The DSWD provides financial aid to students regularly. The AICS Educational Assistance is one such program. Filipinos who reside in Region 1’s (Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte) Province of Pangasinan and want to apply for this one-time per school year opportunity may check the criteria and see whether they are eligible for the cash assistance.
Recently, the government has become increasingly controversial in its decisions about who should and shouldn’t receive educational grants. Though this has caused a public outcry, the department continues to help students in need of financial assistance. If you’re a student applicant based in Region 1, you can follow the instructions from DSWD Field Office 1 on how to claim cash assistance.
What is the AICS Educational Assistance Program?
The AICS program offers assistance to individuals in crises by providing food, medicine, transportation, and other necessities. In this instance, the aid is for educational purposes. Let’s learn more about who benefits from the program, what rules they must follow, and how it all works.
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 program is limited, the DSWD is concentrating its efforts on assisting “students in need.”
DSWD Field Office 1 Qualifications
What exactly does a “student in crisis” mean? According to the DSWD, a student in distress is one who:
- Working student;
- The breadwinner of the family;
- Child of a solo parent;
- A 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
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
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: 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.
How to Claim DSWD Financial Assistance for Education in Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte
The DSWD’s Field Office may be visited in person to apply for the Department of Social Welfare’s Educational Assistance Program, or you may apply by email.
A. By Walk-In
Please contact your City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for those wanting to apply for Educational Assistance (C/MSWDO).
Note: Be advised to follow the official Facebook Page of DSWD Region 1 to know the latest updates because it is possible that the walk-in process may no longer be allowed. So make sure to stay tuned to the social media page in order to know the updated procedures here – https://www.facebook.com/dswdfo1
B. Via Email
You can apply by emailing fo1@dswd.gov.ph. Once DSWD sends you a text confirmation of your application, it will include the date and place where you can avail of the assistance as well as what requirements you need to bring with you.
At the DSWD Field office, your application will undergo an initial assessment by a Social Worker — for verification and approval — before payout of the educational aid.
The schedule for the “Educational Assistance Payout” 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 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?
These are the financial aid amounts: (a) PHP 1,000 for elementary school students; (b) PHP 2,000 for high school students; (c) PHP 3,000 for senior high school students; and (d) PHP 4,000 for vocational/college students.
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 to get in touch with a social worker who will review your application before it is approved for educational assistance.
4. When is the payout 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:
Telephone Number: (072) 687 8000, +6372 687-8000, +63 945-823-7218, +63 961-548-8850
Email: fo1@dswd.gov.ph
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
The DSWD’s AICS Educational Assistance Program has been a lifeline for over 48 thousand students, totaling more than PHP 141 million in assistance. If you or your children believe you may be eligible for this program, please reach out to your local DSWD office.
DISCLAIMER: This guide is provided primarily to disseminate general information. For more information on the Educational Assistance Program, please visit the agency’s official website and Facebook page.
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/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dswdfo1
