By Eli Svaty
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24 Aug, 2021
This spring, the Kansas Legislature passed House Bill 2064, which was signed into law by Governor Kelly on May 3. House Bill 2064 created the Kansas promise scholarship act to provide post-secondary educational scholarships for certain two-year associate degree programs, career and technical education certificates and other stand-alone programs. Individuals who meet the qualifications for the program are eligible for scholarships that cover the costs of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. One of the goals of this program is to encourage Kansans to stay in the state after receiving their education. As data show, many of our graduates leave Kansas as soon as their schooling is complete. This scholarship requires that students who accept the funds live and work in Kansas for two years once their education is complete. Should a student wish to earn a Bachelor's Degree beyond their Associate's, they can do that. However, if that four-year program occurs at a university out of state, those students will still be required to return to Kansas after graduation in order to fulfill their two-year work requirement. Details of the program are described here: Kansas Promise Scholarship Fund Specifics: Last dollar scholarship which applies after all other federal aid and any outside scholarships are subtracted from the student’s bill. Pays for tuition, fees, books, and supplies for up to an associate degree. Allows the student to attend community college without cost except for any room and board costs they may incur. $10,000,000 across the state available and has been already appropriated for FY 22 and FY 23 to fund the program. Eligible Students/ Income limits: (Student can attend full or part-time [At least 6 hours per semester] and complete program of study within 30 months.) A Kansas resident who has graduated from an accredited Kansas public or a private secondary school (or Kansas homeschool) within the preceding 12 months. A Kansas resident who has been in KS three or more consecutive years and who is at least 21 years of age or older. A dependent child of military servicemember permanently stationed in another state & graduated in the last 12 months. All eligible students must have family household income equal to $100,000 or less for a family of two, $150,000 or less for a family of three and, for household sizes above three, a household income that is equal to or less than the family of three amount plus $4,800 for each additional family member. If scholarship moneys remain in the Kansas promise scholarship program fund during the award year after awarding all other scholarships pursuant to this section, Kansas promise scholarships may be awarded to eligible students whose family household income exceeds such amounts. Eligible Areas of Study: Information technology and security. Mental and physical healthcare. Advanced manufacturing and building trades. Early childhood education and development. One additional program identified by each institution. See below links for the eligible programs at each community college. Student obligations for accepting a Kansas Promise Scholarship: Complete the FASFA. Complete the Kansas Promise Scholarship Application Enter into an agreement to live AND work in Kansas for two years post certificate or degree completion. Can delay the obligation if pursuing a bachelor’s degree. If the student fails to fulfil scholarship requirements the amount of the scholarship must be paid back plus interest. Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and complete program of study within 30 months of first receiving the Kansas Promise Scholarship. Seward County Community College Approved Promise Act Eligible Programs Career and Technical Education Programs Drafting and Design Technology Corrosion Technology Process Technology Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Machine Technology Welding Technology EMT: Basic Respiratory Therapy Surgical Technology Medical Laboratory Technology Phlebotomy Certified Medication Aide Nursing (ADN) (Ottawa University) Nursing (LPN) Certified Nurses Aide Computer Support Technician Grain Elevator Operator Associates Degree Programs requiring less than 68 credit hours for completion. AA in Elementary Education (K-Step up KSU) AS in Elementary Education (K-Step up KSU) For more information or to apply, visit KACCT.or g