program statewide. The base grant for each student is approximately $4,265, which matches what the state allocates per student for public schools. Some families receive more. Students with disabilities may qualify for an additional $2,142, and families who meet free and reduced lunch income thresholds can receive an extra $2,346. The average EFA grant across all participants is roughly $5,200.
The program is administered by the Children's Scholarship Fund New Hampshire (CSF-NH), a nonprofit that handles applications, fund disbursement, and expense tracking. The New Hampshire Department of Education provides oversight and publishes enrollment data each year.
In June 2025, Governor Kelly Ayotte signed legislation that expanded the program to universal eligibility. Before that change, families had to meet income requirements to qualify. That restriction is gone. According to EdChoice's program profile, every K through 12 student in New Hampshire is now eligible, regardless of household income.
Who Qualifies for a New Hampshire Education Freedom Account
Eligibility is simple compared to many other state programs. Your child must be a New Hampshire resident, between the ages of 5 and 20, and entering kindergarten through 12th grade. You must be the child's parent or legal guardian.
There is one major condition: your child cannot attend a district public school or charter school full-time while receiving EFA funds. The program is designed for families who are homeschooling, attending private school, or using a combination of non-public educational options.
If more families apply than the program can serve, priority goes to four groups: students already enrolled in the EFA, siblings of current EFA students, children with disabilities, and families with household income at or below 350% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four in 2026, that 350% threshold is roughly $109,200 per year. Even if you earn more than that, you can still apply. Priority status just means your application is processed first if there's a cap.
Keep this in mind: the 2025 to 2026 school year had an enrollment cap of 10,000 new students (beyond those already in the program). Future cap numbers may adjust, so applying early gives you the best chance of securing a spot.
How to Apply for the 2026 to 2027 EFA
Applications for the 2026 to 2027 school year open on March 16, 2026. That date matters. If the program fills quickly, families who apply in the first few weeks have a much better chance of being accepted before any cap is reached.
You'll apply through the CSF-NH online portal. The process is straightforward, but you'll need a few things ready before you start.
Gather these documents ahead of time: proof of New Hampshire residency (a utility bill or lease works), your child's birth certificate or proof of age, and your most recent tax return if you want to establish priority status based on income. The application itself asks for basic family information, your child's grade level, and which educational options you plan to use.
After you submit, CSF-NH reviews your application and notifies you of approval. Once approved, your EFA funds are loaded into an account that works like a restricted debit card. You'll use it to purchase approved educational materials and services directly. Keep every receipt. CSF-NH audits purchases to confirm they fall within approved expense categories.
What Your EFA Funds Cover (and What They Don't)
The list of approved expenses is broader than most parents expect. Your New Hampshire Education Freedom Account curriculum spending can include printed textbooks and workbooks, online learning subscriptions, and full curriculum packages. That covers the core of what most homeschool families need.
Beyond curriculum, your EFA funds can also pay for tutoring services, educational technology (computers, tablets, and software used primarily for learning), standardized testing fees, educational therapies (speech, occupational, and behavioral), and transportation costs related to educational activities. Summer programs and specialized learning experiences also qualify.
Private school tuition is another major category. Families who enroll their child in a private school can apply EFA funds toward tuition and fees. The same goes for non-public online learning programs and career and technical education programs.
What doesn't qualify? Entertainment, recreational activities that aren't tied to an educational program, and general household expenses are all off the table. The funds must be spent on items and services directly connected to your child's education. When in doubt, check with CSF-NH before making a purchase. It's easier to ask beforehand than to dispute a rejected expense later.
How to Spend Your EFA on Curriculum That Works
With roughly $4,600 per student, you have enough to cover a full year of New Hampshire Education Freedom Account curriculum across every core subject, plus extras. The key is planning your purchases before the school year starts so you don't scramble mid-year or waste funds on materials that overlap.
Start with your core subjects: math, English language arts, science, and social studies. A grade-level workbook bundle that covers all four subjects gives you a structured spine for the entire year. ArgoPrep's Ultimate Bundles include 10 workbooks per grade level for most grades, covering math, ELA, science, and social studies. Pricing ranges from $179.99 for PreK to $249.99 for high school grades, with most elementary and middle school bundles at $199.99.
Each workbook in the bundle comes with video explanations for every question. That's a detail worth highlighting because it means your child can get help even when you're busy with another student or handling something else around the house. The videos act like a built-in tutor.
For families who want digital practice alongside print workbooks, ArgoPrep also offers a K through 8 online learning program. A 12-month subscription costs $179.76 and includes video lectures, practice quizzes, practice drills, and worksheets for math, ELA, science, and social studies. The subscription also gives access to four eBooks (one per subject) for the grade level you select. This pairs well with the print workbooks for families who want both screen-based and paper-based practice.
Sample EFA Budget for a 4th Grader
Seeing actual numbers helps. Here's what a year of curriculum spending could look like for one 4th grade student using EFA funds.
The 4th Grade Ultimate Bundle costs $199.99 and includes 10 workbooks: Common Core Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies, and additional practice volumes. That gives your child a full year of daily practice across all four core subjects, plus video explanations for every problem.
Add a 12-month online subscription at $179.76 for extra practice through video lectures, quizzes, and drills. Your core curriculum total comes to $379.75.
That leaves over $3,800 of your roughly $4,600 EFA grant for other approved expenses: a testing fee, a new laptop or tablet for the online program, tutoring sessions for any subject where your child needs extra support, or educational field trips and summer programs. The math works in your favor.
If you have multiple children, the savings stack. A family with a kindergartner and a 4th grader could purchase the Kindergarten Ultimate Bundle ($199.99) and the 4th Grade Ultimate Bundle ($199.99), add two 12-month online subscriptions ($179.76 each), and spend $759.50 total on curriculum for both kids. Each child's EFA grant covers their own materials with thousands left over.
Tips for Stretching Your EFA Funds
- Apply on March 16, not March 26. The application window is first come, first served once priority groups are placed. Log into the CSF-NH portal the day applications open and submit your paperwork. Waiting even a week or two could mean landing further back in the queue.
- Plan your purchases by subject before the school year starts. Write down every subject your child will study, then match each one to a specific curriculum or resource. This prevents impulse buys and duplicate materials.
- Buy bundles instead of individual workbooks when possible. A 10-workbook bundle at $199.99 costs less per book than buying each title separately at $14.99 to $19.99 each. Over 10 books, the bundle saves you roughly $50 to $100.
- Keep every receipt from day one. CSF-NH requires documentation for all EFA purchases. Create a folder (physical or digital) and file receipts immediately after each purchase. Falling behind on receipts creates headaches during audits.
- Pair print and digital for different learning styles. Some kids do better with a pencil and a workbook page in front of them. Others respond to screen-based quizzes and video instruction. Using both gives your child two ways to practice the same skills, which helps with retention.
- Set aside funds for mid-year needs. Don't spend your entire EFA balance in August. Your child may need a tutor for a specific concept in January, or you might discover a gap in science that requires a supplemental resource. Keeping 15 to 20 percent of your balance in reserve gives you flexibility.
Choosing the Right Curriculum With Your EFA
New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account gives you the funding. The next step is picking materials that match your child's grade level, learning style, and your teaching approach. ArgoPrep's grade-level bundles cover PreK through 12th grade with math, ELA, science, and social studies workbooks, each paired with video explanations. They're approved for EFA purchases, printed in the USA, and ship in 2 to 3 days.
If you're applying for the 2026 to 2027 EFA, mark March 16 on your calendar, gather your documents this week, and start mapping out your child's curriculum plan. The funding is there, and the right materials make all the difference between a school year that feels like guesswork and one that runs on a clear, proven structure.
