How to Apply OWWA Tabang OFW Scholarship

Whether we admit it or not, many of our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) choose to work abroad in hopes of building better lives for their families. Such hopes include sending their kids to the best schools so they can start off with a competitive advantage. Unfortunately, such simple dreams are not always so simple to achieve, especially when you find yourself suddenly laid off from work and on your way back home with nothing to show for it. Luckily, the Philippine government has put in place agencies like the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to protect and assist the OFWs and their dependents for such instances.

In this article, we looked into one of the scholarship projects OWWA initiated for the OFWs with college- or university-level dependents—the Tabang OFW Program. This program is a joint project between the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through OWWA, and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in response to the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary (UNIFAST) Education Act. Whether you are a repatriated or dismissed OFW, or if you know a fellow OFW who has passed away, then you’d want to share this article so they can also learn about the qualification, requirements, and application process for the Tabang OFW Project, along with a few other important updates.

Table of Contents

How to Apply OWWA Tabang OFW scholarship program

What is OWWA Tabang OFW Program

Tabang OFW is a Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program initiated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) via OWWA, in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). It was a project that resulted from the orders of former President Rodrigo Duterte during his meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, in hopes of providing assistance to repatriated OFWs or those who returned to the Philippines due to job loss or death caused by the pandemic.

Under the program, DOLE, via OWWA, along with CHED, launched the Tabang OFW Program with a Php 1-billion peso budget to provide educational grants that will help OFWs who were impacted by the global health crisis. It was a one-time grant meant to support college-level children and dependents of COVID-19-affected OFWs.

The program is supposed to help Filipino workers abroad who have lost their employment and have been affected by getting a salary deduction from their employers due to the pandemic. This Tabang OFW aims to assist the student dependents of OFWs and their studies.

Benefits

The OWWA Tabang OFW Program offers a one-time financial grant amounting to Php 30,000.00 to one (1) qualified college-level dependent of a repatriated OFW who either lost his or her job or died during the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. The cash aid is the Philippine government’s way of showing support to the “Modern Heroes” and their dependents and is categorized as a scholarship assistance.

Do take note that the benefit of the Tabang OFW Program is a one-time financial assistance and not an OWWA loan so there’s no need to worry about paying it back. It is one of OWWA’s projects targeted to assist OFWs and their dependents during the COVID-19 crisis.

Qualifications

Before you even think about starting your application for the Tabang OFW Program, there are some qualifying criteria that the dependents of the OFW who would be the grant recipient should satisfy.

Listed below are the qualifications for the dependents to be deemed eligible for the Tabang OFW Program:

For married OFWs: Qualified dependents must be unmarried children under the age of 30
For single OFWs: eligible dependents must be a single child, sibling, niece, or nephew under the age of 30
All dependents must be a Filipino citizen.
Must meet the requirements of the state universities and colleges (SUCs), CHED-accredited local universities and colleges (LUCs), and private higher education institutions (HEIs)’s current admission and retention criteria
Must not have exceeded the maximum residency requirements as stipulated by the University’s overall residency policy.
Must not have been kicked out of the university.
Must be enrolled in a CHED-approved undergraduate, post-secondary program offered by a state university or college, CHED-accredited local university or college, or a private higher education institute under the CHED registry.
Must be a dependent of a repatriated, displaced, dismissed, or deceased OFW due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as certified by the DOLE.
Must not be a recipient of any other government-funded scholarship grant.

Requirements

If you believe that you meet all the qualifying criteria for the Tabang OFW Program, and you are interested in enjoying the benefits of this OWWA scholarship grant, then it’s time to prepare the documentary requirements.

For the requirements of the Tabang OFW program, you need to secure not only the UNIFAST requirements, but also the OWWA requirements.

Here’s a list of the documents that those who are interested in the Tabang OFW Scholarship Program will need to submit online:

UNIFAST Requirements

Please see the list of UNIFAST requirements that applicants need to secure to get this OWWA Tabang OFW Program:

Receipt of proof of enrollment
Enrollment Assessment Form (EAF)
Certificate of Registration (COR)
Certificate of Enrollment (COE
Enrollment document (Electronic Format)
Evaluation Form
Admission Test Score

OWWA Requirements

Here’s an additional list of documentary requirements, this time, from OWWA, for applicants of this Tabang OFW Program:

Travel papers
- Passport
Proof of your arrival (If you’re a returnee)
Proof of Displacement
- Affidavit
- POLO letter
- Company Certification
Death certificate or another record of a similar nature (to prove that the OFW is deceased)
Official transmission from the embassy or consulate
Proof of dependent relationship
- Birth Certificate of the applicant, if the applicant is a child of active OWWA member OFW who is married or single
- CENOMAR of OFW and birth certificate of OFW child, sibling, niece, or nephew, if the active OWWA member OFW is single.
Affidavit stating that the dependent is not a recipient of any government scholarship or award.

Step-by-Step Procedure: OWWA Tabang OFW Application

There are two ways to apply for the OWWA Tabang OFW Program. If you are interested, please follow the steps below so you can get an idea about the Tabang OFW application process:

Online Application via the OWWA website

The best, if not the most convenient method for applying for the OWWA Tabang OFW Program is by doing it online. You may do so via the online application form available on the OWWA website. You simply need to visit the site, fill out your personal details and other necessary data, upload the requirements, and wait for the notification regarding the status.

For a detailed instruction on how to do so, please follow these steps:

Visit the OWWA website at https://owwa.gov.ph/
Head on to the OWWA application form available at https://ease.owwa.gov.ph/.
Key in your personal details and all the required information.
Attach the necessary documentary requirements.
Submit your application. The application will be subjected for screening at the OWWA Office and will then be endorsed for screening to DOLE before it is sent to CHED-UNIFAST for evaluation, shortlisting of applicants, and approval.
Wait for a notification from either DOLE or OWWA confirming your successful scholarship slot application.
Once it is approved by the relevant authorities, a text or email notification will be sent to you.

Tabang OFW Application through OWWA Regional Office

You may also inquire about this program through the OWWA Regional Welfare Office in your province. Here are the steps:

Go to your local OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO).
Secure a copy of the application form from the Assigned Guard Or The Registration Desk at OWWA RWO.
You may need to set up an appointment before visiting the OWWA RWO of your choice. To do so, you may either:
- Use the appointment scheduler available on the OWWA website (appointment.owwa.gov.ph).
- Use the appointment scheduler on the OWWA Mobile App.
On the selected date of the appointment, visit the selected OWWA RWO where you made an appointment, preferably, the one closest to the OFW-member’s permanent address.
Secure a queuing number and wait for your turn at the queue by the Assigned Guard Or The Registration Desk at OWWA RWO.
Present the OFW ID or the valid original Philippine passport of the OWWA-member OFW to the processor or evaluator at the Education and Training Unit or focal for verification of Membership Record.
Wait for the focal on the Education and Training Unit to verify the ID and the OWWA membership of the OFW applicant.
Secure an application form for the OWWA Tabang OFW Program.
Fill out the required information, and attach the documentary requirements.
If the membership is proven to be valid, then you may submit your application for screening. The OWWA Office will endorse screened applications to DOLE, which in turn, will evaluate the application and form the master list of beneficiaries to be sent to CHED-UNIFAST for approval.
Once approved, you will receive a text or email notification will be sent to you detailing the instructions to claim your grant.
Claim the scholarship assistance grant amounting to Php 30,000.00 in either the applicant’s bank account or any of the assigned Money Exchange Center which will either be Kwarta Padala via Palawan Express or MLhuillier.

Note that due to the pandemic, OWWA encourages OFWs or their eligible dependents to process their applications online for easier transactions. In either cases, the approved grant will either be directly sent to the applicant or the OFW through bank transfer or it can be arranged to be claimed at any authorized money remittance centers.

Securing the OWWA Tabang OFW Application Form

The application form for OWWA Tabang OFW Program is available for easy access by going online to the OWWA website through this link: https://ease.owwa.gov.ph/. Do take note that this Tabang OFW application form is an online form so you will need to fill it out online.

However, if you think that it’s much easier to enter your information on a printed form, you may secure a copy of the form by visiting a POLO-OWWA office or OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) to inquire about this project and the form. The form can also be submitted in person or mailed via courier service if you so desired.

Tracking your Tabang OFW Program Application Online

Once you have submitted your details, whether online or otherwise, you may be able to check on the status of your application by accessing the designated Tabang OFW Tracker Online. This online tracker is available on the OWWA website via the link: https://tabangtracker.owwa.gov.ph.

Note that you will need to key in your personal details including your Last Name, First Name, Middle Name, and Email Address before hitting the Search button to verify your application status.

For detailed instructions on how to track your application upon submission, you may try the following steps:

Access the Tabang OFW Tracker through the link: https://tabangtracker.owwa.gov.ph/
Fill in the beneficiary’s name (First, Middle, and Last name).
Key in the nominated email address you used during the application.
Hit the “Search” button and wait.

Note that the name and email address that you will enter in the tracker must match the one entered in the application form.

In case of incomplete or invalidated requirements in your submissions, you will be asked to submit or resubmit the missing documents before your application can be considered and reviewed.

Note that in the current system for the OWWA Tabang OFW Program application, submitting an application for the Tabang OFW Program means that you are automatically applying for yet another COVID-related OWWA financial grant—the Project EASE Program— as well. This is good for you since you can just apply once for both programs, but do note that you may only qualify for one of them.

Important Reminders

Applying for the Tabang OFW Program is quite a simple process. However, do note that there are some important guidelines that you might want to pay attention to regarding the Tabang OFW application form and the program itself.

Please see the following reminders:

At this time, because of the pandemic, OWWA encourages applicants to just follow the online procedure for convenience and to avoid physical contact with others for safety purposes.
All inquiries regarding the OWWA Tabang OFW program along with other OWWA programs may be entertained in person, if you have an existing OWWA appointment scheduled.
In cases where there are incomplete or invalidated requirements, applicants will be asked to submit or resubmit the missing documents.
Alternative submission is available. Applicants may also send their Application Form, Evaluation Form and all other required documents to the OWWA RWOs via courier services (LBC, J&T. JRS. Etc.)
Before your application is even endorsed by DOLE Regional Offices to CHED-UNIFAST, OWWA and its Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs) will receive and evaluate all OFW applications affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The list of selected beneficiaries will be sent to the DOLE Central Office by the DOLE Regional Offices (ROs).
DOLE will the compile the list of eligible beneficiaries in order to send a verified master list of Tabang OFW eligible beneficiaries to CHED-UNIFAST.
DOLE Financial and Management Service will then prepare the documents that will be needed for DOLE ROs to receive funds for the beneficiaries via Cash Advance system.
To provide financial assistance directly to beneficiaries, the DOLE ROs will then prepare documents including the Budget Utilization Request and Status (BURS) and Disbursement Vouchers (DVs).
Within two (2) weeks of the application’s acceptance, the funds for the Tabang OFW Program will be disbursed and transferred directly to the OFW applicant’s account or to his or her designated beneficiary via bank transfer or electronic payment facility.
Applicants who showed interest to the Tabang OFW Program are also consequently applying for another OWWA scholarship project, Project EASE, at the same time.
Applicants may also reach out to the nearest OWWA Regional Office through their respective Facebook page or via the OWWA Contact Form available on the website via this link: https://www.owwa.gov.ph/index.php/contact-us.
Like Project EASE, the benefits of the Tabang OFW Program is limited, with only Php 1-billion budget given out for the financial assistance program.
Student applicants may apply for the Tabang OFW Program financial assistance, but this grant will only remain available until the Php 1-billion fund allocation runs out.

Watch Video: How to Avail the Php 30K Benefit from the OWWA Tabang OFW Program

To learn more, watch this video tutorial released by Youtube channel Pinas Exposed as they share with us how to get the Php 30,000.00 cash assistance offered by OWWA’s Tabang OFW project. The video outlines the complete step-by-step guide to applying for this program:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo1XCDhoIKw

Frequently Asked Questions

Need more help? Listed below are some of the most common questions and answers about the Tabang OFW Program. Read on and be guided accordingly:

1. Who are considered the beneficiaries of Tabang OFW?

The OWWA Tabang OFW Program is a scholarship project that resulted from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) via OWWA, and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) under the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary (UNIFAST) Education Act. The program was designed to benefit the college-level children of OWWA member OFWs who have been dismissed from employment, repatriated, or deceased due to COVID-19 related reasons.

2. Who can be considered “eligible dependents” of OFWs?

The qualified dependents of an OFW can be anybody who satisfies the either of the following criteria:

An unmarried child who is not older than 30 years, if the OFW is married, or;
An unmarried daughter, son, brother, sister, nephew, or niece, who is not older than 30 years, if the OFW is single.

3. What are the benefits of the Tabang OFW Project?

Under the OWWA Tabang OFW Program, eligible beneficiaries can get a one-time monetary assistance to help pay for college educational expenses. This one-time cas grant is worth Php 30,000.00 and is granted only to applicants who made it beyond the stringent screening process of both DOLE, OWWA, and CHED.

4. How would I know if my application for the Tabang OFW Project has been accepted?

Once your submissions are accepted, you should receive either a call, text, or email from the DOLE or the OWWA Regional Offices that has jurisdiction over your area.

5. Is there any way to check the status of my Tabang OFW Application?

Yes. Just like Project EASE, the Tabang OFW Program comes with an online tracker that allows applicants to check the status of their scholarship application online. The Tabang OFW Tracker Online is accessible on the OWWA website via https://tabangtracker.owwa.gov.ph.

6. Can I apply for this OWWA scholarship program and avail it for more than one child?

No. Like all the other OWWA scholarship grants, the Tabang OFW Program only allow their member OFWs or beneficiaries to apply for only one (1) college-level dependent. Single or married OFW applicants may opt to select one of their children to be the beneficiary of the program. Otherwise, they may opt to apply for their brother, sister, nieces, or nephews, as long as they are unmarried and are all under 30 years of age.

7. If I apply for the project, am I guaranteed a slot for the grant?

No. Like the other OWWA Programs, applying for the OWWA Tabang OFW Program does not automatically guarantee that you will be given the grant. After all, all applications are screened, going through several levels of review, evaluation, and approval, before a list of eligible benefits prior to awarding. Plus, note that the grant is only available until there are funds available so if you are interested, it is in your best interest to apply on time and make sure you have all the required documents before doing so. Preparation really is the key.

8. If my application is approved, how soon will I receive the cash aid from the grant?

Eligible Beneficiaries who were successful in their applications may receive their grant benefits via bank transfer or electronic payment, or claim them via any of the authorized remittance centers within two (2) weeks after the approval of their application.

9. When can I apply for the Tabang OFW Program?

Note that the OWWA Tabang OFW Program will only run until all the initial Php 1-billion fund allocation has been used. Having said that, it means that there is no definite date as to when the project will end. Nor will there be a deadline for when you can apply.

10. Is it possible for my sibling and child to apply for and avail the benefits of the OWWA Tabang OFW Program?

No. Like the other scholarship programs offered by OWWA, member OFWs may only apply for (1) college-level dependents per family for the Tabang OFW program. So if you are married, you may choose only one of your dependents to apply for this program. If you are a single OFW, you can have either one unmarried child, brother, sister, nephew, or niece apply for the program. Do note that, the student-applicant or beneficiaries should be below 30 years of age. No two members of the same family can avail of the benefits of this program or any other OWWA scholarship program for that matter.

11. How fast will I get the approval of my application for the OWWA Tabang OFW Program?

Unfortunately, at this time, there is no way to tell how much time it takes before the results of the Tabang OFW Program applications are released. There is also no definite time frame on when you will receive the financial assistance though it usually takes two (2) weeks after approval before the funds are disbursed. Also, as the project has received overwhelming response in the form of applications, OWWA are now entertaining and reviewing many of the applications that are being received and processed so it would be best if you try to be patient with regards to the results.

12. What if I am not qualified for the Tabang OFW Program? Does OWWA have other scholarships available for my dependents?

Yes. Just applying for the OWWA Tabang OFW Program already gives repatriated, dismissed, or deceased OFWs to a separate application for another COVID-related grant, the Project EASE without having to file a separate application form. Plus, if you are an active OWWA member, whether you are active or have lost your job or were repatriated, there are several OWWA scholarship programs available for you.

Some of these OWWA scholarships include:

OWWA OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP).
OWWA Education for Development Scholarship (EDSP)
OWWA Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP)
OWWA Mariner’s Dugtong Aral Program
OWWA Seafarers Upgrading Program
OWWA Information Technology (IT) Training Program
OWWA Educational Assistance through Scholarship in Emergencies (Project EASE)

Note that while it is important for you to check the options available to avail support from OWWA, you need to pay attention to the requirements and qualifications that each of these educational grants have before you try to apply for each one.

13. If I have other questions or concerns regarding the OWWA Tabang OFW Program, to whom should I reach out to?

For any problems, concerns, or inquiries regarding the program, it’s best to reach out to OWWA directly, either by making a call, sending an email, or making a personal visit to any OWWA ROs. To make it easier for you to reach them, here’s the complete contact information:

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, commandcenter@dole.gov.ph
OWWA Facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/OWWAofficial
OWWA website: https://owwa.gov.ph/

You may also download and install the OWWA Mobile App from either Google Play Store or Apple Store so you can stay updated on the latest OWWA projects and programs created specifically for OWWA member Filipino OFWs who wish to keep themselves abreast with the OWWA initiatives. You may also contact the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) or any of their Satellite Offices through their Facebook pages for more comprehensive information.

Some other contact information you can call about Tabang OFW Program:

Cellular Numbers: (Smart) 09615958438, (Globe) 09052535680
Landline Numbers: (02) 85680986, (02) 85680984, (02) 85273476, (02) 85273525, (02) 85272115, (02) 53096605, (02) 83538067
DOLE-Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) – (02) 8527-2539

Summary

The sudden onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic has caught everyone unaware, resulting in many lost jobs, livelihood, and even lives. This, however, did not deter the Philippine government from showing its support and protection to its people, especially the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents, via the initiatives of the Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA). OWWA’s initiatives are in the form of projects and financial grants that are meant to help the Modern Heroes who have lost their jobs or have been distressed while working far away from their family back home.

One such grant is the OWWA Tabang OFW Program. The Tabang OFW Program is a program intended to help displaced, distressed, repatriated, or deceased OFWs provide cash aid to support the extra expenses for the college studies of their dependents. After all, OWWA is there to offer support for OFWs so they can give better education and a better future for their families. This Tabang OFW cash aid is also a commitment-free grant so OFWs should avail of these benefits as part of the privilege associated with their paid OWWA membership.

Contact Information

For more information on the OWWA Tabang OFW Program, OFWs .ay reach out to OWWA via the following contact information:

Some other contact information you can call about Tabang OFW Program:

Cellular Numbers: (Smart) 09615958438, (Globe) 09052535680
Landline Numbers: (02) 85680986, (02) 85680984, (02) 85273476, (02) 85273525, (02) 85272115, (02) 53096605, (02) 83538067
DOLE-Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) – (02) 8527-2539