Are you a Maryland family seeking access to high-quality, affordable child care? The Maryland Child Care Scholarship program, formerly known as the Child Care Subsidy, is designed to help eligible families like yours manage child care expenses and ensure your children have access to valuable early education opportunities.
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Applying for the Child Care Scholarship has become more streamlined and user-friendly than ever before. Managed through Child Care Scholarship Central 2 (CCS Central 2), the program offers a Fast Track application process that can significantly reduce the waiting time for assistance. Eligible families can receive initial support within just three business days and access 60 days of child care assistance while their full application is being processed.
The Child Care Scholarship program provides financial aid for:
- Children younger than 13 years old.
- Individuals aged 13-19 with a qualifying disability.
Eligibility Requirements for the Maryland Child Care Scholarship
To qualify for the CCS Program in Maryland, families must meet specific criteria. Here’s a breakdown of the eligibility requirements:
- Residency and Work/Education Status: Applicants must be Maryland residents who are either employed, participating in an approved training program, or attending school. In two-parent households, both parents must fulfill these eligibility requirements.
- Financial Need: Families must be recipients of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or fall within the CCS income guidelines established for the program (detailed income charts are available below).
- Immunization Compliance: Children must be immunized according to Maryland state standards or have documented exemptions.
- Citizenship/Qualified Alien Status: Proof of US citizenship or qualified alien status is required for each child needing care. Acceptable documentation includes a birth certificate or documentation certifying the child’s status. It’s important to note that parents are not required to be US citizens to apply for the scholarship.
- Identity Verification: Applicants must provide proof of identity for all household members. For parents, any government-issued ID is acceptable. For children, a birth certificate or immigration status document can serve as proof of identity.
- Photo ID (Head of Household): Only the head of household is required to provide a photo ID.
For a comprehensive overview of eligibility requirements, you can consult the Eligibility Checklist. For frequently asked questions, refer to the Scholarship FAQs and Fast Track Frequently Asked Questions. Additional information can be found in the Brochure and Spanish Brochure.
Applying for the Child Care Scholarship: A Step-by-Step Guide
Applying for Affordable Child Care Programs In Md through the Child Care Scholarship program is done via the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal. Follow these steps to apply:
Step 1: Register in the Family Portal:
Visit the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal at family.childcareportals.org and create a new account. Click “Register for a New Account” and complete the registration form. If you need assistance, detailed registration instructions are available. Registration in the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Family Portal is required for all new and existing families.
Step 2: Complete the Fast Track Application:
Fill out the short, online Fast Track Scholarship application within the portal. You will need to submit two essential documents:
- Proof of Employment or Enrollment: Documentation verifying your employment or participation in a training program or school.
- Proof of Maryland Residency: Examples include a utility bill or lease agreement.
Step 3: Application Processing:
CCS Central 2 will process your Fast Track application within three business days.
Step 4: Temporary Scholarship and Full Application:
If you are deemed eligible, a temporary 60-day Scholarship will be issued to help with child care costs while your full application is processed. To determine eligibility for a 52-week Scholarship, you will be asked to provide further information and documentation. Submitting this additional information within 15 days of your Fast Track application ensures that your eligibility for a longer-term scholarship can be determined before the temporary scholarship expires.
Start your application today! Create your account and apply now!
Income Eligibility for Child Care Scholarship in Maryland
Families within the following income brackets may be eligible for affordable child care programs in MD through the Child Care Scholarship. These income guidelines are designed to support working families in accessing quality child care.
Maximum Annual Income
| Child Care Scholarship Program |
|---|
| Family Size |
| Family of 2 |
| Family of 3 |
| Family of 4 |
| Family of 5 |
| Family of 6 |
| Family of 7 |
| Family of 8 |
| Family of 9 |
| Family of 10 |
| Family of 11 |
| Family of 12 |
* Initial Income Scale: This scale applies to families who are new applicants, those submitting a Fast-Track initial application for the 60-Day Scholarship, and those submitting a Fast-Track Full “Redetermination Application” with all required documents for an initial full evaluation for continued services beyond the 60-day fast-track period. Family income must be below the Initial Income Scale to qualify.
** Continuation Income Scale: This scale is for families who have already received at least 52-weeks to 24 months of child care services and have an active scholarship that has not yet expired when applying for continued services. Family income must be below the Continuation Income Scale to qualify.
To learn more about using your scholarship, please refer to How to use a Scholarship.
For a full 52-week Scholarship, families must submit the following documents to CCS Central 2 within 15 days of Fast Track application approval:
- The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) application
- Verification of income, including the most recent four (4) weeks of consecutive pay stubs for all household members (including you, your spouse, or the child’s other parent living in your household).
- Proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license, birth certificate, government-issued ID).
- Proof of approved activity (e.g., work, school, or job training verification).
- Proof of all other income sources.
- Proof of current Maryland address (e.g., utility bill, lease).
For ongoing services and to report any changes, the following Scholarship Forms may be required.
CCS Central 2: Your Resource for Child Care Scholarship Support
CCS Central 2 is responsible for processing Child Care Scholarship applications and provider payments. If you have questions or need assistance, here’s how to get in touch!
Child Care Scholarship Customer Support and Open Office Hours
For direct support and answers to your questions about affordable child care programs in MD and the scholarship, take advantage of the Child Care Scholarship Customer Support resources, including Open Office Hours.
Open Office Hours Calendar
| September 24, 2024 | May 20, 2025 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 8, 2024 | June 10, 2025 | ||||||
| November 19, 2024 | July 15, 2025 | ||||||
| December 17, 2024 | August 19, 2025 | ||||||
| January 14, 2025 | September 16, 2025 | ||||||
| February 18, 2025 | October 21, 2025 | ||||||
| March 18, 2025 | November 18, 2025 | ||||||
| April 25, 2025 | December 16, 2025 |
Attendance Audit: Tips to Avoid Repayment Obligations (This section will be expanded with helpful content about attendance audit and avoiding payback in a future update.)
This guide provides essential information on accessing affordable child care programs in MD through the Maryland Child Care Scholarship. Take the first step towards securing quality child care for your family today!
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