Maryland Child Care Scholarships Close May 1

Maryland parents have less than a month to apply for state-funded child care assistance before a freeze on new enrollments begins.

Starting May 1, the Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program will temporarily stop accepting new applicants due to budget constraints. Families already enrolled will keep their scholarships, but new families won’t be able to get in until at least September, and even then, spots will only open up as current recipients leave the program. Enrollment will be capped at roughly 40,000 children, and a waitlist will be placed.

While advocates are relieved the program wasn’t cut further in the state’s tight budget year, many are worried about families who may need help but don’t yet have children eligible to apply.

“Everybody had to make concessions,” said Chris Peusch, executive director of the Maryland State Child Care Association. “We really hope that for our families that need to get to work, that this is short-lived and there’s a way to support them.”

Child care in Maryland is expensive, averaging nearly $25,000 per year for full-time care, according to the Maryland Family Network. Scholarships don’t always cover the full cost, but they can significantly ease the financial burden.

Who Qualifies?

The program is open to Maryland families with:

• Children under 13, or up to age 19 if the child has a qualifying disability
• Parents or guardians who are working, in school, or in a job training program
• Household incomes below $112,000 for a family of four

More detailed income guidelines are available on the state’s website. Families receiving Temporary Cash Assistance or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) automatically qualify.

Applicants must also provide proof of child immunizations or submit documentation for an exemption. Immunization requirements can be found here.

How to Apply

Submit your application through the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal.

The application process starts with a “fast-track” option that can grant a temporary 60-day scholarship within three business days. You’ll then have 15 days to provide supporting documents to be considered for a full 52-week scholarship.

Applications submitted after May 1 will be added to the wait list and considered once the freeze lifts in September.

What You’ll Need

Be ready to submit:

• Proof of identity for everyone in the household (e.g., birth certificates, passports, photo IDs for adults)
• Proof of Maryland residency (like a lease or utility bill)
• Proof of employment, including four recent pay stubs and an employment verification form
• For parents in school or training, your class schedule
• Proof of citizenship or legal status for each child needing care (parents do not need to be citizens)

Note: Undocumented children are not eligible for the program, according to the Maryland State Department of Education.

Renewals and What Happens Next

Families already receiving a scholarship will get a 45-day notice before it expires and must reapply within that time. These families won’t be placed on the wait list, even if their renewal occurs after the May 1 deadline.

In a letter to lawmakers, State Superintendent Carey Wright said the enrollment freeze will run from May 1 to September 1. During that time, enrollment is expected to drop from about 43,600 children to around 40,600, as kids age out or families become ineligible. After that, enrollment will remain capped, and priority will be given to the lowest-income families on the wait list.

Families on the wait list will be contacted periodically to confirm continued interest and eligibility. They’ll have 30 days to respond before being removed.

Deadline Approaches for Maryland Child Care Scholarships Amid Enrollment Freeze  was originally published on r1wolbbaltimore.staging.go.ione.nyc