To get started for Maryland Child Care Scholarships, please review the Eligibility and Application Requirements below. Select ‘Sign In’ below to enter your email address and password, or you can register for a new account. Once you are signed in, you will be able to access your existing Child Care Scholarship Applications, if submitted on the portal and/or submit a new one.
Eligibility for Maryland Child Care Scholarship
To participate in Maryland’s Child Care Scholarship Program, you must be:
- A Maryland resident who is working or employed in an approved training program or attending school. For families where both parents live within the same household, both parents must meet all eligibility requirements.
- Within Child Care Scholarship Income Guidelines and/or a recipient of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI.)
- Able to provide proof that each child requesting a Child Care Scholarship is a citizen of the United States (as demonstrated on either a birth certificate or proof of U.S. citizenship) or a legal resident. Please note: parents are not required to be citizens of the United States or legal residents.
- Able to provide proof of identity for all household members.
- The parent and/or caregiver of a child who is younger than 13 who is not disabled, or an individual younger than 19 years old who is disabled.
Requirements for Maryland Child Care Scholarship
To improve your experience with navigating the online portal, we recommend you prepare the following documentation to demonstrate your eligibility.
For every adult household member.
Proof of identify (a current government issued document such as a Passport or valid driver’s license) for every adult household member. Applicant and co-applicant (if applicable) must provide a photo ID. If there are any other household members included in your household count who are not requesting child care, you must provide a birth certificate for each household member to document proof of relationship to the adults in the household.
Proof of Address
Type of documents accepted as proof of address for the applicant:
- Most recently issued utility bill
- Lease Agreement
- Mortgage Statement
- A Maryland driver’s license
Proof of Income
Please upload all documents or statements that verifies the additional or “other” income received by each household member.
Types of “other” income to include:
- Alimony
- Armed Services Pay
- Social Security (SS) Benefits
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Self-Employment (Please see form: Self-Attestation of Self Employment Form.)
- Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)
- Tips/Commission Pay
- Unemployment Benefits
- Veterans Assistance/Benefits
- Workers Compensation
Proof of Citizenship or Qualified Alien Status
Types of documents accepted as proof of citizenship or qualified alien status for all children requesting a Child Care Scholarship.
For Proof of Citizenship:
- U.S. birth certificate for children requesting a Child Care Scholarship (for proof of U.S. citizenship.)
- If not a U.S. citizen, please provide proof of enrollment in Head Start (for children requesting a Child Care Scholarship.)
For Qualified Alien Status (for children you are requesting child care for):
- Permanent resident card
- Reentry permit
- Employment authorization document
Proof of Wages/Salary
For household members who reported employment/work as an activity, you must upload the most recent pay stubs representing four weeks of consecutive wages for each household member.
Proof of Relationship of Provider to Child
If you selected “Informal Relative Care Provider,” in your application, you must upload documentation to prove the provider’s relationship to the child requesting care.
Types of documents accepted as proof of relationship of provider to child:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage license
Other legal documentation may suffice to prove relationship status.
Employment Verification Statement
For those household members who reported employment/work as an activity, you must upload an Employment Verification Statement completed by their employer for each household member. This form is available on Money4ChildCare.com. You can also submit a letter from the employer on company letterhead verifying the work hours, start date and wages/salary.
Immunization Proof
If you selected “Informal Relative Care Provider” in your application, you must upload immunization records or documentation supporting exemption from immunization for any non-school aged children requesting care.
Proof of Class Schedule
For those household members who reported education and/or training as an activity, you must upload a copy of their current school/training schedule on school letterhead to verify days and hours of classes for each household member.
Documentation of ‘Other Benefits’ such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP,) Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA,) Welfare Avoidance Grant (WAG,) Guaranteed Basic Income and/or Housing Assistance (GBI)
For those applicants who report receiving either SNAP (food stamps), WIC, TCA, WAG, GBI and/or Housing Assistance, please upload a copy of your eligibility statement and/or housing voucher receipt for each benefit type you receive.
Employer Verification of Migrant Worker Status
For those applicants who identify as a migrant worker, please upload documentation from your employer that verifies your status.
Proof of Homelessness
For those applicants who reported experiencing homelessness, please provide a letter on agency letterhead verifying your homelessness status.
Proof of Child Support Payment
For those applicants who reported child support payment for children outside of the home, applicant must upload a current check, money order or pay stub for child support. Applicant should also upload a document verifying relationship to the child receiving child support (e.g. birth certificate.)
Proof of Emancipation, if Applicant is an Emancipated Minor
For those applicants who identify as an emancipated minor, please upload documentation that verifies you are financially responsible for yourself and are making decisions as an adult.