Applying for a Child Care Scholarship in Maryland has never been more accessible!
.png)
Are you a Maryland family in need of assistance with child care costs? The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program, previously known as the Child Care Subsidy, is designed to help eligible families afford high-quality child care and early education programs. Administered through Child Care Scholarship Central 2 (CCS Central 2), the program streamlines the application process to make it quicker and easier for families to access the support they need.
For families needing immediate assistance, the Fast Track Child Care Scholarship application offers a significantly reduced processing time. Eligible families can receive a decision within just three business days and gain access to 60 days of child care assistance while their full Child Care Scholarship application is being processed. This fast-track option ensures that families can swiftly obtain the help they require to manage child care expenses.
Who Can Benefit from a Child Care Scholarship?
Scholarships are available to support the care of:
- Children younger than 13 years old.
- Individuals aged 13-19 with a documented qualifying disability.
Eligibility Requirements for the CCS Program
To qualify for the Child Care Scholarship Program in Maryland, families must meet specific criteria to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most. Here are the key eligibility requirements:
- Maryland Residency and Activity: Applicants must be Maryland residents who are either employed, participating in an approved job training program, or attending school. In two-parent households, both parents must satisfy these activity requirements to be eligible for the scholarship.
- Income Guidelines and Public Assistance: Families must be recipients of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or fall within the established Child Care Scholarship income guidelines (detailed in the chart below). These guidelines are designed to support families with financial need in accessing quality child care.
- Child Immunization Compliance: To ensure the health and safety of all children in care, applicants must confirm their child’s immunization status meets Maryland state standards. Alternatively, families must provide appropriate documentation for any exemption from immunization requirements.
- Citizenship or Qualified Alien Status: Proof of each child’s U.S. citizenship or qualified alien status is required. This can be verified with a birth certificate or documentation confirming the child’s status. It’s important to note that parents are not required to be U.S. citizens to apply for the scholarship on behalf of their children.
- Household Identity Verification: Applicants must provide proof of identity for all individuals within the household. For parents, a government-issued photo ID is acceptable. For children, a birth certificate or immigration status documentation can serve as proof of identity.
- Photo Identification for Head of Household: The head of household is required to provide a Photo ID as part of the application process.
Eligibility Checklist Scholarship FAQs Fast Track Frequently Asked Questions Brochure Spanish Brochure
Simple Steps to Apply for Your Child Care Scholarship
Applying for a Child Care Scholarship is now a straightforward process through the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal. Follow these steps to submit your application:
Step 1: Register on the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal
Begin by visiting the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal and creating a user account. Click on the “Register for a New Account” option and fill in your details. For assistance with registration, detailed Learn How to Register instructions are available to guide you through each step.
Step 2: Complete and Submit the Fast Track Application
Fill out the concise online Fast Track Scholarship application. As part of your fast track application, you will need to submit two essential documents:
- Proof of employment or enrollment in a training program or school.
- Proof of Maryland residency, such as a utility bill or lease agreement.
Step 3: Application Processing by CCS Central 2
Your fast track application will be promptly processed by CCS Central 2 within three business days. This quick turnaround is designed to expedite access to child care assistance for eligible families.
Step 4: Receive Temporary Scholarship and Complete Full Application
If your fast track application is approved, you will receive a temporary, 60-day Scholarship to help with child care costs while your full application is being 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 timely review and determination of your eligibility for longer-term child care support before the temporary scholarship expires.
Create your account and apply now!
Income Eligibility for Child Care Scholarships
The following income chart outlines the maximum annual income limits for families to be eligible for the Child Care Scholarship Program. These income scales are updated to reflect current economic conditions and ensure that the scholarship supports families effectively.
Maximum Annual Income
| Child Care Scholarship Program |
|—|
| Family Size | Initial Income Scale* Maximum Annual Income Effective 12.15.2024 | Continuation Income Scale** Maximum Annual Income Effective 4.22.2024 |
| | Table used for new applications | Table used for Changes/Redeterminations |
| Family of 2 | $76,117 | $86,266 |
| Family of 3 | $94,026 | $106,563 |
| Family of 4 | $111,936 | $126,861 |
| Family of 5 | $129,846 | $147,159 |
| Family of 6 | $147,756 | $167,457 |
| Family of 7 | $151,114 | $171,262 |
| Family of 8 | $154,472 | $175,068 |
| Family of 9 | $157,830 | $178,874 |
| Family of 10 | $161,188 | $182,680 |
| Family of 11 | $164,546 | $186,486 |
| Family of 12 | $167,904 | $190,292 |
* Initial Income Scale – This scale applies to families who are new applicants without a current child care scholarship, those submitting a Fast-Track initial application for a 60-Day Scholarship, and those submitting a Fast-Track Full “Redetermination Application” along with all required documents for an initial full evaluation for continued child care scholarship 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 previously received child care services for at least 52 weeks to 24 months and have an active child care scholarship that has not expired when applying for continued services. Family income must be below the Continuation Income Scale to qualify.
To apply for a comprehensive, 52-week Scholarship, ensure you submit the following documents to CCS Central 2 within 15 days of your fast-track application approval:
- The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) application
- Verification of income for all household members. This includes you, your spouse, or the child’s other parent living in your household. Provide the most recent four consecutive weeks of pay stubs.
- Proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license, birth certificate, government-issued ID).
- Proof of approved activity (e.g., work, school, or job training schedule/verification).
- Proof of all other sources of income.
- Proof of current address (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement).
Upon approval of your CCS application, you may need to complete additional Scholarship Forms for ongoing services and to report any changes in your circumstances.
Need Assistance? Contact CCS Central 2
CCS Central 2 is your primary point of contact for processing Child Care Scholarship applications and managing payments to child care providers.
Child Care Scholarship Customer Support and Open Office Hours
For direct support and answers to your questions, take advantage of the Child Care Scholarship Customer Support resources.
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 Prevent Repayment Obligations (This section from original article is less relevant to “child care” keyword and general scholarship info, so excluded for focus and length, but could be added back if length needs to be increased and refocused on attendance and its importance in child care programs).
