The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) started a scheme to assist children from families with low incomes to pay for school before the academic year began. AICS Educational Assistance, a six-week cash distribution program that aids students from elementary through university by providing financial aid. Students in Region 6 Western Visayas (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental) who wish to apply for financial assistance should contact the DSWD Field Office 6 website for instructions.
Between P1,000 and P4,000 may be earned in August and September. Participants in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are not eligible for this cash assistance. Despite this, several of the 4Ps have already received financial aid. The DSWD previously advised recipients of cash assistance to return it to the agency. No one responded to the call for help, regardless of whether or not they were members of the 4Ps.
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.
Also Read: Claim DSWD Region 8 Education Cash Assistance Eastern Visayas
What is the DSWD AICS Educational Assistance Program?
The AICS program (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations) is a DWSD program that aids individuals in need with food, medicine, and transportation. The acronym “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations” refers to this. Reading on will shed more light on who is eligible for the program, as well as the rules and procedures involved.
The DSWD Educational Assistance Program, also known as AICS, provides financial aid to students who are experiencing a crisis. This money can be used for school expenses such as tuition, books, and supplies. The program is focused on helping “students in crisis” because it is underfunded.
DSWD Field Office 6 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 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
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 Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental
Students and parents who think they are qualified to avail of the Educational Assistance can do so by doing the following:
Register via this link: https://bit.ly/dswdfo6EducAssistance OR scan the QR Code of the said form (as seen below) so you can fill it in with your details OR register via email with the following details:
Email Subject: DSWD EA Registration
Name: Juan dela Cruz
Address: Brgy. San Pedro, Molo, Iloilo City
Birthday: September 1, 2003
Educational Level: College
Send it via dswd.educassistance@gmail.com.
Only those who register using the above methods will be entertained. No walk-in will be accepted at the agency’s offices.
Further announcements will be made soon, so keep posted.
Note: This process is for those in Region 6 (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental).
A Social Worker will perform an initial assessment on your application at the DSWD Field Office before payment of the educational assistance is authorized.
Only clients who have received a confirmation text will be considered for Educational Assistance. Field Office 6’s social workers will conduct an interview assessment for all successful applicants.
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 Facebook video of DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo 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 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 visit the nearest regional or field office. A social worker will assess your request before deciding whether or not to provide you with school financing.
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.
- 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 Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations Educational program had provided financial assistance to almost 48,000 pupils. This program provides PHP 140 million in funding to help students pay for their educational needs. If you or your child are a student who qualifies 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.
Contact Information: DSWD Field Office 6
If you have any questions, please contact the DSWD Field Office 6 at the following address:
Address: M.H del Pilar St, Molo, Iloilo City, 5000 Iloilo
Telephone: 0333376221
Website: fo6.dswd.gov.ph
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/dswd06
