Which students are eligible for KEEP?

General eligibility guidelines

• KEEP is available to eligible students who are:
  • Kansas residents
  • Between the age of 5 (as of August 31, 2023) and 18 (as of May 31, 2024) 
  • Enrolled in a K-12 program in Kansas
• KEEP awards are also available for students above18 who are still in high school, with proof of active school enrollment in a K-12 program. 

Income-qualification guidelines

• Households who are not enrolled in SNAP benefits or have students which are not in foster care must have an income 300% or less of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

• Income verification documents are required to be submitted as part of the application for KEEP unless the student is in the foster care program or enrolled in SNAP benefits. 

Foster care student eligibility guidelines:

• Students in foster care do not need to show proof of income to qualify and can receive KEEP funds if:
  • The general eligibility guidelines above are met including proof of Kansas residency, age and school enrollment.
  • Students in foster care will need to provide a copy of the Placement Agreement from the foster agency verifying the name of the student and the date of the placement or custody paperwork signed by a government or court official.

SNAP participant eligibility guidelines:

• Students who are receiving SNAP benefits do not need to show proof of income to qualify and can receive KEEP funds if:
  • The general eligibility guidelines above are met including proof of Kansas residency, age and school enrollment.
  • They are able to provide a copy of their active SNAP Benefits Letter.
  • They are able to provide proof of their relationship to the student with one of the following documents:
    • The first two pages of their 2021 or 2022 Form 1040 (most recent). If they have more than 4 dependents, then they must include the statement or attachment of dependents.
    • An adoption decree
    • A custody decree
    • An affidavit of guardianship
    • Birth certificate

Eligibility Guidelines for Students in shared custody situations.

• In shared legal custody cases, only one parent or guardian can submit an application to receive an award for the student. No student may be used to determine eligibility in more than one family. 

How much does it cost to participate in the KEEP program? 

• There are no fees to participate in KEEP or to use the platform and app

How many students can I enroll for my family? 

• Parents and guardians can enroll multiple students in their households. A separate dashboard is provided for each student and lists the available, pending, and spent funds. KEEP award funds may only be used for the student assigned to that individual account.