Navigating the Maryland Child Care Scholarship Family Portal: Requirements and Access

The Maryland Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program, formerly known as the Child Care Subsidy, offers financial assistance to eligible working families in Maryland to help with the costs of child care. This program is designed to ensure that families, regardless of their zip code or income, have access to high-quality and affordable early childhood education programs. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has taken significant steps to make the CCS program more accessible through initiatives like the Fast Track application and the Family Portal.

Understanding the Child Care Scholarship Program

The CCS program operates by providing scholarships to eligible families, which they can then use at child care providers participating in the Maryland EXCELS program. This scholarship represents a signed agreement between the State, the provider, and the parent. Once signed, the scholarship is returned to CCS Central for processing. The family is responsible for paying a State-assigned co-payment directly to the child care provider, covering a portion of the child care expenses.

The Family Portal: A One-Stop Digital Platform

In February 2023, MSDE launched the Family Portal, a one-stop digital platform designed to streamline the CCS application process. Available in both English and Spanish, with support for several other languages, the Family Portal offers a user-friendly interface that guides applicants through the necessary steps and requirements.

Ruby Daniels, president of the Maryland State Family Child Care Association, notes that the Family Portal has significantly improved the experience for Maryland families receiving the Child Care Scholarship. The portal's smart application directs applicants to the specific information and documents needed for processing, reducing the time and effort required to finalize the application.

Fast Track Application: Expediting the Process

Beginning July 1, 2023, the CCS program introduced a fast-track application process to provide eligible families with quicker access to child care assistance. This process grants temporary eligibility determination within three business days, offering 60 days of temporary child care assistance while the full application is processed.

Read also: Frisco, TX Childcare Guide

Delegate Jared Solomon (D-Montgomery) emphasizes that securing child care assistance is crucial for many Maryland families' success. By simplifying the eligibility process, parents can more easily find high-quality care for their children, secure employment, and achieve stability.

Eligibility for Fast Track

To be eligible for the fast track CCS application, applicants must provide proof of residency and employment or enrollment in a training/education program. The presumptive eligibility determination is based on self-attestation by the applicant.

First-time applicants are limited to one fast track application submission, and multiple children can be listed on a single application.

Applying for the Child Care Scholarship: A Step-by-Step Guide

To apply for the Child Care Scholarship, follow these steps:

Create an Account: Go to the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal and click on “Register for a New Account.” Enter your information to create an account.

Read also: Applying for Child Care Scholarships
Complete the Application: Fill out the online application form, providing all required information.
Submit Required Documents: Upload the necessary documents, including:
- 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 agreement, etc.)
Temporary Scholarship (if eligible): If you are eligible, a temporary, 60-day Scholarship will be issued to assist with the cost of child care while your full application is processed. Additional information and documentation will be requested to determine eligibility for a 52-week Scholarship.

Required Information for All Household Members

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 agreement, etc.)
Willing to provide proof that each child needing child care is a citizen of the United States or a qualified alien.
Willing to provide a Photo I.D.

Maryland EXCELS: Ensuring Quality Child Care

Licensed and registered child care programs must participate in Maryland EXCELS, the state’s quality rating and improvement system, to accept Child Care Scholarships. Maryland EXCELS awards quality ratings to child care and public prekindergarten programs, ensuring that children receive high-quality care.

Read also: Learn and Play: Childcare Benefits

Important Dates and Considerations

Starting May 1, 2025, the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Program will temporarily stop issuing scholarships to new families. Families already enrolled in the CCS program must still complete the full CCS application process.

Addressing Cost and Quality

The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) requires Lead Agencies to complete a Narrow Cost Analysis in their three-year plan. The Maryland State Department of Education partnered with Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies to conduct this analysis, estimating the cost of care necessary to support child care providers’ implementation of health, safety, quality, and staffing requirements, as well as higher quality care.

Resources and Support

For more information about the Child Care Scholarship program and to apply for a Fast Track Child Care Scholarship, visit money4childcare.com.

MSDE also provides resources to help Marylanders learn about the availability, application process, eligibility requirements, and benefits of the Child Care Scholarship program. Partner agencies and community organizations are encouraged to use these resources to help communicate clearly and consistently.

The Child Care Scholarship Program has established a timely appeal and resolution process for any payment inaccuracies or disputes.

Need help completing your Child Care Scholarship Application? Translation services are available in multiple languages, including:

Amharic: የልጅ እንክብካቤ ስኮላርሺፕ ማመልከቻን ለመሙላት እርዳታ ይፈልጋሉ?
Spanish: ¿Necesita ayuda para completar su Solicitud de Beca de Cuidado Infantil?
French: Vous avez besoin d’aide pour remplir votre demande de bourse d’études pour la garde d’enfants ?
Korean: 어린이 돌봄 장학금(Child Care Scholarship) 지원서를 작성하는 데 도움이 필요하신가요?
Russian: Нужна помощь в заполнении заявки для получения субсидии на уход за ребенком?
Tagalog: Kailangan ng tulong sa pagkumpleto ng iyong Aplikasyon para sa Iskolarship sa Pangangalaga ng Bata?
Vietnamese: Bạn cần trợ giúp để hoàn thành Đơn đăng ký Học bổng Chăm sóc Trẻ em?
Yoruba: Ṣé o nílò ìrànlọ́wọ́ láti dáhùn àwọn ìbéèré inú Ìwé Ìbéèrè Fún Ẹ̀kọ́ Ọ̀fẹ́ Ìtọ́jú Ọmọ rẹ?

tags: #childcare #scholarship #family #portal #requirements