Applying for a Child Care Scholarship in Maryland is now more streamlined and accessible than ever. The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program, previously known as the Child Care Subsidy, is designed to assist eligible Maryland families with the costs of high-quality child care and early education, which importantly includes Before Care Programs. This program is administered through Child Care Scholarship Central 2 (CCS Central 2), ensuring a centralized and efficient process.
For families needing immediate assistance, the Fast Track Child Care Scholarship application offers a quicker route to support. Eligible applicants 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.
Scholarships are available for children under 13 years of age, and for individuals aged 13 to 19 who have a qualifying disability. This ensures that families with diverse needs can access the necessary support for before care programs and other child care services.
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Eligibility Requirements for the CCS Program
To qualify for the Child Care Scholarship Program, applicants must meet specific criteria to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most for programs like before care. Eligibility requirements include:
- Residency: Applicants must be legal residents of Maryland who are either employed, participating in an approved training program, or enrolled in school. In households with two parents, both parents must fulfill these eligibility requirements.
- Financial Need: Applicants must be recipients of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or meet the CCS income guidelines detailed in the chart below.
- Immunization: Children must be immunized according to Maryland state standards or have documentation supporting an exemption from immunization.
- Citizenship/Qualified Alien Status: Proof that each child requiring child care is a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien is necessary (typically a Birth Certificate or documentation certifying the child’s status). It’s important to note that parents are not required to be U.S. citizens.
- Identity Verification: Proof of identity is required for all household members. For parents, this can be any government-issued document. For children, a birth certificate or immigration status documentation can serve as proof of identity.
- Photo ID: A Photo ID is required only for the head of household.
Eligibility Checklist Scholarship FAQs Fast Track Frequently Asked Questions Brochure Spanish Brochure
Applying for the Child Care Scholarship
The application process for a Child Care Scholarship, which can be used for before care programs, is conducted through the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal. Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying:
Step 1: Account Registration on the Family Portal. Visit the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal and create a user account by clicking on “Register for a New Account” and entering the required information. For registration assistance, detailed instructions are available: Learn How to Register.
Step 2: Complete and Submit the Fast Track Application. Fill out the online Scholarship application and submit two essential documents:
- Proof of current employment or enrollment in a training program/school.
- Proof of Maryland residency (e.g., 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 Issuance. If deemed eligible, a 60-day temporary Scholarship will be issued to help cover child care costs, including before care program expenses, while your full application is being evaluated. You will be required to provide additional documentation to determine eligibility for a 52-week Scholarship. Submitting this information within 15 days of your fast track application allows for a decision on your 52-week Scholarship eligibility before the temporary one expires.
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Income Eligibility for Child Care Scholarship
Families meeting the following income criteria may be eligible for a Child Care Scholarship to assist with before care program costs and other child care needs.
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 eligibility. 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 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 full, 52-week Scholarship to support ongoing needs like before care programs, families must submit the following documents to CCS Central 2 within 15 days of receiving approval for their fast-track application:
- The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) application
- Verification of income
- To complete the application, information for all household members must be provided, including you, your spouse, or your child’s other parent living in your household. This includes the most recent four weeks of consecutive pay stubs.
- Proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license, birth certificate, government-issued identification).
- Proof of approved activity (e.g., work, school, or job training).
- Proof of all other income sources.
- Proof of current address (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement).
Once the CCS application is approved, additional Scholarship Forms may be necessary for continued services and to report any changes.
CCS Central 2 is responsible for processing Child Care Scholarship applications and Provider Payments. For assistance, here’s how to get in touch with CCS Central 2!
Child Care Scholarship Customer Support
Open Office Hours Calendar
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