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KansasHB 21852025–2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Updating the Kansas national guard educational assistance act to include dependents of national guard members and the Kansas national guard educational master's for enhanced readiness and global excellence (EMERGE) program to include other advanced degrees.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Advanced degree aid for Guard members

The EMERGE program now pays tuition and required fees for master’s, professional, and doctoral degrees at Kansas schools. It pays for up to 15 credit hours each semester, never more than the state school rate, and will not pay for repeats or classes outside your degree plan. Total paid credits cannot exceed 150% of the credits your advanced degree requires, and other federal or school aid reduces the payment. Before joining, you must file the FAFSA and apply for other federal tuition help. To stay eligible, keep at least a 2.75 GPA for master’s or 3.0 for doctorate/professional, remain in good standing at your school, and keep satisfactory participation in the Kansas National Guard. After your last paid semester, you must serve 48 months for a master’s or 72 months for a doctorate/professional degree; if you do not, you must repay total aid divided by 48 or 72, times the months not served. The Adjutant General selects up to 100 members by July 1 each year, and no more than 200 can be in the program in any school year. Non‑serving applicants accepted to an eligible professional degree and qualified to join the Guard may be eligible; those under a suspension of favorable flag action or on an unfavorable information file are not.

Tuition help for Guard families, with service

The state pays tuition and required fees for eligible Kansas National Guard members and their eligible dependents. It covers up to 15 credit hours each semester, pays no more than the state school rate, and never pays for repeats or classes outside your program. Total paid credits cannot exceed 150% of your program’s required credits. Other federal or school aid lowers the state payment. Dependents must be listed in DEERS, and they are funded only after all eligible Guard members are fully funded. The member must sign and serve at least 24 months after the last paid semester. If the member does not finish that service, they must repay total aid divided by 24, times the months not served.

Hardship waivers for repayment

If you cannot finish the required service because of extreme hardship, you can ask in writing for a waiver of repayment. Send the request through your chain of command to the Kansas National Guard education office. The chief of staff of the Kansas Army National Guard or the director of staff for the Kansas Air National Guard reviews and decides.

More Kansas schools qualify for aid

More Kansas schools now count for this tuition help. Accredited, nonprofit independent colleges with open enrollment that offer online, competency‑based programs are included, along with community colleges, technical colleges, and Washburn’s institute of technology.

State sets rules to run program

The State Board of Regents makes rules, works with the Adjutant General, pays schools, and checks eligibility. The law also repeals older sections and reorganizes the Guard education programs in state law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 151 • No: 7

House vote • 4/23/2026

Yea: 39 Nay: 1

Yes: 39 • No: 1

House vote • 4/23/2026

Yea: 112 Nay: 6

Yes: 112 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor on Wednesday, March 26, 2025

    4/10/2025House

  2. Enrolled and presented to Governor on Monday, March 24, 2025

    3/24/2025House

  3. Final Action - Passed; Yea: 39 Nay: 1

    3/19/2025Senate

  4. Committee of the Whole - Be passed

    3/18/2025Senate

  5. Committee Report recommending bill be passed by Committee on Education

    3/12/2025Senate

  6. Hearing: Monday, March 10, 2025, 1:30 PM Room 144-S

    3/10/2025Senate

  7. Referred to Committee on Education

    2/20/2025Senate

  8. Received and Introduced

    2/19/2025Senate

  9. Engrossed on Monday, February 17, 2025

    2/18/2025House

  10. Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea: 112 Nay: 6

    2/18/2025House

  11. Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted

    2/17/2025House

  12. Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended

    2/17/2025House

  13. Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Committee on Education

    2/13/2025House

  14. Hearing: Thursday, February 6, 2025, 1:30 PM Room 218-N

    2/6/2025House

  15. Introduced

    1/31/2025House

  16. Referred to Committee on Education

    1/31/2025House

Bill Text

  • As Amended by House Committee

    PDF

  • As introduced

    PDF

  • Enrolled - Law effective July 1, 2025

    PDF

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