Every year, the DSWD provides financial assistance to students who need help with their education. This program is known as the AICS Educational Assistance. Filipinos who want to avail of this one-time per school-year and are living in Region 1 area (Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte), you may check the requirements and see if you are qualified to receive the cash benefit.
Recently, though, this has become quite controversial because of how the government decides who receives these grants. And while the issue has caused a public uproar, the department continues to extend help to qualified students who need financial assistance. For student applicants based in Region 1 , you may check the instructions from the DSWD Field Office 1 to learn how to claim cash assistance.
What is the AICS Educational Assistance Program?
AICS stands for “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations,” a DWSD program that provides food, medicine, transportation, and other necessities to individuals in need. The aid in this case is for educational purposes. Let’s find out more about the program’s beneficiaries, rules, and processes.
The Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) – Educational Assistance Program, as the name suggests, provides financial assistance to students. This money can be used to pay for school fees, supplies, projects, allowances, and other costs.
Because financing for this programme is limited, the DSWD is concentrating its efforts on assisting “students in need.”
Qualifications for the DSWD Educational Assistance Program by DSWD Field Office 1
What exactly does a “student in crisis” mean? According to the DSWD, a student in distress is one who:
- 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 Field Office 1
How much financial aid for education does the program provide? Depending on their educational level, qualified receivers may be eligible for the following financial assistance:
- 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 Field Office 1
To be eligible for DSWD Educational Assistance, you 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 educational assistance will be provided to the student’s parent or guardian. Check to ensure that the documents are real and not falsified. Those who submit forged documents will face legal consequences.
Procedures to Avail of the DSWD Educational Assistance Program – DSWD Field Office 1 (Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte)
An application for the DSWD’s Educational Assistance Program can be submitted in person at the DSWD Field Office or via email.
A. By Walk-In
For those applying for Educational Assistance please contact your City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWDO).
B. Via Email
To apply via email, send a message to this address: fo1@dswd.gov.ph. Wait for a text confirmation from DSWD, stating the date and place where you can avail of the assistance, along with the requirements that you need to bring.
At the DSWD Field office, your application will undergo initial assessment by a Social Worker — for verification and approval — before payout of the educational aid.
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.
Note: Those who applied for DSWD Educational Assistance on 19-20 August 2022 can wait for a text message from DSWD Field Office 1.
The venue of assessment and payout will be disclosed in the sent text messages. Those who receive text messages are advised to bring their own water and food.
Video: The DSWD Educational Assistance Programs
Watch this video on the DSWD’s Facebook page where DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo describes the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) – Educational Assistance Program:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meanwhile, here are some frequently asked questions about the DSWD’s AICS Educational Assistance Program:
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?
You can apply for DSWD Educational Assistance by visiting the nearest DSWD office (central or field office) or by emailing ciu.co@dswd.gov.ph. A social worker will review your application before it is approved for educational assistance.
4. When is the pay out of the educational assistance?
The DSWD’s Educational Assistance will be distributed on the following Saturdays in 2022: August 20, August 27, September 3, September 10, September 17, and September 24. On the stated days, the DSWD Central Office opens at 7:00 a.m. and begins taking applications and disbursing funds, while DWSD Field Offices across the country open at 8:00 a.m.
5. Who can I call to ask about the program?
If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints concerning the program or any other DSWD program, please contact 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 numbers mentioned above are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Summary
As of August 20th, 2022, the DSWD’s AICS Educational Assistance Program had assisted over 48 thousand students. This assistance totals more than PHP 141 million, which these students can put toward their school expenses. If you or your children believe they are eligible for this program, please contact your local DSWD office.
DISCLAIMER: This guide is provided primarily for the purpose of disseminating general information. For more information on the Educational Assistance Program, please visit the agency’s official website and Facebook page.
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Contact Information: DSWD Region 1
If you have any questions, please contact the DSWD Field Office I at the following address:
Address: Quezon Avenue, San Fernando City, 2500, La Union
Telephone: (072)6878000
Email: fo1@dswd.gov.ph
Website: http://fo1.dswd.gov.ph/
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