SC Working Families Child Care Scholarship

As of 12/1/2025, the SC Working Families Child Care Scholarship placed a pause on accepting applications unless families fall within a protected category such as:

 TANF families
 Special needs families
 Homeless families
 Child welfare families
 Domestic Violence

Applications submitted on or after 12/1/2025 will not be processed for consideration unless they fall within these protected categories. All applications submitted prior to 12/1/2025 will be processed.

How to Qualify

The protected categories may have specific eligibility requirements.
For families who are within these categories, requirements include the following.

 Parent(s) or guardian(s) must:

  • have a child or children between birth and 12 years of age
  • work at least 15 hours per week or attend school or a training program, or have an open child welfare case
  • have a gross income at or below 85% of the state median income level; for a family of four this would be up to $87,161 annually

Child care scholarships are also available to support children ages 13 to 18 in certain circumstances: those who have disabilities, developmental delays or who are in foster care.

If you qualify and are approved, tuition will be provided in direct payments to your child care provider for 12 months. A scholarship may cover all or a portion of child care costs. The child care scholarship amount you are eligible for will be determined by factors including your provider’s tuition rate, their ABC Quality level and your child’s age.

Income Guidelines for Families in the Protected Categories

 

Family Size

 

 

Gross Family Income Limit

Monthly

Annual

1

$0 - $3,777

$0 - $45,324

2

$0 - $4,939

$0 - $59,269

3

$0 - $6,101

$0 - $73,215

4

$0 - $7,263

$0 - $87,161

5

$0 - $8,426

$0 - $101,106

6

$0 - $9,588

$0 - $115,052

7

$0 - $9,806

$0 - $117,667

Ready to apply?

If your family is within one of the five protected categories, you may apply for a child care scholarship at the DSS Benefits Portal:

Apply Now

If you have child care scholarship or eligibility questions, email us at scchildcare@dss.sc.gov or call us at 800-476-0199 for assistance.

Program Facts

For Parents

Program facts for parents

  • Scholarships may cover all or a portion of child care costs. 
  • The amount of financial assistance you are eligible for will be determined by factors including your provider’s tuition rate, their ABC Quality level and your child’s age.
  • If you qualify and are approved, funds will be provided in direct payments to your provider for up to 52 weeks.
  • Payments will only be made to licensed, registered or exempt ABC Quality providers to ensure children experience high-quality child care in a setting that’s suited for their needs. See if your provider is part of ABC Quality. 

If you need help finding available child care, please contact the South Carolina Child Care Resource & Referral at 1 (888) 335-1002 or visit www.sc-ccrr.org and submit a referral form indicating your need to find an opening in a child care facility.

For Providers

Program facts for child care providers

  • Reimbursement for child care scholarships can be filed online via the Service Voucher Log (SVL), with direct deposit available.
  • A Service Voucher Log (SVL) is used to document the number of hours per day each eligible child attends child care. This ensures children receive the amount of child care that has been authorized.
  • Payment levels may be increased based on the ABC Quality level the provider has achieved.
  • The SVL can be maintained online to expedite the record-keeping and reimbursement process.
  • The Division of Early Care and Education pays providers within 4 to 6 days of receiving online payment documents.
  • For help with questions about the Service Voucher Log (SVL), call 1-800-262-4416.

Other Resources

If your family does not fall within one of these protected categories, we encourage you to explore other early childhood resources you may be eligible for in South Carolina:

First Steps 4K
Head Start
Public school 4K programs

Contact information

Child Care Operations Center

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on state holidays
Client Number: (800) 476-0199
Provider Number: (800) 262-4416
Complaint Line: (800) 763-2223

Mailing Address:

Child Care Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 100160
Columbia, SC 29202-3160