ARRIVE

Total Funding Available: TBD by legislative appropriation and annual program allocation. FY 2027 – $400,000
Minimum Award Amount: $1,000 per year, up to 5 years
Max Award Amount: Up to $20,000 per year; maximum $100,000 total per participant; up to 5 years.

1. Can attorneys already living in rural counties of Kansas apply?
   
   Yes – Eligible applicants must be licensed Kansas attorneys in good standing with student loan debt who live and practice in rural Kansas. If an attorney already resides in a rural county and meets these qualifications, they are eligible for this program.
   
2. If I am awarded an ARRIVE grant, am I required to remain in the same county over the entire 5 year term?
   
   No – participants can relocate to other rural counties, but if they leave Kansas, or move to or a majority of clients served are from Douglas, Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee, or Wyandotte counties, participants will be removed from the program.
   
3. How are award amounts determined?
   
   If awarded, participants can receive up to $100,000 over a five-year period. Annual amounts are determined by the Student Loan statement provided at the time of application. Awards will be made in an annual distribution equal to 20% of the individuals outstanding student loan balance, up to $100,000, over a five-year period as long as they remain living and practicing law in an eligible rural county.
   
4. Does my student loan balance allow for undergraduate, graduate and Law School expenses
   
   Assistance may cover undergraduate, graduate, and law school student loan debt.
   
5. What will participants be required to do in order to remain in the program for the full five year term?
   
   1. Participants must complete one year of rural practice for each year of assistance.
   2. Annual renewal attestations will be required each March – April, where participants will verify current residence.
   3. Proof of payment – Receipts showing that the annual ARRIVE funding was paid to student loan servicer.
   4. Annual redacted client list and corresponding client zip codes.
   
6. What happens if I am unable to work or serve clients due to an accident or disability?
   
   Temporary postponements may be granted for medical or qualifying leave reasons as outlined in the statute:
   An obligation to engage in the practice of law in accordance with this section shall be postponed during any: (1) Period of temporary medical disability during which the individual obligated is unable to practice law due to such disability; (2) period of inability to engage in the practice of law for a reason covered in the family and medical leave act; or (3) other period of postponement agreed to or determined in the program agreement.
   
7. How will participants be selected?
   
   Funding is competitive and not guaranteed. Applications will be reviewed following the published scoring rubric. In addition, consideration will be given to geographic distribution, clients served, and likelihood of participants continued participation of law practice and residency in a rural county.
   
8. Who will serve on the review committee?
   
   The review committee will include Commerce staff including the Secretary of Commerce, representation from the Judicial Branch of the State of Kansas, representation from the KU and Washburn law schools, and representation from the Rural Justice Committee as determined by the Kansas Supreme Court Justices or committee chair.
   
9. Will my information be confidential or is this application subject to Kansas Open Records Act?
   
   Personal identifying information in the applications are considered confidential, and non-identifying information will be provided to the legislature and on the transparency database based on county of residence rather than by applicant name.
   
10. Do I need to have recently graduated or have graduated from a Kansas Law School to be eligible?
    
    No, attorneys at any stage of their career are eligible, if they have passed the Kansas Bar exam, and are licensed, active, and in good standing with the Kansas Courts. There is no preference given or any priority points given to applicants from a Kansas law school in consideration of applications.

Notification to the public:
October 2026

Application open dates:
October 15, 2026 and May 1, 2027

Application Deadlines:
November 16, 2026 and Sept 1, 2027

Review Period:
November 2026 and July 2027

Public Comments, interviews, site visits, additional review (if applicable):
Judicial and Law School Review – December 2026 and September 2027

Final Review with Leadership:
December 2026 and September 2027

Anticipated Award Announcement date:
December 2026 and October 2027

Link for Application Webinar

1. Provide documentation of Kansas licensure and good standing.
2. Clearly demonstrate rural residence and active legal practice.
3. Describe how the applicant will be involved in the community once established.
4. Be prepared to show types of clients served and areas or categories of practice.
5. Understand and plan for the service obligation of five years before applying.

Attestation: An annual renewal of participant residency, location of practice, and majority of clients served. This is a promise that all materials provided are true and accurate.

Rural Community: Any Kansas county except Douglas, Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Wyandotte.

Practice of Law: Includes legal representation, government or corporate counsel roles, judicial positions, and qualifying academic roles. Proof of Payment – A copy of a payment, copy of check or bank statement, showing that the funding was paid to a student loan service provider.

• Number of Apartments
• Building Condition
• Project Narrative
• Historic and Architectural Significance
• Project Funding Need
• Project Timeline
• Project Readiness
• Budget/Project Cost Breakdown
• Project Bids and Estimates
• Business Plan/Proforma

Additional technical assistance, including architectural design, could be provided by the state program if budget permits. These additional requests must be submitted and completed prior to submission of an application.