OWWA ELAP Scholarship Program – How to Apply

The OWWA Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) is a program designed to provide support to the beneficiaries of deceased Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). ELAP consists of two parts: an educational grant and a livelihood grant.

OWWA ELAP Scholarship Program – Application Process

The OWWA ELAP Scholarship Program offers valuable educational support to beneficiaries, empowering them to pursue their education and enhance their future prospects. The program provides financial assistance for various educational expenses, including tuition fees, school supplies, and other necessary resources. By availing this scholarship, the children, spouse, or parents of deceased OFWs can continue their studies and acquire essential skills, laying the foundation for a brighter future.

On the other hand, the livelihood grant is intended to help the beneficiaries establish their own businesses and achieve financial independence. The grant can be used for capital or start-up costs, tools and equipment, and other necessary resources to launch a livelihood project. This empowers the beneficiaries to generate income and support their livelihoods.

To avail of the OWWA ELAP, the beneficiary must be a child, spouse, or parent of an active OWWA member OFW who passed away. The eligibility requirements and application process may vary, so it is advisable to visit the official OWWA website or contact their office for detailed information.

The OWWA ELAP is a significant initiative by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to assist and uplift the lives of the dependents left behind by deceased OFWs. It provides educational and livelihood opportunities that enable the beneficiaries to have a sustainable future despite the challenges they face.

What is OWWA ELAP – Education and Livelihood Assistance Program

The OWWA Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) is a scholarship assistance program initiated by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to support the surviving dependents of deceased overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). This program has two components: educational financial assistance for school-age OFW dependents in primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, and a livelihood grant program for the spouse or surviving parent of the deceased OFW.

The ELAP program provides cash aid as financial assistance for education and livelihood to eligible OFW beneficiaries. To qualify for the program, the beneficiaries must be direct dependents of active OWWA members who are either incarcerated or convicted and sentenced to the death penalty in foreign countries.

The educational financial support under the ELAP program covers primary to tertiary education for one eligible dependent. This means that the program can provide financial assistance for the tuition fees, school supplies, and other educational expenses of the OFW dependent.

Additionally, the ELAP program includes an economic assistance grant for either the surviving parents or the spouse of the deceased OFW. This grant aims to help with the family’s income and livelihood needs, providing support to improve their financial situation.

Overall, the OWWA ELAP program is designed to assist the surviving dependents of deceased OFWs by offering educational financial assistance and livelihood support. It serves as a means to alleviate the financial burden faced by families affected by the loss of an OFW family member.

Benefits of OWWA ELAP

OWWA ELAP covers two distinct beneficiaries, which means the benefits of this program fall under two different categories. One, for those who have been accepted for Educational Assistance, and two, for those entitled to a livelihood grant that they can use to set up a business.

Some of the benefits that ELAP offers include:

For the Educational Assistance:

  • Cash aid or allowance for the firstborn as follows:
    • primary (Kindergarten and elementary) – Php 5,000.00,
    • secondary (junior and senior high school) – Php 8,000.00
    • tertiary – Php 10,000.00

For the Economic Assistance:

  • A Php 15,000.00 livelihood financial grant will also be given to:
    • the parents (for single OFWs)
    • the surviving spouse (for married OFWs)

Qualifications for OWWA ELAP

To be eligible for the benefits of the OWWA ELAP, an OWWA member OFW beneficiary must be:

  • A Filipino citizen
  • A legal spouse or parent of an active OWWA member OFW at the time of death, as certified by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or:
  • A child of a then-active OWWA OFW member, in which case they must be:
    • Single, and no older than 21 years
    • In either elementary, high school or college level
    • Must belong to the top 20% of their graduating batch, with a General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 80% or its equivalent.
  • A passer on the university’s current admission and retention criteria, and has not met the overall residence policy therein.
  • Must pass the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) qualifying exam
  • In good overall health and conduct
  • Must not be a recipient of any government-funded scholarship award
  • Must meet the University’s current admission and retention criteria
  • Must not have exceeded the University’s overall residency policy

OWWA ELAP Application Requirements

The ELAP (Education and Livelihood Assistance Program) has different sets of requirements depending on whether the applicant is applying for Educational Assistance or Economic Livelihood Assistance. Here are the documentary requirements for each category:

For applicants of Educational Assistance:

  1. Duly accomplished OWWA ELAP Application Form (2 copies)
  2. Recent and identical 2×2 ID photo (2 copies)
  3. OFW’s death certificate or any document of similar nature
  4. Official transmission record from consulate or embassy
  5. Proof/certification of relationship with the deceased OFW (choose one):
    • PSA-issued birth certificate of the applicant if the applicant is a child of the deceased OFW
    • PSA-issued birth certificate of both the applicant and OFW if the applicant is a sibling of the deceased OFW
    • PSA-issued Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) if the OFW is single
  6. Proof of Enrollment:
    • Certificate of Registration (COR)
    • Enrollment Assessment Form (EAF)
    • Certificate of Enrollment (COE)
    • Enrollment document in electronic format
  7. Evaluation form or Admission Test Scores issued by the university or school registrar
  8. Proof of active OWWA membership at the time of death of the member OFW:
    • Official receipt of OWWA membership contribution
    • OFW Info Sheet
  9. Health certificate
  10. Good moral certificate issued by the college administrator, school principal, or guidance counselor
  11. Sworn statements, each certifying:
    • That the applicant is part of the top 20% of their graduating batch
    • That the applicant has a General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 80% or its equivalent
    • That the applicant has not taken any post-secondary courses
    • That the applicant has not taken the EDSP Qualifying Exam
    • That the applicant is a non-recipient of any government-funded scholarship grant
    • That the applicant is not a dual citizen
    • That the applicant has no pending resident immigration application in progress, duly signed by the parent or legal guardian
  12. Original Scholarship Agreement form

For applicants of Economic Livelihood Assistance:

  1. Duly accomplished OWWA ELAP Application Form
  2. Recent and identical passport-size ID photo (2 copies)
  3. Proof of active OWWA membership at the time of death of the member OFW:
    • Official receipt of OWWA membership contribution
    • OFW Info Sheet
  4. Certificate of receipt of livelihood package
  5. If the applicant is not the intended beneficiary: Written consent from the intended beneficiary (either spouse or parent) stating that they are not interested in the program and are delegating authority to the applicant to assume responsibility for the family.

Application Procedures for OWWA ELAP

To proceed with your application, please follow the steps outlined below:

  1. Go to your local OWWA Regional/Satellite Welfare Office (RWO/SWO). If necessary, set up an appointment before visiting. You can do this by either:
    • Using the appointment scheduler available on the OWWA website (appointment.owwa.gov.ph).
    • Using the appointment scheduler on the OWWA Mobile App.
  2. On the scheduled date of your appointment, visit the selected OWWA RWO where you made the appointment. It is advisable to choose the office closest to the permanent address of the deceased member OFW.
  3. Upon arrival, secure a queuing number and wait for your turn in the queue.
  4. Obtain a copy of the application form from the nearest OWWA RWO or SWO. Fill in all the required information and attach the necessary documentary requirements.
  5. Submit your completed application form and supporting documents in person at the nearest OWWA Office.
  6. Alternatively, you may choose to send the application form, evaluation form, and required documentation via Courier Services (such as LBC, J&T, JRS, etc.) if it is allowed.
  7. After submitting your application, patiently wait for a notification from an authorized OWWA representative. This notification will be sent to you through text, email, or a phone call. The purpose of the notification is to confirm your slot in the program.

Important Reminders about OWWA ELAP

In the application for the benefits of the OWWA ELAP, here are a few things that you need to remember:

  1. Document Requirements: Ensure that you submit complete and valid documentary requirements, as applications with incomplete or invalidated documents will not be processed.
  2. Scholarship Agreement Form: Accepted applicants will receive a downloadable and printable Scholarship Agreement Form, which they must download, print, sign, and have notarized. The form should then be returned to the OWWA Regional Office.
  3. Tracking and Endorsement: Applicants will receive a serial reference/tracking number via SMS or email for tracking purposes. OWWA and its Regional and Satellite Welfare Offices will obtain and review applications of OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) dependents before endorsing them to the DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) Regional Offices. The list of authorized beneficiaries will be sent to the DOLE Central Office.
  4. Announcement of Accepted Beneficiaries: OWWA will publicly announce the final list of accepted beneficiaries.
  5. Notice of Award (NOA): Only after the application has been approved, the applicant will receive a Notice of Award (NOA). The NOA is valid for 45 days, and it is important to use it within that time frame. Otherwise, the applicant will need to wait for the next scheduled appointment.
  6. Grant Disbursement: Eligible beneficiaries of the program will receive the grant through bank remittances or electronic payment facility, directly into the student beneficiary’s bank account, within two (2) weeks of their application’s acceptance.
  7. Bank Account Requirement: To receive annual remittances, eligible beneficiaries must have their own bank account in their name or a savings account in the name of the eligible child or relative beneficiary. Without a bank account meeting these criteria, the grant will not be sent.
  8. Purpose of Grant: The ELAP Educational Assistance does not cover full tuition fees. Instead, the grant comes in the form of allowances meant to cover various expenditures such as books and other school supplies.

Understanding ELAP: How to Apply for the ELAP Grants

OWWA Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some commonly asked questions and answers regarding the OWWA ELAP project:

1. What is OWWA ELAP?

The Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) is a two-part cash aid program initiated by OWWA to support the qualified dependents of active OWWA member OFWs who were incarcerated and sentenced to the death row, or have died in the host country.

2. How would I know if my application has been accepted?

Once the application is accepted, the applicant will receive a notification of acceptance, via call, text, or email from an authorized representative from the DOLE or OWWA Regional or satellite welfare offices that cover the applicant’s area.

3. How much monetary assistance can I get as an eligible beneficiary of OWWA ELAP?

If it’s under the Educational Assistance Program of the OWWA ELAP, eligible beneficiaries can get the following amount:

  • Php 5,000.00 (Kindergarten and Elementary)
  • Php 8,000.00 (High school)
  • Php 10,000.00 (College)

For those availing of the Economic Livelihood Assistance under OWWA ELAP, the cash aid amounts to:

  • Php 15,000.00 livelihood financial grant will also be given to either the parents (for single or unmarried OFWs) or the surviving spouse (for married OFWs).

4. Is it possible for my sibling and child to participate in the ELAP Program at the same time?

No. Only one beneficiary, typically the firstborn (if it’s an OFW’s children) will receive the cash aid offered by the OWWA ELAP scholarship grant, just like how it is in other OWWA scholarship program.

5. Is it guaranteed that my child will be able to receive the ELAP program grant?

No. Just like in other OWWA programs, since the application is only valid while the funds are available, there is no assurance that your school-age child will be granted with the ELAP financial assistance. It’s possible that the child will be granted the privileges of the ELAP Program if they complete and followed the requirements of the program, but it will be subject to the review and assessment of OWWA and the ELAP assessment boards.

6. Can I apply for both the child and spouse/parent of the OFW and avail both the educational assistance and economic assistance?

No, under the OWWA ELAP program, OFW dependents can only apply for educational assistance for the child, or economic assistance for either spouse or parent, if the OFW is unmarried. This is true provided that they meet the qualifications for either one.

7. If I have other questions or concerns regarding the OWWA ELAP, 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 of the OWWA head office:

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 OWWA ELAP:

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

It’s great to see that OWWA is dedicated to supporting OFW members and their families. The OWWA Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) seems like a valuable initiative, offering cash aid to survivors of deceased or incarcerated OFWs.

If anyone is interested in joining the OWWA ELAP or obtaining more information about this program or other OWWA programs, they can contact their nearest OWWA regional office. The contact details for OWWA, as you provided, are as follows: OWWA ELAP Scholarship Program – How to Apply

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/

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