Build Something Now!

If you’re here, you’re looking for a career that pays well and is in demand.

Whatever gets your motor running – mechanical, medical, industrial, computers or something else– a Kansas Career Technical Education program will give you the hands-on 21st century skills that are essential to employers and our economy.

Find a program to build a new career for today and tomorrow!

FIND PROGRAM

Build Something Affordable!

Don’t let financial costs hold you back from taking the next step.

Kansas Career Technical Education programs provide an inexpensive way to build or re-tool your skills and start working in a high demand profession with more flexibility for your future.

Plus, you may also qualify for financial aid including the new Promise Act scholarship from the Kansas Board of Regents to help pay for your CTE tuition and fees.

Apply for a grant or scholarship to help you build a new career.

APPLY TODAY

Build Something Quickly!

Start building your career in as little as a few weeks.

Kansas CTE programs prepare you for a new career quickly with lots of short-term training, certificate, and associate degree options.

With dozens of technical colleges, community colleges, and universities that offer training throughout Kansas, you can find a program close to you to start building your new career in as little as a few weeks.

Find a convenient college located near you!

FIND LOCATION

Build Something Practical!

Nearly 350,000 Kansans have some college credit but no degree. Kansas CTE programs provide the skills and credentials needed for hundreds of jobs where you can see the results of your work everyday!

Kansas CTE is a great way to build a career that is:
• right for you
• easy to start
• pays well
• in-demand with companies ready to hire!

FIND PROGRAM

Build Something Exciting!

Get started building your new career!

There’s a real sense of excitement when you look towards the future and take the steps to make it happen. Kansas CTE jobs not only pay the bills, but pave the road to something better for you, your family, and your community.

Don’t wait! Build Something Now today!

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 the 2025-2026 is now closed. 

                                           *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)

 
The Kansas Apply Free Days will be held on October 6-8, 2025! During these three days, any Kansas resident, regardless of age or income can apply for free at any of our 7 public universities, 19 community colleges, 6 Technical colleges, and the 21 private member institutions of the Kansas Independent College Association. Eligible programs include general applications, certificate programs, associate degree programs, and bachelor degree programs. (Graduate programs or other mid-degree applications will not qualify.) 

Start your Applications Early!

To make sure your college application is ready to go, start working on it before October 6. Even if you finish early, wait until Monday, October 6, to submit so you can take advantage of the free application window.

Only applications submitted between Monday, October 6, and Wednesday, October 8, 2025, will be free. Any applications submitted outside of this timeframe—regardless of technical issues—will not be eligible for a refund.

If you run into any issues while submitting your application, contact the admissions office of the institution directly for assistance.

Using the Common Application? Contact the admission department at these institutions or check out the "Apply Free Days Application Instructions" above. 

Who is Eligible to Participate in Kansas Apply Free Days?

All residents of Kansas who are applying for undergraduate programs at all state public and private* Kansas colleges and universities are eligible to submit their admission applications for free on October 6-8, 2025. Undergraduate programs include undergraduate level certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor degrees. This means all of the following applicants are eligible:

First-time freshmen

Transfer students

Returning students

Applicants seeking a second bachelor's degree

Applications for graduate-level programs are not eligible.

*Private Institutions outside of the Kansas Independent College Association may not be participating in the Kansas Apply Free Days. Please check with the individual institution's admission department if it is not listed here.

Some Kansas colleges are free to apply everyday!

Not all of the Kansas colleges and universities have application fees.

Applying to the 19 Kansas community colleges is free every day, all year around.

Pittsburg State University, Washburn University, and Emporia State University removed their application fees, so students can apply there for free every day. Many of our Private Colleges and Universities do not have application fees. Visit their websites for more information! 

Next steps after your Apply Free Days

After you apply, it's important to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is your ticket to grants, scholarships, and work-study positions that can help reduce the costs of college. Learn more about the FAFSA

After the FAFSA, consider your options for state aid through the Kansas State Scholarship Program. Learn more here.

Why do we have Apply Free Days?

To encourage more Kansans to continue their education, all 32 public colleges and universities in Kansas and most of the private institutions allow students to apply for free on Monday, October 6 - Wednesday, October 6 in a statewide effort to break down barriers to higher education.

Kansas Apply Free Days is during Apply Kansas month, a state wide application campaign held annually in October that helps support 12th grade students in the completion of applications based on their post-secondary plans.

The Kansas Apply Free Days program is designed to increase Kansas's college-going and FAFSA completion rates. In the last 10 years we have seen our college-going rate decline. As of 2021, we are only sending 59.5% of our high school graduates to a college, university or certificate program, and less than 50% of students submit a FAFSA application-a key indicator of students' likelihood to continue their education.

By removing barriers for students to achieve a credential, Kansas can help residents take that first step into continuing their education to increase the number of students who complete their programs and enter the workforce with a degree or competitive skills. Kansas Apply Free Days encourages residents to realize their fullest potential.

Apply Free Days Resources

2025 Apply Free Days Application Instructions (detailed institution-specific guidance on completing applications)
2025 Kansas Admissions Guide (links to applications for admission, financial aid departments, and scholarship dates)

Apply Free Days Printable Graphics

Apply Free Days Flyer
Apply Free Days Poster

Apply Free Days Social Media Posts

Facebook Blue     Facebook Gold     Facebook Sunflower

Instagram Blue     Instagram Gold    Instagram Sunflower

Powerpoint Slide for Presentations

Fee Waivers for Financial Hardship Year-Round

All of our Kansas colleges and universities have application fee waivers for financial hardship during the entire year. As such, if you are struggling to pay an application fee and wish to submit your admission application before (or after) the Apply Free Days, contact the admission office at the college/university you want to apply to for more information or complete the Application Fee Waiver form linked below.

Apply Kansas Fee Waiver*

*form does not need to be submitted to KU, KSU, WSU as Fee Waiver eligibility is embedded in their application.

Reports

2023 Apply Free Days Annual Report
2024 Apply Free Days Annual Report