Most Filipino Workers sacrifice their time to work abroad to provide a better future for their families, especially their children. However, many Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFWs) dreams were shattered or delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With that said, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) provides varying support to OFWs and their families affected by the pandemic, such as Project EASE (Educational Assistance by Scholarship in Emergencies).
Also Read: OWWA Tabang OFW Financial Assistance Program
This program is educational assistance for qualified dependents of OFW active OWWA members who have been displaced, repatriated, or distressed during the declaration of the Covid-19 outbreak on February 2020. It offers a financial grant to college-level dependents of OFWs for up to 4 years to pursue their education. So for OFWs, who have college-level dependents, keep reading to find out how to apply for the Project EASE Scholarship and the qualifications and requirements to avail of the program.
What is Project EASE Scholarship?
Project EASE stands for Educational Assistance by Scholarship in Emergencies, an educational assistance program from OWWA. It’s for qualified dependents of OFWs with active OWWA membership status when they were distressed, displaced, or repatriated in the Philippines during the declaration of the Covid-19 outbreak on February 1, 2020, and until competent authorities, such as World Health Organization (WHO) declares that it’s managed and controlled.
Launched in February 2020, the Project EASE Scholarship aims to provide financial assistance worth P10,000 per year for up to 4 years maximum to qualified dependents of OFWs who are still studying college but affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. This program is available to dependents of OFWs, whether land-based, sea-based, or Balik Manggagawa.
Since over 7 million Filipino youth did not attend the school year 2020-2021 as per the Department of Education (DepEd), the Project EASE Scholarship will surely benefit those who need educational assistance.
Benefits
Project EASE offers educational assistance to only one (1) college-level dependents of OFWs who have lost their jobs, repatriated, or were distressed during the declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Under this program, qualified beneficiaries will receive a financial grant worth P10,000 per year for up to 4 years maximum, which should supplement school expenses. Remember, Project EASE is not a loan program but a financial grant scholarship. So OFWs no longer have to pay the said amount.
Qualifications
Before you consider applying for educational assistance, here are the qualifications applicants should meet to avail of the Project EASE Scholarship:
Qualified Dependents of OFWs
Qualified dependents of OFWs with active OWWA membership status at the time they lost their jobs, repatriated, or were distressed due to the Covid-19 pandemic declaration on February 1, 2020:
- For married OFWs- single children not over 30 years old
- For single OFWs- a single dependent not over 30 years old can be a child, sibling, niece, or nephew
Qualifications for Dependents
- Must be a Filipino citizen
- Incoming 1st-year college or already enrolled in a university or college
- Must meet the current admission test and retention criteria of local universities and colleges (LUCs) accredited by CHED, private higher education institutions (HEIs), and state universities and colleges (SUCs)
- Have not exceeded the overall residency policy of the University
- Have not been expelled/kicked out of the University
- Must be enrolled in an undergraduate, post-secondary program at a university or college approved by CHED
- Must be OFWs dependent who have lost their jobs, displaced, or repatriated due to the Covid-19 pandemic (certified by DOLE)
- Must not be a recipient of any OWWA or government-funded scholarship programs
Do note that the Project EASE Scholarship does not cover dependents of undocumented workers or OFWs with inactive OWWA membership status.
Requirements
If you’re qualified for the Project EASE Scholarship, here are the following documentary requirements you should secure for the application:
- Duly accomplished Project EASE Application Form
- Valid passport of OFW OWWA member
- Flight ticket of boarding pass or arrival stamp attached in the passport to prove return to the Philippine from February 1, 2020, onwards
- Proof of OWWA membership, such as Official Receipt of contribution for validation
- Proof of relationship to the OFW:
- For married or single parent OFWs- Birth Certificate of the child
- For single OFWs- Birth Certificate of OFW and the dependent and Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
- Dependents Certificate of Grade (from the previous semester or school year with passing grades in all subjects)
How to Apply for Project EASE Program by OWWA
To apply for the Project EASE Scholarship of OWWA, follow the steps below:
- Fill out the online application form for Project EASE thru this link: https://ease.owwa.gov.ph/. Also, you may visit the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) to get a copy of the application form.
- Secure the complete documentary requirements.
- Double-check the provided information.
- Submit your requirements to OWWA RWO email or a regional office that covers your permanent address. You may also submit your documentary requirements thru a courier service (JRS, j&T, LBC) as an alternative.
- OWWA will send the applicant a tracking number via email or SMS to monitor the status of the application.
- The applicant that submitted invalid or incomplete requirements will receive a notification from OWWA via SMS or email.
- OWWA will notify you via email or SMS confirming your slot for Project EASE if your application is approved. You’ll also receive a downloadable and printable Scholarship Agreement online.
- Sign and notarize the Scholarship Agreement and return it to OWWA RWO via a courier service.
- OWWA will announce Project EASE-qualified beneficiaries.
- Then, the educational assistance will be sent directly thru the student beneficiary bank account thru bank remittance.
Project EASE Application Form
The Project EASE Application Form of OWWA is available online at: https://ease.owwa.gov.ph/.
The photo below is a sample of the application form:
Project EASE Online Tracker
If you applied for Project EASE Scholarship, track the progress of your application thru this link: https://easetracker.owwa.gov.ph/.
Here’s a screenshot of the Project EASE online tracker for your reference:
Reminders for Project EASE Scholarship
Please take note of the following reminders if you wish to apply for the Project EASE Scholarship of OWWA:
- Applicants can track the progress of their application for Project EASE thru the serial reference/tracking number sent by OWWA via email or SMS.
- If the applicant has invalid or incomplete requirements, the applicant will receive a notification via email or SMS.
- Approved applicants will receive a downloadable and printable Scholarship Agreement that should be signed and notarized. Then, send the Scholarship Agreement to the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO) that covers your permanent address via a courier service.
- The qualified beneficiaries of Project EASE will receive educational assistance directly in the student beneficiary bank account.
- Qualified beneficiaries of the educational assistance program should also have an active bank account in their name to receive the annual remittance.
- The Project EASE Scholarship will only provide annual educational assistance worth P10,000 for four (4) years maximum to college-level dependents of OFWs. It does not aim to cover the entire tuition fee of qualified beneficiaries but to supplement school expenses.
Video: OWWA SCHOLARSHIP: PROJECT EASE
Please watch the video to learn more about OWWA Project EASE Scholarship:
As stated in the video, Project EASE (Educational Assistance by Scholarship in Emergencies) offers financial support worth P10,000 per year for up to 4 years to qualified dependents of OFWs to pursue their college degree. This program aims to assist dependents of OFW OWWA members who were repatriated or lost their job during the Covid-19 outbreak in February 2020. It’s a scholarship grant and not a loan. So it will benefit college-level dependents of OFWs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Project EASE Scholarship?
The Project EASE Scholarship is an educational assistance program offered by OWWA to qualified dependents of OFWs affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. It provides financial assistance to supplement the school expenses of beneficiaries. Since this program is a scholarship grant, beneficiaries of Project EASE no longer have to pay back the given financial aid.
How to apply for Project EASE Scholarship?
To apply for Project EASE Scholarship, the applicants should meet the qualifications of OWWA. Qualified applicants should fill out the application form and submit their documents to OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO). Once the application is approved, the applicant will receive a downloadable Scholarship Agreement to be signed and notarized. Then, return the Scholarship Agreement to OWWA RWO and wait for the instructions on how to claim the educational assistance thru bank remittance.
Who are qualified for Project EASE Scholarship?
The Project EASE Scholarship is designed for the dependents of OFWs with active OWWA membership status when they were repatriated or lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic declaration on February 1, 2020. It is for single college-level dependents of OFWs not over 30 years old. Only one (1) dependent is eligible for the scholarship for married OFWs. If the OFW is single/unmarried, only one (1) dependent can apply for Project EASE, such as a child, sibling, niece, or nephew.
How much is the assistance for Project EASE Scholarship?
The educational assistance for Project EASE Scholarship is worth P10,000 per year for four (4) years maximum.
Summary
Through the Project EASE Scholarship of OWWA, college-level dependents of OFWs will receive annual support to supplement their school expenses and reduce their family’s financial burden. This program will support qualified beneficiaries to pursue college studies, ensuring a better and brighter future. Thus, OFWs should ensure active OWWA membership status to benefit from the varying programs and assistance from OWWA, such as the Project EASE Scholarship.
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
