List Of OWWA Scholarships For OFW Dependents

8 min read By eCompareMo on November 4, 2019

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offers scholarships for the dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).

These scholarships can help OFWs achieve their dreams of improving their family’s lives through education.

When an OFW becomes a member of OWWA, there are certain benefits that extend to their beneficiaries. Most of these take the form of financial grants aiming to uphold education and employability.

If you are a dependent of an OFW, here are the scholarship programs you might be eligible for.

1. Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)

The EDSP is a scholarship program granted to one dependent of an OFW member who will take a four- to five-year bachelor’s degree in any desired college or university. The pre-qualifying test is led by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Inclusion of grant

The scholarship entails:

• Maximum financial assistance of up to P60,000 each school year.
• ONLY one dependent per family of an OFW (active member of OWWA).

Eligibility guidelines

Here are the general qualifications for an EDSP applicant:

• The applicant does not have any other scholarship grants.
• The applicant has not taken any post-secondary or vocation; undergraduate or college units; and EDSP qualifying exam before.

For applicants who are first-year enrollees in college:

• A child OR a sibling of a childless OWWA member (whether the OFW is married or single)
• Must be single and should not be more than 21 years old
• Must be a Grade 12 graduating student
• Should have GWA of 80% or its equivalent (no failing grade)
• Should be on the Top 400 passers of the DOST-administered test

For applicants from 2nd to 5th-year college:

• Must be single and should not be more than 30 years old
• Must have minimum GWA of 85% or its equivalent

Documentary requirements

These are the documents needed for the EDSP application:

• Scholarship Application Form (two copies)
• PSA Birth certificate (authenticated)
• Form 137 or Certified True Copy of Form 138 or Transcript of Records
• Certification of GWA of 80%
• 2X2 ID picture (two copies)
• Proof from OWWA office that you qualified on DOST exam for the EDSP
• Scholarship Contract (original copy)

(Read: OWWA Benefits Every OFW Needs To Know)

2. Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP)

The CMWSP is another scholarship grant awarded to migrant workers and/or their immediate relatives who will pursue a four- or five-year courses in the fields of Science and Technology. The examination is also conducted by the DOST.

Inclusion of grant

Here is the coverage of the program:

• The maximum financial assistance is P60,000 per school year, funded by Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
• ONLY one dependent of an active OFW (OWWA member) can receive the scholarship grant.

Eligibility guidelines

Here are the general qualifications for CMWSP applicant:

• The applicant has not been a recipient of a different scholarship award.
• The applicant has not taken any previous vocation/post-secondary; college/undergraduate units; and CMWSP qualifying exam.

For applicants who are first-year enrollees in college:

• A child of an OFW or a sibling of a childless OFW (regardless if the OWWA member is single/married)
• Must be single and should not be more than 21 years old
• Must be a Grade 12 graduating student
• Possessing GWA of 80% or its equivalent (no failing grade)
• Should be included in the Top 100 passers of the DOST pre-qualifying exam

For applicants from 2nd to 5th-year college:

• Must be single and should not be more than 30 years old
• Must have a minimum GWA of 85% or its equivalent

Documentary Requirements

These are the documents needed for the CMWSP application

• Scholarship Application Form (two copies)
• 2X2 ID picture (two copies)
• Certification of GWA of 80%
• Form 137 or Certified True Copy of Form 138 or Transcript of Records
• Proof from OWWA office that you qualified on DOST exam for CMWSP
• PSA Birth certificate (authenticated)
• Scholarship Contract (original copy)

(Read: POEA Services For OFWs: How To Register And Enjoy The Benefits)

3. OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (OFWDSP)

The OFWDSP is another scholarship award for qualified beneficiaries of an active OWWA member who will study a four- to five-year associate or baccalaureate course in any state university or college.

There are 1,250 slots are given every year:

• 200 slots for applicants from the 10 impoverished provinces
• 204 slots for applicants from 17 cities
• 840 slots for applicants from 80 provinces
• Six slots for applying dependents with exemplary records (via ROCS/Home Office)

Inclusion of grant

The following are the inclusions and conditions within the program:

• The financial grant is at most P20,000 per year.
• ONLY one dependent per family of an OFW (active member of OWWA) will receive the scholarship.
• Couples who are both OFW have only one slot for the program.

Eligibility guidelines

The active OWWA member should have a monthly wage of $400 or below. His/her beneficiary who will apply for the OFWDSP should meet these qualifications:

• A child of the OWWA member OR a sibling
• Must not exceed 21 years of age and single
• Must be a high school graduate with good physical, moral, and mental health
• Should pass the entrance test administered by state colleges and universities in OWWA offices
• Must not be bound to another scholarship program
• Previous recipients of CMWSP and EDSP are not eligible for OFWDSP.

Documentary Requirements

Listed here are the documents you need to submit to OWWA offices for OFWDSP application:

• Scholarship Application Form (2 copies; duly accomplished)
• PSA birth certificate or any evidence of relationship to the OFW OWWA member
• 2×2 ID Pictures (2 copies)
• For applicants who are incoming first-year college: Form 137
• For applicants who are previously enrolled: TOR or Certificate of Grades
• Medical certificate from any hospital or health center accredited by DOH
• Certificate of Good Moral Character
• Scholarship Agreement (original copy)

(Read: Tuition Fee Guide: 2019 Cost Of College Education In The Philippines)

4. Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP)

This is training assistance offered to OFWs and their dependents. The courses to study are vocational or technical which are TESDA-accredited.

SESP recipients can choose what to enroll from the list of training programs offered by OWWA. This will help the member and/or dependents improve their employability.

TESDA-accredited courses generally offered:

• Automotive servicing with driving
• Bartending
• Caregiving
• Commercial cooking
• Electric installation and maintenance
• Food and beverage services
• Healthcare services
• Housekeeping
• Massage therapy
• PC Operation & Computer Hardware Servicing

You can find a guide to TESDA courses in our article here.

Inclusion of grant

Here’s what you get from the program:

• Financial assistance is up to P14,500 within the 6-month or 1-year training period.
• National Certificate II (NC II) (if you passed the final assessments needed for the course)

One OWWA membership contribution entitles one dependent for SESP. Succeeding beneficiary entails three membership contributions

Eligibility guidelines

To be a qualified OFW dependent, here are the following criteria:

• Must be a spouse
• Or a child aged 20 years old and below, not enrolled at present
• Or a sibling of a single OFW aged 20 years old and below, not enrolled at present
• Must be a Filipino
• Minimum educational attainment: elementary graduate

The OFW, as long as they are an active OWWA member, can also take the SESP.

Documentary Requirements

• For faster application, secure the following:
• Proof of OWWA Membership (for OFW)
• Photocopy of passport (for OFW)
• Proof of relationship to the OWWA member (for OFW beneficiary)
• Duly accomplished SESP application form
• 2×2 photo (4 copies)
• TOR, Form 137, report card, diploma or any school record
• Barangay clearance

5. Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP)

ELAP is a financial assistance program for dependents of OFWs who have passed away, and it includes a scholarship grant.

For their dependents to be eligible, the deceased must have been an OWWA member during the time of their passing.

Inclusion of grant

A scholarship grant will be given to ONLY one child of the OFW, commonly the eldest. The financial assistance the dependent is entitled to allowances that may be of the following:

• P5,000 (elementary)
• P8,000 (high school)
• P10,000 (college)

The parents (for single OFW) or the surviving spouse (for married OFW) will ALSO get a livelihood financial grant amounting to P15,000.

Documentary Requirements

For faster claim processing, secure the following:

• OWWA Membership (for OFW)
• Proof of relationship to the OWWA member (for OFW dependent)

(Read: An OFW’s Guide To OWWA’s Business Loan Programs)

6. Information Technology Training Program

This program aims to improve the computer literacy of OFWs and their families to help them utilize technology and cope with the distance through communication over the internet. For more information and updates, visit the OWWA website or OWWA regional offices.

7. Tuloy Aral Project (TAP)

Launched in December 2004, TAP aims to give assistance to less fortunate children of ex-OFWs to allow them to continue their elementary or high school education.

Spearheaded by OWWA, the project taps the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to help choose deserving children of former OFWs. In connection with this, the Rebate Program allows the qualified beneficiaries to claim the donations.

8. Tuloy Kolehiyo Project

As an extension of TAP, this project aims to help students finish their tertiary education. The financial assistance can be in the form of stipend per semester or payment of tuition and other fees, which should not exceed P15,000 per school year.

How to apply for OWWA Scholarships

These are the general application steps for OWWA education benefits:

1. Check if you meet the qualifications required for the specific education/training program.
2. Collect, duly accomplish (if needed), and submit the documents needed to the nearest OWWA Regional office.
3. Wait for further instructions from the office staff.

OWWA continues to improve the lives of OFWs by working on valuable projects. OWWA benefits for OFW beneficiaries like the scholarship grants are just a few of these.