The DSWD begins a program six weeks before the school year to offer low-income families financial aid for their children’s schooling costs. Families will receive assistance through the AICS Educational Assistance Program.
Region 12 students (North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani Province, and Sultan Kudarat) can learn more about how to claim the educational cash aid. In August and September, beneficiaries could earn anything from P1,000 to P4,000; however, members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are ineligible for 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 and how does it work?
The AICS program, also known as the Assist to Individuals in Crisis Situations, helps qualified individuals acquire food, medicine, transportation, and other necessities. “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations” is the acronym AICS. In this situation, assistance is given so that people can continue their education. This guide will tell you more about who may apply for it, how to qualify for it, and how it works.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) created the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), which offers financial assistance specifically to students. The Educational Assistance Program allows recipients to use the money for 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.
DSWD Field Office 12 Qualifications
What does it mean to say that a student is “in crisis”? The DSWD says that a student in crisis is a:
- 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 of the DSWD Educational Assistance Program
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
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.
How to Claim DSWD Financial Assistance for Education in North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani Province, and Sultan Kudarat
To avoid the overflow of applicants and to comply with COVID-19 health protocols, DSWD XII has ONLINE REGISTRATION.
After you make an online appointment with DSWD XII, you will receive a confirmation text from them containing the date and place of your appointment. The office will also send you another message informing you of the status of your application or schedule an assessment to determine if qualified to receive educational assistance.
This process is for those in Region 12 (North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani Province, and Sultan Kudarat).
Only clients who have received the confirmation text will be assessed for Educational Assistance. All successful applicants will go through an interview assessment by Field Office 12’s social workers.
As for the schedule of the “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.
Reminder: Those who receive text messages are advised to bring their water and food.
Video: The DSWD Educational Assistance Program
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: (a) Elementary school – PHP 1,000; (b) High school – PHP 2,000; (c) Senior high school – PHP 3,000; and (d) Vocational/college-level courses – 4,000.
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 or not to help you pay for school, a social worker will look at your request.
4. When is the payout 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.
Telephone: 0832286080
Email: fo11@dswd.gov.ph
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 Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations Educational Program had provided funds to almost 48,000 pupils. Those who qualify for the program will be able to fund their education with around PHP 140 million in program money. If you or your child are a student who is eligible for this program, please contact your local DSWD office.
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.
Contact Information: DSWD Field Office 12
If you have any questions, please contact the DSWD Field Office 12 at the following address:
Address: Poblacion, Koronadal City, South Cotabato
Telephone: 0832286080
Email: fo11@dswd.gov.ph
Website: www.fo12.dswd.gov.ph
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