Here are some of the OWWA Scholarship program that OFWs can apply for to support their children’s education.

One of the reasons why many Filipinos try their luck abroad is to give their children or siblings access to quality education. Education is high-regarded here in the Philippines; it’s a privilege if one can continue his studies in college or university. 

And truly enough for our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), there’s nothing more rewarding than accompanying your child as he marches up to the stage wearing his graduation gown paired with a graduation hat. The diploma in his hands symbolizes that all the hard work they endured working abroad is paid-off. 

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) completely understands that fulfilling feeling that’s why they continue to forge and implement programs that will help improve every OFW’s way of life, and of course, aid them in providing high-quality education for their children.

Being an OWWA member surely does have its perks, and one of those is being eligible to apply to scholarship programs. And the best thing? You just have to keep your OWWA membership active so you can take advantage of these benefits!

Today, we will be looking at the different OWWA scholarships OFWs like you can use to help fund your children’s (or maybe a sibling’s) education!

OWWA Scholarship Program for OFWs

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OFW Dependent Scholarship Program

The first OWWA scholarship program that we’re going to highlight is the ODSP.

Open to active OWWA members earning a monthly salary not exceeding $600 (about PHP 34,397.40), this scholarship program gives financial assistance amounting to PHP 20,000 per academic year for OFW dependents (could be a sibling or children) who are planning to take a 4-year or 5-year baccalaureate course in any college or university.

College expenses are no joke, it’s a good thing to know OFWs have other sources of budget to fund their children’s college needs.

ODSP qualifications:

Aside from OFWs having a monthly salary of no more than $600, here are the other requirements for this scholarship grant.

  • For freshman applicants, the child (for married OWWA members) or sibling (for single OWWA members) should be single and not older than 21 years old. For those enrolled in college, the dependent should be a child of the OWWA member, single, and should not be older than 30 years old.
  • The applicant should have graduated from high school and is physically, mentally, and morally fit.
  • The applicant has passed the entrance exam of his chosen college or university.
  • Do not have existing or scholarship grants.

ODSP requirements:

  • Two copies of the duly filled out ODSP application form. You can head on to the OWWA website to download the forms.
  • Proof of relationship to the OWWA member which could be any of the following:
  • -If you are a child of an OFW, a birth certificate from the local civil registrar (PSA ) is needed to be presented.
  • -If you are a brother or sister of an unmarried OWWA member, a copy of your and the OFW’s birth certificate (from PSA) is required.
  • -Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) issued by PSA for single dependent
  • Form 137 for college freshmen; Transcript of record or certificate of grades for those who are currently enrolled in college.
  • Proof of OWWA membership which could be any of the following:
  • -OFW verification sheet or
  • -Official receipt of OWWA contributions obtained from the OWWA membership processing center
  • Heath certificate
  • Certificate of good moral character
  • A certification confirming that the applicant belongs to the upper 20% of the graduating class. His report card should also reflect a general weighted average of 80% or above.
  • A certification confirming that the applicant hasn’t taken any of the following:
  • -Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP); any undergraduate college units; and other scholarship grants.
  • A sworn statement confirming that the applicant doesn’t have any pending applications for residency in any foreign country. Dual citizens are not eligible to apply for this OWWA scholarship program.
  • A photocopy of the OFWs contract salary stating his income
  • 2×2 size recent photo of the applicant belonging to the 4th year graduating class

After the acquisition and submission of the necessary documents comes the qualifying examination. Usually, the ODSP application starts in June and ends in the first week of August. However, these dates are still dependent on the scheduled qualifying exam by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The date will be announced by the Responsible Outgoing College Students (ROCS).

Moving forward, ensure that you have accomplished all the necessary documents; incomplete submissions will not be processed. Also, the submission of complete documents doesn’t mean that the applicant is an automatic recipient of the scholarship grant. He is still subject to verification and approval. Finally, the top 200 passers of the qualifying exam will be eligible for the scholarship grant.

Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)

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Good news for OFWs who want to get back to school and finish their diploma, as this next OWWA scholarship program provides assistance for that purpose!

EDSP is another OWWA scholarship program qualified members can apply for. This scholarship program grants financial allowance of PHP 60,000 per school year for qualified dependents of active OWWA members who wish to take a 4-year or 5-year baccalaureate course in college.

There are separate qualifications for freshman applicants as well as returning enrollees which are as follows:

EDSP Qualifications:

For incoming freshmen:

  • The OFW has an active OWWA membership during the time of application.
  • Applicant should be single and not older than 21 years old.
  • Applicant belongs to the upper 20% of the graduating class with an average of 80%.
  • Applicant must pass the qualifying examination conducted by DOST.

For 2nd year to 5th year college students:

  • He should be single and not more than 30 years old.
  • He must have a general weighted average (GWA) comprising 85% of all academic and non-academic subjects taken in full load the previous school year.

EDSP Eligibility:

  • One per family of an active OWWA member
  • No existing scholarships on the part of the dependent applicant.
  • He should also not have taken the EDSP qualifying exam or any post-secondary/vocational or undergraduate/college units.

Mariner’s Dugtong Aral Program (MDA)

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Dreaming of becoming a seaman or seafarer? OWWA also offers educational assistance to help your dream materialize into reality. The Mariner’s Dugtong Aral Program is open to all BS Mechanical Engineering or BS Electrical Engineering who aims for a degree in BS Marine Engineering.

MDA Qualifications and Requirements:

  • This scholarship program is open to all OFWs having an active OWWA membership or dependents of an OWWA member.
  • Transcript of records
  • Proof of relationship to OFW like birth certificate
  • Applicant should not have any existing scholarship from other government entities or private organizations

Better Education for a Better Life

As parents, we only want the best things for our children, including quality education. Our OFWs and migrant Filipino workers endure all the hardships and homesickness abroad to send their children to the best schools and universities in town and support their other educational needs.

With these scholarship programs offered by OWWA, our OFWs can secure a bright future and a better life for their children. After all, the power of knowledge is one of the best gifts a parent can give to their children.