The Literacy Advisory Committee was established by the Kansas Legislature to monitor progress of literacy training for in-service and preservice teachers and literacy education of elementary and secondary students. The Committee designates best practices for literacy training for in-service and pre-service teachers and literacy education of elementary and secondary students.

The Committee is responsible for the attainment of the transformational goals created by the Blueprint, and makes recommendations for achieving those goals to the Director for Literacy, the Board of Regents, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature. The Committee will also submit annual progress reports to the Legislature.

Voting Members:

• Dr. Carolyn Carlson
• Dr. Laurie Curtis
• Sen. Renee Erickson
• Rep. Susan Estes
• Dr. David Fernkopf
• Rep. Nikki McDonald
• Regent Diana Mendoza  
• Martha Mendoza
• Heather Morgan 
• Dr. Suzanne Myers  
• Sen. Pat Pettey
• Dr. Beverly Schottler
• Dr. Kim Moody 
• Dr. Cynthia Lane

Non-Voting Members

• Molly Baumgardner
• Dennis Burke
• Deb Farr
• Dr. David Hurford
• Dr. Charlene Laramore
• Amber Pagan 
• Judi Price  
• Laurie Winter
• Dr. Randy Watson
• Rachel Rubio

Meeting Information

The members of the Empower Subcommittee serve as lead learners for the Advisory Committee as to the best practices for literacy preparation and training; policy recommendations; research and strategies to advance educator expertise in literacy; and monitoring progress of the implementation of Imperative 2 – Empower strategies in the strategic plan.

Meeting Information

The Kansas Adult Learner Grant provides assistance for adult students aged 25 and older who are seeking a bachelor’s degree in specific fields of study.  This is a service scholarship; accepting funds obligates the recipient to live and work in Kansas after graduating from their degree program. 

APPLICATION

Application for 2026-27 will open in early January 2026.

Application for Fall 2025 is closed

Application for Spring 2026 will close on December 1, 2025.

• Online Application Form

                                           *Awards are made on a first come, first serve basis. 

ADULT LEARNER GRANT ELIGIBLE FIELD OF STUDY

Only certain degree programs are eligible for the grant.  Eligible fields of study include: 

• Information technology and security; 
• Health care and nursing; 
• Science, engineering, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing; 
• Education, early childhood education and development; 
• Business, accounting or data analytics; OR 
• One additional field of study designated by the institution and identified as high demand, high wage, or critical need occupation. 

INSTITUTIONS

Eligible institutions must have at least one existing eligible program to be considered eligible and include:

• Public four-year universities;
• Washburn University; and
• Private, not-for-profit institutions;
• Not-for-profit institutions operating outside of Kansas which is nationally accredited and offers a qualifying online competency (this includes Western Governor's University)

Approved Programs by Institution

AWARD AMOUNTS 

• $3,000 per semester 12 or more hours 
• $2,750 per semester 11 hours 
• $2,500 per semester 10 hours 
• $2,250 per semester 9 hours 
• $2,000 per semester 8 hours 
• $1,750 per semester 7 hours 
• $1,500 per semester 6 hours 

Awards are only for Fall and Spring semesters. 

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

For students to be eligible for a service scholarship, they must:

• Be a Kansas resident; AND
• Be 25 years of age or older by the start of the first grant-funded college course; AND
• Be seeking a bachelor’s degree at an eligible four-year institution in an eligible field of study (see Approved Programs list above)

To be eligible, students must have a family household income of:

• $100,000 or less for a family of two;
• $150,000 or less for a family of three; and
• $150,000 + $4,800 per additional family member beyond three.

Students must:

• Complete the online scholarship application (link at top of page);
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
• Enroll as a full time or part-time (no less than 6 hours) at an eligible institution in an eligible program for Adult Learner Grant.  
• Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of the Adult Learner program.

FULFILLING SERVICE OBLIGATION

To fulfill the requirements of the scholarship agreement, students must: 

• Graduate from their degree program within 48 months of receiving first grant award; AND 
• Live and work in Kansas within 6 months of graduation for two consecutive years.  

If a student fails to satisfy the service obligation, they will be required to repay the grant.  

Scholarship Obligation Verification Paperwork -  Kansas Adult Learner Grant Verification form

     Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions. 

General Education Exceptions for Engineering Programs

General Education Exceptions for Engineering Programs (pdf)

Programs Approved for Extensions (Effective only 2024 - 2025)

Programs Approved for Extensions (pdf)

Exceptions and Extensions by Institution

General Education Exceptions and Extensions for the University of Kansas

General Education Exceptions and Extensions for Fort Hays State University (pdf)

General Education Exceptions and Extensions for Kansas State University (pdf)

General Education Exceptions and Extensions for Wichita State University

General Education Exceptions and Extensions for Pittsburg State University(pdf)

General Education Deviations 

KU - BS in Pharmaceutical Studies (for students enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy)

KUMC - BS in Clinical Laboratory Science

Systemwide Transfer Associate Degrees

Elementary Ed (PK-6) Transfer Associate (pdf)

       Guidance on Transfer Information for Elementary Education Majors (pdf)

Business Administration, Management, & Operations Transfer Associate (Check Sheet - Institution Form)

       Example Check Sheet (pdf)

Computer Science Transfer Associate (Check Sheet - Institution Form)

       Example Check Sheet (pdf)

Pre-Bachelor of Science in Nursing Transfer Associate (Check Sheet - Institution Form)

       Example Check Sheet (pdf)

Pre-Social Work Transfer Associate (Check Sheet - Institution Form)

       Example Check Sheet (pdf)

Systemwide Associate-to-Baccalaureate Programs

Systemwide Associate-to-Baccalaureate Programs (pdf)