OWWA EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFITS (Updated Mar 3 2007)
EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFITS
An OFW OWWA member may avail for himself/herself or his/her duly
designated beneficiary any of the following scholarship programs,
subject to a selection process and accreditation of participating
institutions.
1. Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)
The Education for Scholarship Program is a scholarship grant offered
to qualified beneficiaries/dependents of OWWA member-OFWs who intend
to enroll in any 4 to 5-year baccalaureate course.
It is given in the form of a financial assistance amounting to P
30,000.00 per semester. The OWWA pays the tuition fee directly to
the school and releases the remaining amount upon the scholars' submission
of grades for the semester.
Scholarship Privileges
1. Financial assistance amounting to P 30,000.00 per semester
2. The scholar may choose his / her desired program/course offered
by a CHED-accredited college or university
3. Scholarship shall continue until completion of the course (4-5
years), regardless of the status of OFW membership provided the Scholarship
Agreement is complied with
Eligibility Requirements
1. Must be a child of a married OWWA member or brother / sister of
an unmarried OWWA member
2. Must be 21 years old or below
3. Must be a Filipino citizen
4. Be in good health and with good moral character
5. Must have an average grade of at least 80% and belong to the upper
20% of the graduating class
Documentary Requirements
1. Accomplished application forms (2 sets)
2. 1"x 1" ID pictures (2 copies)
3. Proof of relationship to Member (copy of Birth Certificate of applicant
and of the Member if related as brother or sister duly certified by
the Local Civil Registrar or NSO)
4. Form 137 or Transcript of Records with Principal's Certification
on Scholastic Standing
5. Proof of OWWA membership (i.e. Official Receipt of OWWA Contribution/Certification
from OWWA Membership Processing Center)
6. Health Certificate attesting to physical fitness of applicant (Form
B)
7. Certificate of Good Moral Character issued by the School Principal/Guidance
Counselor (Form C)
8. Certification that applicant belongs to upper 20% of graduating
class issued by school principal (2 sets)
9. Statement of applicant that he/she has not earned units in any
post-secondary / undergraduate course (Form E)
10. Sworn Statement that he/she has no pending application for resident
immigrant status in any country and does not have dual citizenship
signed by parent or legal guardians (Form F)
2. Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP)
The Skills for Employment Scholarship Program is a scholarship program
that the OWWA offers in coordination with the Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), to land-based or sea-based
OWWA member-OFW's or their dependents/beneficiaries.
A qualified applicant may avail of either a one-year technical of
a six-month vocational course offered following the regular school
year calendar.
Upon receipt of the scholarship voucher, the grantee may enroll in
any TESDA-registered program. Program choices shall be supportive
of the land - and sea-based skills requirement. Financial assistance
for a one-year program is P14,500.00 while for a six-month program
is P7,250.00.
The amount of financial assistance will be paid directly to the training
institution. If the tuition fee is more than the financial assistance,
the scholar will shoulder the difference. If the tuition fee is less,
the difference will be given to the scholar upon completion of the
course.
Course offerings include: agriculture and fishery; processed food
and beverages; tourism (hotel and restaurant); decorative crafts and
ceramics; gifts, toys and housewares; jewelry; metals and engineering;
furniture and fixtures; garments; construction; communication/electronics/information
technology; maritime; land transport; health, social services; and
other community, social and personal services.
Availment Requirements
1. Must be an active OWWA member (land-based or sea-based) or beneficiary/dependent
of an active OWWA member
2. Must pass the TESDA qualifying examination or Multiple Aptitude
Battery Test (MABT) on the program of choice
3. Have at least one (1) recorded membership contribution
Three (3) additional membership contributions are required for subsequent
availment. After completing the course, must submit for competency
assessment and certification administered by TESDA or its accredited
testing center.
Qualified beneficiaries/dependents
1. Child not older than 21 years old or spouse of a married OFW
2. Brother/sister not older than 21 years old of an unmarried OFW
Documentary Requirements
1. Accomplished application forms (2 sets)
2. 1"x1" ID pictures (2 copies)
3. Form 137 / HS Report Card or Transcript of Records/ official copy
of grades
4. Proof of OWWA Membership: official receipt of OWWA contribution
/ OFW E-Card
5. If a Member's beneficiary: proof of relationship to OWWA member
(e.g. copy of marriage contract and/or birth certificate of both OFW
and applicant- dependent duly certified by the Local Civil Registrar)
3. Seafarer's Upgrading Program (SUP)
The Seafarers' Upgrading Program is intended to provide OWWA-member
seafarers job-related training in priority maritime courses identified
by the Maritime Training Council. It is designed to upgrade the skills,
and develop the expertise of Filipino seafarers in accordance with
technological advancements and international maritime standards.
Beneficiaries under the SUP receive from OWWA financial assistance
fro training costs, ranging from a minimum of P 1,200.00 to a maximum
of P 7,500.00. These amounts are inclusive of meal and transportation
allowances in the case of trainees referred to the National Maritime
Polytechnic (NMP).
Filipino seafarers who are active OWWA members may avail of the program.
Beneficiaries may subsequently avail of the SUP after payment of three
(3) additional membership contributions and if training is availed
of within the prescribed period.
Course Offerings
The Seafarers' Upgrading Program is intended to provide OWWA-member
seafarers job-related training in priority maritime courses identified
by the Maritime Training Council. It is designed to upgrade the skills,
and develop the expertise of Filipino seafarers in accordance with
technological advancements and international maritime standards.
Availment and Documentary Requirements
All Filipino seafarers who are OWWA members are entitled to avail
of the program once every three (3) contributions. Availment may be
assured upon first (1st) payment. Documents required are:
1. Accomplished application form
2. Seamen's Identification and Record Book (SRIB)
3. Poof of OWWA Membership (OR Of contribution)
4. 1"x1" photo (2 copies)
5. Latest residence certificate
4. DOLE-OWWA Tulay Microsoft Project
In partnership with Microsoft Philippines, the Department of Labor
and Employment (DOLE) and OWWA launched Tulay or Bridge Education
Program, which provides OFWs IT training and access to technology
that will enable them and thei families to communicate through the
internet.
The Tulay or Bridge Education Program is a part of Microsoft's Unlimited
Potential (UP), a global initiative aimed at providing technology
and skills for underserved individuals. OFWs and their families learn
the basics of computer applications such as MS Word, Powerpoint, Excel
as well as internet and e-mail use at the Community Technology Learning
Centers (CTLC).
Through Tulay, the OWWA expects OFWs to gain IT skills that will
enhance their work, thus increasing their value in the workplace.
These new IT skills can further help them become more competitive
in pursuing a career in the country upon their return.
The project also aims to address the primary issue of family disintegration.
It is hoped that through the project, problems arising form OFWs'
prolonged separation from their families will be greatly minimized
and as it mitigates the social impact of being away from home because
of the accessibility and ease of using technology to connect and communicate
to loved ones at home.
The CTLCs being maintained and operated by DOLE-OWWA are located
at the OWWA Central Office, OWWA Satellite Office in POEA, OWWA Regional
Welfare Offices in La Union, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. OWWA overseas
posts with CTLCs are: Riyadh (KSA), Hong Kong, Taichung (Taiwan).
5. Tuloy-Aral Project
The Tuloy-Aral Project was launched last December 2004 with the objective
of assisting the children of less fortunate former OFWs as well as
other poor and needy elementary and high school children. The DOLE
and the OWWA regional offices, with the assistance of DSWD, identify
children of former OFWs needing financial assistance to send to school.
The DSWD or DOLE/OWWA prepares a family profile that shall serve as
the basis for the selection of the beneficiary.
The Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) are tasked to promote
and identify OFWs who are successful, financially stable and in good
standing to act as prospective foster parents. OFW organizations may
also volunteer to act as foster parents.
Identified foster parents are requested to provide a US $ 100.00
financial support per year to the child-beneficiary to enable him/her
to continue his/her elementary or high school education. The amount
will help cover for expenses such as books, school supplies, materials
for projects, transportation, authorized school contributions, and
allowance for the whole school year.
The OWWA Family Welfare Officers monitor eacg child's progress in
school. The Tuloy-Aral project is nationwide in coverage as it is
being replicated in each region of the country.
MORE INFORMATION at http://www.owwa.gov.ph
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