Applying for a Child Care Scholarship in Maryland is now a streamlined process, making it easier than ever for eligible families to access high-quality child care and early education. The Child Care Scholarship (CCS), previously known as the Child Care Subsidy, is designed to help families in Maryland manage the costs of child care. This program is administered through Child Care Scholarship Central 2 (CCS Central 2).
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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 for help with child care expenses, and if approved, can get 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 qualify for the CCS Program, families must meet specific criteria:
- Residency and Activity: 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 requirements.
- Financial Need: Families must be recipients of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or fall within the CCS income guidelines detailed below. It’s important to note that the program assesses family income to determine eligibility, focusing on parental or guardian income rather than child income. Therefore, you will need to report your income and that of your spouse if applicable, but not your child’s income for the purposes of this program.
- Immunization: Children must be immunized according to Maryland state standards or have documentation supporting an exemption.
- Citizenship/Qualified Alien Status: Proof of US citizenship or qualified alien status is required for each child needing care. (A birth certificate or documentation certifying the child’s status is acceptable.) Parents are not required to be US citizens.
- Proof of Identity: Identity verification is needed for all household members. Government-issued documents are acceptable for parents, and birth certificates or immigration documents can serve as proof of identity for children.
- 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 is conducted through the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Account Registration: Visit the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal and create a user account. Click on “Register for a New Account” and input your details. For registration assistance, consult the Learn How to Register instructions.
Step 2: Fast Track Application and Document Submission: Complete the concise online Fast Track Scholarship application. You will need to submit two documents:
- Proof of employment or enrollment in a training program/school.
- Proof of Maryland residency (e.g., utility bill, 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 meet the eligibility criteria, a temporary 60-day Scholarship will be issued to assist 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 will allow CCS Central 2 to assess your eligibility for a 52-week Scholarship before the temporary one expires.
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Income Guidelines for Child Care Scholarship Eligibility
The following income scales determine eligibility for the Child Care Scholarship Program:
| 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 – Applies to families 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” 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.
** Continuation Income Scale – Applies to families who have already received between 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.
For a full, 52-week Scholarship application, you must submit the following documents to CCS Central 2 within 15 days of Fast Track application approval:
- The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) application
- Income verification (most recent four consecutive weeks of pay stubs). You will need to provide income information for yourself, your spouse, or your child’s other parent living in your household. Again, child income is not the focus; the program requires income verification for parents/guardians to assess family financial eligibility.
- Proof of identity (driver’s license, birth certificate, government-issued ID, etc.)
- Proof of approved activity (work, school, or job training)
- Proof of all other income sources
- Proof of address (utility bill, lease, etc.)
For ongoing services and to report any changes, the following Scholarship Forms may be necessary:
Additional Scholarship documents are also available.
Contacting CCS Central 2
CCS Central 2 handles Child Care Scholarship applications and payments to providers. For inquiries, please use the following resources:
Child Care Scholarship Customer Support
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