Montgomery County is a Rural Opportunity Zone Participant

Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ) are designed to spur economic development in and expand job growth in 95 counties around the state.

The program provides employees with up to a 5-year personal income tax credit on their state income taxes as well as up to $15,000 in student loan debit forgiveness. The wait list for the student loan forgiveness program in Montgomery County is currently long but if an employer partners with Montgomery County for this incentive, eligible employees are instantly approved for the incentive.

Rural Opportunity Zone Benefits

There's something special about life in rural Kansas. Something authentic, something that makes it the ideal place to live, to work, and raise a family. Thanks to the Rural Opportunity Zone Program, there's no better time than now to make rural Kansas your home!

If you are looking for a lower cost of living, better quality of life, and help repaying your student loans; Kansas is your best choice! Rural Opportunity Zones are 95 counties that have been authorized to offer one or both of the following financial incentives:

  1. 100% State Income Tax Credit: Waives your state income tax for 5 years when you move to Kansas from another state. 
  2. Student Loan Repayment Assistance: Repays student loans up to $15,000 over 5 years.

Who's Eligible?

100% State Income Tax Credit:

  • Lived outside of Kansas for five or more years immediately prior to moving to Montgomery County
  • Earned less than $10,000 in Kansas source income in the 5 years prior to moving to Montgomery County
  • Moved to Montgomery County on or after July 1, 2014

Student Loan Repayment Assistant:

  • Move to Montgomery County after July 1, 2014
  • Hold an associates, bachelor's, or postgraduate degree PRIOR to moving to Montgomery County
  • Have a sponsor (employers or the county can be a sponsor)
  • Have an outstanding student loan balance in the applicant's name
  • Ability to provide proof of: residency at current and previous address, degree, and student loan balance with distribution dates

Apply

Fill out the Student Loan Repayment Assistance application online. Applications are accepted from January 1 to September 30 of each year. Annual renewal forms must be submitted to stay in the program.

For general inquiries about the Rural Opportunity Zone program, please contact KDC_ROZ@ks.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How can my employer sponsor me? Employers must submit an application to Kansas Commerce. Employers can establish their own guidelines on who is eligible in the company for sponsorship.
  2. Am I required to continue making payments on my loans? Yes, applicants should continue to make any payments required by their lender. 
  3. How will Commerce start the repayment process? Commerce will send you an approval letter, a blank W-9 form, and the ROZ Payment Agreement. The State coordinates with the County or Employer Sponsor to get the matching funds, payments typically are received in December.
  4. Do I have to renew annually? Yes, annual confirmation of residency in the county is required before payments can be issued. Failure to respond is a loss of approved status. 
  5. If I am approved, can I move to a different ROZ county and remain eligible? No, the incentive is not transferrable.
  6. What if I change addresses within the county? Contact Commerce with your updated address. 

Find additional FAQ responses online.

Want to move to the top of the waitlist for Student Loan Forgiveness? Get Sponsored by your Employer!

Many employers offer a "reverse scholarship" program these days rather than providing tuition reimbursment for continuing education. Are you an employer with a new employee you have recruited to the area?  

Learn How to Sponsor Your Employee for Student Loan Forgiveness!

Click HERE to complete the Sponsorship Form!

ROZ Overview

Montgomery County was identified as a ROZ county in 2014. ROZs have been authorized to offer financial incentives to new full-time residents. There are two types of incentives new residents can receive once they move to Montgomery County.  An Income Tax exemption for 5 years (must move from outside of Kansas to Montgomery County), and a $15,000 Grant for Student Loan Forgiveness.  

100% Income Tax Credit

A state income tax exemption for up to five years to individuals who move to a ROZ county from outside the state. Individuals must not have lived in Kansas for the past five years, nor have Kansas source income of more than $10,000 per year over the past five years..

Student Loan Repayment Assistance

Student loan repayment of up to $3,000 per year ($15,000 maximum benefit) for individuals who graduate from an accredited post-secondary institution and move to a ROZ county. The student loan forgiveness portion of the program is a county-state partnership, and counties must opt in to participate. Employers are also able to sponsor student loan recipients (employees).

For more information click here!