The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program in Maryland is designed to make high-quality child care and early education accessible for families who qualify. Applying for a Child Care Scholarship is now easier and faster than ever, helping eligible families manage child care expenses. This program, formerly known as the Child Care Subsidy, is managed through Child Care Scholarship Central 2 (CCS Central 2).
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Understanding the Child Care Scholarship Program
The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program is a Maryland initiative that provides financial assistance to eligible families to help cover the costs of child care and early education. This program ensures that more Maryland children have access to enriching and safe child care environments, regardless of their families’ financial situations. Administered by Child Care Scholarship Central 2 (CCS Central 2), the program streamlines the application process and aims to quickly connect families with the support they need.
One of the key features of the CCS program is the Fast Track Child Care Scholarship application process. This expedited system is designed to shorten the waiting time for families to receive assistance. Eligible families can potentially receive help with child care expenses within just three business days through the Fast Track application, and may receive 60 days of temporary assistance while their full application is being processed.
Scholarships are available for children who are:
- Younger than 13 years old
- Individuals aged 13-19 years old with a documented qualifying disability
Who is Eligible for the Child Care Scholarship Program?
To determine if your family is eligible for the Child Care Scholarship Program, you must meet specific criteria. Eligibility requirements are in place to ensure that the program supports families who need it most. Here are the key eligibility factors:
- Residency: You must be a resident of Maryland.
- Activity Requirement: You must be working or employed, participating in an approved training program, or attending school. For households with two parents, both parents must meet these activity requirements.
- Financial Need: You must be a recipient of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or your family income must fall within the established CCS income guidelines.
- Immunization Compliance: Your child must be immunized according to Maryland state standards, or you must provide valid documentation for exemption from immunization.
- Citizenship/Qualified Alien Status: You must provide proof that each child needing child care is a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien. A birth certificate or documentation certifying the child’s status is required. It’s important to note that parents are not required to be U.S. citizens to be eligible for the program.
- Proof of Identity: You must be willing to provide proof of identity 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: The head of household is required to provide a photo ID.
For a comprehensive overview of eligibility, you can refer to the Eligibility Checklist. For frequently asked questions, the Scholarship FAQs and Fast Track Frequently Asked Questions documents are valuable resources. You can also explore the Brochure and Spanish Brochure for more information.
How to Apply for the Child Care Scholarship Program
Applying for a Child Care Scholarship is conducted through the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal. Follow these steps to apply:
Step 1: Register in the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal
Visit the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal at family.childcareportals.org and create a new account. Click on “Register for a New Account” and enter your required information. If you need assistance with registration, Learn How to Register instructions are available.
Step 2: Complete the Fast Track Application and Submit Documents
Fill out the online Fast Track Scholarship application within the portal. 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
CCS Central 2 will process your Fast Track application within three business days.
Step 4: Receive Temporary Scholarship and Complete Full Application
If you are deemed eligible based on your Fast Track application, a temporary 60-day Scholarship will be issued to help with child care costs while your full application is processed. To determine eligibility for a 52-week Scholarship, you will be asked to provide additional information and documentation. Submitting this within 15 days of your Fast Track application will allow for a determination on your 52-week Scholarship eligibility before the temporary one expires.
Create your account and apply now!
Families in the Following Income Categories May Be Eligible for a Child Care Scholarship
The Child Care Scholarship program uses income guidelines to determine eligibility. These guidelines are based on family size and are updated periodically. Below are the income scales currently in effect:
| 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 active child care scholarship, those submitting a Fast-Track initial application for a 60-Day Scholarship, and those submitting a Fast-Track Full “Redetermination Application” for a full evaluation 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 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. To be eligible under this scale, family income must be below the Continuation Income Scale.
To apply for a full, 52-week Scholarship, you will need to submit the following to CCS Central 2 within 15 days of Fast Track application approval:
- The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) application
- Verification of income (Most recent four (4) weeks of consecutive pay stubs are typically required.)
- 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 income sources.
- Proof of current address (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement).
Once your full CCS application is approved, you may need to complete additional Scholarship Forms for continued services and to report any changes.
Child Care Scholarship Customer Support through CCS Central 2
CCS Central 2 is responsible for processing Child Care Scholarship applications and provider payments. For any questions or support, here’s how to reach them:
Child Care Scholarship Customer Support – Open Office Hours
For direct assistance, CCS Central 2 offers Open Office Hours. Please refer to the calendar below for dates and times:
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: Understanding How to Avoid Repayments
In conclusion, the Child Care Scholarship Program is a valuable resource for Maryland families seeking affordable, high-quality child care. By understanding the eligibility requirements and application process, families can access the support they need to ensure their children have access to enriching early learning experiences. Take advantage of the Fast Track application to quickly begin receiving assistance.
