09/18/2026
**ABC Scholarship Update**
A little glimmer of hope for families needing help with child care costs!
ABC is still only accepting applications for protected categories Homeless, Special Needs and TANF however ….
Did you know you can be considered “experiencing homelessness” and still have a roof over your head?
This is something I don't think enough families know.
Under the definition used for SC Child Care Scholarships, homelessness doesn't only mean living in a shelter, car or on the street.
If you and your child are temporarily living with parents, relatives or friends because you lost your housing, can't afford housing on your own, or are experiencing another housing hardship, you MAY meet the definition of homelessness.
This is sometimes referred to as being “doubled up.”
Why does this matter?
Families experiencing homelessness are one of the protected categories for SC Child Care Scholarships. Every family's circumstances are different and DSS determines eligibility, but we don't want a family who may qualify to miss an opportunity simply because they assumed, “I'm not homeless. I'm staying with my mom.”
AND there is more news coming for families who do not fall into one of the protected categories!
Beginning October 1, DSS plans to open a Child Care Scholarship WAIT LIST and reopen the Working Families Child Care Scholarship with new, more limited eligibility requirements.
A few important things to know:
• Children must be ages 0-5 and not yet enrolled in kindergarten
• Funding will be limited to two children per household
• Families must meet the new income guidelines of 55% of State Median Income at initial eligibility
• Applicants must be working, in school, in training, or temporarily or permanently disabled
• Joining the wait list does NOT guarantee a scholarship. Families will be contacted as funding becomes available
One REALLY important detail: If you are selected from the wait list, you will have only 15 calendar days to apply, provide all required documentation AND confirm enrollment with a child care provider. DSS says families must already have selected and secured their child care provider when they apply.
So don't wait until you receive that email to start thinking about child care!
The wait list is scheduled to open October 1, 2026. Watch our page because we will continue sharing information as DSS releases it.
And if the “doubled up” housing situation described above sounds like your family, reach out to us now. We are happy to point you in the right direction.
After a very difficult year for child care funding in South Carolina, we're happy to finally have a little glimmer of hope to share with families.
