2021 Newsletters

Expanding Our Business Support

The Walking Dilemma

The Work We Do

A History of Community Champions

Rural Is the Next Place to Innovate

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

45th Annual Kansas County Commissioners Association Conference Seward County will host the state-wide County Commissioners Association Conference June 8-10 at the Liberal Conference Center. Seward was scheduled to host this event last year until COVID restrictions canceled the event. This spring, the Seward County BoCC was notified that the conference would take place this summer and that Seward would be the host. For all of us who have traveled east to attend a conference, this is a great opportunity for our communities and our region. The KCCA conference is pointed specifically for our Kansas county commissioners, and their role in public service. This year’s annual conference will provide the opportunity for them to learn, network and share experiences with each other. Seward County staff are excited to host this year’s conference, and they are pulling out all the stops to make this an enjoyable and successful event! The conference will offer opportunities for more than just commissioners, too. Guests and spouses can participate in a daylong adventure: A “Little Slice of Liberal” where they will experience a taste of the unique sights and sounds of Liberal. This year’s KCCA conference agenda features educational session topics on:Kansas County Budget Legal Framework Kansas Counties: Essential Building Blocks for Growth 2021 Legislative Session Update A Conversation on the Future of Rural Healthcare in Kansas Appraising Property How to Be Proactive vs. Reactive – Succession Planning Courthouse Safety and Security Issues Commissioner Conversations by Population Groups Securing this event for Liberal and Seward County is the result of the hard work by our own county commissioners. This conference does not move from region-to-region around the state each year, and it was only after our commissioners made the compelling case for our county that the location was selected. We have the opportunity now to show the facilities and the unique qualities of the community we call home.