Kansas offers two main programs: the Kansas Comprehensive Grant, a need-based award for residents at the state's public universities, Washburn, and many private colleges; and the Kansas Promise Scholarship, a last-dollar award covering two-year degrees and certificates in high-demand fields. You apply for both with the FAFSA (and a separate Promise application), and the Promise Scholarship has family income limits and a Kansas work commitment after you finish.
If your student attends college in Kansas, these programs can lower the cost at four-year and two-year schools. Here is how they work for 2026-27.
What state financial aid does Kansas offer?
Kansas's main programs are the need-based Kansas Comprehensive Grant and the Kansas Promise Scholarship for two-year programs in high-demand fields, both overseen by the Kansas Board of Regents. The Comprehensive Grant helps with cost at four-year colleges, while the Promise Scholarship targets career and technical programs.
These work alongside federal aid like the Pell Grant. For how the federal pieces fit together, see our complete 2026-27 financial aid guide.
What is the Kansas Comprehensive Grant?
The Kansas Comprehensive Grant is a need-based award for Kansas residents enrolled full-time at the six state public universities, Washburn University, and about 20 independent Kansas colleges. It is awarded from your FAFSA based on financial need, and the amount depends on your need and the funds available at your school.
Because it covers both public and private four-year colleges, the Comprehensive Grant is Kansas's main need-based program. Each college sets its own FAFSA priority deadline, so file early.
What is the Kansas Promise Scholarship?
The Kansas Promise Scholarship is a last-dollar award covering tuition, required fees, books, and materials, minus your other aid, for two-year associate degrees and certificates in high-demand fields at participating Kansas community and technical colleges. It does not cover bachelor's degrees. Awards are capped at a lifetime total of 68 credit hours or $20,000, whichever comes first.
To qualify, you generally must meet family income limits ($100,000 for a household of one or two, $150,000 for a household of three, plus $4,800 for each additional member), be a recent Kansas high school graduate or a three-year Kansas resident, enroll in at least 6 credit hours, and finish within 36 months. After finishing, you commit to living and working in Kansas for two years. For how scholarships fit a full plan, see our guide to paying for college.
How do you apply for Kansas state aid?
For the Comprehensive Grant, file the FAFSA and meet your college's priority deadline. For the Promise Scholarship, complete the separate Promise application through the Kansas Board of Regents in addition to enrolling in an eligible high-demand program. File early, since funds are limited.
Your step-by-step path:
- File the FAFSA for the Comprehensive Grant and federal aid.
- For the Promise Scholarship, complete the Promise application and enroll in an eligible high-demand program.
- Confirm your Kansas residency, income limits, and rules at the Kansas Board of Regents.
- Track your college's own aid deadlines.
Your next step
Kansas helps four-year students with the Comprehensive Grant and career-focused students with the Promise Scholarship, so choose the program that fits your student's path. File the FAFSA, complete the Promise application if you are pursuing a two-year program, and watch your college's deadlines. Read our complete 2026-27 financial aid guide for the federal side, then create your free CollegeLens plan to see your real cost at each Kansas school.
You're doing the hard, smart work of claiming every program your state offers. That is how Kansas families make college more affordable.
-- Sravani at CollegeLens