OWWA Scholarship 2024 Programs for Filipino Students: Application, Requirements, and Process Guide

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offers two primary scholarship programs designed to assist Filipino migrant workers and their families in achieving their educational goals. These programs are available for the school year 2024-2025 and are tailored to support different segments of the OWWA community. Let’s explore these two scholarship programs in detail:

1. Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)

The EDSP is a scholarship initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to eligible dependents of active OWWA members. This program is particularly focused on helping these students to pursue their college education in the Philippines.

Key Features:

• Target Beneficiaries: Sons, daughters, or dependents of active OWWA members.
• Educational Level: Applicable for incoming first-year college students up to 5th-year college students.
• Scholarship Amount: Offers up to Php60,000.00 per school year.
• Eligibility Criteria: Includes academic performance thresholds and age limits (not more than 21 years old for incoming first-year students and not more than 30 years old for 2nd to 5th-year students).

2. Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP)

The CMWSP is another significant scholarship program, which is extended to deserving migrant workers and/or their immediate descendants. The primary focus of this program is to support studies in priority fields of Science and Technology.

Key Features:

• Target Beneficiaries: Migrant workers and their immediate descendants.
• Educational Level: Supports the pursuit of bachelor’s degrees in the fields of Science and Technology.
• Scholarship Amount: Also offers up to Php60,000.00 per school year.
• Eligibility Criteria: Aimed at active OFWs or their children who are below 21 years old, with an emphasis on academic performance and family income.

Both these programs underscore OWWA’s commitment to enhancing the educational opportunities for the families of Filipino migrant workers. By providing substantial financial assistance and focusing on key educational areas, these scholarships are instrumental in helping beneficiaries to pursue higher education and achieve their academic and professional aspirations.

The Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), provided by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), has specific qualifications that applicants must meet to be considered for this scholarship. These qualifications are designed to ensure that the program targets and benefits the intended demographic — the children and dependents of OWWA members who demonstrate academic potential. Below is a detailed breakdown of the general qualifications for the EDSP:

For Incoming 1st Year College Students

1. Relationship to OWWA Member:
   • Must be a child of an active OWWA member, or
   • A sibling of a single or married but childless active OWWA member.
2. Marital Status:
   • Must be single.
3. Age Requirement:
   • Not more than 21 years old.
4. Educational Background:
   • Must be a Grade 12 graduating student.
5. Academic Performance:
   • Must have a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 80% or its equivalent.

For 2nd to 5th Year College Students

1. Relationship to OWWA Member:
   • Same as above (child or sibling of an active OWWA member).
2. Marital Status:
   • Must be single.
3. Age Requirement:
   • Not more than 30 years old.
4. Academic Performance:
   • Must have a GWA not lower than 85% or its equivalent.
   • Must not have any failing grades.
5. Enrollment Requirement:
   • Must be enrolled in a Philippine-based college or university.

Documentary Requirements

• Academic Records: Applicants must submit their academic records from Grade 11. This can be in any of the following forms:
  • Form 137 (Permanent Record),
  • Form 138 (Report Card), or
  • Transcript of Records.

These qualifications and requirements are put in place to ensure that the scholarship is awarded to deserving students who have demonstrated academic excellence and are in genuine need of financial assistance to pursue higher education. The focus on academic performance, coupled with the age and marital status criteria, aligns with the program’s goal of fostering educational development among the youth who are dependents of OWWA members.

The Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) has specific qualifications and requirements that applicants must meet to be eligible for this scholarship. These qualifications are designed to ensure that the program targets deserving migrant workers and their children, providing them with financial support for their higher education. Here are the detailed qualifications and the necessary documentary requirements:

Qualifications for CMWSP

For Deserving Migrant Workers (Active OFWs)

• Age Limit: Applicants must not be more than 45 years old.

For Children of Active or Inactive OFWs

• Age Limit: Children of active or inactive OFWs must be below 21 years old.

General Qualifications for All Applicants

• Academic Performance: Applicants must have a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 80% without failing grades or must fall within the top 20% of their graduating class. This criterion ensures that recipients demonstrate strong academic potential.
• Family Gross Income: The annual family gross income must not exceed $2,400.00 or P76,000.00. This requirement aims to target families with limited financial resources.
• Alternative Learning System Passers: Alternative Learning System (ALS) passers under the Continuing Education Program – Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) with an average of at least 85% or its equivalent, as certified by the Department of Education (DepEd) Accredited Schools, are eligible. This provision acknowledges non-traditional education pathways.

Documentary Requirements for CMWSP

Applicants for the CMWSP are required to submit the following documents as part of their application:

• OFW Passport I.D.: A valid government-issued I.D. for the OFW applicant.
• 2×2 ID Pictures: Recent passport-sized ID photos.
• Birth Certificate: Authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or Local Civil Registrar (LCR).
• Form 137/Certified True Copy of Form 138/Transcript of Records (TOR): Academic records from Grade 11 or equivalent.
• Proof of Family Income: This can include Income Tax Return, Pay Slip, Overseas Employment Contract (OEC), and other applicable documents.
• For Single OFWs with Sibling Applicants: Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) may be required.
• For Married OFWs with No Child Dependents: OFW Declaration of No Child Dependent may be necessary.

These qualifications and requirements are essential to ensure that the CMWSP is awarded to deserving candidates who meet the criteria set by OWWA. The focus on academic performance, age limits, and income thresholds aims to provide opportunities for those who genuinely need financial support to pursue higher education.

To apply for the OWWA Scholarship Programs for the year 2024, follow this step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth and successful application process:

Step 1: Visit the OWWA Scholarship Online Application Portal

1. Start by accessing the official OWWA Scholarship Online Application Portal. You can do this by navigating to the website using your web browser.

Step 2: Confirm Eligibility

2. Once you are on the portal, carefully read and review the eligibility criteria for the scholarship you wish to apply for, whether it’s the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) or the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP). Ensure that you meet all the qualifications before proceeding further.

Step 3: Complete Application Form

3. Begin filling out the application form with accurate and up-to-date information. The application may request various details, including but not limited to:
   • Personal information (name, address, contact details).
   • Educational background (academic records, school details).
   • Any other information specific to the scholarship program.
4. Be thorough and precise when providing this information, as accuracy is crucial to the application process.

Step 4: Review and Submit

5. Before submitting your application, take the time to carefully review all the information you have provided. Ensure that there are no errors or omissions in your application.
6. Once you are confident that your application is complete and accurate, proceed to submit it through the online portal. This step finalizes your application submission.

Step 5: Await Evaluation

7. After submitting your application, the OWWA team will review all applications received. This evaluation process may take some time as they assess the eligibility and qualifications of each applicant.
8. While waiting for the evaluation results, be patient and regularly check your email or the portal for updates or notifications regarding your application status.

The application deadline for the OWWA Scholarship Programs for the School Year 2024-2025 is an important date to keep in mind. Here are the key details regarding the application deadline:

• Online Application Availability: The online application process for the OWWA scholarship became available starting from November 20, 2023. This marks the beginning of the application period.
• Application Deadline: For both the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP), the application deadline is set for January 15, 2024. This is the final date by which all applications must be submitted.

It’s crucial to note that applications submitted after the specified deadline may not be considered, so it’s in your best interest to complete and submit your application well before the January 15, 2024, deadline. This ensures that you have ample time for the application process and that your submission is received and reviewed by the OWWA team within the application period.

Frequently Asked Questions on OWWA Scholarship 2024

1. Who is eligible for the OWWA Scholarship 2024?

The OWWA Scholarship 2024 is open to qualified dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who meet the following criteria:

• Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen;
• Must be a dependent of an active OWWA member;
• Must be a high school graduate with a GPA of at least 85%;
• Must not be a recipient of any other scholarship grant;
• Must be willing to enroll in a four-year or five-year baccalaureate course or associate course in any college or university.

In conclusion, the OWWA Scholarship Programs for the School Year 2024-2025 present a remarkable opportunity for Filipino migrant workers and their families to pursue higher education. These scholarships, which include the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP), aim to alleviate financial constraints and support academic excellence.

The EDSP is tailored for the children or dependents of active OWWA members, providing financial aid of up to Php60,000.00 per school year for a maximum of five years to pursue a bachelor’s degree. This program encourages and nurtures academic growth from the first year through the fifth year of college.

On the other hand, the CMWSP extends its assistance to deserving migrant workers and their descendants interested in priority fields in Science and Technology. It offers a similar financial aid structure and duration for pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

Both programs have specific qualifications and documentary requirements, emphasizing the importance of academic performance, age criteria, and documentation to qualify for these scholarships.

To apply, follow the step-by-step guide outlined above, keeping in mind that the online application became available on November 20, 2023, and the deadline for submission is January 15, 2024. Meeting this deadline is crucial to be considered for these scholarships.

In essence, the OWWA Scholarship Programs represent an opportunity to overcome financial obstacles and pave the way for a brighter educational future. If you meet the criteria, seize this chance to apply and strive for your academic aspirations. Best of luck with your application!