OWWA to offer scholarships for OFWs finishing college

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) said Tuesday it has partnered with the Commission on Higher Education (Commission on Higher Education) to help overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) complete their college education.

OWWA said it will offer scholarships to qualified OFWs under the Lifelong Learning Education Assistance Program for OFWs (LEAP-OFWs).

“Simulan ko na lang sa mga kwento ng mga kababayan natin sa Saudi Arabia na nagtatrabaho sa mga engineering firms, ngunit hindi sila nakatapos ng engineering course. Pero umabot na rin ng dekada ang kanilang experience,” said OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

(I’ll start with the stories of our fellow Filipinos in Saudi Arabia working in engineering firms who were not able to finish their engineering course. But they have already accumulated a decade of experience.)

Under LEAP-OFWs, eligible workers may pursue degree completion through CHED’s Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), Caunan said.

“Dahil sa ETEEAP program, magkakaroon sila ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng college degree in engineering, leading ito sa pagkuha nila ng licensure exam," she said.

(Because of the ETEEAP program, they will have the opportunity to earn a college degree in engineering, which can lead to taking the licensure exam.)

"Pero in six months to two years, make-credit ang kanilang actual experience dahil sa ETEEAP. Ang suporta ng OWWA dito ay ang pagbibigay ng educational assistance or scholarship sa mga OFWs na nais tapusin ang kanilang pag-aaral,” Caunan said.

(In six months to two years, their actual work experience will be credited under ETEEAP. OWWA’s support is providing educational assistance or scholarships to OFWs who want to finish their studies.)

ETEEAP was signed into law in March 2025 to allow working professionals to complete college degrees for career advancement.

OWWA said earning a degree would help OFWs secure promotions or find better opportunities in the Philippines and abroad.

“Kapag natapos nila ito, it will open up more opportunities for them—promotion sa kanilang current na trabaho at oportunidad na bumalik sa Pilipinas at maghanap ng mas magandang trabaho,” Caunan said.

(Once they complete this, it will open up more opportunities for them—promotion in their current jobs and the opportunity to return to the Philippines and find better employment.)—MCG, GMA News