Philippines OWWA launches education grants for overseas workers and their families

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) have introduced the Lifelong Learning Education Assistance Program for OFWs (LEAP‑OFWs). The scheme will support the first 500 overseas Filipino workers with up to PHP 50,000 in tuition and related costs, paid in two installments of PHP 25,000. Eligible applicants must be at least 23 years old, have completed high school, and possess five years of work experience relevant to the chosen degree.

OWWA also offers two scholarship programmes for the dependents of OFWs who hold active OWWA memberships. The OFW Dependent Scholarship Program provides up to PHP 20,000 per year, while the Education for Development Scholarship Programme (EDSP) grants up to PHP 60,000 annually to Grade‑12 graduates who pass a qualifying exam administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). In 2025, two students from Palawan received the EDSP award, and about 70 new scholars were admitted in the province. Applicants must be single and maintain an active OWWA membership throughout their studies. Applications are submitted online via OWWA’s website during the announced enrollment period.