Responsibilities of the Parent/Guardian

Noncompliance, Intentional Misuse of Funds or Criminal Activity 

Parents and guardians acknowledge that the falsification, misrepresentation, or omission of any information provided in the KEEP application, supporting documentation, or subsequent information provided by them or their representatives could result in personal liability towards interested parties, such as Merit.

Parents and guardians acknowledge they have not received advance or previous payment for any claims submitted in this program. Any duplicative assistance must be repaid or may be subject to a debt collection action, pursuant to chapter 37 of Title 31, U.S. Code.

Interested parties can enforce and exercise all available legal rights and remedies against parents, guardians, or their authorized representative for non-compliance with these terms and conditions and applicable law. 

Such enforcement could include but is not limited to: 

  1. Full reimbursement of any funds received under this program.
  2. Costs related to recovery.
  3. Damages.
  4. Any other applicable fees.
Parents and guardians authorize Merit and their third-party service providers to validate all information and documentation provided in their application, supporting documentation, subsequent claims, and any other information provided for the execution of this program with the originating institution to validate that my information is correct and accurate.

Termination of award

Awards can be used for 12 months after the date of award, after which the funds expire and are no longer accessible to the beneficiary.

In addition, if an individual is found to be violating the rules for participation in the program, Merit and the SPARK Executive Committee reserve the right to remove that individual from the program and their award will be forfeited.

Attestation

  • I consent to Merit International, Inc. sharing my Personally Identifiable Information (“PII”) with other organizations in Kansas including the Kansas Office of Recovery, as well as third-party partners including Propel, Inc. for the qualification, execution, and delivery of the services and funds associated with this  application and the program in accordance with each respective organization’s privacy practices.
  • I acknowledge that I have reviewed the privacy practices of Merit International, Inc. (https://app.merits.com/privacy-policy) ahead of submitting this application.
  • I certify that all of the information I have provided in this application and in any other supporting documentation are correct, accurate, and complete. I understand that it is my responsibility to immediately notify Merit at help@keep.ks.gov if any of the information provided is no longer accurate or incomplete.
  • I understand that the falsification, misrepresentation, or omission of any information provided in this application, in any supporting documentation, or in subsequent information provided by me or my representatives in this program could result in personal liability towards interested parties, such as Merit.
  • I understand that interested parties are allowed to enforce and exercise all available legal rights and remedies against me or my representative for non-compliance with these terms and conditions and applicable law. Such enforcement could include, but is not limited to: (i) full reimbursement of any funds received under this program, (ii) costs related to recovery, (iii) damages, and (iv) any other applicable fees.
  • I authorize Merit and their third-party service providers to validate all information and documentation provided in this application, supporting documentation, subsequent claims, and any other information provided for the execution of this program with the originating institution to validate that my information is correct and accurate.
  • I confirm that I have not received advanced or previous payment from any or all Government agencies or insurance companies for expenses listed in this claim. I understand that any amount paid by KEEP may be reportable to other Government agencies. I understand I cannot be reimbursed more than once for the same allowance or expense. I understand that if I receive financial assistance for a loss or need from another Federal agency or an outside source, and then receive financial assistance from KEEP for the same loss or need, I must repay KEEP for the duplicative assistance. If I do not repay KEEP for the duplicative assistance, I understand that I may be subject to a debt collection action, pursuant to chapter 37 of Title 31, U.S. Code.
  • By providing my phone number, I consent to receive text messages from Merit International, Inc. ("Merit") in relation to my participation with this program, program updates, and other pertinent messages about the Service. I acknowledge that Merit will be sharing my phone number with KEEP to strictly be used in conjunction with the administration of this program. Text message opt-in is not a condition of participation in this program or to use Merit's Service. I understand messaging and/or data charges may apply. Messaging frequency may vary. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time by reaching out to help@keep.ks.gov or clicking the unsubscribe link (where available). 
  • Further, I acknowledge that I must provide a valid email address to receive notification of my beneficiary award and gain access to the claim submission website. If I wish to receive reimbursement of funds from this program to myself, I acknowledge that I must provide Merit with valid banking information for a US bank account that can receive ACH funds upon program acceptance.