The DSWD launched a program at the start of the school year to provide low-income families with the financial assistance needed to send their children to school. The AICS Educational Assistance Program, which will run for six weeks, will provide financial assistance to these families. Students from the Cordillera Administrative Region (Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and the Province of Dinagat Islands) can learn more about this process in the following sections.
In August and September, beneficiaries could earn anything from P1,000 to P4,000. Members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) cannot, however, receive this financial assistance.
Nonetheless, several of the 4Ps have already received funding to assist them. Previously, the DSWD requested 4Ps members who received cash aid to return it. Despite this, no one responded to the request.
And, as a result of how the administration handled the problem, this has recently become somewhat controversial. Despite this, the department continues to support students who need and deserve financial aid.
What is the AICS Educational Assistance Program?
AICS is a DWSD program that helps those in need acquire food, medicine, transportation, and other necessities. The abbreviation AICS stands for “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations.” Assistance is provided in this case so that the individual can continue their education. Reading the rest of this guide will teach you more about who is eligible for the program, the rules, and how it works.
As the name implies, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) – Educational Assistance Program provides financial assistance to students in need. This money can be used to pay for the beneficiaries’ school fees, books, supplies, projects, allowances, and other expenses.
The DSWD is focusing on aiding “students in crisis” because the program has limited funding only.
Qualifications for the DSWD Educational Assistance Program by DSWD-CARAGA
What does it mean to say that a student is “in crisis”? The DSWD says that a student in crisis is one who is a:
- Working student;
- Breadwinner of the family;
- Child of a solo parent;
- Child whose parents are unemployed;
- Child of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW);
- Child of a parent with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV);
- Orphaned/abandoned child living with relatives;
- Victim of abuse; or
- Victim of calamity or natural disaster.
Benefits of the DSWD Educational Assistance Program by DSWD-CARAGA
How much money does the program provide to aid with school expenses? Qualified individuals may be eligible for the following financial assistance, depending on their educational background:
- Elementary — PHP 1,000.00
- High School — PHP 2,000.00
- Senior High School — PHP 3,000.00
- Vocational/College — PHP 4,000.00
Requirements of the DSWD Educational Assistance Program by DSWD-CARAGA
Individuals who are eligible to apply for DSWD Educational Assistance must meet the following requirements:
- School ID of the student;
- Valid ID of parent or guardian;
- Certificate of Registration/Enrollment; and
- Statement of Account indicating the name of the school and the student’s miscellaneous fees.
NOTE: The aid will be given to the child’s parent or legal guardian for their education. To avoid complications during the process, ensure that the documents are authentic and accurate. Anyone who produces false documents will face legal consequences.
Procedures to Avail of the DSWD Educational Assistance Program – DSWD-CARAGA (Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and the Province of Dinagat Islands)
To avoid the overflow of applicants and to comply with COVID-19 health protocols, DSWD-CARAGA has ONLINE REGISTRATION, as observed through the following steps:
Step 1. Click the link to access the Google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEvmNywSRSwWmOraRDLgfFK0h3y9F2Ei3oB8yp21XQe4Lh0w/closedform
Step 2. Fill in the required information and attach the required documents
Step 3. Make sure the information and documents are accurate before submitting the application
Step 4. Wait FOR CALL AND TEXT from the office for your payout schedule
REMINDER AND ADDITIONAL GUIDE
1. Only residents of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CARAGA) qualify to be beneficiaries of this educational assistance;
2. No WALK-IN applicant will be accommodated in the DSWD CARAGA Crisis Intervention Section and only applicants who submit to the Google Link Form will receive a schedule;
- DSWD CARAGA will prioritize giving EA to students in Public School;
- PARENT or ADULT GUARDIAN can claim this educational assistance based on the set schedule. Avoid bringing your child or small children on the day of the payout schedule;
- The program does not include the members of 4Ps Program;
- Students with scholarship grants/incentives from the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED, Local Government Units, Sponsors of Any Individual, Non-government Organization (NGO), DOST Scholars or any Scholarship are no longer eligible to receive Educational Assistance.
For more details and announcements regarding Educational Assistance, focus and comment on DSWD CARAGA’s Official Facebook Page.
Wait for the confirmation text from DSWD-CARAGA containing the date and place where assistance will be taken. The DSWD-CARAGA will also inform you that after the online appointment, you will receive a text message from DSWD-CARAGA regarding the status OR schedule and the place where the DSWD social worker will be processed and assessed if you are qualified to receive educational assistance.
Only clients who have received the confirmation text will be assessed for Educational Assistance. All successful applicants will go through an interview assessment of the Field Office 12’s social workers.
As for the schedule of “Educational Assistance Payout,” this will be held every Saturday, on the following dates: August 20, August 27, September 3, September 10, September 17, and September 24, 2022 — at the DSWD Central Office and Field Offices.
Important: Currently, the Google Doc form to register for the cash assistance is temporarily suspended due to the huge number of applicants. According to the latest FB post of DSWD CARAGA, applicants are advised to ‘stay tuned’ for the latest instructions/updates on how to claim the cash aid.
Video: The DSWD Educational Assistance Programs
Watch this Facebook video of DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo talking about the AICS – Educational Assistance Program:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked inquiries regarding the DSWD’s AICS Educational Assistance Program in the meantime:
1. How much educational assistance can I get?
The financial aid amounts are as follows: (a) PHP 1,000 for elementary school; (b) PHP 2,000 for high school; (c) PHP 3,000 for senior high school; and (d) PHP 4,000 for vocational/college.
2. How do I know if I am qualified for educational assistance?
As previously indicated, the program is strictly for “students in crisis.” If you are one of the following, you are considered a student in crisis: (a) working student; (b) family breadwinner; (c) child of a single parent; (d) child whose parents are unemployed; (e) child of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW); (f) child of a parent infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV); (g) orphaned/abandoned child living with relatives; (h) victim of abuse
3. How can I apply for educational assistance?
Send an email to ciu.co@dswd.gov.ph or go to the nearest regional or field office to ask for help with school. Before deciding whether to help you pay for school, a social worker will look at your request.
4. When is the pay out of the educational assistance?
In 2022, the following Saturdays will see the distribution of the DSWD’s educational assistance: August 20, August 27, September 3, September 10, September 17, and September 24. The DSWD Central Office opens on the specified days at 7:00 a.m. to accept applications and start disbursing funds, while DWSD Field Offices across the nation open at 8:00 a.m.
5. Who can I call to ask about the program?
If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about this program or any other DSWD program, please call their Agency Operations Center (AOC) at the numbers listed below.
- Smart — 0943 464 8026 / 0943 464 8086 / 0932 933 3251
- Globe — 0995 715 3926 / 0995 715 3934
NOTE: The aforementioned lines can be reached from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Summary
The DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations Educational Program had awarded grants to around 48,000 students as of August 20, 2022. Those who qualify will be able to fund their education with program funds totaling around PHP 140 million. Please contact your local DSWD office if you or your child are a student who is eligible for this program.
DISCLAIMER: The main goal of this guide is to provide people with general information. You can find out more about the Educational Assistance Program by going to your DSWD regional office’s official website and Facebook page.
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Contact Information: DSWD-CARAGA
If you have any questions, please contact the DSWD CARAGA Field Office at the following address:
Address: R. Palma Street, Butuan City, Philippines
Telephone: (085) 342 5619
Website: www.caraga.dswd.gov.ph
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