For each scholarship child, the State pays the lesser of the center’s published tuition or the regional CCS rate, minus the family’s copay. The family pays the copay.

The Maryland EXCELS payment is added on top. It is a percentage of the CCS payment and is not limited by the center’s tuition. For a Level 3 child care center, the EXCELS add-on is 22% for children under 24 months and 10% for children 24 months and older.

Harbor Oak’s tuition is above the CCS rate in every room, so the “lesser of” rule never reduces its payments. A center that charges less than the State rate is paid only its own rate, and leaves the difference uncollected.

CCS rates and EXCELS percentages change. Check the current Maryland State Department of Education rate schedule and the Maryland EXCELS tiered reimbursement table for your region and rating.