OWWA Project EASE Scholarship – How to Apply

Project EASE (Educational Assistance through Scholarship in Emergencies) is a newly introduced educational assistance program initiated by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). It is designed to support eligible children of active OWWA members who have experienced distress, displacement, and job loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The primary objective of Project EASE is to provide educational assistance to college-level dependents of active OWWA member overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been significantly impacted by the pandemic. The term “active OWWA members” encompasses various categories of OFWs, including land-based workers, sea-based workers, and balik manggagawa (returning workers).

Through this program, OWWA aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by affected OFW families and ensure that their dependents can continue their college education. By offering educational scholarships, Project EASE seeks to empower eligible beneficiaries and equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to secure a better future despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 crisis.

The implementation of Project EASE demonstrates OWWA’s commitment to supporting OFWs and their families during times of crisis. By investing in education and providing assistance to those in need, the program aims to mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic on the educational pursuits of OFW dependents, ultimately fostering their personal and professional development.

Benefits

When you meet the eligibility requirements for the Project EASE scholarship program, you are eligible to receive Php 10,000. This amount is provided to support one (1) college-level dependent of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who had to return to the Philippines and lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this scholarship is to assist in covering the expenses of an OFW who was displaced from their employment abroad.

Qualifications

Here are the eligibility requirements you must meet when you intend to apply for the Project EASE.

• The OFW must be an active member of OWWA.
• The dependents of an OFW are as follows:
• For married OFWs, the child must be single and under the age of 30.
• For single OFWs, the dependent must be a single child, sibling, or niece, that are under the age of 30.

For OFW dependents, they must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. The applicant must be a Filipino citizen.
2. They should either be an incoming college freshman or currently enrolled in college.
3. The applicant must meet the University’s current admission and retention criteria, and they should not have met the University’s overall residency policy.
4. The dependent should not have been expelled or kicked out of the University.
5. They must be enrolled in an undergraduate post-secondary program that is approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
6. The applicant must be a dependent of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who was repatriated or displaced during the COVID-19 pandemic, as certified by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
7. Importantly, the dependent should not be a recipient of a government scholarship award.

Requirements

Below are the Project EASE documentary requirements that you have to secure and provide when you apply for this program.

To apply for Project-EASE, please make sure to submit the following documents:

1. 1. A duly accomplished Application Form for Project-EASE.
   2. A valid passport of the OFW member.
   3. A flight ticket or boarding pass, along with an arrival stamp or sticker in the passport. This will serve as proof that the active OWWA member has entered the country after February 1, 2020.
   4. For validation purposes, you need to present proof of OWWA membership or an official receipt.
   5. Proof of relationship to the OFW (choose one of the following options):
      • If the active OWWA member is married or a single parent, provide the Birth Certificate of a child.
      • If the active OWWA member is single, provide the CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) of the OFW and the Birth Certificate of OFW siblings.

Certificate of Grade of the dependent from the last School Year or Semester attended. Students may be incoming freshmen or currently enrolled.

How to Get Project EASE Scholarship from OWWA

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you out with your application for the Project EASE program.

1. Access the Application Form either through the website https://ease.owwa.gov.ph/ or by visiting the nearest OWWA RWO (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office) to obtain the form.
2. Fill out the Application Form.
3. Gather and complete all the necessary supporting documents.
4. Double-check all the information you entered on the form.
5. Submit all the required documents either at the Regional Office or send them via email to the OWWA RWO. Alternatively, you can use courier services to deliver or submit your application.
6. After submitting your application, you will receive a reference/tracking number through SMS or email. This number can be used to track the status of your application.
7. Wait for a call or response from OWWA. They will notify you if you qualify for the Project EASE program.
8. You can also check the status of your application online using the EASE Tracker at https://easetracker.owwa.gov.ph/.
9. If your application is approved, you will receive an email containing a downloadable Scholarship Agreement. You will need to print, sign, and have the agreement notarized.
10. Return the signed and notarized Scholarship Agreement to your local OWWA office through courier. You will receive an SMS with instructions on how to claim the grant.

Important Reminders

Here are some of the important reminders and guidelines when you apply for the Project EASE program.