The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), together with the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act (UNIFAST) Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), collaborated to create a scholarship program that aims to help OFWs dependents in case the OFWs unforeseen displacement or demise. This scholarship program, Tertiary Education Subsidy for Dependents of Repatriated OFWs or TABANG OFW, was launched in 2020.
The Tertiary Education Subsidy for Dependents of Repatriated OFWs (TABANG OFW) is a special scholarship program created when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. This is a one-time financial assistance for OFW dependents who are incoming college students or currently enrolled.
Benefits
The Tertiary Education Subsidy for Dependents of Repatriated OFWs (TABANG OFW) provides a one-time financial grant worth Php 30,000 for OFW dependents who are in college. This program is offered for those OFWs who lost their job or died.
Qualifications
The Tabang OFW is a scholarship program from the Philippine government and not a LOAN. So qualified applicants need not worry about paying it back. So, check the qualifications we listed to know if you are qualified.
For OFW
- Repatriated, died, or displaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Must be DOLE-OWWA certified
OFW dependents
- Must be a Filipino citizen
- Child of OFW or sibling, nephew, or niece of an unmarried OFW
- Must be below 30 years old
- Must qualify for the university’s current admission and retention criteria
- Must not meet the university’s maximum residency policy
- Must not been kicked out of the university
- Must be enrolled in any undergraduate post-secondary program in State Universities and Colleges (SUC), CHED-recognized local colleges (LUCs), and CHED-registered private higher education institutions (HEIs).
- Must not be a recipient of any government scholarship grant
Requirements
The Tabang OFW set a list of documentary requirements for OFWs and their dependents to have before applying. See the list below and check if you have all of the requirements.
For OFWs
- Travel documents
- Passport
- Proof of arrival
- Proof of displacement
- Letter from the company
- Affidavit
- POLO letter
- Proof of death (for deceased OFW
- Death certificate or other certificate with a similar nature
- Official transmission from the Embassy or Consulate
For OFW dependents
- Proof of relationship
- Birth certificate issued by PSA
- Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) for unmarried OFW
- An affidavit that the applicant is not a recipient of any government scholarship or award
UNIFAST requirements
- Proof of enrollment
- Enrollment Assessment Form (EAF)
- Certificate of Registration (COR)
- Certificate of Enrollment (COE)
- Enrollment Document (electronic format)
- Evaluation Form
- Admission Test Score
Application Process
To apply for the Tabang OFW, just follow these easy steps.
Step 1: Get a copy of the application form by downloading it from the OWWA website at https://owwa.gov.ph/ or go to your nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO).
Step 2: Fill out the form and make sure all the details are complete and correct.
Step 3: Submit the application form together with all the documentary requirements you have gathered.
Step 4: The OWWA will notify you via text message or email if you pass the assessment.
Step 5: Wait for the instructions on how to claim the financial grant.
The OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) will endorse all applications to DOLE Regional Offices (ROs) to be assessed. Once the assessment is done, DOLE Regional Offices (ROs) will submit the list of approved beneficiaries to DOLE Central Office (CO). The DOLE CO will then submit the list to CHED-UNIFAST.
Applicants can also send their application through courier services such as LBC, J&T, JRS, etc. The financial grant will be given directly to the applicant two (2) weeks after it is approved. Applicants will receive it via bank transfer or through a Money Exchange Center such as Palawan or MLhuillier.
Also, some OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs) may require applicants to book an appointment before going to their office due to crowd control, health issues, and other reasons they may have. It’s better to call them first and ask them first so you will not waste your time, money, and effort. You can reach them through their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OWWAofficial or call them on their hotline at 1348.
Application Tracker Online
If you are too tired to wait and want to know what happened to your application, you check the status online by going to https://tabangtracker.owwa.gov.ph/. All you need to do is fill out the information they need such as your last name, first name, middle name, and email address to track down your application and give you an update.
Video: TABANG OFW : LIBRO AT IBA PANG GAMIT PANG-ESKWELA, SAGOT NG TABANG OFW
Watch this video by OWWA Official. This testimonial is from one of the recipients of the Tabang OFW financial grant. This is proof that this scholarship can give hope to those college students who want to finish their studies and to OFWs who want to see their children go up the stage and receive their diplomas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the financial grant for the Tabang OFW?
The Tertiary Education Subsidy for Dependents of Repatriated OFWs (TABANG OFW) grants PHp 30,000 to eligible dependents of the OFWs who lost their job or died because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is the guarantee that my child will receive the financial grant from Tabang OFW?
There is no definite assurance that a child can receive a financial grant even if he or she meets all the qualifications.
Until when is the application available?
The application continues until the budget for this scholarship grant has been used or depleted.
How will I know if my application has been accepted?
You will receive a notification from OWWA or DOLE via call, text message, or email. Make sure that all lines are open and check your email from time to time.
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic is a real life changer. For some, it can be a blessing to start a new way of life but for most of us, it gave us a new level of difficulty. A lot of people died and lost their jobs not only in the Philippines but also abroad. The Tabang OFW wanted to make sure that OFWs who lost their lives and jobs would not suffer in vain and that their dependents would receive the help they need and deserve.