What Families Need to Know About the Child Care Scholarship Program Enrollment Freeze

The Maryland State Department of Education issued an enrollment freeze for the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Program that began May 1, 2025. During the freeze, the Program will temporarily be unable to give scholarships to new families.

Please note that the freeze affects new CCS Program applications only. Currently enrolled families will still receive CCS benefits as long as they meet program requirements.

Why is the temporary enrollment freeze happening?

The CCS Program provides financial assistance to eligible families in Maryland to help cover the cost of child care. The Program has seen significant growth recently. In January 2023, the CCS Program served 21,000 Maryland children. It now serves more than 45,000 children throughout the state in 2025. Because of this major increase, the Program has reached its maximum budget capacity and must instate an enrollment freeze.

How does the enrollment freeze work?

During the freeze, scholarships for new families who apply and meet program requirements will not be issued right away. Approved families will be placed on a Frozen Status List (also called a waitlist).

Over time, children will age out or leave the CCS Program. As a result, funding becomes available to help new families. Through this process, eligible, approved families can still receive support. Families on the Frozen Status List will be notified when a scholarship is issued to them.

Updates about the freeze, as well as resources for both currently enrolled and prospective families, can be found here. You can also read on to learn more about what this freeze may mean for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I have a child currently enrolled in the CCS Program. Will I continue to receive benefits during the freeze?

During the freeze, families currently enrolled in the CCS Program will continue to receive benefits as long as they remain eligible. This means they must meet requirements and submit a renewal application for continued benefits before their child’s scholarship expires.

Families with an active scholarship may request to add new children during the freeze. This may happen in a case where a family has a baby they would like to enroll in the Program with their other enrolled children. The request to add a new child will be reviewed as part of the family’s existing case.

Families currently enrolled in the CCS Program can find FAQs here.

I am interested in enrolling my child in the CCS Program. Will I be able to receive a new scholarship during the freeze?

A family not yet participating in the CCS Program may still apply for a new scholarship during the freeze. Applications should be submitted through the CCS Family Portal and will be processed as normal. If the family meets eligibility requirements and is approved, they will be placed on the Frozen Status List. They will be notified via the Family Portal or email when a scholarship becomes available.

Please note that the freeze does not affect families who intend to pay for child care on their own.

Families receiving Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are not subject to Frozen Status. They can apply at any time. If they qualify, they will be issued a scholarship.

Families interested in applying for the CCS Program during the freeze can find FAQs here.

What do I do if I am on the Frozen Status List?

If you apply for a child care scholarship and are approved, your family is added to the Frozen Status List. This happens when a family qualifies for a scholarship, but funding is not yet available.

If you are on the Frozen Status List, check the CCS Family Portal and your email weekly for notifications about your status. You will receive a message in the Portal or by email when a scholarship is ready for you. If you opted in to receive text messages from the Portal, the text notifications will also ensure you stay up to date.

Learn about CCS Program eligibility requirements, the application process, and more at Money4ChildCare.com.

Families can contact CCS Central 2 for support by calling 1-877-227-0125 or using the Parent Inquiry Link online form (the big red circles at the bottom of Money4ChildCare.com).