Maryland runs its child care subsidy as the Child Care Scholarship, administered by the Maryland State Department of Education's Division of Early Childhood. Here is exactly who qualifies, what your family pays, and the step-by-step way to apply in 2026.
You apply online through the Maryland Child Care Scholarship portal. If your income is at or below about 75 percent of State Median Income, roughly $98,000 a year for a family of four per the Maryland State Department of Education, at least one parent is working, in school, or in training, and your child is under thirteen, you qualify on paper. Maryland expanded the limit to reach far more working families.
The honest tradeoff. Maryland's expanded limit and low copays are generous, but the Child Care Scholarship pays providers only up to a regional maximum rate. In high-cost counties like Montgomery and Howard, the scholarship may not cover a top-priced center in full, so you can still owe a gap. Apply early and confirm your provider accepts it.
To qualify, your income must generally be at or below about 75 percent of State Median Income, at least one parent must be in an approved activity such as employment, education, or training, you must be a Maryland resident, and the child must be under thirteen and a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant, per the Maryland State Department of Education. Children with documented special needs can qualify to age nineteen.
Some families are prioritized. Families receiving Temporary Cash Assistance, families experiencing homelessness, teen parents in school, and child care provider staff are served as priority groups, per MSDE policy. Both parents in a two-parent household generally must be in an approved activity during care hours.
This summary reflects Maryland State Department of Education rules effective in 2026. Confirm the current figures before you apply.
| Rule | 2026 standard |
|---|---|
| Entry income limit | ~75% State Median Income (~$98,000/yr, family of 4) |
| Child age | Under 13 (to 19 with documented special needs) |
| Activity required | Work, school, or training (each parent) |
| Family copay | Capped low; as little as $0 at lowest incomes |
| Where to apply | Maryland Child Care Scholarship online portal |
| Source: Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood, Child Care Scholarship rules effective 2026. Figures approximate; confirm with MSDE. | |
Most families pay a capped weekly copayment set by income and family size, paid to the provider, while the Child Care Scholarship covers the rest up to the regional maximum reimbursement rate. The lowest-income families pay as little as zero, and copays stay modest toward the upper end of eligibility, per the Maryland State Department of Education schedule.
The scholarship offsets a steep bill. Full-time center-based infant care in Maryland commonly runs about $1,300–2,000 a month, per Child Care Aware of America 2024 data, so a capped copay can save a large share. Because the scholarship pays up to a regional rate, families at higher-priced centers in Montgomery County, Howard County, and Baltimore may owe the difference between the rate and tuition.
Apply in five steps through the Child Care Scholarship portal. Gather your documents first; an incomplete application is the most common reason for delay, per Maryland State Department of Education guidance.
One practical tip. Choose a provider with a strong Maryland EXCELS rating. Higher-rated programs draw higher reimbursement, which often closes the gap between the regional scholarship rate and the center's tuition in high-cost counties.
You can appeal a Maryland State Department of Education denial or termination by requesting a hearing, generally within the timeframe stated on your notice, per MSDE due-process rules. Many denials turn on a missing pay stub or proof of activity and are resolved once you supply the right document.
While you wait, other supports layer well. Head Start and Early Head Start serve income-eligible children at no cost, a Dependent Care FSA through your employer can shelter up to $5,000 pre-tax for care costs, and the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit can offset part of what you pay out of pocket.
Apply online through the Maryland Child Care Scholarship portal. Complete the application, submit your documents, and wait for a determination. A local Child Care Resource Center can help.
Maryland expanded the entry limit to about 75 percent of State Median Income, roughly $98,000 a year for a family of four, so many more working families qualify.
The Maryland State Department of Education, through its Division of Early Childhood, administers the Child Care Scholarship program.
Maryland capped family copayments at a low weekly amount, with the lowest-income families paying as little as zero.
A licensed center, a registered family child care home, or an approved provider that participates in the scholarship program. Higher Maryland EXCELS ratings earn higher reimbursement.
For most Maryland families, the smart move is to apply through the Child Care Scholarship portal now, since the expanded 75 percent State Median Income limit and capped copays reach deep into the working middle class. Gather your documents, file early, and pick a high-EXCELS provider to keep any gap small in high-cost counties.
Eligibility, capped copays, Maryland EXCELS rates, and program rules statewide.
Read the guide → Maryland costWhat a center or family child care home actually costs across Maryland in 2026.
See Maryland costs → Free toolEstimate your net out-of-pocket tuition after credits and subsidies.
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