Child Care Providers: Fund Your College Education with CCCPDF

The Division of Early Childhood extends congratulations to the recipients of the Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund (CCCPDF) who recently graduated in December 2024. The CCCPDF is a tuition assistance program for early childhood educators to pursue a college education at participating Maryland colleges and universities.

With this funding, child care providers may earn an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or special education. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, 422 providers are receiving funding through this program and are enrolled in college.

Michelle Abuel, a CCCPDF scholar who graduated from Notre Dame University of Maryland in May 2024 and a child care center director in Baltimore City, said this funding was “an answered prayer.”

“As an educator driven by a passion for nurturing the potential of both students and fellow teachers, I believe that education is not just about imparting knowledge, but about fostering respect, understanding, and a sense of belonging,” Abuel said. “My journey as a CCCPDF scholar has strengthened my commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and enriching learning environment where every child feels valued and every aspiring educator is equipped to inspire the next generation. With a foundation built on core values of integrity, empathy, and excellence, I am dedicated to mentoring future teachers and empowering students to dream big and achieve their fullest potential.”

CCCPDF funding covers 100% of the cost of an education, which may include tuition, fees, and textbooks. The funds are awarded for one school year at a time and will be sent directly to the participating college. A recipient can be approved to renew funding if they continue to meet eligibility criteria and funding remains available.

Am I Eligible for the CCCPDF Program?

Child care providers interested in applying for CCCPDF funds must meet the following requirements:

• Work in a licensed child care center or be a registered family child care provider in Maryland and work at least 10 hours per week
• Meet entrance requirements at the participating college of your choice
• Have at least one year of documented experience working with groups of children in an approved setting
• Stay employed in child care in Maryland while in the program
• Participate in professional development
• Agree to complete the child care service requirement in Maryland for at least 20 hours per week after completing the degree and/or withdrawing from the fund
• Maintain at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA from the point of first entering the program

How Do I Apply for the CCCPDF Program?

Please note that first-time CCCPDF applicants must apply by March 1, 2025. Those renewing their funding through this program should submit applications by June 30, 2025. Follow these steps to apply for the CCCPDF program:

• Step 1: Contact the participating college of your choice. Refer to this list of participating colleges to find the right school for you.
• Step 2: Once accepted into the college of your choice, meet with the CCCPDF coordinator at the college. The coordinator’s name and contact information can be found on the list of participating colleges. The coordinator will review your application for completion and sign the checklist before it is submitted to MSDE. Applications that have not been reviewed by the coordinator will be returned.
• Step 3: Submit your completed CCCPDF application with all required documentation to the Office of Child Care through the Maryland OneStop virtual portal. The application along with a list of necessary documents can be found online. For technical assistance, check out these steps regarding how to submit your CCCPDF application online.

There is no fee to apply for the CCCPDF program. Make sure to check the status of your application online after you submit. If you have questions about the CCCPDF program, please email cccpdf.msde@maryland.gov.