There’s one goal that Overseas Filipino Workers have in common and that is to give their loved ones a more comfortable life in the Philippines. That includes sending their children to school until they complete their college degree. However, some OFWs find it challenging to achieve this goal due to some reasons.
The Tabang OFW Program helps dismissed or repatriated OFWs continue to send their kids to school despite returning to the Philippines and not earning an income. This educational assistance is designed for qualified dependents of OFWs who are studying in college. Before you apply, make sure to consider the qualifications, requirements, and application process for this scholarship program.
What is Tabang OFW Program
The Tabang OFW Program is a joint scholarship project of the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Labor and Employment through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. This tertiary education subsidy program has been established under the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act.
The main purpose of the Tabang OFW Program is to provide assistance to returning or repatriated OFWs affected by death or job loss due to the recent health crisis. Through this program, DOLE, CHED, and OWWA were given Php 1 billion in funding to ensure that these OFWs can benefit from educational grants to help send their student dependents to school.
Benefits of Tabang OFW Program
One of the benefits of this one-time grant is that OFWs who lost their jobs due to the pandemic can still support their dependents to study college. Qualified applicants can enjoy up to Php 30,000 worth of financial assistance to pay for their tuition and other expenses. For every repatriated OFW, only one college-level beneficiary can avail of this scholarship. Since this is a scholarship grant and not a loan from OWWA, you don’t need to pay it back.
Requirements of Tabang OFW Program Scholarship
Before you prepare the requirements for your Tabang OFW Program application, make sure you are qualified to apply for financial assistance. The following are the qualifications for returning or repatriated OFWs and their dependents:
- Dependents of married OFWs must be single, 30 years old or below, and a Filipino citizen
- Qualified beneficiaries of single OFWs can be their single child, nephew, niece, or sibling, must be 30 years old or below, and Filipino citizen
- Complete the requirements of CHED-accredited universities and colleges, state universities and colleges, and other higher education institutions
- Does not exceed the maximum residency requirements based on the overall residency policy of the university
- Enrolled in a CHED-accredited college or university, post-secondary program in a state university, or private tertiary institution approved by CHED
- Qualified dependent of a deceased, dismissed, displaced, or repatriated OFW affected by the pandemic
- Does not have other scholarship grants funded by the Philippine government
If you qualify to apply for the scholarship grant, you need to complete the requirements in order to enjoy all the benefits of this financial assistance program. There are two sets of requirements to be completed by the applicants to submit their application, the UNIFAST and OWWA requirement. Here are the UNIFAST documentary requirements you should prepare:
- Admission test score
- Evaluation form
- Certificate of Enrollment
- Certificate of Registration
- Enrollment document in e-format
- Enrollment Assessment Form
- Official receipt of enrollment
For the OWWA requirements, you need to complete the following:
- Valid passport
- For returning OFWs, proof of their arrival
- For displaced OFWs, proof of displacement such as company certification, POLO letter, and affidavit
- Proof of OFW’s death such as a death certificate or any similar document
- Official transmission issued by a consulate or the embassy
- Proof of relationship to the OFW such as the applicant’s birth certificate, CENOMAR, or any related document
- Affidavit stating that the applicant doesn’t have other government scholarship grants or awards
How to Apply
Step 1: Go to https://owwa.gov.ph and click on the OWWA application form at https://ease.owwa.gov.ph.
Step 2: Provide all the required details including your personal information. Attach any required documents.
Step 3: Click Submit to proceed with your application. Note that your application will be reviewed before it will be endorsed to DOLE for the screening process. If everything looks good, your application will then be evaluated by CHED-UNIFAST. If approved, you will be shortlisted and notified.
Step 4: Wait for the notification from OWWA or DOLE to confirm your slot.
Step 5: You will get an email or text message once your application has been approved by all concerned departments.
In addition to the online application method, there’s another way to process your application which is through the OWWA Regional Office. Just follow the steps below:
Step 1: Visit the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office in your area.
Step 2: Complete the application form which you can obtain from the Registration Desk or assigned guard.
Step 3: Schedule an appointment via the appointment scheduler at appointment.owwa.gov.ph or OWWA Mobile App.
Step 4: Submit the duly accomplished application form and other requirements to the OWWA RWO on the appointment date.
Step 5: Get your queuing number at the Registration Desk or assigned guard and wait until your name is called.
Step 6: Once your name or number is called, show the Philippine passport, OFW ID, or any valid identification of the OFW to the evaluator or processor at the Membership Record verification window or the Education and Training Unit.
Step 7: Once verified, complete the application form and requirements. Submit all documents for screening.
Step 8: Wait for the confirmation message via email or text if you are approved for the scholarship grant.
Video: OWWA Tabang OFW Program
Watch this video to learn about the Tabang OFW Program scholarship grant for OFW dependents, its application process, and its benefits.
Summary
At this point, you are now ready to apply for the Tabang OFW Program. Remember that you can either apply online or via the OWWA Regional Welfare Office. Make sure you are qualified and have secured all the requirements before you schedule an appointment through the official website of OWWA or the OWWA Mobile App.