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The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) scholarship and training programs were designed as part of the Philippine government’s efforts toward the protection and well-being of OFWs and their children worldwide. These programs were in place to help both the OFWs and their qualified dependents upgrade their education and learn more skills that will improve their employability and ensure that they will have a brighter future ahead. 

Also Read: Complete List of OWWA Programs, Benefits, and Services

The OWWA scholarship and training programs are usually given in the form of a financial or cash grant meant to subsidize the expenses associated with skill upgrades and higher learning. Most of them were created for the OFW children, but some were designed to help OFWs develop additional skills so they will grow into more competent professionals regardless of whether they want to continue working overseas or to come home to the Philippines for good.

If you are interested in finding out more about what OWWA offers as part of their scholarship and training programs, then this guide is for you.

List of OWWA Scholarship and Training Programs

Being an OFW or an OFW dependent doesn’t automatically make one qualify for an OWWA scholarship or training program. The best way that one can take full advantage of these programs is to understand what each scholarship or training program entails. 

To learn more about them, here’s a complete list of scholarship programs under the Scholarship and Training Programs offered by OWWA along with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), or Technical Education & Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

1. Education for Development Scholarship Program (OWWA EDSP)

The OWWA EDSP or Education for Development Scholarship Program is a scholarship grant offered by the agency under their Scholarships for Dependents Program. It is open to all eligible beneficiaries and dependents of active OWWA members belonging to the top 400 passers of the pre-qualifying test administered by the Department of Science & Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI). To avail of the ₱60,000.00 per school year financial assistance offered under EDSP, interested OFW dependents must apply for the program and be prepared to enroll in a four- or five-year baccalaureate course at any of their preferred colleges or universities. 

2. Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (OWWA ELAP)

The OWWA ELAP stands for OWWA’s Educational Livelihood Assistance Program. Like the EDSP, this scholarship program is offered by the OWWA as part of their Scholarship for Dependents Program. It offers a two-part assistance package in the form of either an educational scholarship grant for the beneficiary or a livelihood assistance grant for the spouse of deceased OFWs. The program offers the option for either an educational financial assistance ranging from ₱5000.00 to ₱10,000.00 depending on the age and educational level of the child-beneficiary or a livelihood assistance grant of ₱15,000.00 to help the spouses of deceased OFWs support not only the education but also the other needs of the family.

3. OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (OWWA ODSP)

The OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (OWWA ODSP) is yet another scholarship program available under the Scholarship for Dependents. It is one of the leading scholarship programs offered by OWWA to qualified dependents of active member OFWs. The program offers financial assistance amounting to ₱20,000.00 per academic year to eligible OFW dependents who are enrolled or planning to enroll in a four- or five-year baccalaureate degree at a state college or a university. The only difference is that this program is only available to active OWWA members whose monthly salary as an OFW is below $600.00.

4. Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (OWWA SESP)

The OWWA SESP refers to OWWA’s Skills for Employment Scholarship Program. It is an education and training project pioneered by OWWA under the Short-Term Training Programs for OFWs & Dependents so OFWs and their dependents may upgrade their technical-vocational (Tech-VOC) skills through six-months to one-year career-enhancing courses. The program offers grants ranging from ₱7,250.00 to ₱14,000.00 for those who are taking six-month vocational courses and one-year technical courses, respectively. Unlike the others, the cash grant offered by this program is disbursed directly to the training institute where the OFWs or OFW dependents or beneficiaries are enrolled. 

5. OWWA Seafarer’s Upgrading Program (OWWA SUP)

One of the OWWA programs offered specifically for sea-based OFWs or seafarers is the OWWA Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP). It was developed by the agency in qn effort to support the seafarers in their bid to upgrade their skills and cope with the ever-changing technologies and international maritime standards. Under the SUP, the seafarer-applicant or grantee may receive financial support ranging from ₱1,200.00 to ₱7,500.00, provided that they are enrolling in any pre-approved MARINA- or TESDA-accredited training course offered by OWWA-approved training providers.  

6. OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program

The OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program is yet another program offered under the Short-Term Training Programs for OFWs & Dependents. It was initially designed to set up IT Training centers in OWWA Regional Offices and other overseas posts to help connect OFWs with their families. Later on, the program evolved to include basic literacy training programs with lessons on IT applications so OFWs and their families may upgrade their skills and improve their employability.

7. OWWA Mariner’s Dugtong Aral (Bridging) Program (OWWA MDA)

Yet another educational and training support offered by OWWA is the Mariner’s Dugtong Aral (Bridging) Program or OWWA MDA. It is one of the Mariners’ and Seafarers’ Educational Programs offered by OWWA to help selected engineering students become marine officers on board an ocean vessel. The program has very specific requirements for those who are interested. to get a maximum of ₱38,120.00 plus ₱15,000.00 for a 3-month stipend. They must be qualified graduates of BS Mechanical Engineering and BS Electrical Engineering, who are studying for a course leading to a BS Marine Engineering degree. 

8. OWWA Tuloy Aral Project (OWWA TAP)

The Tuloy-Aral Project (TAP) was launched in December 2004 to offer educational assistance and monitoring to the less fortunate children of former OFWs and children belonging to poor, needy families. 

Under the program, the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) and the OWWA Family Welfare Officers identify successful OFWs and other organizations to provide $100.00 annual donation to help support the school expenses of elementary and high school level child-beneficiaries. The program also offers the creation of a complete family profile for beneficiaries which will be the volunteer OFW donor’s basis in their selection, the guidance and monitoring of each child’s progress in school, and a chance to connect OFW families together. For underprivileged incoming or current college students, interested availees may apply for OWWA’s Extension Program, Tuloy Kolehiyo, which offers ₱15,000.00 per academic year.

9. Pre-Departure Education Program

The OWWA Pre-Departure Education Program entails the hosting of orientation-seminars meant to help OFWs and would-be OFWs become more familiar with the language, culture, and stress management options in the host country and their future work environment. It is offered either as Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS), one-day Country-Specific Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) and four- to six-day Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP) and is a must before one can leave the country for deployment. 

10. Educational Assistance through Scholarship in Emergencies (Project EASE Scholarship)

Project EASE refers to OWWA’s Educational Assistance through Scholarship in Emergencies—a component of the CARE amelioration program package developed to ease the plight of OFWs affected by COVID-19. It is an educational assistance program that pays ₱10,000.00 per year for a maximum of four years to cover for the college-level education of qualified dependents of active OFW-members who were repatriated during the pandemic. It also covers children of married or single parent OFW or siblings of single OFWs.

11. Tertiary Education Subsidy for Dependents of Repatriated OFWs (Tabang OFW Scholarship Program)

The OWWA Tabang OFW Program is a Tertiary Education Subsidy for Dependents of Repatriated OFWs—a special collaborative educational assistance program by OWWA, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). This Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) offers a one-time grant amounting to ₱30,000.00 for the benefit of one (1) unmarried college-level dependent OFWs who were either killed, repatriated or displaced, or had their salary reduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program beneficiaries may either be an unmarried child of married OFWs or an unmarried child, sibling, nephew, or niece of an unmarried OFW under 30 years of age. It is not an OWWA loan so there’s no need to worry about paying it back later on.

Summary

The OWWA scholarship and training programs are the Philippine government’s way of showing how they, too, like most Filipinos, value education, ideal learning environments, as well as the benefits and opportunities it presents. With the belief that there’s no shortage of talents in the Philippines, and with these scholarship programs, OWWA hopes to empower and support the OFW children as they develop and grow their skills and fulfill the talent gaps in the market.

Some are regular projects, while others are projects created under special situations and funding availability. These projects are all available on the OWWA website and are open for application, provided that the OFWs and their beneficiaries stay as active members who pay their membership dues amounting to $25.00 for every two (2) years on a regular basis.

Contact Information

For inquiries, concerns, or problems regarding the OWWA scholarships and education programs, you may also reach out to OWWA through the following:

Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA)

Office Address: F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
Tel. No.: 8891-7601 to 24
OWWA hotline number: 1348, (02) 1348 (Regional), (+632) 1348 (International) 
OWWA Email Address: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph
OWWA Facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/OWWAofficial
OWWA website: https://owwa.gov.ph/

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is mandated to promote the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families. Over the years, OWWA has granted OFWs and their families benefits, such as financial assistance for livelihood and education. One of these benefits is the Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), which aims to support beneficiaries of deceased or convicted OFWs to start a business or proceed with their schooling.

Also Read: OWWA SESP Skills for Employment Scholarship Program

Under this program, the families of deceased or convicted OFWs will receive two types of financial assistance. The surviving spouse or parents will receive P15,000 livelihood assistance to supplement the family’s income. In addition, one child of the deceased OFW, usually the eldest, will receive up to a P10,000 scholarship grant. So if you’re a parent, spouse, or child of a convicted or deceased OFW with active OWWA membership at the time of their death, read on to learn how to apply for OWWA ELAP.

What is OWWA ELAP?

ELAP stands for Education and Livelihood Assistance Program, designed for the surviving dependents of deceased OFWs with active OWWA membership status during their death. It is also for the families of OFWs convicted, imprisoned, or punished with the death penalty in their host country. This program aims to provide financial assistance worth P15,000 for livelihood purposes to surviving family members (spouse/parent) of the deceased or convicted OFWs to boost their family income.

Aside from that, ELAP offers educational assistance worth P5,000 to P10,000 to deceased OFWs qualified dependents. The financial support is only accessible to one child school-age dependent, normally the eldest child. But the next-born child can apply for educational assistance if the eldest child is not qualified. It offers financial allowance to dependents from primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Thus, ELAP supports the surviving families of deceased or convicted OFWs.

Benefits

The OWWA ELAP program serves as financial assistance to help convicted or deceased OFWs surviving family members’ livelihood and for qualified dependents to proceed with their schooling. Through this program, the beneficiaries of OFWs will receive the following:

• A livelihood assistance worth P15,00 can be availed by:
• For Single OFWs- the surviving parent
• For Married OFWs- the surviving spouse
• Only one child of the OFW, normally the eldest, will obtain a scholarship grant. The qualified dependent will receive the following financial support allowance annually:
• For Elementary- P5,000
• For High School- P8,000
• For College- P10,000

Qualifications

If you wish to apply for assistance, here are the following qualifications to avail of the ELAP program:

• Must be a Filipino citizen
• Must be an incoming Elementary, High School, or College Student
• Not a recipient of any OWWA or other government-funded scholarship grant
• Must be a parent or legal spouse of convicted or deceased OFW with active OWWA membership status at the time of their death certified by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
• Must be a child (dependent) of convicted or deceased OFW with active OWWA membership status at the time of their death certified by DOLE
• Must be a sibling (dependent) of convicted or deceased, unmarried OFW with active OWWA membership status at the time of their death certified by DOLE
• For incoming 1st year college, the dependent must be:
• Single and not over 21 years old
• General Weighted Average (GWA) of 80% in all academic and non-academic subjects in the previous school year attended in full load
• Grade 11 graduate (incoming/currently enrolled in Grade 12)
• If already in 2nd-year to 5th-year college, the dependent must be:
• Single and not over 30 years old
• General Weighted Average (GWA) of 80% in all academic and non-academic subjects in the previous school year attended full load.
• Dependent must be part of the top 20% of Elementary and High School Graduating Class
• Dependent should pass the qualifying examination conducted by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI)
• Dependent should have good moral character and health
• Dependent should pass the university’s current admission and retention criteria and overall residence policy

Requirements

Since ELAP offers two types of support, the requirements will also vary if claiming Educational or Livelihood Assistance. Here are the following documents to secure to avail of the ELAP program:

Educational Assistance Requirements

• Duly accomplished ELAP Application Form (2 copies)
• 2×2 recent and identical photos of the applicant (2 copies)
• Death Certificate of OFW or equivalent document
• OFW Membership Record (avail at OWWA RWO)
• Official transmission record from the embassy or consulate
• Any proof of relationship to the OFW OWWA member:
• For OFWs child- Original PSA Birth Certificate of the applicant
• For OFWs siblings- PSA Birth Certificate of the applicant and OFW
• For unmarried OFW- Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) issued by PSA
• Any proof of enrollment receipt:
• Certificate of Enrollment (COE)
• Certificate of Registration (COR)
• Enrollment Assessment Form (EAF)
• Any enrollment document (Computerized Format):
• Admission Test Score
• Evaluation Form
• Any proof of OWWA membership:
• Official receipt of OWWA membership contribution
• OFW Verification Sheet (issued by MPC)
• School Record with GWA of 80%:
• Form 137/138
• Transcript of Record (TOR)
• For college level- Certificate of Grades
• Health Certificate
• Certificate of Good Moral Character (issued by guidance counselor/principal)
• Certificate proving the applicant is in the top 20% of Elementary and High School Graduating Class
• Certification that the applicant has not taken any post-secondary or undergraduate/college units
• Certification that the applicant did not receive any scholarship grant
• Certificate proving the applicant did not take the EDSP Qualifying Examination
• Sworn Statement that the applicant has no pending request for resident immigration status in other countries and does not have dual nationality signed by a parent or legal guardians
• Original copy of Scholarship Agreement

Economic Livelihood Assistance Requirements

• Duly accomplished ELAP Application Form (2-copies)
• Passport size ID photo (recent and identical, 2-copies)
• Any proof of OWWA membership:
• Official receipt of OWWA membership contribution
• OFW Information Sheet
• If not the intended beneficiary, the applicant should secure written consent from the legal spouse or parent that they are not interested in the program and authorize the applicant to assume the family responsibility.
• Business Plan
• Entrepreneurial Development Training Certificate (EDT) from OWWA RWO

How to Apply for ELAP Scholarship

To apply for the OWWA ELAP program, follow the steps below:

1. Head to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) that covers your permanent address.
2. Queue in the line or get a queuing number and wait for your turn.
3. Submit the OFW Membership Record and duly accomplished Endorsement Form from Social Benefits Unit.
4. Next, secure the ELAP requirements checklists and application forms.
5. Present the filled-out form and documentary requirements to the Reintegration Unit.
6. Get a schedule for Entrepreneurial Development Training (EDT) for livelihood assistance.
7. For qualified dependents availing of ELAP Educational Assistance, go to the Education and Training Unit and secure the requirements checklist.
8. Submit your completed requirement for ELAP Educational Assistance and wait for the evaluation result.
9. Attend the scheduled orientation or training at the designated venue.
10. For Educational Assistance- Scholarship Orientation
11. For Livelihood Assistance- Entrepreneurial Development Training (EDT)
12. Afterward, claim the Notice of Award (NOA) for the release of assistance from the Education or Training Unit or Reintegration Unit. Also, the dependent/claimant should bring at least two (2) valid IDS.

Keep in mind that the schedule for the training or orientation varies based on the RWO location, and applicant’s qualifications complexity, and compliance with the requirements. Also, contact the nearest OWWA RWO in your area to confirm if they accept walk-ins or book an appointment if necessary.

Reminders on OWWA ELAP

Please take note of the following reminders for those who plan to apply for OWWA ELAP:

• The application for ELAP and other OWWA programs is only processed if the applicant has completed the requirements.
• OWWA will notify the applicant via email or SMS if requirements are invalid or incomplete.
• Applicants approved for ELAP Educational Assistance will receive a copy of the Scholarship Agreement Form. They have to print and notarize the said form. Then, submit the document to OWWA RWO via a courier service.
• OWWA will send the list of approved beneficiaries to the DOLE Central Office. Afterward, the grantees will receive in their bank accounts the financial assistance within two (2) weeks after the application is approved.
• The approved beneficiaries of ELAP should have their bank account to receive Livelihood Assistance.
• The approved beneficiaries of ELAP Educational Assistance should also have an active bank account to receive financial support yearly. If not, open a savings account in the name of the approved beneficiary (OFWs child/sibling).
• The educational assistance intends to supplement expenses, like books and school supplies. So it’s not intended to cover the beneficiary’s full tuition fee.
• The applicant will only receive the Notice of Award (NOA) if their request is approved. Also, NOA only has 45 days of validity, so ensure to claim it or wait for another appointment to get another one.

Video: OWWA SCHOLARSHIP AND LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE: ELAP

To learn more about the Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), please watch the video below:

As stated in the video, the ELAP program has two parts, the Livelihood Assistance Program and Scholarship Program. It offers a scholarship grant to only one child of convicted or deceased OFWs annually and financial assistance for surviving family members (parent or legal spouse) to start their business and boost their income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are qualified for OWWA ELAP?

The OWWA ELAP program is for the families of convicted or deceased OFWs with active OWWA membership status during their death. It is accessible by qualified beneficiaries, such as a parent, spouse, child, or sibling of unmarried OFWs.

How to apply for OWWA ELAP?

Before you apply for OWWA ELAP, you should secure the documentary requirements for Education or Livelihood Assistance. Then, visit OWWA RWO to submit your documentary requirements. You should also attend training or orientation to get the Notice of Award (NOA).

How much is ELAP assistance?

There are two types of support under ELAP, Educational, and Livelihood Assistance. The Livelihood Assistance is worth P15,000. For Educational Assistance, qualified dependents will receive P5,000 for Elementary, P8,000 for High School, and P10,000 for College per year.

Summary

The Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) from OWWA will benefit the surviving family members of deceased OFWs with active OWWA membership status during their death. Furthermore, families of convicted OFWs in their host country are encouraged to apply for ELAP, especially those with school-age dependents, to acquire financial assistance to help with school expenses.

Most of all, the parent or legal spouse of the deceased OFW should apply for ELAP to enhance their livelihood.

Contact Details

OWWA Central Office (
Address: OWWA Center Building, F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
Hotline: 1348
NCR Hotline: 09666250016
Reintegration Unit: 8834-0719
Website: https://owwa.gov.ph/
Email: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph