If you’re dreaming of having scholarship for your child while working overseas, worry no more because a new application to become OWWA scholars will be opened for school year 2020-2021.
Why becoming scholar? Why not?
Almost all Filipinos working overseas have their families and children residing in the Philippines, and supporting them financially is a usual practice. Giving stable sustenance on basic necessities including education would be a great heft, but this a regular obligation of Filipinos- giving love, and commitment to other members of the family thru consistent remittances.
Thanks to scholarships available everywhere, as it helps million of Filipino workers unload their obligations, at least.
But there is a program offering scholarship for all OWWA members. And now, it’s open again for school year 2020-2021.
The OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) is an educational assistance to qualified dependents of active OWWA-member OFWs who intend to enroll, and is currently enrolled or has been enrolled to any 4 or 5 year baccalaureate degree or associate degree in state college or university and whose salary is $600 USD and below. The scholarship shall be in the form of financial assistance of P20, 000.00 per year.
On the other hand, the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) is a scholarship grant offered to qualified beneficiaries / dependents of active OWWA members who shall enroll or is currently enrolled in any 4-5 year baccalaureate course in any preferred colleges/universities. The scholarship shall be in the form of financial assistance amounting to a maximum of P60, 000.00 per school year.
The dependent-applicant must have an average grade of at least 80% and belongs to the upper 20% of the senior high school graduating class. The dependent-applicant must also pass the qualifying examination administered by DOST and belongs to the top 400 examination passer. Students currently enrolled from 2nd to 5th year college whose grade per subject is not lower than 85 can also avail of the program.
High school students living and studying overseas specifically in KSA may apply for EDSP at POLO-OWWA KSA (Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar) and POLO-OWWA UAE.
If qualifier passed the National Qualifying Exam administered by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and belong to TOP 400, s/he must enroll in the University/School/College here in the Philippines.
To qualify for the scholarship, the applicant must be Filipino citizen, 21 years of age, and must not have a grade below 80%. He must belong to the upper 20% of the graduating class, and not receiving any scholarship so far. The applicant has not previously taken any OWWA scholarship, and must passed the qualifying exam of the department of science and technology and the admission exam on different universities and colleges.
Requirements include accomplished Application Form, two (2) 2” x 2” recent identical Photos, Proof of OWWA Membership, Proof of Relationship to OWWA-Member/OFW, Birth Certificate (issued by PSA) of applicant, if child of OFW, Birth Certificate (issued by PSA) of both applicant & OFW, if brother/sister of OFW, Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from PSA (if OFW is unmarried), Secondary School Record (Form 137) – for incoming freshmen, transcript of records or Certificate of Grades – for those already enrolled in college (2 nd – 5 th year), health Certificate from authorized government physician, certificate of Good Moral Character, (for EDSP only) Certification that applicant obtained Gross Weighted Average (GWA) of 80% or higher and belongs to the upper 20% of the Senior High School Graduating Class.
Submission of the requirements for the next batch will start on August 1 for the National Capital Region (NCR). More information can be obtained thru OWWA’s website under scholarship and training assistance section.
Interested applicants may get application forms from their nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office, and they can also email their queries at [email protected] for details.
Newest batch of scholars
Janna S. Rosales, 18 from Batangas City is currently taking BS Architecture at University of Santo Tomas in Manila. She chose architecture because she loves drawing and sketching ever since.
“As I grow up, unti-unti akong nagkaroon ng interest sa mga buildings na nakikita ko, lalo na pag unique at magaganda ang designs nila,” (as I grow up, my interest in designing buildings also grow, especially when they have beautiful and unique designs) Janna explained.
“Di ako galing sa mayamang pamilya, pero I am proud to say na may ama naman akong hard working. Isa syang masipag na ama dahil gusto nyang matugunan lahat ng pangangailangan namin ng kapatid ko,” (I am not from wealthy family, but I am proud I have a hard working father. He wants to give everything for us) Janna claimed.
Janna got the news that she was one of the first 400 passers who will receive scholarship. She knew she did her best to surpass the process.
“Yung bawat pagod at sakripisyo ni daddy sa ibang bansa, at sa suporta na binibigay ni mama sakin, yun ang nagpapa-motivate sakin para mag-aral ng mabuti. Kasi masasabi ko na may habang-buhay akong pangarap, and that is by making my parents proud of me every time,” (the hard works, sacrifices, and the continuous support of my parents are my greatest motivators. I will always make them proud of me) Janna claimed.
“Be proud of your parents na OFW…Hindi biro ang hirap at sakripisyo na ginagawa nila para mabigyan tayo ng magandang buhay…” (Be proud of your OFW parents. Their efforts really matter for us to have a better life) she added.
Janna wants to express her sincerest gratitude to her parents.
“Kahit malayo sila sa atin, lagi nating ipadama ang pagmamahal, pagpapasaya at walang-sawang pasasalamat natin sa kanila,” (Even if they are far from us, let’s always express our love, happiness, and endless gratitude to them) Janna expressed.
Janna’s father- Jandy works in Dubai, UAE as senior warehouse coordinator for almost 11 years. He’s overwhelmed about Janna’s scholarship.
“Masaya sa pakiramdam na nakapasa ang anak ko dito. Malaking tulong na para matustusan ang pag-aaral nya sa college,” (It feels so good to know that my daughter passed the assessmen. It would be a great help to suffice her needs in college), Father Jandy said.
Fascinated with living things, Reinard Christian Briones, 19 from Tagbilaran City, Bohol is also one of the newest scholars. He is currently taking BS Biology at University of the Philippines- Manila.
According to him, it wasn’t that hard choosing his course. But having a scholarship was both a surprise and a gift.
“Para po kahit na paano, makakatulong pa rin po ako sa mom ko. I mean, at least mababawasan ang expenses ko for education,” (At least, I can help my mother on our living expenses, most especially to my schooling) Reinard explained.
“Yung pagsukli sa mga sacrifices ng parents ko ang nagsisilbing motivation ko… Nang dahil po sa mga taong nag-encourage sa akin na magpatuloy pa at lumaban, nag “go” pa rin po ako,” (My parents’ sacrifices motivate me. People encouraged me to have the scholarship, and I won) he further said.
He believes being a scholar means needs a lot of hard work. That’s why as a science student, he wants to contribute to the body of knowledge in the future.
“By contributing in the field of research, helping Science innovate is what I really aim. I want to explore the world of life,” Reinard claimed.
Both Janna and Reinard are incoming freshmen for this academic year 2019-2020.
220 new ODSP scholars attended the two different orientations of Regional Welfare Office (RWO)- National Capital region which held at the BFO Development Center, Intramuros, Manila- June 21, and at Multipurpose Hall, OWWA Center Building, Pasay City, June 22. Aside from it, 132 new batch of Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) scholars attended the orientation at the Multipurpose Hall, OWWA Center Building, Pasay City, June 27 and 28.
In the frontrow
OWWA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac reminded the new batch of scholars to study hard and to keep their eyes on their goal, which is to graduate from college. He also shared to the new scholars to never forget to be a good person.
Atty. Edelyn A. Dungan – Claustro, Director II of RWO – NCR also gave an inspirational message. She said that the college journey involves lot of sacrifices but think about the parents’ sacrifices and make them their inspiration to be able to finish their degree.
“Always aim high and focus on getting your diploma because it is the one thing that cannot be stolen from you,” Atty. Dungan added.
Applying for OWWA EDSP AND ODSP Scholarship?
WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO JOIN?
· Legal dependent of an active OWWA member-OFW
· Legal dependent refers to only 1 child of married or single or only 1 sibling of member-OFW
ARE GRADUATING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ELIGIBLE?
· Graduating Senior High School is qualified to avail the ODSP
· Qualified legal dependent must be single; not more than 21 years old
· For incoming freshmen and not more than 30 years old for those who are enrolled or have been enrolled in college
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
· Accomplished Application Form
· Two (2) 2” x 2” recent & Identical Photos
· Proof of OWWA Membership
· Proof of Relationship to OWWA-Member/OFW
— Birth Certificate (issued by PSA) of applicant, if child of OFW
— Birth Certificate (issued by PSA) of both applicant & OFW, if brother/sister of OFW
— Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from PSA (if OFW is unmarried)
· Secondary School Record (Form 137) – for incoming freshmen
· Transcript of Records or Certificate of Grades – for those already enrolled in college (2nd – 5th year)
· Health Certificate from authorized government physician
· Certificate of Good Moral Character
· (for EDSP only) Certification that applicant obtained Gross Weighted Average (GWA) of 80% or higher and belongs to the upper 20% of the Senior High School Graduating Class – for incoming freshmen
· (For EDSP only) Parent’s Certification that the applicant has not taken post secondary or undergraduate/ college units and not a recipient of any scholarship grant / has not taken the EDSP Qualifying Examination
· (For EDSP only) Sworn Statement that applicant has no pending application for resident immigrant status from any country & does not dual citizenship
· (For ODSP only) Parent’s Certification that the applicant has not taken any post secondary or under graduate/college units, has not previously availed of OFWDSP and not a Recipient of any other scholarship grant.
DEADLINE OF SUBMISSION
· For EDSP (incoming freshmen) – starts every June of each school year. Deadline for submission of application is every 31 July of each year or as prescribed by the OWWA Planning and Program Development Division (PPDD) and Regional Operation Coordination Services (ROCS) based on the scheduled qualifying examination conducted by the DOST.
· For ODSP incoming freshmen – starts every March of each year. Deadline for submission of application is every last week of May of each year.
· For those already enrolled in college (2nd – 5th year) – starts every first week of August of each school year. Deadline for submission of application is every 15 September of each year (OWWA RWO-NCR schedule only)
Submission of the requirements for the next batch will start on August 1, 2019 for the National Capital Region (NCR).
Interested applicants may get application forms from their nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office, and they can also email their queries at [email protected]
OTHER AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS:
· Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) is a short-term scholarship grant on technical-vocational or specialized training (not exceeding one year duration) for overall economic gain to qualified active OWWA members and their dependents. It is in the form of training assistance to a maximum of Php14, 500.00 with OWWA assuming the training cost in vocational/technical courses accredited by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other government institutions.
· Seafarers Upgrading Program (SUP) – The Program intends to provide job-related training in upgrading the knowledge, skills and develop expertise among Filipino seafarers in accordance with technological advancements and global maritime standards. It is in the form of financial assistance to a maximum of Php7, 500.00 with OWWA assuming the training cost. The applicant may choose his/her preferred training course accredited by TESDA and MARINA.
· Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship (CMWSP) is a scholarship program extended to deserving migrant workers and/or their immediate descendants who intend to pursue courses in the priority fields in Science and Technology.
· Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP-Educational Component) is designed primarily for survivors of deceased OFWs who were active OWWA members at the time of death. It is a special benefit package intended to cover continuous education of an eligible dependent, regardless of his/her present education level, until after completion of tertiary education or a technical/vocational course of his/her preference.
More information can be obtained thru OWWA’s website under scholarship and training assistance section.
Interested applicants may get application forms from their nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office, and they can also email their queries at [email protected] for details.
