Qualifying Kansas parents may begin applying for $1,000 one-time grants to pay for educational goods and services that promote learning recovery and academic enrichment on February 22. Businesses and organizations can apply to provide goods and services through an online marketplace. Information about the program for parents and providers is available at https://www.keep.ks.gov/.
The grants are provided through the Kansas Educational Enrichment Program (KEEP) and funded by $50 million in federal COVID relief aid approved by the State Finance Council. Parents and guardians can receive $1,000 for education-related camps, tutoring, language and music lessons, curriculum materials, supplies and technology.
School leaders can help promote awareness of this program in their communities. The grants are intended to help recover from learning loss resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and will be available as long as funding lasts.
The initial February 22 applications are limited to students whose household income is less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, the same income level as free or reduced-price meal eligibility. If funds are available, income limits may be raised for future applications.
The grants are available for all Kansas students between the ages of 5 (as of August 31, 2022) and 18 (as of May 31, 2023). KEEP awards are also available for students with disabilities through age 21 and those above 18 years of age who are still in high school, with proof of active school enrollment in a K-12 program. Families of students in that age group may apply, whether in public, private or home schools.
Applicants will be asked to provide their most recently completed tax return to determine household income and establish guardianship of the student(s). Applicants will also need to provide proof of residency.
The grants may be used to purchase approved goods and services from Qualified Education Service Providers under the program. Those providers can be found through an online KEEP Education Marketplace. The providers in this marketplace have been reviewed and approved to offer services or goods that qualify for reimbursement in this program.
Allowable uses of the KEEP grants include:
-- Camps, if the primary purpose is related to academic/ school curriculum, such as music, arts, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, agriculture, math), English, reading, and history. Transportation to and from camp is covered if included in the camp fee. (Camps for sports, driving school, non-academic subjects such as personal hygiene, self-care, and self-esteem, and online camps are not eligible.)
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Language classes offered online or in-person if offered by a licensed organization.
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Instrument and vocal lessons, including the purchase of an instrument or instrument rental fees (if the instrument is purchased either from one of the program's online stores or a pre-approved service provider) and the purchase of sheet music or music books/materials.
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Tutoring, if provided by an individual working for a business licensed to provide tutoring services, a licensed teacher, or a licensed online tutoring business. Tutors may include Federal Work Study students providing tutoring services in a core subject.
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Curriculum materials, school supplies and technology. These items will be limited to those purchased in an online store through one of these approved vendors: school supply/office supply vendors, and technology provider store, and an Amazon store with approved items.
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Tech items are limited to only one large item per student, greater than $200. For example, each student can only receive one tablet, laptop, or computer with a monitor (these may be purchased together).
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Additional allowable items with no purchase limit within the awarded amount include school supplies, textbooks/books, a keyboard, mouse, trackpad, calculator or other computer equipment (printer, scanner).
Items NOT allowed include gaming devices, medical devices, smartphones, sporting goods, clothing/shoes, food, class fees/tuition fees for online courses (except online language class tuition is allowed), and anything without an explicit educational reason.
The state is encouraging businesses that offer educational opportunities and services to join the KEEP Marketplace to assist families and students. Companies interested in becoming a provider on the KEEP Marketplace can apply to become a Qualified Education Service Provider on the program website: www.keep.ks.gov. Service providers may display additional programs or items on their websites that are not program-approved.
The KEEP Claims app is available to parents and guardians to submit claims for the item(s) or service(s) they would like to use the funds. You can access the KEEP Claims app at app.keep.ks.gov. You can also find a mobile version on the Apple and Google Play stores.
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