OWWA ELAP Program 2026-2027 Application Process

The OWWA ELAP Program is a special assistance program that provides educational and livelihood support to the families of deceased OFWs and qualified dependents of OFWs facing serious legal situations abroad. It aims to help families continue their children’s education while also providing financial assistance for livelihood.

In this guide, learn about the OWWA ELAP Program, including its qualifications, requirements, benefits, partner schools, application deadline, and how to apply.

Qualifications:

The OWWA ELAP Program is designed to support qualified dependents of active OWWA member OFWs who are either deceased or meet specific eligibility conditions. Applicants must meet the following requirements depending on their educational level.

Incoming Freshmen (1st Year College) / Grade 12 Students

• Child or sibling of a single active OWWA member
• Single
• Not more than 21 years old
• Grade 11 graduate (incoming Grade 12) or currently enrolled in Grade 12
• With a General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 80% in all academic and non-academic subjects during the last school year attended (full load)

College Students (2nd Year to 5th Year)

• Child or sibling of a single active OWWA member
• Single
• Not more than 30 years old
• With a General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 80% in all academic and non-academic subjects during the last school year attended (full load)

Important Notes

• For deceased OFW cases under the OWWA ELAP Program, priority is given to dependents based on birth order
• The eldest child is prioritized as the qualified dependent
• If the eldest is not qualified or unable to avail, the next child in line may be selected
• Applicants must not be recipients of any other OWWA scholarship or external scholarship grants

Requirements:

To apply for the OWWA ELAP Program, applicants must prepare all the required documents for both the educational assistance and livelihood assistance components. Make sure that all documents are complete, clear, and updated before submission.

Basic Documents

• OFW Membership Record (MR)
  • Where to get: OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO)
• Two (2) pieces 2×2 colored ID photos of the applicant
  • Where to get: Applicant

Proof of Relationship to the OFW Member

Prepare the documents that apply to your relationship with the OFW member:

• Birth Certificate
  • If the applicant is the child of the OFW
  • If the applicant is the sibling of the OFW
  • If needed to show family relationship
• Marriage Certificate
  • If the applicant is the spouse of the OFW
• Birth Certificate of the OFW
  • If the applicant is the sibling or parent of the OFW
• Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
  • If the OFW is single
• Where to get these documents: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or Local Civil Registrar (LCR)

Documents for Deceased OFW Cases

• Death Certificate of the OFW
  • Where to get: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or Local Civil Registrar (LCR)

School Records for Educational Assistance

The qualified dependent must submit school records depending on their current educational level:

• Form 137 or Form 138
• Transcript of Records (TOR)
• Certificate of Grades (for college students, if applicable)

Where to get: School Registrar

Livelihood Assistance Requirements

For the livelihood component of the OWWA ELAP Program, the family must also prepare the following:

• Entrepreneurial Development Training (EDT) Certificate
  • Where to get: OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO)
• Business Plan
  • Where to get: Applicant

Other Special Requirements

• Certificate of Good Moral Character
  • Where to get: School Registrar or authorized school official/faculty
• Medical Certificate (if the student has a medical condition)
  • Where to get: Any licensed medical practitioner from a public or private hospital, clinic, or medical facility

Note: The OWWA ELAP Program may require additional supporting documents depending on the applicant’s case and relationship to the OFW. It is best to confirm the complete checklist with the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office before applying.

Benefits:

The OWWA ELAP Program provides financial assistance to help the families of deceased OFWs or OFWs who were incarcerated, convicted, and meted out the death penalty abroad. The program offers support through livelihood assistance for the family and educational assistance for qualified dependents.

Benefit Type	Coverage	Amount
Livelihood Assistance	Financial support for a livelihood activity to help the family augment income	PHP 15,000.00
Educational Assistance	Primary / Elementary level	PHP 5,000.00 per school year
Educational Assistance	Secondary / High school level	PHP 8,000.00 per school year
Educational Assistance	Tertiary / College level	PHP 10,000.00 per school year

Note: The educational assistance under the OWWA ELAP Program is granted to one qualified dependent and may continue until college, subject to the program’s rules and eligibility requirements. The livelihood assistance is a one-time financial support intended to help surviving family members start or sustain a small source of income.

Priority Courses:

The OWWA ELAP Program does NOT HAVE A LIST OF PRIORITY COURSES. Since it is an educational assistance program and not a merit-based scholarship, qualified beneficiaries have more flexibility in choosing what to study.

• No specific priority courses required
• Not a merit-based scholarship
• Qualified beneficiaries may enroll in any CHED-recognized college course
• For basic education beneficiaries, the assistance may also cover the appropriate school level or academic track/strand

Note: This means eligible dependents under the OWWA ELAP Program are not limited to a fixed list of courses and may pursue a program based on their school’s offerings and their educational level.

Partner School:

The OWWA ELAP Program does NOT HAVE EXCLUSIVE PARTNER SCHOOLS. Qualified beneficiaries may study in any accredited public or private school in the Philippines, as long as the institution is properly recognized by the government.

• No exclusive partner schools
• Students may enroll in public or private schools, colleges, or universities in the Philippines
• The school must be recognized by DepEd for basic education
• The school must be recognized by CHED for college-level studies

Note: This means beneficiaries of the OWWA ELAP Program are free to choose a school that fits their educational level, location, and preferred course, provided that it is a duly recognized institution.

Application Deadline:

The OWWA ELAP Program does not usually have a fixed annual deadline like regular scholarships. Since it is an assistance program for qualified dependents of deceased OFWs, applications are generally accepted year-round through the nearest OWWA office.

• For AY 2026–2027, the official application period for the OWWA ELAP Program is NOT YET ANNOUNCED.

Note: Stay tuned for official updates from OWWA regarding the application schedule and submission process.

How to Apply:

Applying for the OWWA ELAP Program involves visiting the nearest OWWA office and submitting the required documents for evaluation. To make the process easier, follow the steps below for both livelihood assistance and educational assistance applications.

Step 1: Visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Office

•  Go to the OWWA office that covers the permanent address of the OFW.

Step 2: Get a queue number

•  Secure a queue number or wait for your turn at the office.

Step 3: Submit the initial documents

•  Present the accomplished Endorsement Form from the Social Benefits Unit/Desk and the OFW Membership Record. Then, get the ELAP application forms and checklist of requirements.

Step 4: Complete and submit the application forms

•  Fill out the application forms, prepare the required documents, and submit them to the Reintegration Unit/Desk. You will also receive the schedule for the Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT).

Step 5: Proceed to the educational assistance desk, if applicable

• If a qualified dependent is applying for educational assistance, go to the Education and Training Unit/Desk and get the checklist of requirements.

Step 6: Submit the educational assistance requirements

•  Submit the complete requirements for the ELAP educational assistance application and wait for the evaluation results.

Step 7: Attend the required training or orientation

•  Attend the scheduled EDT for livelihood assistance or the scholarship orientation for educational assistance.

Step 8: Wait for the notice of assistance release

•  Once approved, claim the notice for the release of assistance from the Reintegration Unit/Desk and/or Education and Training Unit/Desk.

Notes

• Bring at least two valid IDs of the claimant or qualified dependent.
• Orientation and training schedules may vary depending on the OWWA office, location, and applicant’s case.

About OWWA ELAP Program:

The OWWA ELAP Program is an important support program for families of deceased OFWs and for families of OFWs who are imprisoned, convicted, or facing severe legal cases abroad. Losing a family member’s financial support can make it difficult for dependents to continue their education, especially when household expenses continue to grow.

 Through the program’s educational assistance, qualified dependents can receive financial aid to help cover school-related costs and continue their studies despite the challenges their family is facing. Aside from education support, the OWWA ELAP Program also includes livelihood assistance for surviving family members. 

This assistance can be used to start or strengthen a small business or other income-generating activity that can help the family recover financially. By combining educational and livelihood support, the program aims to help families meet both their immediate needs and their long-term goal of building a more stable and secure future.

Final Thought:

The OWWA ELAP Program serves as an important form of assistance for families facing the loss of an OFW or dealing with difficult circumstances involving an OFW abroad. Through its educational and livelihood support, the program helps qualified dependents continue their studies while also giving surviving family members a chance to build or improve a source of income.

 For families going through financial hardship, this assistance can provide meaningful support as they work toward stability and recovery.If you believe you may qualify for the OWWA ELAP Program, it is best to contact the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office to confirm your eligibility, complete the requirements, and ask about the latest application procedures. 

You may also want to explore other National Scholarships and government education assistance programs that can further support your studies and future plans.

Reference:

1. OWWA ELAP Program 2026: Qualifications, requirements, benefits, and how to apply. (n.d.). PhilScholar. https://philscholar.com/owwaelap/