A few days before the beginning of elementary and secondary school, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched the AICS Educational Assistance program. The purpose of the six-week program is to provide financial aid to economically disadvantaged elementary, high school, and college students. Students in Region 4-B (Mindoro – separated into Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) who want to apply for financial aid can consult the DSWD Field Office 4-B instructions.
During the months of August and September, beneficiaries could earn between P1,000 and P4,000. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) participants are not eligible for this cash assistance.
Nonetheless, several of the 4Ps have already received financial support. Previously, the DSWD encouraged 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 situation, this has recently become rather controversial. Despite this, the department continues to assist students who require financial assistance and are deserving of it.
What is the AICS Educational Assistance Program?
AICS is a DWSD initiative that assists those in need with obtaining food, medicine, transportation, and other necessities. AICS is an acronym that stands for “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations.” In this scenario, assistance is provided so that the individual can continue their education. You may learn more about who is eligible for the program, the rules, and how it operates by reading the rest of this guide.
The Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) – Educational Assistance Program, as the name implies, provides financial assistance to students in need. This money can be used to pay for school fees, books, supplies, projects, allowances, and other expenses for the beneficiaries.
Because the program is underfunded, the DSWD is focusing on assisting “students in crisis.”
Qualifications for the DSWD Educational Assistance Program by DSWD Field Office 4-B
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 Field Office 4-B
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 Field Office 4-B
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 Region 4-B (Mindoro – separated into Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan)
To improve the system and minimize the gathering of many individuals in DSWD offices, here is the registration process at DSWD Field Office IV-B for those who wish to apply for educational support from DSWD:
- Register by clicking on the link or scanning the QR code here. Check that all of the information is correct, including the phone number.
- Wait for a text message from DSWD Field Office IV-B confirming your registration, as well as the day, time, and location of your evaluation.
- Go to the location and time of the evaluation as specified in the text message.
- Bring a valid ID as well as the items indicated in the text message.
Note: This process is for the people of MIMAROPA (Mindoro – separated into Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan).
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 4-B’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.
Important: Currently, the Google Doc form to register for the cash assistance is temporarily suspended due to the excessive number of applicants. According to the latest FB post of DSWD Region 4-B, 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 video on the DSWD’s Facebook page to hear DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo discuss 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?
To request DSWD Educational Assistance, send an email to ciu.co@dswd.gov.ph or go in person to the nearest regional or field office. A social worker will assess your request before deciding whether or not to grant you school funding.
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 programme 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
As of August 20, 2022, more than 48,000 students had benefited from the DSWD’s AICS Educational Assistance Program. The more than PHP 141 million in financing will allow these students to pay for their studies. If you believe you or your children are eligible for this program, please contact the DSWD office in your area.
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 Field Office 4-B
If you have any questions, please contact the DSWD Field Office 4-B at the following address:
Address: 1680 Benitez St, cor, 1004 Gen. Malvar St, Malate, Manila, Metro Manila
Telephone: 0285252445
Website: fo4b.dswd.gov.ph
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