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The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) seeks to protect and promote the well-being and welfare of Filipino Overseas Workers (OFW). Instead, OWWA provides a scholarship, insurance, and training program for OFWs and their dependents. Furthermore, under the “OWWA Scholarships” program, OFW dependents have the right to receive a certain amount of funding to advance their education.
In fact, there is a lot about OWWA Scholarships that OFWs may still not understand especially about how it will work and how they can apply for it. So, today, we present a FAQ list for you to give you ideas on what you should know in advance about the OWWA Scholarships.
Without further ado, let’s check it out together.
What are OWWA Scholarships?
OWWA Scholarships are grants available to dependents of active OWWA members who are already enrolled or will enroll at any college or university in any four-year or five-year baccalaureate course. Thus, for any of the OWWA Scholarships, any OFW employee who is an active member of OWWA may apply.
In fact, OWWA offers two types of scholarship grants to its members:
1. OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (OFWDSP)
OFW dependents (siblings or children) who are intending to enroll or are already enrolled in any degree course at a state college or university of their choice and whose relative OFW earns an equivalent monthly salary of not more than S400 will benefit from this program. If awarded, the scholarship recipient will receive a total of P20,000 for an entire academic year that they can use to pay their school tuition (if any) or other academic-related fees.
2. Education for Development Scholarship Program (EFDSP)
Generally, the program is available to all OFW dependents who are preparing to enroll or are already enrolled at their university of choice in any 4- or 5-year degree course. Moreover, the beneficiary will be eligible to receive a cumulative per academic year of P60,000.
What is OWWA?
The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is the lead government agency with the mission of protecting and promoting the welfare and well-being of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents. On top of that, OWWA establishes and implements responsive programs and services while at the same time maintaining the viability of the fund to protect the interests and promote the well-being of its member OFWs.
Basically, OWWA is the leading welfare institution of membership that serves the interest and welfare of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who contribute to open, judicious, and sensitive stewardship financing to the requirements of the members. In particular, the OWWA Fund is a single trust fund pooled by international employers, land-based and sea-based workers, investment and interest revenue, and income from other sources from the $25 membership contributions.
Furthermore, OWWA has several objectives, such as:
- Developing, promoting, and funding particular welfare programs for OFWs;
- Ensuring the collection performance and the profitability and survival of the fund by sound and judicious policies for investment and fund management;
- Facilitating the enforcement of the Labor Code provisions relating to the government’s duty to promote the well-being of OFWs;
- In appreciation of their important contribution to the overall development effort, protecting the interest and promote the welfare of OFWs;
- Providing OFWs with social and health programs, including insurance, social work support, legal assistance, cultural and remittance services;
- Studying and researching to strengthen their physical, economic, and cultural well-being.
What benefits do the programs provide to the winners?
Basically, the OWWA issues a cash grant of P30,000 per semester under the OWWA Scholarships Program and pays the tuition fees directly to the university. After having submitted the grades for the semester, the recipients will receive the balance of the grants. Also, the recipient will have access to P300,000.00 health and injury insurance coverage.
What are the requirements for applying for the OWWA Scholarships?
Any dependent of an OFW who is an active member of OWWA may apply for any of the grants specified above. To apply, you must:
- Not be above 21 years of age,
- Be a Filipino citizen,
- Have a weighted GPA of not lower than 80%,
- Be part of the upper 20% of the graduating class (an incoming freshman in college),
- Have passed the entrance exam given by your choice of school to enroll in,
- Not be under any other scholarship programs/grants,
- Have not previously taken the OWWA scholarship qualification exams,
- Be the only dependent of the OFW receiving this particular type of scholarship from OWWA,
- Have passed the qualifying exam of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
How can I apply for OWWA Scholarship as an OFW dependent?
If you’ve screened your eligibility and wish to pursue the application, you will need to prepare in advance. Hence, please prepare the following required documents to proceed:
- 2 copies of the completely filled-out application form
- Any document to validate proof of relationship to the OWWA member (For children of OFW: NSO birth certificate; Siblings of OFW: NSO birth certificates of both the applicant and the OFW; For OFWs who are not married: Certificate of No Marriage)
- Proof of OWWA membership of OFW (i.e. official receipt of OWWA contribution or a copy of the OWWA verification sheet)
- 2 pcs of recent 2 x 2 ID photos
- Form 137 for incoming college freshmen or the official transcript of records (TOR)/Grade Certificate for those already enrolled in college
- Medical certification/clearance with proof of physical fitness (Form 2A)
- Certificate of Good Moral Character (Form 2B)
- 2 copies of the school principal’s certification of the student’s academic distinction (to prove that the applicant belongs to the upper 20% of the class) Form 2C
- A written declaration by your parent(s) indicating that you have never taken the qualifying OWWA examinations have not received a substantial unit(s) in any degree course, and that, at the time of application, you do not benefit from any current scholarship award. (Form 2D)
- The written statement from you that states you have neither applied for resident/immigrant status in other countries nor retains, assigned, and approved by your parents, a dual citizen status. (Form 2E)
As always, make sure that you have obtained all the required specifications and documentation beforehand. In truth, you can get them at the nearest OWWA regional office prior to your submission.
Are OWWA Scholarships currently having an opening?
Unfortunately, it is not certain when OWWA Scholarships will officially open for the 2021/2022 academic year. However, if you want to actively monitor the updates, then you can check our website from time to time. Alternatively, you may also wish to visit the official OWWA website here.
