What are eligible educational goods and services?

The following goods and services are eligible for purchase or reimbursement with KEEP funds. KEEP funds cannot be used for tuition or fees to a public or private educational institution, dual-enrollment courses or for-credit classes of any kind. The student cannot earn credit from a secondary or post-secondary institution for the activity/class. Please contact qesp-help@keep.ks.gov with any questions concerning goods/services eligibility.

Camps

Language classes

Online or in person, offered by a licensed organization. Coding can be part of a camp, but not a language class.

Instrument and vocal lessons 

This includes:

  • The purchase of an instrument or instrument rental fees as long as the instrument is being purchased either from one of the program’s online stores or from a pre-approved QESP
  • The purchase of sheet music or music books/materials

Tutoring

This service must be provided by an individual working for a business licensed to provide tutoring services, a licensed teacher, or a licensed online tutoring business.

“Tutor or Tutoring Services” means tutoring provided by a registered tutoring business. 

Tutor means a teacher licensed in any state; an individual who holds a current, state, national, or regional credential, including state teaching, emergency, and provisional certificates; or an individual providing tutoring services for a qualified tutoring service. Tutors may include Federal Work Study students providing tutoring services in a core subject.

Curriculum materials/School supplies/Technology

Items will be limited to those purchased in an online store set up by Merit through one of these types of approved vendors:

  • School supply/office supply vendors 
  • Technology provider stores 

A form will be available for parents and guardians to make requests for additional items to be added to currently approved online stores.

*Headphones CANNOT be greater than $200

Classes

  • Classes can be online or in person.

  • They must be offered by a licensed organization, be related to academic/school curriculum, and have a clearly stated educational value. 

  • Classes cannot be used to earn school credits.

*All dollar amounts include tax.*