Applying for a Child Care Scholarship is now faster and more accessible than ever!
The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program, previously known as the Child Care Subsidy, is designed to assist eligible Maryland families in affording high-quality child care and early education opportunities. This crucial program is efficiently managed through Child Care Scholarship Central 2 (CCS Central 2), a centralized vendor ensuring smooth operation and accessibility.
For families needing immediate assistance, the Fast Track Child Care Scholarship application process offers a significantly reduced waiting period. Eligible families can receive help with child care expenses within just three business days, along with 60 days of childcare assistance while their full Child Care Scholarship application is being processed. This expedited process ensures that families can quickly access the support they need.
Scholarships are available for children who are:
- Younger than 13 years old, or
- Individuals aged 13-19 with a qualifying disability.
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Alt text: Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program logo, emphasizing support for families and early childhood education.
Who is Eligible for the Child Care Scholarship Program?
To be considered eligible for the CCS Program, applicants must meet specific criteria to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most. These eligibility requirements are designed to support working families and those pursuing education or training.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Residency: Applicants must be legal residents of Maryland. In two-parent households residing together, both parents must fulfill all eligibility criteria.
- Activity Requirement: Parents or guardians must be engaged in one or more qualifying activities, such as:
- Employment: Working in a job.
- Approved Training Program: Participating in a recognized job training program.
- Attending School: Enrollment in an educational institution.
- Financial Need: Applicants must be recipients of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or fall within the established CCS income guidelines. These guidelines are designed to support families with demonstrated financial need.
- Immunization Compliance: Children must be immunized according to Maryland state standards or have documented exemptions from immunization for valid reasons. This ensures the health and safety of all children in care.
- Citizenship/Qualified Alien Status: Each child requiring child care must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien. Proof of citizenship or qualified alien status is required, such as a birth certificate or relevant documentation. It’s important to note that parents are not required to be U.S. citizens to apply for the scholarship.
- 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: The head of household is required to provide a Photo ID for verification purposes.
Eligibility Checklist Scholarship FAQs Fast Track Frequently Asked Questions Brochure Spanish Brochure
Applying for the Child Care Scholarship: A Step-by-Step Guide
Applying for the Child Care Scholarship is streamlined through the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal. This online portal simplifies the application process, making it user-friendly and efficient. Here’s a detailed guide on how to apply:
Step 1: Create an Account 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. For detailed registration assistance, you can consult the Learn How to Register instructions, which provide a walkthrough of the registration process.
Step 2: Complete and Submit the Fast Track Application
Once your account is set up, fill out the concise, fast-track online Scholarship application. As part of this application, you will need to submit two essential documents:
- Proof of employment or enrollment in a training program/school: This verifies your engagement in a qualifying activity.
- Proof of Maryland residency: Documents such as a utility bill or lease agreement can serve as proof of residency.
Step 3: Application Processing
Your fast track application will be promptly processed by CCS Central 2, typically within three business days. This quick turnaround is designed to provide rapid assistance to eligible families.
Step 4: Receive Temporary Scholarship and Complete Full Application
If your fast track application is approved, a temporary, 60-day Scholarship will be issued. This scholarship is intended to provide immediate financial relief for child care costs while your full application is being processed. To determine eligibility for a 52-week Scholarship, you will be required to provide additional information and documentation. Submitting this within 15 days of your fast track application ensures timely evaluation for the longer-term scholarship before the temporary one expires.
Create your account and apply now!
Income Eligibility for the Child Care Scholarship
The Child Care Scholarship program uses income scales to determine eligibility, ensuring that support is directed to families who meet specific financial criteria. These scales are updated periodically, and it’s important to refer to the most current tables.
Maximum Annual Income Limits
| 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 the 60-Day Scholarship, and those submitting a Fast-Track Full “Redetermination Application.” To qualify under this scale, family income must be below the Initial Income Scale maximums.
** 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 qualify under this scale, family income must be below the Continuation Income Scale maximums.
To proceed to a full, 52-week Scholarship after receiving fast-track approval, families must submit the following documentation to CCS Central 2 within 15 days:
- The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) application
- Verification of income, including the most recent four weeks of consecutive pay stubs for all household members, including you, your spouse, or the child’s other parent living in the household.
- 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).
Upon approval of the CCS application, additional Scholarship Forms may be required for ongoing services and to report any changes in circumstances.
Alt text: Link to translated Child Care Scholarship forms and documents, aiding accessibility for non-English speakers.
Contacting Child Care Scholarship Central 2 (CCS Central 2)
CCS Central 2 is the central processing hub for Child Care Scholarship applications and provider payments. For any inquiries or support needs, CCS Central 2 is readily available to assist.
Contact Information for CCS Central 2:
For parent inquiries about the scholarship program, please use the following contact form:
Alt text: Link for parents to submit questions about the Child Care Scholarship program, facilitating easy access to support.
For child care providers with questions about the scholarship program, please use this contact form:
Alt text: Link for childcare providers to submit inquiries about the Child Care Scholarship program, offering dedicated support for providers.
Child Care Scholarship Customer Support and Open Office Hours
For direct assistance and real-time support, the Child Care Scholarship program offers Customer Support and Open Office Hours. These sessions provide opportunities to get your questions answered and receive guidance on the scholarship process.
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 |
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The Child Care Scholarship program is a valuable resource for Maryland families, providing crucial financial assistance to access quality child care and early education. By understanding the eligibility criteria and application process, families can effectively utilize this program to support their children’s development and their own career or educational goals.
