The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) first revealed its AICS Educational Assistance program a few days before the start of elementary and secondary school. The six-week program aims to assist economically disadvantaged primary, high school, and university students financially.
Individuals who reside in Region 4-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) and wish to learn how to apply for financial assistance can get assistance from the DSWD Field Office 4-A.
Those eligible for this program could earn anywhere from P1,000 to P4,000 cash aid during August and September. Unfortunately, this benefit is not available to 4Ps participants.
Nevertheless, several members of the 4Ps have already received financial backing. Before this, DSWD encouraged 4Ps members who had received cash assistance to return it. Despite this, nobody responded to the request.
And because of how the government handled this matter, this has become quite controversial recently. Despite this issue, the department still helps students who need money and are deserving of it. Students in
What is the AICS Educational Assistance Program?
AICS is a DWSD program that helps people in need get food, medicine, transportation, and other things they need. AICS stands for “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations.” In this case, help is given so that the person can pursue their education. Here, you can learn more about who is eligible for the program, what the rules are, and how it works.
The Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) – Educational Assistance Program, as the name implies, provides financial aid to students who require it. This money can be used to pay for school fees, books, materials, projects, allowances, and other expenses for the beneficiaries.
The DSWD is focusing on helping “students in crisis” because the program doesn’t have excessive funding.
DSWD Field Office 4A 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
How much money does the program give to help pay for school? Depending on their educational background, qualified people may be able to get the following financial help:
- 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
Eligible individuals who wish 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 child’s parent or legal guardian will receive assistance for their schooling. Make sure the documents are valid and accurate to avoid any problems in the process. The law will punish anyone who provides fake documents.
How to Claim DSWD Financial Assistance for Education in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon
To improve the system and minimize the gathering of many individuals in DSWD offices, here is the registration process at DSWD Field Office IV-A 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-A 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 CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Batangas, Quezon) only.
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.
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-A’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.
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 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 send an email to ciu.co@dswd.gov.ph or go to the nearest regional or field office in person to ask for DSWD Educational Assistance. Before deciding whether or not to give you money for school, a social worker will look over your request.
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 listed below.
Telephone: 09175211708
Email: fo4a@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
48,000 students have received financial aid from the DSWD’s AICS Educational Assistance Program as of August 20, 2022. With more than PHP 141 million in funding, these students can now afford to pursue their education. Please call the DSWD office in your area if you or your children think they qualify for this program.
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 4-A
If you have any questions, please contact the DSWD Field Office 4-A at the following address:
Address: 1770 Alabang–Zapote Rd, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila
Email: fo4a@dswd.gov.ph
Telephone: 09175211708
Website: fo4a.dswd.gov.ph
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