.png)
Finding affordable, high-quality child care is a top priority for working families. The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program in Maryland is designed to help eligible families manage these expenses and access excellent early education opportunities. Applying for a Child Care Scholarship is now streamlined and more accessible than ever through the online Family Portal.
The Child Care Scholarship (CCS), formerly known as the Child Care Subsidy, is a Maryland state program that provides financial assistance to eligible families to pay for child care and early education programs. Managed by Child Care Scholarship Central 2 (CCS Central 2), the program aims to make quality child care attainable for working families, those in training, or attending school.
For families needing immediate assistance, the Fast Track Child Care Scholarship application offers a quicker route to support. Eligible families can receive a decision within just three business days and access 60 days of child care assistance while their full Child Care Scholarship application is being processed.
Who is Eligible for the Child Care Scholarship Program?
To determine if your family can benefit from the CCS Program, consider the following eligibility requirements:
- Residency and Activity: You must be a Maryland resident who is either employed, participating in an approved training program, or attending school. In two-parent households, both parents must meet these criteria.
- Financial Need: Eligibility extends to recipients of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as well as families who meet the CCS income guidelines (detailed below).
- Immunization: Children must be immunized according to Maryland state standards or have documented exemptions.
- Citizenship/Qualified Alien Status: Each child needing care must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien. (A Birth Certificate or documentation of the child’s status is required.) Importantly, parents are not required to be U.S. citizens.
- Proof of Identity: Identity verification is needed for all household members. Government-issued documents are acceptable for parents, while birth certificates or immigration documents can serve as proof of identity for children.
- Photo ID: The head of household is required to provide a Photo ID.
Eligibility Checklist Scholarship FAQs Fast Track Frequently Asked Questions Brochure Spanish Brochure
Applying for the Child Care Scholarship: Step-by-Step
To access the Child Care Scholarship program and program your child’s care with financial assistance, you will need to apply through the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal. Here’s a breakdown of the application process:
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”. You will be prompted to enter your personal information to create your account. For detailed guidance on registration, refer to the Learn How to Register instructions.
Step 2: Complete and Submit the Fast Track Application
Once registered and logged in, locate and complete the fast-track online Scholarship application. This initial application is shorter and designed for quicker processing. You will need to upload two essential documents:
- Proof of employment or enrollment in a training program/school.
- Proof of Maryland residency (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement).
After completing the application and uploading the documents, submit your application through the portal.
Step 3: Application Processing by CCS Central 2
CCS Central 2 will process your fast-track application within three (3) business days. They will review your submitted information to determine initial eligibility.
Step 4: Temporary Scholarship and Full Application
If deemed eligible based on your fast-track application, a temporary 60-day Scholarship will be issued. This provides immediate financial support for child care while your comprehensive application is being reviewed. To determine eligibility for a full 52-week Scholarship, you will be asked to provide further information and documentation. Submitting this additional documentation within 15 days of your fast-track application increases the likelihood of determining your 52-week Scholarship eligibility before the temporary one expires.
Create your account and apply now!
Income Eligibility for Child Care Scholarships
Families meeting the income criteria outlined below may be eligible for a Child Care Scholarship. These income scales are used to determine eligibility based on family size and application type.
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 without an existing child care scholarship, those submitting a Fast-Track initial application for a 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. To be eligible under this scale, family income must be below the Initial Income Scale.
**Continuation Income Scale – This scale is for families who have previously received at least 52 weeks to 24 months of child care services and have an active child care scholarship that has not yet expired when applying for continued services. To be eligible under this scale, family income must be below the Continuation Income Scale.
For a full, 52-week Scholarship, you will need to 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 (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 schedule/enrollment).
- Proof of all other income sources.
- Proof of address (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement).
After your CCS application is approved, certain Scholarship Forms may be required for ongoing services and to report any changes in your circumstances.
For additional Scholarship documents, please visit the provided link.
Contacting CCS Central 2
CCS Central 2 is responsible for processing Child Care Scholarship applications and managing payments to child care providers. If you have questions or need assistance, here’s how to get in touch:
For parent-specific inquiries, use the “parent questions” link. Child care providers can use the “provider questions” link for their queries.
Child Care Scholarship Customer Support and Open Office Hours
For direct support and to have your questions answered in real-time, consider attending the Child Care Scholarship Customer Support Open Office Hours. Below is the schedule:
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: How to Avoid Having to Pay Back Money (This section is maintained as in the original, although its relevance to “How To Program In Child Care” is tenuous, it’s part of the original document).
