Starting May 1, 2025, the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Program will temporarily stop issuing scholarships to new families. Learn more.

Applying for a Child Care Scholarship is quicker and easier than ever!

The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) (formerly known as Child Care Subsidy) program helps eligible families in Maryland pay for high-quality child care and early education programs. The program is managed through a centralized vendor -- Child Care Scholarship Central 2 (CCS Central 2).

The Fast Track Child Care Scholarship application process shortens your wait to three (3) business days to get help with child care expenses and 60 days of child care assistance while your Child Care Scholarship application is processed, if you are eligible!

If eligible, Scholarships are available for:

• a child who is younger than 13, or
• an individual 13-19 years old who has a qualifying disability.​

To be eligible for the CCS Program, you must be:

• A Maryland resident who is working/employed, in an approved training program or attending school. For families where both parents live within the same household, both parents must meet all eligibility requirements. 

• A recipient of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or within CCS income guidelines (see below).

• Willing to have your child immunized to Maryland state standards or provide documentation supporting Exemption from Immunization. 

• Willing to provide proof that each child needing child care is a citizen of the United States or a qualified alien. (Provide a Birth Certificate for each child or documentation that certifies the child's status.) NOTE: Parents ARE NOT required to be citizens of the United States. 

• Willing to provide proof of identity for all members within the household composition. (Proof of identity for the parent can be any form of a government issued document. The birth certificate or immigration status documentation can serve as proof of identity for each child in the household composition.) 

• Willing to provide a Photo I.D. (Only required of the head of households.)  

Eligibility Checklist      Scholarship Rates      Scholarship FAQs      Fast Track Frequently Asked Questions      Brochure      Spanish Brochure      Consumer Education Guide

How to Apply

Review the Consumer Education Guide

To apply for a Child Care Scholarship, you must submit an application through the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal as described below.

Step 1: Go to the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal and create an account. Click on “Register for a New Account” and enter your information. (If you need help with the registration process, view the Learn How to Register instructions.)

Step 2: Fill out and complete the short, fast-track online Scholarship application and submit your three (3) documents:

1. Proof of employment or enrollment in training/school
2. Proof of residency (i.e. utility bill, lease, etc.)
3. Proof of income 

Step 3: Your fast track application will be processed within three (3) business days by CCS Central 2.

Step 4: If you are eligible, a temporary, 60-day Scholarship will be issued to assist with the cost of child care while we process your full application. We will ask for additional information and documentation to see if you are eligible for a 52-week Scholarship. If you provide the additional information and documentation within 15 days of submitting your fast track application, we will let you know if you are eligible for a 52-week Scholarship before your temporary Scholarship expires.

Create your account and apply now!

Families in the following income categories may be eligible for a Child Care Scholarship

* Initial Income Scale – applies to families without an active child care scholarship,  customers submitting a Fast-Track initial application for a 60-Day Scholarship and customers submitting a Fast-Track Full “Redetermination Application” along with all documents for an “initial” full evaluation of all documents required for continued child care scholarship services beyond the 60-Day fast-track eligibility - family income must be below Initial Income Scale

**Continuation Income Scale – families that have already received at least 52-weeks to 24 months of child care services, they have at least one active child care scholarship that has not expired at the time of submitting a new Child Care Scholarship Application for continued services - family income must be below Continuation Income Scale

How to use a Scholarship

To apply for a full, 52-week Scholarship, a family must submit the following to CCS Central 2 within 15 days of approval for a fast-track application:

• The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) application
• Verification of income
• To complete the application you MUST send in the information listed for all household members. This includes you, and your spouse or your child’s other parent living in your household. Most recent four (4) weeks of consecutive pay stubs.
  • Proof of identity (i.e. driver’s license, birth certificate, government issued identification, etc.) 
  • Proof of approved activity (i.e. work, school or job training) 
  • Proof of all other income 
  • Proof of address (i.e. utility bill, lease, etc.)

Once the CCS application is approved, the following Scholarship Forms may be needed for continued services and to report changes:

• Application Forms 
• Change Forms 
• Appeal Forms
• Provider Forms
• DHS and other public agency forms
• Informal Provider Forms 

Additional Scholarship documents

• Required Documents
• Customer Handout
• Fluctuation of Income
• Provider Handout 
• Graduated Income 
• Temporary Break in Activity  
• Children with Disabilities and/or Special Needs Rate Request Form (under review)
• Scholarship Rates

Child Care Scholarship Customer Support

Open Office Hours Calendar

Attendance Audit: How to Avoid Having to Pay Back Money

• Recording
• Presentation

Dispute Resolution Procedures for Child Care Providers

• The Child Care Scholarship Program has established a timely appeal and resolution process for any payment inaccuracies or disputes. This document outlines the relevant process, which may vary depending on the nature of the dispute.

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