TOPEKA – As Kansas students continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Laura Kelly today announced the creation of the Kansas Education Enrichment Program (KEEP), which will provide parents and qualified guardians with a one-time $1,000 per child to pay for educational goods and services such as tutoring and school supplies. KEEP will open for application on February 22nd. Kansas businesses that provide educational materials or services are welcome to join the KEEP Marketplace.
“With KEEP, we are enabling Kansas students to access the resources and support they need to improve in the classroom. I look forward to the families being able to access these funds soon.” Governor Kelly said. “In the meantime, I’m calling on all Kansas businesses that provide educational services to join the KEEP Marketplace and help our students reach their fullest potential.”
Students whose household income is below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines will be eligible for KEEP funds.
KEEP funds may be used for educational and enrichment activities, including:
- The purchase of curriculum and educational materials, including school supplies and certain permitted technological devices
- Fields with academic curriculum such as music, art, science, technology, agriculture, math, and engineering
- Tutoring
- Language courses
- Musical instruments and lessons
Funds will not be eligible for private tuition.
Parents and guardians can select educational and enrichment activities from approved service providers through the online KEEP Marketplace or apply for a service provider to be approved and added to the state list.
Businesses offering educational opportunities and services are encouraged to join the KEEP Marketplace to assist families and students. Businesses 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.
More information on how families can request, access and use their funds is coming soon and will be available in February when the KEEP app launches.
KEEP is offered through a contract between Merit International, Inc. and the Kansas Office of Recovery, with the goal of providing educational activities and learning opportunities to students throughout Kansas to promote recovery educational learning in response to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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