Before the start of the school year, the DSWD developed a program to assist low-income families with the financial assistance required to send their children to school. This program is to help families who have difficulty affording to send their children to school. The AICS Educational Assistance financially helps these families and will be running for six weeks.
Region 9 students (Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Isabela City) can learn more about this application procedures and registration process online.
4Ps members Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are unfortunately not able to receive the cash help that could range from P1,000 to P4,000 in August and September.
Still, some of the 4Ps have already gotten money to help them. Before, the DSWD asked 4Ps members who got cash aid to give it back. Even though this was the case, no one answered 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?
The AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations) program is a DWSD program that aids people in need in obtaining food, medicine, and other necessities. The term “AICS” stands for “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations.” In this situation, help is given so the individual may continue their studies. You’ll learn more about who qualifies for the program, how it works, and its rules in the remainder of this guide.
As the name implies, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) – Educational Assistance Program provides financial assistance to students in need. This money can be used to pay for the beneficiaries’ 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 9 Qualifications
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
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 Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Isabela City
For STUDENT-IN-CRISIS in the whole region who doesn’t have an appointment or priority number yet, you can make an online appointment via this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXnCid9Op2_qzwCXOvbpskH-4RatFwkrrNGlFsAhCxsAbH4Q/viewform
The DSWD Field Office 9 will also inform you that after the online appointment, you will receive a text message from DSWD FO9 regarding the status OR schedule and the place where the DSWD social worker will be processed and assessed if you are qualified to receive educational assistance.
This process is for those in Region 9 (Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Isabela City).
Only clients who have received the confirmation text will be assessed for Educational Assistance. All successful applicants will go through an interview assessment of the Field Office 9’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.
Reminder: Those who receive text messages are advised to bring their own water and food.
Note: For those who wish to register, walk-in registration is temporarily suspended; however, the online link can be used to register until 5pm, August 28, 2022 (Sunday).
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?
There are different financial aid amounts depending on the level of schooling: (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?
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 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: (062) 991 6030
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 Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations Educational program has given money to more than 48,000 students. The program will be able to fund the education of those who qualify for it with about PHP 140 million in funds. If you or your kid are a student that may benefit from this initiative, 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 9
If you have any questions, please contact the DSWD Field Office 9 at the following address:
Address: General Vicente Alvarez Street 7000 Zamboanga City, Philippines
Telephone: (062) 991 6030
Website: http://fo9.dswd.gov.ph/
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