Many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) endure the hardships of working abroad to provide a better life for their families, especially their children. Luckily, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offers varying support to OFW members, from financial and educational assistance, such as the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP). It is a scholarship grant accessible by the dependents of active OWWA members taking a 4 to 5-year baccalaureate course in any university or college.
Also Read: OWWA SESP Skills for Employment Scholarship Program
The ODSP scholarship provides qualified applicants financial assistance worth P20,000 per school year who are dependents of active OWWA members that earns US$600 and below monthly salary. This financial assistance intends to pay for OFW dependent’s school fees to ease their financial burdens. So for OFWs whose dependents are enrolled or planning to take a 4 to 5-year baccalaureate course, keep reading as we share our in-depth guide for OWWA ODSP scholarship application.
What is OWWA ODSP?
The OFW Dependents Scholarship Program is financial assistance accessible to active OWWA member’s eligible beneficiaries. It aims to assist OFWs dependents enrolled or enrolling in any 4 to 5-year baccalaureate course at their chosen college or university. The program entitles grantees with P20,000 in financial assistance per academic year to pay OFWs’ dependents’ school fees. However, the scholarship grant is only for the dependents of OFWs, given they are earning a monthly salary not exceeding US$600 or equivalent.
Benefits
The OWWA OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (ODSP) offers eligible applicants financial support amounting to P20,000 per school year. This support is for dependents taking a 4 to 5-year baccalaureate course. So the said amount will benefit eligible dependents and ease OFWs’ financial burdens.
Qualifications
Like other OWWA benefits and programs, OFWs and their dependents should meet the qualifications set by the agency to be eligible for the ODSP scholarship grant. First, the OFW should have an active OWWA membership status and earns a monthly salary not exceeding US$600 or equivalent at the time of application. Meanwhile, the dependents of OFW OWWA members should meet the following qualification to avail of the OWWA ODSP scholarship:
- For incoming 1st year college, the dependent should be the child of OWWA members who are not over 21 years old. If the OWWA member is unmarried, the sibling dependent can apply for the scholarship.
- The dependent should not be over 30 years old if already enrolled at the time of application.
- The dependent should be a high school graduate or included in a High School Graduating Class at the time of application.
- The applicant should pass the entrance exam conducted by the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) they wish to enroll.
- The applicant should be mentally, morally, and physically fit.
- The applicant has not taken any undergraduate or post-secondary units during the application.
- The applicant has not received any scholarship grants funded by the government.
Requirements
For qualified applicants, here are the following documentary requirements you must secure to apply for the OWWA ODSP scholarship grant:
- Duly-accomplished ODSP Application Form (2-copies)
- 2×2 recent and identical ID photos (2-copies)
- Any of the following proof of relationship to OFW OWWA member:
- For OFWs child- Original PSA Birth Certificate of the applicant
- For OFWs siblings- PSA Birth Certificate of the applicant and OFW
- For unmarried OFW- Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) issued by PSA
- Any of the following proof of OWWA membership:
- Official receipt of OWWA membership payment
- OFW Verification Sheet (issued by MPC)
- Health Certificate
- High School Report Card (Form 137) for incoming 1st-year college students
- Transcript of Records for applicants already enrolled in a university or college
- Certificate of Good Moral Character (issued by guidance counselor/principal)
- Certificate proving the applicant is in the top 20% of the High School Graduating Class
- Grade 12 report card GWA of over 80%
- Certification that the applicant has not taken any post-secondary or undergraduate/college units
- Certification that the applicant did not receive any scholarship grant
- Certificate proving the applicant did not take the EDSP Qualifying Examination
- Sworn Statement that the applicant has no pending request for resident immigration status in other countries and does not have dual nationality signed by a parent or legal guardians
- Photocopy of OFWs contract salary not exceeding US$600
How to Apply for OWWA OFW Dependent Scholarship
If you have secured the documentary requirements, follow the steps below to apply for the OWWA ODSP scholarship grant:
- Download the ODSP application form online thru this link. If the link is not working, you can also secure the ODSP application form at the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO).
- Accomplish the application form and attach it with your documentary requirements.
- Visit OWWA RWO to submit your application requirements or send it thru their email. Another alternative is to send your application requirements via courier services (LBC, JRS, or j&T).
- Then, wait for the OWWA representative to call and inform you regarding your application for ODSP.
Take note that applying for ODSP on-site may require an appointment. So contact the OWWA RWO that covers your permanent address for more inquiries. If processing via email or courier service, contact OWWA first for more details.
OWWA OFW Dependent Scholarship ODSP Application Form
The ODSP Application Form is one of the primary documents to obtain when applying for the scholarship grant. You may download the application form thru this link or contact OWWA via email or their official Facebook page to get the latest version of the ODSP Application Form. But if applying for the scholarship on-site, you can obtain the application form at OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO). Here’s the sample of the ODSP Application Form:
Reminders on OWWA ODSP Scholarship
If you’re planning to apply for the OWWA ODSP scholarship, here are some important reminders you should keep in mind:
- The ODSP is only for the dependents of OFWs enrolled or planning to enroll in any 4 to 5-year baccalaureate course in their chosen college or university.
- The OFW should be an active OWWA member and earns a monthly salary not exceeding US$600 for their dependents to qualify for the scholarship grant.
- Under this scholarship program, qualified applicants will receive P20,000 in financial assistance per school year.
- If the applicant is an incoming freshman, they should not be over 21 years old and a child of an OFW active OWWA member. In addition, the applicant should be a High School graduate or part of the top 20% High School Graduating Class.
- If the applicant is already enrolled, they should not be over 30 years old.
- The sibling dependents of unmarried OFWs can also apply for the scholarship grant.
- Applicants should not receive other government-funded scholarship grants to be eligible for OWWA ODSP.
- The applicant should also pass the entrance exam conducted by SUCs in OWWA RWO to qualify for the scholarship.
- For more information on the application procedure, we advise OFWs to contact OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO).
Video: OWWA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (ODSP) / REQUIREMENTS / STEP-BY-STEP APPLICATION
To learn more about the OFW Dependents Scholarship Program, please watch the video below:
As stated in the video, OFWs dependents can apply for the ODSP scholarship grant if they have an active OWWA membership status. The P20,000 financial assistance granted per academic year under this program can help qualified OFW dependents pay their school fees.
However, the OFW’s monthly salary should not exceed US$600 or equivalent at the time of application for their dependents to qualify for the scholarship grant. So an active OWWA membership will benefit OFWs and their dependents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OWWA ODSP?
The OFW Dependents Scholarship Program is financial assistance offered by OWWA. It grants active OWWA members’ eligible dependents financial support worth P20,000 to help cover their school fees. Moreover, it’s accessible by OFWs’ dependents taking any 4-year to a 5-year course at any college or university, given they meet OWWA’s qualifications.
How to apply for OWWA ODSP?
Qualified applicants can apply for the ODSP scholarship grant at the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) that covers their permanent address. The applicants can also apply thru email or courier services. But contact OWWA for more instructions if you choose to process online.
Who are qualified for OWWA ODSP?
The ODSP scholarship grant is for the dependents of active OWWA members who are incoming freshmen not over 21 years old or enrolled in a university or college not over 30 years old. Aside from that, unmarried OFWs who have sibling dependents can apply for the OWWA ODSP scholarship. But take note the OFW should not exceed a monthly salary of US$600 for their dependents to qualify for the scholarship grant.
How much is the scholarship allowance in OWWA ODSP?
The scholarship allowance granted under the OWWA ODSP is worth P20,000 per school year.
Summary
Over the years, OWWA has provided varying scholarship programs that will benefit OFWs and their dependents. That’s why OFWs should ensure an active OWWA membership status to enjoy different programs, like the OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (ODSP). This program can assist in eligible dependents’ education and the same time, reduce OFWs’ expenses. So OFWs should take advantage of this scholarship program to provide a brighter future for their children.
Contact Details
Contact Details
OWWA Central Office
Address: OWWA Center Building, F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
Hotline: 1348
NCR Hotline: 09666250016
Reintegration Unit: 8834-0719
Website: https://owwa.gov.ph/
Email: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph
