The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offers several scholarships for the dependents of OFWs. This is one of the many initiatives of the government to provide financial support the children and other relatives of OFWs. After all, being an OFW is hard. You are away from your family, and you may need support from the government to fulfill their dreams.
Not all OFW dependents are qualified to get a scholarship, though. There are requirements that you and your dependents need to meet. For example, your salary as an OFW should not exceed a certain amount. This justifies your need for financial aid from the government. Your dependent should also possess some form of academic excellence to show that he or she truly deserves a scholarship.
Disclaimer: The information posted here is based on the personal experiences shared by the OFW in the video below. Please let this post serve as a guide only. If you have specific questions, you may ask the OFW by commenting on their video on their accounts.
Getting a Scholarship from OWWA
This article is mainly composed of two parts. First, the experience of an OFW’s dependents is shared. He talks about some tips on how to apply for the scholarship. Second, the steps and processes of getting a scholarship are discussed in detail.
For both of these, the source is a YouTube video from the YouTube channel Zennibit. The video is dedicated to OFWs who have children that are college students or are just about to enter college. This is how you can apply for OWWA scholarship based on the experience of the vlogger. You can watch the full video below:
OWWA has several available scholarships, but the vlogger mentioned that he applied for two of those, namely:
- EDSP
- ODSP
But this doesn’t mean that he gets two scholarships. If you are given a chance, you can only avail one of the two scholarships.
He didn’t expect to receive a text from OWWA, stating that he got a slot for the ODSP scholarship. That’s because the start of submission of requirements is March, but he only started submitting in August.
Also, he lost the number he put in the application form. He is thankful for the OWWA people for looking for his Facebook account, and that’s how he got contacted. He didn’t expect this because the slots per province per year is limited.
Here are some tips that the vlogger shared on the application process:
- As soon as possible, you need to submit your requirements early.
- Make sure that your grades fit in the passing grade.
- When you get the scholarship, don’t be content with just making the passing mark. Do the best that you can do.
- Applying for the scholarship is not just a first come, first serve basis. OWWA officials will base it on grades and complete requirements.
Getting a Slot
Normally, OWWA will send you a text message stating that you made it to the cut. In the vlogger’s case, he was contacted through messenger. He updated his contact number, though. The text contains the following information, mainly requirements that you need to submit to them:
- Proof of enrollment
- Assessment of school fees (if applicable)
- Official receipts of school payment (if applicable)
- Course curriculum
- School grading system
Assessment of school fees and official receipts of school payments are only required for those who studied in private schools. Those that studied in state universities and colleges are no longer required to submit these requirements.
The last two entries, Course curriculum, and school grading system, you can get them from the school you studied in.
Scholars’ Orientation
After you complete all requirements, submit them through email to OWWA. If you are not sure if you can send yours via email as well, you can ask the office of OWWA nearest your location.
After a few days, you will receive a text message from OWWA which may sound like as follows: Good morning. Please attend a Scholars Orientation and Awarding of Check on [certain date and location].
You will also be required to bring the original and xerox copy of your school ID or any valid ID. You are required to attend this orientation.
You really need to attend this orientation so that you can get the scholarship. If you can’t attend, you can ask your parent or guardian to attend for you. However, it’s better if you can personally be there because they will introduce you to the important details about the scholarship.
They will also tell you what you need to submit. Aside from that, you will meet other scholars and be friends with them.
Aside from financial help, having an OWWA scholarship will also improve your discipline, your behavior, attitude and social skills.
Getting a Check
You will be given a Land Bank check during orientation. As a tip, you should ask them when you can have the check in cashed. Moreover, if you only have one valid ID, have it signed to authorize person at the back of the check.
ODSP and EDSP Scholarship
So what is the ODSP and EDSP scholarship of OWWA? What are its benefits, requirements and how can you apply?
ODSP stands for OFW Dependents Scholarship Program. OFW dependents, siblings or children who plan to enroll or are already enrolled in any degree course at a state college or university of their choosing, and whose OFW relative gets a monthly income of not more than USD 600 or equivalent, are qualified to participate in this program.
What are the benefits of ODSP?
The ODSP provides financial support to qualifying dependents of active OWWA members with the amount of PhP 20,000.00 every academic year.
What are the qualifications?
- OFW OWWA member must have a salary of 600 USD and below.
- For new freshmen, the child of an active OWWA member or a sibling of an unmarried OWWA member who is single and not more than 21 years old.
- For those who are already enrolled or have been enrolled in college, the child of an active OWWA member who is single and not more than 30 years old.
- He or she must have graduated from high school and be physically, mentally, and morally fit
- He or she must pass an entrance exam administered by a state college or university in the OWWA regional welfare offices where he or she plans to enroll.
What are the requirements?
The following are the documents you must have in order to apply for the ODSP program.
- 2 copies of accomplished ODSP application form.
- 2×2 recent and identical photos (2 copies)
Proof of a relationship to an OWWA member. Any of the following:
- Birth certificate (issued by PSA) of applicant, if child of OFW(ORIGINAL)
- Birth certificate (Issued by PSA) of both applicant and OFW, if OFW’s brother/sister
- Certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR of OFW) from PSA (proof of unmarried)
- For new first year college students, fill out Form 137; for those already enrolled in college, fill out transcript of records or certificate of grades.
Proof of OWWA membership. Any of the following:
- Official receipt of OWWA contribution
- OFW verification sheet issued by MPC health certificate.
- Certificate of good moral character issued by the principal/guidance counselor
- Certification that applicant belongs to the upper 20 percent of the high school graduating class and that he /she has a GWA average of above 80 percent in his grade 12 report card.
- Applicant’s certificate of not having taken post-secondary or undergraduate /college units
- Not a recipient of any scholarship grant / has not taken the EDSP Qualifying Examination.
- 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.
- Contract salary of OFW, not to exceed 600 USD (photocopy)
How to Apply for OWWA ODSP Scholarship Program
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can apply for the ODSP scholarship:
- Download or secure the Application form. You may get this form in your nearest OWWA regional office
- Complete the form to the best of your knowledge.
- Complete all of the document specifications
- Submit all documents to the OWWA regional welfare office or via online.
- Alternative submission: Send application form, Evaluation form and required documentation to Courier Services (LBC J &T, JRS, etc)
- Wait for the call from OWWA if you are in the applicant’s slot.
Important Things to Know About ODSP
- Filling of application starts every June of each school year.
- Deadline for submission of application is every first week of August of each year or as prescribed by the scheduled qualifying exam conducted by DOST (Department of Science and Technology).
- An applicant must be 4th year high school student and belongs to the graduating class at the time of the application.
- Application with incomplete documentary requirements will not be accepted.
- Applications are subject for review and further verification as to the documentary requirements submitted.
- Application approval only identifies applicants who are qualified to take the national competitive exam conducted by DOST (Department of Science and Technology). Examinees who belong to the top 200 passers will qualify for the scholarships.
EDSP Scholarship Program
There’s another scholarship program offered by OWWA to dependents and beneficiaries of OFWs, the Education for Development Scholarship Program or EDSP. It is a scholarship grant for qualified beneficiaries/dependents of active OWWA members who plan to enroll in a 4-5 year course in college or university. There is a financial assistance up to PhP 60,000 per school year.
The EDSP is only given to one family or dependent per active OWWA member. No other scholarship grants can be awarded to EDSP applicants. The EDSP qualifying test, as well as any post-secondary / vocational or undergraduate /college units, have never been taken before.
The EDSP is a scholarship grant offered to eligible beneficiaries/ dependents of active OWWA members who are among the top examinees on the OWWA pre-qualifying test administered by the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute and who intend to enroll in a four-to-five-year baccalaureate course at any of their preferred colleges/universities. It will be given in the form of financial assistance up to 60,000 per school year.
EDSP Qualifications
For incoming first-year college:
- Member’s child who is an OFW with an active membership at the time of application.
- Sibling of an involved member-OFW who is single or married but has no children at the time of application.
- Grade 12 graduating student who is under the age of 21 and has a general weighted average of 80 percent, and is in the top 20 percent of the graduating class.
- Must pass the DOST-SEI qualifying examination.
- Must be a Filipino citizen
- Must not be a recipient of any scholarship award
- Must be in good health and of good moral character.
For second to fifth year college:
- Single
- Not more than 30 years old
- Child of an OFW with active OWWA membership at the time of application
- Sibling of a single or married but childless member -OFW with active membership at the time of application
- With GWA not lower than 85 percent or its equivalent
- Must be a Filipino citizen
- Must not be a recipient of any scholarship award
- Must be in good health and with GMC
EDSP Requirements
- Accomplished application form (2 copies)
- 2×2 recent and identical photos (2 copies)
- Birth certificate (issued by PSA) of applicant if child of OFW (original)
- Birth certificate (issued by PSA) of both applicant and OFW, if OFW’s brother/sister
- Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR of OFW) from PSA (proof of unmarried)
- For new first year college students, fill out Form 137; for those already enrolled in college, fill out Transcript of records or certificate of grades
- Official receipt of OWWA contribution
- OFW verification Sheet issued by MPC
- Health certificate (Form 2A)
- Certificate of good moral character issued by the principal/guidance counselor (Form 2B)
- Certification that applicant belongs to the upper 20 percent of the high school graduating class and that he has a GWA average of above 80 percent in his grade 12 report card. (Form 2c)
- Applicant’s Certificate of not having taken post-secondary or undergraduate/college units and not a recipient of any scholarship grant/ has not taken the EDSP qualifying examination
- 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.
- Copy of the scholarship agreement in its original form.
Aside from the ODSP and EDSP scholarships highlighted in this article, OWWA has produced other initiatives as well, including the Project EASE scholarship and many others. Indeed, OWWA has made significant strides into ensuring the welfare of not just the OFWs but also their families back home.