Educational Spending Accounts or Microgrants(ESAs) allow eligible families to use state-provided funds for educational opportunities such as educational therapies, tutoring, and more. This article will cover frequently asked questions and answers for Kansas KEEP families.

If you’ve been granted KEEP microgrant funds from the state, you’ll gain access to an ESA marketplace called Merit. As an approved vendor, you can use your ESA funds to purchase Outschool classes.

When you click on Outschool from Merit, you’ll be directed to your Outschool account to shop for eligible classes with your KEEP funds.

Families who navigate to the Outschool site directly will have the option to opt in to use their KEEP funds.

1. Set Up Your Account

If you are new to Outschool, you will be prompted to create an account. You will need to confirm your email address to purchase classes.

From your account settings page, add learners to your Outschool profile.

2. Shop for classes

When in a KEEP session, families will only be able to view and select eligible classes. If you have navigated to Outschool directly from the KEEP site, you will automatically be placed in a KEEP session. When navigating to the Oustchool site, you will be able to opt in and out of a KEEP session as needed.

Please note: Classes purchased with credit card are not eligible for reimbursement through the KEEP program.

Parents can use their KEEP funds to create a downloadable invoice through their Learning Planner. This invoice can be submitted through the Kansas KEEP Claims app to request approval for Outschool classes.

You can view available class times by selecting Add to Planner from the class description page. Select the learner and time that fits your schedule to add the class to your planner.

At this time, KEEP funds may be used to purchase Self-Paced classes and live classes that start at least 6 weeks in the future. This is to allow time for the approval process.

3. Create your KEEP invoice

Once you have added classes to your planner and are ready to generate your KEEP invoice, click Checkout & Enroll

You will have the opportunity to review your order and download an invoice to submit for approval. Be sure to use the names listed on your KEEP application and include your Award ID before creating the invoice.

4. Submit your KEEP invoice for approval

Next, create a new claim in the KEEP Claims app. The KEEP team will review your claim and will notify you when the claim is approved. Approved claims will be purchased directly with KEEP funds.

Please note: Classes purchased with credit card are not eligible for reimbursement through the KEEP program.

Outschool will then enroll your learner in class and send you an email notifying you that the enrollment has been processed.

You can access the class through your Outschool account at the scheduled start time. Click here for more information on how to prepare for your first class.

The KEEP program allows purchases to be exchanged for a ‘like-item.’ Exchanges can only be made for another class of equal or lesser value. If the new class is less expensive, the difference will not be refunded per KEEP policy.

Families may reach out to the support team to request to exchange classes within the same timelines and for the same reasons outlined in Outschool’s Standard Refund Policy or Learning Experience Pledge.

You can specify which class you would like to switch to, or the team will provide a selection of classes that are KEEP eligible.

Please note that, depending on when you make your exchange request, you may be eligible to exchange for either the total amount or a prorated amount of the original enrollment.

Please select and re-enroll in a new class within 30 days of your exchange request. Prompt selection helps ensure availability and prevents disruptions in your child’s learning journey. Each canceled class can only be exchanged for one new class, not multiple.

For any questions regarding the exchange process or to find out if your class qualifies for an exchange, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our support team.

No. At this time stored balances will not be applied to an order made using the Merit marketplace.

At this time, promo and coupon codes are not eligible for use with Kansas KEEP funding.

To allow for claims processing time, families submitting claims through the Merit marketplace may only select Self-Paced classes and fixed duration classes that start more than 6 weeks in the future. Recurring weekly and tutoring classes are not available to KEEP families at this time.

Each state program has different rules for the types of classes that can be purchased with program funds. Please contact your state program directly for more information about their specific regulations.

Eligible classes can be purchased through the planner only, so the Enroll button is not available on the class description page. Add eligible classes to your planner to include them in your KEEP order.

Parents may use their KEEP funds to purchase classes directly through the Merit site. Outschool classes are not, however, eligible for reimbursement.