Applying for a Child Care Scholarship in Maryland is now more accessible than ever, designed to ease the financial burden of high-quality child care and early education. The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program, previously known as the Child Care Subsidy, offers crucial support to eligible families within Maryland. This program is expertly managed by Child Care Scholarship Central 2 (CCS Central 2), ensuring a streamlined and efficient process for applicants.
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The program features a Fast Track Child Care Scholarship application, significantly reducing the waiting period to just three business days. This expedited process provides eligible families with up to 60 days of immediate child care assistance while the full Child Care Scholarship application is being thoroughly reviewed. If you’re a Maryland resident concerned about child care expenses, understanding the Child Care Scholarship program, sometimes referred to as a care scholars program in general discussions about childcare support, could be the key to accessing vital financial aid.
Who is Eligible for the Child Care Scholarship Program?
To qualify for the CCS Program, specific eligibility criteria must be met to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most. Here are the key requirements for families looking to benefit from this program:
- Residency and Activity: Applicants must be Maryland residents actively participating in work, an approved training program, or attending school. In households with two parents, both must fulfill these eligibility requirements.
- Financial Need or Public Assistance: Eligibility extends to families receiving Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or those who fall within the established CCS income guidelines.
- Immunization Compliance: Children must be immunized according to Maryland state standards. Alternatively, proper documentation supporting an exemption from immunization is also acceptable.
- Citizenship or Qualified Alien Status: Proof is required to verify that each child needing care is a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien. A birth certificate or relevant documentation serves as valid proof of the child’s status. Importantly, parents are not mandated to be U.S. citizens to apply for the scholarship for their children.
- Identity Verification: Applicants must provide proof of identity for all household members. For parents, any government-issued document suffices. For children, a birth certificate or immigration status documentation can be used.
- Photo ID Requirement: The head of household is required to provide a Photo ID for verification purposes.
For a detailed overview of eligibility, you can consult the Eligibility Checklist. For frequently asked questions, the Scholarship FAQs and Fast Track Frequently Asked Questions documents offer further clarification. Brochures in both English and Spanish are also available for more information.
Applying for the Child Care Scholarship: A Step-by-Step Guide
The application process for the Child Care Scholarship is conveniently managed through the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal. Here’s a detailed guide on how to apply:
Step 1: Account Registration on the Family Portal
Begin by visiting the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal at family.childcareportals.org. Click on “Register for a New Account” and input your required information to create your personal account. For assistance with registration, detailed instructions are available.
Step 2: Complete and Submit the Fast Track Application
Once registered, fill out the concise online Fast Track Scholarship application. As part of this 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 processed by CCS Central 2 within three business days. This quick turnaround is designed to provide rapid support to eligible families.
Step 4: Temporary Scholarship and Full Application
If your Fast Track application is approved, a temporary 60-day scholarship will be issued. This temporary assistance helps cover child care costs while your full application for a 52-week scholarship is being processed. To determine eligibility for the longer-term scholarship, you will be asked to provide additional information and documentation. Submitting this within 15 days of your Fast Track application ensures that your eligibility for a 52-week scholarship can be determined before the temporary scholarship expires.
Ready to start your application? Create your account and apply now!
Income Eligibility for the Child Care Scholarship
The Child Care Scholarship program utilizes specific income scales to determine eligibility, ensuring that families with demonstrated financial need receive support. These income scales are categorized into “Initial Income Scale” for new applicants and “Continuation Income Scale” for families already receiving scholarship benefits. Below are the maximum annual income thresholds as of December 15, 2024, for initial applications and April 22, 2024, for continuation applications:
Child Care Scholarship Program – Maximum Annual Income
| Family Size | Initial Income Scale* Maximum Annual Income Effective 12.15.2024 | Continuation Income Scale** Maximum Annual Income Effective 4.22.2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 applies to families who are new to the scholarship program, those applying for the 60-Day Fast-Track Scholarship, and families undergoing a full “Redetermination Application” for continued services beyond the initial 60-day period. Family income must be below this scale to qualify.
** Continuation Income Scale is for families who have already received at least 52 weeks to 24 months of child care services and are applying for continued support. These families must have an active scholarship that has not expired at the time of application and their income must be below the Continuation Income Scale.
Further details on using the scholarship can be found at How to use a Scholarship.
Documents Required for the 52-Week Scholarship Application
To proceed from the Fast Track Scholarship to a full 52-week Scholarship, families must submit the following documents to CCS Central 2 within 15 days of Fast Track approval:
- Completed Child Care Scholarship (CCS) application.
- Verification of income, typically the most recent four weeks of consecutive pay stubs.
- Proof of identity for all household members (e.g., driver’s license, birth certificate, government-issued ID).
- Proof of approved activity (work, school, or job training).
- Proof of all other sources of income.
- Proof of current address (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement).
For ongoing scholarship services and to report any changes, additional Scholarship Forms may be required. Translated scholarship forms and documents are accessible here:
Contacting CCS Central 2 for Support
CCS Central 2 is your primary point of contact for processing Child Care Scholarship applications and handling payments to child care providers. For any questions or support needs, here’s how to get in touch:
For parent inquiries about the scholarship program, please use this form:
For child care providers with questions, this form is available:
Child Care Scholarship Customer Support – Open Office Hours
For direct assistance, CCS offers Open Office Hours. Please refer to the Open Office Hours Calendar for the schedule.
| 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 |
The Child Care Scholarship Program is a valuable resource for Maryland families, aiming to make quality child care affordable and accessible. By understanding the eligibility requirements and application process, families can take advantage of this opportunity to support their children’s early learning and development.
