As part of its job, the DSWD helps students who need financial help with their schooling every year. The AICS Educational Assistance program is the name of this unique program. Filipino students who want to avail of this one-time per school-year cash assistance and are living in Region 3 area (Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales), you may check the requirements and see if you are qualified to receive the cash benefit.
But because of how the government decides who gets these grants, this has become quite controversial recently. Despite this issue, the department still helps students who need money and are deserving of it. Students in Region 3 who want to know how to apply for financial aid can look at the instructions from the DSWD Field Office 3.
What is the AICS Educational Assistance Program?
AICS, which stands for “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations,” is a DSWD program that helps people who are in need get food, medicine, transportation, and other things they need. In this case, the help is being given for educational purposes. Here, you can find out more about who is in the program, what the rules are, and how it works.
The Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) – Educational Assistance Program helps students in terms of finances, as the name suggests. With this aid, you can pay for things like tuition, books, supplies, projects, allowances, and other bills.
Because this program doesn’t have excessive funding, the DSWD is focusing on helping “students in crisis.”
Qualifications for the DSWD Educational Assistance Program by DSWD Field Office 3
What exactly does a “student in crisis” mean? According to the DSWD, 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 Field Office 3
How much money does the program offer to help pay for school? Depending on their educational background, qualified people may be able to get the following financial aid:
- 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
If you want to get 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: Financial aid for schooling will be given to the student’s parent or legal guardian. Make sure your documents are legitimate and valid to avoid any technical inconveniences. Anyone who gives false documents will be dealt with by the law.
Procedures to Avail of the DSWD Educational Assistance Program – DSWD Region 3 (Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales)
You can fill out an application for the DSWD Educational Assistance Program online using the Google form for your province:
Aurora – bit.ly/auroraeducationalassistance
Bataan – bit.ly/bataaneducationalassistance
Bulacan – bit.ly/bulacaneducationalassistance
Nueva Ecija – bit.ly/nuevaecijaeducationalassistance
Pampanga – bit.ly/pampangaeducationalassistance
Tarlac – bit.ly/tarlaceducationalassistance
Zambales – bit.ly/zambaleseducationalassistance
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.
Only clients who have received the confirmation text will be assessed for Educational Assistance. All applicants will go through an interview assessment of the Field Office 3’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.
Note: 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 talks about the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (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?
You can apply for DSWD Educational Assistance in person at the nearest regional or field office or by sending an email to ciu.co@dswd.gov.ph. A social worker will look over your request for financial aid for school before deciding whether or not to grant it.
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 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
As of August 20, 2022, the DSWD’s AICS Educational Assistance Program had helped more than 48,000 students. The more than PHP 141 million in aid can help these students pay for their education. If you or your children think they qualify for this program, please contact the DSWD office in your region.
DISCLAIMER: The main objective of this manual is to disseminate general knowledge. Visit their official website and Facebook page for more details about the Educational Assistance Program.
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Contact Information: DSWD Field Office 3
If you have any questions, please contact the DSWD Field Office 3 at the following address:
Address: DSWD Field Office III, Diosdado Macapagal Government Center, Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines
Telephone: 0458613793
Website: fo3.dswd.gov.ph
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