TOPEKA – Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that the Kansas Education Enrichment Program (KEEP) is open to applications from parents and qualified guardians of Kansas students.
KEEP offers a $1,000 per student award to pay for various educational goods and services that promote remedial learning and facilitate opportunities for academic enrichment.
“This program will provide Kansas students with new opportunities and resources to help them thrive in the classroom,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I encourage all families who qualify to apply for KEEP.”
KEEP funds can be used for various educational and enrichment activities, including:
- Day and night camps with academic curriculum such as music, art, science, technology, agriculture, math, and engineering
- Curriculum and teaching materials, including some technological devices
- Language courses
- Musical instruments and lessons
- Tutoring
Funds are not eligible for private tuition.
Eligibility for KEEP funds is determined by financial need, and funds will be distributed to actively enrolled K-12 Kansas students ages 5-18. Students whose household income is below 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible.
Based on the availability of funding, future rounds of funding may come with expanded household income eligibility metrics.
Families can find out if they’re qualified, apply for the program, read the comprehensive rulebook and instructions, and browse the marketplace for qualified service providers at www.keep.ks.gov. Program participants will have access to a web and mobile app to use allocated funds.
Earlier this year, businesses offering educational opportunities and services were invited to join the KEEP Marketplace to assist students and families. Parents and guardians can now search for these opportunities across Kansas on the KEEP Marketplace. Parents and guardians can also submit requests to add more businesses to the Marketplace if they know of an eligible business.
KEEP is offered through a contract between Merit International, Inc. and the Kansas Office of Recovery to provide educational activities and learning opportunities to students throughout Kansas to promote the recovery of educational learning in response to the impacts of the COVID pandemic -19. The program is funded with American Rescue Plan Act dollars approved through the SPARK process.
