KIDS Matching Grant Program

The KIDS Matching Grant Program (Kansas Investments Developing Scholars) is a state-funded initiative designed to help Kansas families with lower incomes save for their children’s future education. To participate, families must live in Kansas and have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

If you qualify, the Kansas State Treasurer’s Office will match your contributions to a KIDS Matching Grant account dollar‑for‑dollar up to $600 each year.

To receive the match, you must:

• Be enrolled in the Quest529 Education Savings Plan.
• Contribute at least $100 to your KIDS Matching Grant account during the program year.
• All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted by December 1 each year.

The matching grant is awarded annually, and families must reapply each year to continue receiving the matching grant.

Account Owners must:

• Be a Kansas resident and Quest529 Account Owner.
• You must be an adult and not claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return.
• Have a current-year household Federal Adjusted Gross Income greater than zero but not exceeding the program limits.

Household Definition: All persons related by birth, marriage, or adoption who share your residence during the calendar year.

Income Verification: All applicants must provide federal income tax returns for all household members required to file, or other documentation of household income for the calendar year prior to application. The KIDS Application will be available soon and will contain additional documentation options available for those unable to provide federal income tax returns.

Joint Account Owners: If your Quest529 account has joint owners, both individuals must meet all eligibility requirements. Joint owners who live in separate households must include income information for all members of both households in the application.

Step 1: If you don't already have a Quest529 account, you need to establish one by opening an account here.

Step 2: Complete and submit a paper KIDS Program Application, listing all household members and their previous year income.

Step 3: Include required income documentation by December 1 of the current calendar year. Supporting documents must be delivered with your application (or within 14 days of submitting your application, but no later than December 1 of the current calendar year).

Step 4: Contribute at least $100 to your KIDS Contribution account. Contributions must be completed online (or postmarked) by December 31 of the current calendar year.

Important: The program accepts applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. You must reapply annually to continue receiving the matching grant.

KIDS matching grants are deposited to your KIDS Match account on or around January 31 of the year following your contributions.

Match Amount: Dollar-for-dollar match up to $600 annually. For example:

• Contribute $600+ → receive a $600 match
• Contribute $300 → receive a $300 match
• You contribute a minimum of $100 to receive any match

Important: Withdrawing any funds from the KIDS Contribution account during the contribution year makes you ineligible for that year's matching grant.

Matching funds must be used for the beneficiary’s Qualified Education Expenses, including:

• Tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for the Beneficiary’s enrollment or attendance at an Eligible Educational Institution.
• Subject to certain limitations, housing and food (room and board) of a student enrolled at least on a halftime basis.
• The purchase of computer or certain peripheral equipment, computer software, or Internet access and related services if they are to be used primarily by the Beneficiary during any of the years the Beneficiary is enrolled at an Eligible Educational Institution.
• Expenses for special needs services incurred in connection with enrollment or attendance at an Eligible Educational Institution in the case of a Beneficiary who has special needs.
• Primary or Secondary School Expenses (up to the then-applicable limit)
• Postsecondary Credentialing Expenses.
• Expenses for fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for the participation of a Beneficiary in an Apprenticeship Program.
• Amounts paid as principal or interest on any Qualified Education Loan of the Beneficiary or a sibling of the Beneficiary, up to a lifetime limit of $10,000 per individual (reduced by the amount of distributions for all prior taxable years for such purposes).

Important:

Withdrawals of matching grant funds do not require pre-approval. However, all withdrawals of matching funds remain subject to audit, and the Treasurer’s Office is required to conduct random audits of accounts to ensure funds are used for qualified expenses.

Keep detailed records of all education expenses. If an audit finds your withdrawal wasn't for qualified expenses, you must repay the matching portion to Kansas and you may owe federal and state taxes plus penalties.

If you have questions about whether your withdrawal meets the requirements for Qualified Education Expenses, you should consult a tax advisor prior to making a withdrawal.