BALTIMORE, Md. — The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) announced it will temporarily freeze new enrollments for the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Program beginning Thursday, May 1, 2025, citing funding limitations caused by unprecedented growth.
According to MSDE, the CCS Program has experienced an 87% increase in demand since January 2023, resulting in the enrollment of more than 21,000 additional children. The program provides financial assistance to eligible families across Maryland to help cover child care costs.
Families currently enrolled in the Child Care Scholarship Program will continue to receive benefits without interruption, provided they maintain eligibility and complete the recertification process on time. Child care providers will also continue to be paid for children already enrolled in the program.
Families may still submit new applications during the freeze. However, applications received after May 1 will be placed on a waitlist, with scholarships distributed once additional funding becomes available.
The enrollment freeze does not affect families paying for child care privately. Providers may continue to accept new private-pay families without restriction.
MSDE stated it will provide communication tools for child care programs to inform families about the changes and will issue regular updates on the program’s status.
Families seeking more information are encouraged to visit the Child Care Scholarship Program website or call 877-227-0125.
The Maryland State Department of Education oversees the CCS Program under the leadership of State Superintendent Carey M. Wright, Ed.D., and operates under the administration of Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller.
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