The first step in going to college is to apply!  For many students, applying to college can be a daunting task, but it can be particularly overwhelming for students who may be the first in their family to pursue postsecondary educational dreams or have yet to consider their plans after high school. 

Apply Kansas, is our annual statewide campaign in which high schools conduct events to help seniors apply to college with their peers and with help, guidance, and a cheering squad from school staff, local community supporters, and postsecondary volunteers.  In partnership with the American College Application Campaign, Apply Kansas is a state-wide initiative to increase the number of students applying, enrolling, and succeeding in college or other postsecondary goals.

We encourage your high school to register.  We’ll help you with resources, tips, and tools to help you host a successful event!

Step 1: Register your school or community organization as a host site for a 2025 Apply Kansas event!
Step 2: Attend a training or view the virtual training. See below.
Step 3: Plan your event
Step 4: Host your event and collect student data
Step 5: Submit your Apply Kansas Site Completion data - Due December 1st
Next, check out the All Star High School page. 

Additional Apply Kansas details are located below. 

Resources and reports

Apply Free Days Information and Resources
2025 Apply Free Days Application Instructions
Site Coordinator Information & Resources
Promoting the Event 
Apply Kansas Site Completion Survey Questions
2025 Kansas Admission Guide (links to applications for admission, financial aid departments, and scholarship dates)
FAFSA & Financial Aid Resources
Apply Kansas Steering Committee Members

Annual Reports:
2024 Apply Kansas Annual Report Graphic
2024 Apply Kansas Annual Report Slides
Map of 2024 Apply Kansas schools
 

2025 apply kansas Training Schedule 

In-person training locations will include opportunities to share ideas and a campus tour with updates from the institution.

2025 Apply Kansas schools

In 2024, 261 schools offered an Apply Kansas event, representing 253 of the state's 286 school districts.

Updated 5/28/2025 at 8am.

Plan your Apply Kansas event

1. Reserve computer labs, library, or classrooms/facilities for your event.

2. Post Banners to remind students that event will occur.

3. Recruit Volunteers - Could be teachers or college admission staff.

4. Prepare Students for the Event.

#1: Encourage your seniors to identify 2-3 colleges or postsecondary programs they would like to apply to.  You could require students to complete some or all of these options.

• Attend a College Fair (either virtual or in-person)
• Use a college search tool: Xello, Big Future, Naviance, KS degreestats, Encourage, etc.
• Complete College Fit Worksheet
• Visit a college campus

#2: Once they’ve identified some colleges, have seniors complete the College Application Checklist, to prepare personal information they may need to complete their college application on the day of the event

5. Apply Kansas Event Day!

• Complete College Applications
• Request Transcripts
• Submit fee waivers (when applicable)
• Students complete a sign out survey (Examples: Online, Paper #1, Paper #2)
  
  

  • Reporting your Apply Kansas Event data is the only requirement of participating in this program. At a minimum you’ll need to submit the following information to us at the conclusion of your event:

    • Number of seniors who submitted an application
    • Total Number of college applications submitted
    • Number of KS Public Colleges receiving applications
      
      
• Social Media Blitz!  Post pictures with an Apply Kansas banner listing the colleges they applied when finished
  
  

6. Submit your Apply Kansas site data to Apply Kansas by December 1st.

• This submission qualifies you to receive All Star High School recognition. 

7. Follow up with FAFSA completion instructions/events & Financial Aid resources

• To see your high school's individual student FAFSA submission list, please fill out the attachment and send your request to Linda Oldham Burns  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

8. Incentivize seniors completing all 4 tasks.  Certificate?  Prizes?  Apply Kansas Swag?

WHY APPLY Day: Friday, September 19, 2025

Check out this video made by students in Shawnee Heights High School.  The students in the Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) program asked their teachers to fill out the selfie page on why students should apply to college and collected all their responses in this video .    

Create your own "Why Apply" selfie page (pdf) and post your picture on any social media outlet tagging: #applyks #whyapply

 Why Apply resources

FAQ

When is the campaign?

The Apply Kansas campaign is an application completion event held annually between September - November. Your high school can pick a day (or multiple days) during the fall months to conduct an event. Some schools charge application fees, while others do not. Check out the Apply Free Days page for more information. Many schools plan their event around the Kansas Apply Free Days or around the month of October which is the state's "College Application Month". 

How do I register my school? 

Click here to complete a short registration form.

Are community organizations allowed to hold an event?

Absolutely!  All events are welcome to support seniors with their post-secondary plans. Get in touch with the State Coordinator to register. 

Should I register if my school is small or if we host a similar event?

YES!  Register your school for Apply Kansas even if you are currently conducting a program or your school is small.  Tracking state-wide participation helps evaluate the impact Kansas schools have on their students. Team up with a participating neighboring school or district. See below list of Apply Kansas participating high schools for 2024. 

What’s involved in conducting an event?

Your school’s site coordinator will select the date, reserve a computer lab, secure volunteers, and report campaign results.  Apply Kansas and KBOR provide free resources to help with the planning process (see links above).  You know what your students need most, so as long as you can get us your summary data, we’ll support you with resources and anything else you need to have a successful event

Is there training to help us get started?

YES!  We are scheduling in-person training and virtual training sessions. Dates and locations will be listed on this page. The virtual session will also have registration and be open for you to interact with other participants virtually. We will also record the virtual session for anyone who is unable to fit any of the trainings into their schedule.  All sessions will contain the same information, so you just need to pick one date. Training sessions will give you the opportunity to see all the resources available to you, meet other Apply Kansas coordinators, and understand the best way to gather your summary data at the end of your event.

Apply Kansas Training: Starting in 2022, most Apply Kansas Trainings are combined with a counselor college event! Site Coordinators will spend the first half of the training learning about the Apply Kansas program, picking up their swag items, and interacting with other site coordinators. Then, following the training, site coordinators will review information about the host institutions and be able to attend a walking tour of the campus. Each year, we will select different institutions across the state to host our Apply Kanas training events. All training sessions are in person unless specifically noted below. 

Can virtual students and schools participate?

Absolutely! We want to support all students and schools. Team up with a public library or community organization to offer an in person event or hold a virtual event! 

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Questions?

Contact Mistie Knox (785) 430-4279

Follow Apply Kansas on social media!

A REWARDING PLACE TO WORK

The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) promotes a healthy work culture and cultivates a pleasant workplace environment.  We provide comfortable office conditions, competitive compensation, generous benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.  We understand that happy and healthy associates equal a better work environment.

Health Benefits

Employee Health Insurance
All benefits eligible staff and their families may participate in a variety of health insurance options, including medical, prescription, dental, and vison.  In addition, an employee may elect to participate in a flexible spending account, dependent care account, health savings account, or health reimbursement account for those that qualify.  

Health insurance for newly hired individuals is optional, and coverage is effective on the first day of employment.

Retirement Benefits

Kansas Board of Regents Mandatory Retirement Plan
Benefits eligible staff participate in the KBOR Mandatory Retirement Plan, which is a 403(b) defined contribution plan.  An employee contributes 5.5% of their gross compensation that is tax-deferred.  KBOR contributes an additional 8.5% of the participants gross compensation to the plan.  Employees, who transfer to KBOR from another state agency and have participated in the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Plan (KPERS), may choose to either remain in KPERS or participate in the Regents Mandatory Retirement Plan. Participants will be required to serve a one year waiting period unless the conditions of the waiver are met.

Kansas Board of Regents Voluntary 403(b) Retirement Plan
The Kansas Board of Regents offers benefits eligible employees the opportunity to contribute to a voluntary 403(b) retirement plan with pre-tax or after-tax dollars through payroll deduction.  Contribution maximums are established by IRS regulations.  Multiple investment providers are approved by KBOR.

KPERS 457 Deferred Compensation
KPERS 457 Deferred Compensation plan is a voluntary savings plan to help you supplement your retirement and is available to benefits eligible and non-benefits eligible employees.  Contributions are made on a pre-tax basis through payroll deduction to an approved vendor.  Contribution maximums are established by IRS regulations.  This plan is established under Internal Revenue Code Section 457 and is administered by the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS).

Savings Plans

Learning Quest Education Savings Program (529 Plan)
The Kansas Board of Regents offers a postsecondary education savings program which is administered by the Kansas State Treasurer.  This plan provides tax advantages under both Kansas and federal law. 

Life and Other Insurance

Basic Group Term Life Insurance
The Kansas Board of Regents provides eligible employees basic group term life insurance equal to 150% of their annual salary to the employee’s designated beneficiary.  The program is administered by KPERS and paid for by KBOR.   Basic group term life insurance is effective the first day of employment.

Optional Group Life Insurance
Eligible employees may purchase optional group life insurance (OGLI) administered by KPERS.  OGLI is coverage beyond your basic group term life insurance and is paid by the employee through payroll deduction.  Employees may also elect OGLI for their spouse and qualified dependent children.

Long Term Disability
All benefits eligible staff are covered under the State of Kansas Long Term Disability (LTD) program that is paid for by KBOR.  The LTD program is administered by KPERS.  The program provides you with income if you become disabled through injury or sickness and are no longer able to work. 

Long Term Care Insurance
Benefits eligible staff have the option to participate in Long Term Care Insurance (LTC).  LTC insurance covers care generally not covered by health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.  It may help pay for in-home care services such as cooking and cleaning, adult day care, or a nursing home stay.      

Voluntary Benefit Plans
Through the State of Kansas, KBOR offers a variety of additional voluntary benefit plans for eligible employees.  Optional benefits include: Hospital Indemnity, Accidental Injury, and Critical Illness insurance. 

Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance
The Kansas Board of Regents recognizes the importance of higher education.  Several state universities have agreed to partner with KBOR to provide eligible Board Office employees, as well as their spouses and dependents, tuition assistance benefits under conditions specified within each individual university’s program.

Leave and Holidays

Vacation Leave
The Kansas Board of Regents provides paid vacation leave to eligible employees.  A full-time employee earns 8 hours of vacation leave per pay period, up to 176 hours each year, with a maximum accrual of 304 hours. 

Sick Leave
Full-time benefits eligible employees accumulate 3.7 hours of sick leave every pay period, and it may be used for personal or family illness.  There is not a maximum amount of sick leave that can be earned. 

Parental Leave
Paid parental leave will be granted to eligible employees following the birth or placement of a child for adoption up to six years of age, or placement of a foster child(ren) at any age. Each parent designated as the primary caregiver shall receive up to eight weeks of paid parental leave, and each parent who is designated as the secondary caregiver shall receive up to four weeks of paid parental leave. Paid parental leave will be prorated for part-time employees.

Holidays
KBOR follows the State of Kansas holiday schedule, which regularly provides eight paid holidays to eligible staff each year.  In addition, staff are typically designated one discretionary day each calendar year for observance of an additional holiday or special event.  

Military Leave
The Kansas Board of Regents offers paid military leave up to a maximum of 30 days per year for eligible employees who are called upon to serve in the United States Armed Forces.

Funeral Leave
Paid bereavement leave is granted to eligible employees up to a maximum of six days upon the death of a close relative.  The relationship and necessary travel time will be considered in determining the proper amount of time that will be granted.

Voting
KBOR encourages all employees who are registered to vote for the candidates of their choice during elections.  Voting polls typically open before 8a.m. and close after 5p.m. to allow voters time to vote before or after their normal work day.  KBOR understands that staff may have to travel some distance to polling places, and therefore allows up to a maximum of two consecutive hours of paid time in situations where travel time may affect your ability to vote.

Donor Leave
Eligible employees can receive up to 30 days paid to donate organs, tissue, marrow, or blood.

Shared Leave
Eligible employees may be granted shared leave to be used for a serious, extreme, or life threatening condition.  Leave is donated by eligible State of Kansas employees.

Disaster Service Volunteer Leave
Disaster service volunteer leave may be granted to KBOR employees who are certified disaster service volunteers of the American Red Cross for a designated Level II disaster for up to 20 working days.

Other Benefits

Employee Discounts
The Kansas Board of Regents offers product and service discounts by various vendors through the State Thanks and Recognition (STAR) Employee Discount Program, which is administered by the Department of Administration.

Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a special service provided for State of Kansas benefits eligible employees and their dependents at no charge.  The EAP provides information, short-term counseling, advice, and referrals from licensed professionals who understand the typical stresses employees face.

Flexible Work Schedule
KBOR recognizes that work-life balance is important and may grant employees to work a flexible schedule on a case by case basis.  Flex time is defined as any work schedule that differs from a designated schedule of 8 a.m. – 5p.m., with a one-hour lunch Monday – Friday.   

Perkins V

KANSAS STATE PLAN FOR CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION

The Kansas Board of Regents and Kansas State Department of Education staff value the collaboration during the process of implementation of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). The State Team appreciates all partner input throughout the Plan development and enactment process.

• Kansas State Plan for Career Technical Education (2020-2023)
• Appendices to the Kansas State Plan for Career Technical Education (2020-2023) 

For questions, comments, or objections to the State Plan, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

State-Determined Performance Levels

The Kansas Board of Regents and Kansas State Department of Education are conducting an update to the state-determined performance levels (SDPLs) required by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) legislation.

• Kansas 2025-2026 Proposed SDPLs (pdf)

SDPL Comment Period: March 6, 2025 through May 6, 2025. Interested parties are invited to submit comments through this survey link. Responses to comments will be provided with the Kansas submission of the proposed SDPLs to the U.S. Department of Education.

______________________________________________________________

Needs Assessment Regional Teams

• FY27-28 CLNA Regional Teams (pdf)

Needs Assessments FY25-26

• Chanute Region 
• Colby Goodland Region 
• Dodge City Region 
• El Dorado Region 
• Emporia Region 
• Garden City Region 
• Great Bend Region 
• Hays Region 
• Hutchinson Region 
• Independence Region 
• Kansas City Region 
• Liberal Region 
• Manhattan Region 
• Overland Park Region 
• Pittsburg Region 
• Salina Region 
• Topeka Region 
• Wichita Region 
• Winfield Region

Needs Assessments FY23-24

• Chanute Region 
• Colby Goodland Region 
• Dodge City Region 
• El Dorado Region 
• Emporia Region 
• Garden City Region 
• Great Bend Region 
• Hays Region 
• Hutchinson Region 
• Independence Region 
• Kansas City Region 
• Liberal Region 
• Manhattan Region 
• Overland Park Region 
• Pittsburg Region 
• Salina Region 
• Topeka Region 
• Wichita Region 
• Winfield Region

  Needs Assessments FY21-22

• Chanute Region
• Colby Goodland Region
• Dodge City Region
• El Dorado Region
• Emporia Region
• Garden City Region
• Great Bend Region
• Hays Region
• Hutchinson Region
• Independence Region
• Kansas City Region
• Liberal Region
• Manhattan Region
• Overland Park Region
• Pittsburg Region
• Salina Region
• Topeka Region
• Wichita Region
• Winfield Region

 Perkins V Resources

• Perkins V Legislation
• Perkins V Overview
• Perkins V Key Definitions

Kansas colleges are proud to offer service members and veterans college credit for education, training, and skills acquired while in the military.

Click here to find your Joint Service Transcript (JST). A military Common Access Card (CAC) and pin combination or username/password combination can be used to access the site.

Next steps:

1. Locate your military occupation and skill level on this list.
2. Select a college.
3. Contact the college via its website, by email or phone.
4. Check back as new programs are posted frequently.

Click here to see how your military service can accelerate your progress to a degree certificate or credential.

Thank you for your service!