Caliday & MSDE Scholarships
Understanding the MSDE Scholarship Process:
By understanding the key points below, families can make informed decisions about utilizing the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Childcare Scholarship (CCS), ensuring their children receive quality care and support that meets their needs.
Eligibility
Families must meet certain criteria to qualify for CCS, which is based on household income and the guardians work, education, or training schedules.
Renewal
Eligibility must be renewed based on the expiration date listed on the scholarship. Guardians need to stay informed about renewal deadlines and provide any necessary updated information to CCS, to maintain their eligibility.
Application Process
Guardians can apply for CCS through accessing the Maryland State Department of Education website. They'll need to complete the application online and provide documentation. Create your account here
Program Requirements
Guardians should familiarize themselves with the program's rules and requirements, such as attendance policies, program hours, and any additional fees or charges.
Choosing a Provider
Guardians will choose an approved childcare provider that accepts CCS. It's essential for the guardian to research and visit potential providers to ensure they meet expectations, along with safety, quality, and educational standards.
Communicate with the Provider
Guardians should familiarize themselves with the program's rules and requirements, such as attendance policies, program hours, and any additional fees or charges.
Payment Process
The CCS program co-pay is paid directly to the childcare provider. Guardians will be responsible for paying remaining tuition and fees not covered by the MSDE scholarship (registration, deposits, late pick-up fees, and any other incidental fees assessed to the family account).
Advocacy and Support
Guardians should know their rights and seek assistance if they encounter any issues or challenges with the CCS program or their childcare provider. Local advocacy groups and resources may be available to provide support and guidance.
Application Help
If you have questions or to request help with the completion of your CCS application, use the CCS inquiry form below.
For additional help, contact a Family Resource Specialist by calling the number below.
877-261-0060
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Monday through Friday.
Application
Complete and submit your CCS application via the Child Care Scholarship Portal on Money4ChildCare.com.
You can check the status of your child care scholarship application within the Child Care Scholarship Portal below.
Application Approval Timeline
If you have no questions and have successfully submitted your application, please be patient.
It can take up to 3 business days before your 60-day child care scholarship is approved or denied.
It can take up to 35 days before 52-week week child care scholarship is approved or denied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
-
Yes, one proof of identification is needed per member of the household.
Examples of proof of identity are:
A. Birth certificate
B. Valid driver's license
C. Valid U.S. passport
-
A. Provide proof of activity and hours attending
B. Copies of paystubs
-
You must provide pay stubs that cover 4 weeks of consecutive employment. DO NOT SKIP any weeks or payment. If you do not have pay stubs that cover 4 weeks of employment, you should provide the pay stubs you do have and go to Money4ChildCare.com and have your employer complete the Employment Verification Form.
-
Provide the most current verification of all income.
-
You must provide your tax statement from the most recent tax year or complete the Self-Attestation form, which is located at Child Care Scholarship Program | Division of Early Childhood.
-
You must provide a utility (gas, electric, and water) bill, mortgage or lease statement, MD driver's license with the same address as the address on your CCS application or a statement from the property owner, if you are living with someone and cannot provide any of the listed documents with your name on it.
-
The parents of a minor parent will have to submit income verification. Both the minor parent and the parent of the minor parent must sign the CCS Application.
How to Navigate the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal
-
Please follow the link for detailed instructions: MSDE CCS Registering for the Family Portal
-
1. Navigate to the Sign In screen by clicking the Sign In button on the Child Care Scholarship Family Portal landing page
2. Click Forgot Password
3. Enter the email address associated to the Family Portal account and click Send
4. Open the email
5. Click the password reset link
6. Enter your New Password
7. Re-Enter your New Password
8. Click Change Password
-
While on the sign in page, click “Forgot Password.” An automated email will be sent to the email you used during registration. That email will provide an active link to reset your password.
-
1. Click Add Party ID in the Additional Links section on the Application Dashboard
2. Enter your Party ID
3. Click Link
4. Answer the security questions (Note: if you answer these security questions wrong, your Party ID will be locked, and you will need to contact support)
5. Click Verify
6. Repeat this process if you have more than one Party ID
-
Yes.
-
To expediate the process it’s recommended that all documents be uploaded in PDF format. Additional document formats are now accepted. You can upload your documents in the following formats:
· .JPG
· .JPEG
· .PNG
· .TIF
· .TIFF
When you are uploading images of your documentation, ensure all information is clear and legible. If an image is blurry, it may delay the processing of your application.
General Caliday Child Care Scholarship FAQs
-
It may take up to 35 days to process a full 52-week CCS application.
· CCS uses a fast-track application process to provide eligible families with a temporary 60-day scholarship for child care assistance. This application is determined within 3 business days. First time applicants are limited to ONE fast track application submission.
-
The CCS application is between the family and the Maryland State Department of Education. MSDE CCS will NOT notify the provider of the application status. If you have questions or need additional guidance, contact a CCS Family Resource Specialist by calling 877-261-0060, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday.
-
Yes, until a valid scholarship is on file with Caliday. The family must submit the approved scholarship through the Family Portal to Caliday as the provider.
Allow 48 hours for processing and applying the scholarship to the family account.
-
Yes.
Why do I need to pay the application fee if CCS is paying the application fee to the provider?
· When the payment for the application fee is received, finance will credit the parent account for the total amount received.
-
· This is accurate for families that have recently applied or are going to apply for CCS but do not have an approved scholarship at the time of enrollment.
· This is also accurate for families that have a 60 day fast-track scholarship.
Why do I need to pay a deposit when I already know that CCS is going to cover my full tuition?
· If/when the family receives and submits a 52-week scholarship to Caliday as a provider, the deposit will be applied as a credit to the parent account to be used for future billing.
-
It may take CCS up to 5 business days to process a family’s change request.
-
45 days prior to your scholarship expiring, you will complete a redetermination of your eligibility. You will need to utilize the Family Portal to submit a redetermination application.
-
Why is my child’s Scholarship terminated on the last day of school when the scholarship does not expire until the following year, and they are coming back in the fall?
· Providers are required by CCS and the Federal Government to submit the child’s last day of care. Reporting the last day of care will alert CCS to terminate the current scholarship on file and end payments accordingly. The family will need to reach out to CCS directly to determine what steps are needed to receive a future scholarship.