Maryland Child Care Scholarships 2025: How to Cut Your Daycare Bill with This State Benefit

Child care in Maryland can easily rival a mortgage payment. If you’ve ever done the math on what you earn versus what you hand over for daycare, you know the sinking feeling: Is this even worth working for?

The Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program is designed to change that equation.

Instead of walking away from a job, a training program, or college because child care is out of reach, this state benefit steps in and pays a significant portion of your child care tuition directly to your provider. You may still have a copay, but for many families—especially those on the lower end of the income scale—that copay is very small or even $0.

This isn’t a lottery, and it’s not a once-a-year thing. Applications are accepted year-round, and if you qualify, this can be thousands of dollars in support over a year, not a one-time check.

The program is surprisingly flexible: working parents, student parents, and those in approved training or apprenticeships can all qualify. You don’t have to be on public assistance to apply, and the income limits are much higher than most people assume. For 2025, a family of four can earn roughly $81,000 and still qualify.

If you’re in Maryland, have kids under 13 (or under 19 with special needs), and are juggling work or school with child care bills, this program is absolutely worth your time.

Maryland Child Care Scholarship at a Glance

What This Child Care Benefit Actually Offers

Think of the Maryland Child Care Scholarship as a long-term discount on your child care bill that goes straight to your provider.

You apply once, the state figures out how much you’re eligible for based on your income, household size, region, and provider quality level, and then:

• The state pays your child care provider directly each month up to an approved rate.
• You pay a copay, if any, to the provider—often much lower than what you’d pay on the open market.

Thanks to 2025 improvements, the scholarship now aligns with about the 85th percentile of market rates. In plain English: the state is paying closer to what child care actually costs in real life, not some outdated bargain rate. That makes more high-quality providers willing to accept scholarship families, and it gives you more choice.

A few key advantages:

• Serious savings. For a toddler in a licensed center, you’re easily looking at hundreds of dollars a week without aid. With the scholarship, many families pay only a modest monthly copay—or nothing at all if their income is under about 40% of the State Median Income.
• Real options, not leftovers. Providers participating in Maryland EXCELS (the state’s quality rating system) often accept these scholarships. If your provider is Level 3 or higher, they even get a 10% bonus from the state, which can translate into more stable staffing and programs.
• Stability for your kids. Instead of bouncing between informal arrangements whenever money is tight, your child can stay in one consistent, licensed setting. That’s huge for social skills, early learning, and your own stress level.
• Support while you move forward. The program isn’t just for people already in traditional full-time jobs. It’s built to support parents in community college, job training, or apprenticeships—so you can build a better-paying future while your child is safely cared for.

And critically, this isn’t a reimbursement situation where you pay everything upfront and hope someone pays you back. Once your scholarship is active, the state’s portion goes directly to the provider, month after month, as long as you remain eligible and your child attends.

Who Should Apply (And Who’s a Strong Fit)

If you’re a Maryland resident and you spend money on child care so you can work or go to school, you should at least check your eligibility. Many families assume they earn “too much” and leave thousands of dollars on the table.

You’re likely a good candidate if:

• You live in Maryland and can prove it with something like a lease, utility bill, or shelter letter.
• You have children under 13, or up to age 19 if they have a documented disability and need supervision.
• You’re working at least 20 hours a week, going to school full-time, or in an approved training/apprenticeship program. If you’re on Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), you’re already considered to be meeting this requirement.
• Your household income is at or below 65% of the State Median Income. For 2025, that’s roughly $81,000 for a family of four, with different thresholds for other family sizes.
• Your child is a U.S. citizen or qualified noncitizen. The state does not check or care about the parent’s immigration status for eligibility—only the child’s.
• You’re using or plan to use a licensed center, registered family child care provider, or approved informal/relative provider.

Some real-world examples:

• A nursing student with a 3-year-old: She’s in a full-time nursing program, working 10 hours on weekends. She qualifies based on her school enrollment. The scholarship covers her child’s full-time slot at a Level 4 center; her copay is tiny compared to the actual bill.
• A two-parent household with combined moderate income: They both work, earn around $75,000 together, and pay $450/week for infant care. They assume they “make too much” to get help. They’re wrong—$75k for a family of four can be under 65% SMI, depending on exact figures and deductions.
• A dad in an HVAC apprenticeship: He works unpredictable hours and attends related classes in the evenings. With documentation from his apprenticeship program and employer, he qualifies and keeps his child in a reliable family child care home.
• A family experiencing homelessness: They’re staying in a shelter and trying to re-establish work. They can get presumptive eligibility for 60 days, which means care can start quickly while they gather documents.

If you’re on SNAP, TCA, or the child receives SSI, your income might be treated in a simplified way—often making it easier to qualify without as much paperwork.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

This is not a competitive scholarship where the “best” family wins. If you qualify, you qualify. But you can absolutely make your life easier—and speed your approval—by being strategic.

1. Treat the OneStop Portal Like a Job Application, Not a Quick Form

The Maryland OneStop portal is your main tool. Create your account, gather documents, and block out 45–60 minutes to fill out the application carefully.

Incomplete or rushed applications are the number one reason people get delayed. Double-check:

• Every child is listed with correct birth dates
• Every adult in the household is included
• Income sources are accurate (wages, self-employment, benefits)

2. Over-Document, Especially if Your Income Varies

If your hours change week to week—restaurant work, gig work, seasonal jobs—don’t just submit one random small pay stub.

Upload multiple:

• Several recent pay stubs that show high and low weeks
• A letter from your employer confirming your typical range of hours and hourly wage
• If self-employed, a simple ledger or recent tax return

Clear documentation reduces the risk of later “overpayments” (when the state later decides they paid too much and asks for money back).

3. Have a Provider in Mind Before You Apply

You don’t need your child actually enrolled yet, but it helps tremendously to:

• Identify a licensed or registered provider you like
• Confirm they accept Maryland Child Care Scholarships
• Get their license number and Maryland EXCELS ID

You’ll plug this into your application so MSDE can confirm rates and availability. If you haven’t chosen yet, at least narrow it to a few and be ready to move quickly once you’re approved.

4. Aim for Higher-Quality Providers When You Can

Providers with Maryland EXCELS Level 3 or higher receive a bonus on top of the standard rate. That doesn’t raise your copay—it just makes it more financially viable for them to keep scholarship slots open and invest in better staffing, curriculum, and materials.

When comparing providers, ask about:

• Their EXCELS level
• Staff turnover
• Daily routines and communication with parents

You’re not just buying supervision; you’re buying an early childhood environment.

5. Use Your Work/School Schedule to Your Advantage

When you submit your schedule, think carefully:

• Align requested child care hours with real work or class times (plus commute)
• If you have back-to-back shifts or evening classes, highlight those clearly
• For community college or training programs, ask your school to provide a detailed schedule letter

The clearer the need, the easier the approval.

6. Don’t Ghost Your Case—Respond Fast to Requests

MSDE will usually reach out within the first week if something’s missing. Check:

• Your email (including junk folder)
• Your OneStop account message area

Responding within a day or two can shave weeks off your processing time.

A Realistic Application Timeline (Working Back from “I Need Care ASAP”)

Since applications are accepted year-round, your personal deadline is basically: “I need child care by X date.” Here’s a realistic backward plan.

2–3 weeks before you want care to start

• Create your Maryland OneStop account.
• Gather documents: ID, proof of residency, income proof, birth certificates, benefit letters, school/training verification.
• Call or visit a few providers; confirm who accepts scholarships and has openings.

10–14 days before

• Complete the full application in OneStop.
• Upload every required document; don’t leave tricky items “for later.”
• Double-check household information and income details.

Day 0: Application submitted

• Save a PDF or screenshot of your submission confirmation.

Day 5–7

• Log back in to see if MSDE has requested additional documents.
• Upload anything missing immediately.
• If you’re homeless, your child is in foster care, or you’re involved with protective services, expect faster handling (around 10 days).

By Day 30

• This is the standard determination window.
• If you haven’t heard anything by then, call customer service and reference your case number. Sometimes one missing document or an unread message is holding everything up.

Month 11

• Watch your mail and email for a redetermination packet, usually sent about 60 days before your current scholarship ends.
• Treat redetermination like a fresh application: update income, household changes, and any new provider info.

Submitting early and complete is the single best way to avoid a stressful scramble.

Required Materials (And How to Prep Them Smartly)

You’ll need to prove three basic things: who you are, who your child is, and what your financial and work/school situation looks like. Here’s what that looks like in practice.

Most families will need:

• Parent/guardian ID: Driver’s license, state ID, or passport. Make sure it’s not expired.
• Proof of Maryland residency: Lease, utility bill, or a letter from a shelter or agency. If everything is in someone else’s name, ask the landlord or agency for a letter stating you live there.
• Birth certificates or adoption records for each child applying.
• Social Security numbers for children if you have them; lack of an SSN doesn’t automatically disqualify a child, but follow MSDE’s guidance.
• Income documentation: Last 30 days of pay stubs for each working adult, or an employer letter detailing hours and pay.
• School or training verification: Class schedule, enrollment letter, or apprenticeship documentation if that’s how you’re qualifying.
• Self-employment proof: A simple ledger, invoices, or a tax return if you run your own business or gig work is your main income.
• Proof of benefits (TCA, SNAP, SSI), if applicable. These can simplify how your income is counted.
• Provider information: License number and (if applicable) Maryland EXCELS rating or ID.

Pro tip: Save clear photos or PDFs of all documents in a folder on your phone or computer labeled “CCS 2025.” That way if you need to re-upload anything—this year or at redetermination—you’re not hunting through random screenshots.

What Makes an Application Stand Out (In a Good Way)

Again, you’re not competing against other families, but you are interacting with a real system run by real humans. Certain applications just move more smoothly.

Here’s what those tend to have in common:

1. Everything matches. The address on the ID lines up with the lease or explanation letter. The number of people listed for income matches the number in the household section. The work schedule matches the income shown.
2. The story makes sense. Reviewers can see at a glance: “Parent works X hours, child needs care during these hours, provider is open during those hours.” If the schedule and requested care hours are wildly different, it slows things down.
3. Income is crystal clear. The stubs are legible, dates are recent, and anyone who’s self-employed has at least a basic record of earnings.
4. Special situations are explained briefly. If you’ve had a recent separation, move, custody change, or job loss, a short written note uploaded with your docs can prevent multiple back-and-forth messages.
5. Provider is confirmed and compliant. Your chosen provider is licensed or registered and has no current suspension issues. MSDE doesn’t have to chase them down to get basic information.

The goal is simple: make it extremely easy for the reviewer to say “yes” with the documents you’ve provided.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (And How to Fix Them)

Plenty of families qualify but trip over details. Here are big ones to watch for:

1. Incomplete Uploads

Half the family’s pay stubs are missing. The second child’s birth certificate isn’t there. The residency proof is a blurry partial photo of a bill.

Fix: Before you hit submit, use a written checklist. If needed, rescan or re-photograph anything that’s hard to read. Assume a stranger needs to understand it, not just you.

2. Changing Providers Without Telling MSDE

You get approved for one center, then switch to another without updating your case. Payments stall, providers get frustrated, and you’re stuck in the middle.

Fix: Any time you switch providers, notify MSDE right away through OneStop or customer service and submit the new provider agreement. Don’t assume payments just magically follow your child.

3. Ignoring Copays

Even if your scholarship covers most of the bill, your copay is mandatory. Falling behind can get your child dropped from care.

Fix: Treat your copay like rent or a loan payment. Set calendar reminders, ask your provider about auto-pay, or pay at the same time every month to build the habit.

4. Not Reporting Income Changes

If you start earning more and don’t report it, MSDE can later say they overpaid and ask you to repay the difference. No one enjoys that letter.

Fix: Report income changes within 10 days. In some cases, the scholarship still makes a big dent in your bill even after your income rises.

5. Relying on Unlicensed Care Without Approval

If your caregiver isn’t licensed, registered, or approved as an informal provider, the state won’t pay them. Period.

Fix: If you want a relative or trusted friend to provide care, talk with MSDE or your local child care resource & referral agency about how they can become an approved informal provider or register as family child care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to work full-time to qualify?
No. Part-time work, combined part-time work and school, or participation in approved training can all qualify. What matters is that you have a documented need for care during specific hours.

Can a family member be my child care provider?
Sometimes, yes. Relatives can be approved as informal providers or register as family child care, but they must complete background checks and meet basic health and safety standards. They can’t just watch your child off the books and get scholarship payments.

What if I lose my job while receiving the scholarship?
Report the job loss within 10 days. In many cases, you can keep your scholarship for a short job search period (often around three months) while you look for new work. The idea is to keep your child stable in care while you get back on your feet.

How is my copay decided?
Your copay is based on your income, household size, and sometimes the age of your child. Families at or under 40% of State Median Income usually have a $0 copay. Above that, copays are capped at about 7% of your income. The exact number will appear in your approval letter.

Can I use the scholarship for summer care or before/after-school programs?
Yes, if the provider is licensed or registered, many summer camps and school-age programs qualify. You’ll just need to show the care is needed during your work or school hours, and submit the program’s schedule if asked.

Do I need to reapply every year?
You don’t start from scratch, but you do go through redetermination every 12 months. You’ll update your income, household, and provider information so MSDE can confirm you’re still eligible.

Does my immigration status as a parent matter?
No. Eligibility is based on the child’s citizenship or qualified noncitizen status. The state does not use the parent’s immigration status to decide eligibility.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Ready to cut your child care bill? Here’s how to move from “interested” to “enrolled.”

1. Learn the basics.
   Read the official program page to make sure you meet the general eligibility guidelines and understand current income limits and rules.

2. Gather your documents.
   Collect IDs, residency proof, birth certificates, income proof, benefit letters, and provider info. Put everything in one folder (physical or digital) so you’re not hunting during the application.

3. Create your Maryland OneStop account.
   Go to the online portal and set up your login. If you don’t have reliable internet access, you can still use paper applications through local Department of Social Services (DSS) offices—but OneStop will usually be faster.

4. Fill out the Child Care Scholarship application.
   Take your time. Enter each child, each adult, every income source, and your work/school schedule carefully. Add your chosen provider’s info if you have it.

5. Upload all required documents.
   Check each upload to make sure it’s readable. If you’re not sure about a document, upload it anyway—extra proof is better than missing proof.

6. Watch for messages.
   Check your email and OneStop account regularly for requests from MSDE. Respond fast so your case doesn’t stall.

7. Review your approval letter.
   Once approved, you’ll receive a letter that tells you:

   • Your scholarship rate
   • Your copay amount (if any)
   • The period of coverage

   Share this with your provider and confirm start dates and payment expectations.

8. Mark your redetermination date.
   Put a reminder in your calendar for about 10 months out to look for your redetermination notice. Don’t let your scholarship lapse because of a missed deadline.

Get Started: Official Link and Resources

If you’re a Maryland parent paying for child care without checking this program, you’re essentially walking past money that was set aside for exactly your situation.

Ready to apply or learn more? Start here:

• Official Program Page (Full Details & Forms):
  https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/child-care-providers/child-care-scholarship-program

From there, you can:

• Access the Maryland OneStop portal to submit your application online.
• Find contact information for MSDE Child Care Scholarship Customer Service if you have case-specific questions.
• Explore Maryland EXCELS to research quality ratings for providers.
• Connect with local Child Care Resource & Referral agencies for help choosing a provider or understanding your options.

If child care costs are the thing holding you back from working more hours, returning to school, or starting a training program, this scholarship is exactly the tool built for you. Use it.