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Baltimore Child Care Scholarship 2026–27: Maryland's Waitlist, Income Scales, $0–$3 Co-Pays and the Documents CCS Central 2 Wants

Writer: FSR Editorial Team
FSR Editorial Team
2 hours ago
5 min read

Maryland's Child Care Scholarship stands out from most states' child care subsidy programs because of how little families pay. The state's FAQ says the assigned family co-payment ranges from $0 to $3 per week, and families on Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or SSI pay $0. The catch in 2026 is access, not price. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) says the program continues to operate with a waitlist because demand exceeds available funding.

This guide is for Baltimore City families and explains what MSDE's pages say about getting in, staying in, and what to do if something goes wrong.



The 2026 Situation: A Partial Enrollment Freeze

MSDE's notice on its scholarship page says:

  • The program continues to operate with a waitlist because demand exceeds available funding.

  • As of July 1, 2026, MSDE has begun awarding scholarships to a small number of families on the waitlist as spaces become available.

  • Because of a new state law, families experiencing homelessness are now eligible to receive a scholarship if they meet all other program rules.

What this means for you: apply anyway, so you have a place in line. Keep your Family Portal account and documents current. Don't turn down other options, such as Head Start, a sliding-scale program or pre-K, while you wait.



Who Is Eligible

MSDE lists these requirements:

  • The child is younger than 13, or 13 to 19 with a qualifying disability.

  • You are a Maryland resident who is working, in an approved training program or attending school. If both parents live in the household, both must meet all eligibility requirements.

  • You receive TCA or SSI, or your income is within the CCS income guidelines.

  • You're willing to have your child immunized to Maryland standards, or to provide documentation of an exemption.

  • You can prove each child needing care is a U.S. citizen or qualified alien. Parents are not required to be U.S. citizens.

  • You can provide proof of identity for everyone in the household and a photo ID for the head of household.



Two Income Scales: New Applicants vs. Families Already Enrolled

Maryland uses two income tables. New applicants must be below the Initial scale. Families who already have an active scholarship and are reapplying must be below the higher Continuation scale.

Family size

Initial scale (new applications)

Continuation scale (changes and redeterminations)

2

$76,117

$86,266

3

$94,026

$106,563

4

$111,936

$126,861

5

$129,846

$147,159

6

$147,756

$167,457

7

$151,114

$171,262

8

$154,472

$175,068

These are maximum annual incomes. MSDE's table continues to a family of 12. It lists the Initial scale as effective 12.15.2024 and the Continuation scale as effective 4.22.2024.

Who uses which scale:

  • Initial: families without an active scholarship, including Fast-Track applicants for a 60-day scholarship and those submitting the full application after it.

  • Continuation: families that have already received 52 weeks to 24 months of services and have at least one active scholarship that hasn't expired when they reapply.

Why it matters: a raise that would have disqualified you as a new applicant may not end your scholarship at renewal. Don't let your scholarship lapse before you reapply, or you may be measured against the lower Initial scale.



How the Scholarship Pays

According to MSDE:

  • The scholarship shows the scholarship rate (the state's share) and your family co-payment.

  • You take it to a provider that participates in Maryland EXCELS. It can also cover before- and after-school care.

  • It's a signed agreement between the state, the provider and you. It's returned to CCS Central 2, the state's vendor, for processing.

  • You pay your co-payment plus any amount the scholarship doesn't cover directly to the provider.

Watch the "additional fee." MSDE warns that many providers charge more than the state reimburses. MSDE's example:

Line item

Weekly amount

Center tuition

$300

Scholarship pays

$257

Parent co-payment

$3

Parent still owes

$40

Ask any provider in writing what you'll owe on top of the co-pay before you sign. The co-payment per child decreases when more than one child has a scholarship.



Three Kinds of Scholarships

  • Temporary: a 60-day scholarship usable at a Maryland registered family home or licensed center.

  • Full, formal: usable at a registered family home or licensed center.

  • Informal: for care by a relative in the relative's home or the child's home, or a non-relative in the child's home.



How to Apply: The Fast-Track Process

MSDE describes a Fast-Track process designed to give an answer in three business days, plus 60 days of assistance while your full application is processed, if you're eligible. Given the waitlist notice above, confirm with CCS Central 2 how Fast-Track is working when you apply.

  1. Register at the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal (family.childcareportals.org). MSDE says registration is required for all new and existing families.

  2. Submit the short Fast-Track application with three documents: proof of employment or enrollment in training or school, proof of residency such as a utility bill or lease, and proof of income.

  3. Processing: CCS Central 2 processes Fast-Track applications within three business days.

  4. If eligible, you get a temporary 60-day scholarship.

  5. Within 15 days, submit the full application and documents. MSDE says that if you do, you'll learn whether you qualify for a 52-week scholarship before the temporary one expires.



Full Application Documents

Send these for all household members, including your spouse or your child's other parent if they live with you:

  • Income: the most recent four consecutive weeks of pay stubs, or an employer letter with your work schedule and gross pay. Include proof of all other income too.

  • Activity: proof of work, school or job training. Training or school verification should show days and hours, and students need proof of enrollment.

  • Identity: an unexpired U.S. passport, a birth certificate, a driver's license or a current photo ID.

  • Address: a lease, or an electric, gas, water or phone bill.

  • Immunizations: proof your child meets Maryland requirements.

MSDE also posts handouts on fluctuation of income, graduated income and temporary breaks in activity. These are worth reading if your hours vary or you're between jobs or semesters.



If You're Denied or Disagree With a Decision

MSDE's Scholarship Forms page includes Appeal Forms and Change Forms. If you get a denial, a reduction or a termination:

  1. Read the notice for the reason and any deadline.

  2. Get the appeal form from MSDE's Scholarship Forms page. File it promptly and attach supporting documents, such as pay stubs or a school schedule.

  3. Call CCS Central 2 at 877-227-0125 (8 a.m.–5 p.m.). Ask what's missing. Many denials come from incomplete documents. Interpreters are available on request.

MSDE doesn't publish a family appeal deadline on the pages we reviewed, so follow the deadline on your notice.



Help Getting It Right

  • CCS Central 2: 877-227-0125, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

  • Online inquiry form: use the Child Care Scholarship Customer Inquiry form on MSDE's scholarship page for questions about your application or payments.

  • Open Office Hours: MSDE lists monthly virtual sessions from 12–1 p.m., including November 17 and December 15, 2026.



More Help



Related Guides



Sources

This guide gives general information. Funding, waitlist status and income scales change. Confirm current details with MSDE or CCS Central 2.

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