One of the featured scholarship grants and programs of OWWA for the dependents of the OFWs is the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP). This scholarship grant is intended for the dependents of the OFWs to support them with their tertiary education. Hence, this is a huge help to students and family dependents in terms of financial and higher education expenses.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offers different types of scholarship programs for the dependents of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). This is to aid and support the higher education of the student dependents of the OFWs in the Philippines. This scholarship is a huge help to the dependent family of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) when the student dependent qualifies for the scholarship program.
Also Read: How to Apply OWWA SESP Scholarship Program
If you wish to further know more about this scholarship grant from OWWA, read our full in-depth guide on how to apply for an OWWA – Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and know the qualifications and requirements when applying for the scholarship grant.
What is the OWWA – Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)?
The Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) is a scholarship grant for qualified dependents of the OFWs in the Philippines. Qualified student dependents are entitled to receive a maximum of Php 60,000 per school year until the completion of the four (4) to five (5) – year baccalaureate course offered by any college or university. The scholarship grant of Php 30,000 per semester is given by the OWWA directly to the school to pay for the tuition and other miscellaneous fees of the beneficiary.
For incoming first-year college students or freshmen, they shall pass the national examination given by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to become a scholar. Additionally, only the top 400 slots are allotted for the freshmen, and the remaining 600 slots are for those who are already enrolled in college or university.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is an agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that was established to protect the welfare of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and their dependents. The OWWA focuses on the welfare and well-being of the OFWs and their families. As part of their role, they offer scholarships, insurance, and educational programs for OFWs and their dependents.
Benefits
Qualified dependents of OFWs shall receive Php 60,000 per academic year or Php 30,000 per semester. The amount to receive per academic year will be divided into every semester or term for the year. This is a scholarship grant to the dependent of an overseas Filipino worker in the Philippines, enrolled or will enroll in any college or university.
Qualifications
To qualify for the scholarship grant, he/she must be a child of an active member of OWWA, a sibling of a single active OWWA member:
For Incoming Senior High School students
- They shall have at least 80% of a general weighted average (GWA) and have no failing grades upon application.
- Aside from that, they must also pass the qualifying examination provided by the DOST and belong to the top 400 passers nationwide.
For Incoming freshmen or first year college students
- They must be single, a Grade 11 graduate or incoming Grade 12, or currently enrolled in Grade 12.
- They must also not exceed 21 years old and has a general weighted average of 80% or higher.
- For instance, if the required general weighted average (GWA) is not available at the time of application, they can use their grades or their general weighted average in the two consecutive preceding terms of the school year as a basis for the evaluation.
- They must also be one of the 400 passers of the qualifying examination given by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
For Currently enrolled in 2nd year to 5th year in college
- They must not be more than or older than 30 years old.
- Their general weighted average (GWA) must be less than a B letter grade or 85% equivalent in all the subjects (academic or non-academic) during the last school year attended in a full load.
Requirements
Below are the requirements or documents required that student applicants must secure when applying for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP).
- A duly accomplish Scholarship Form.
- An OFW Membership Record.
- 2 pcs of I.D. with a nametag on it.
- They must also provide at least one (1) valid I.D. of the OFW and/or the Authorized Representative.
- A Proof of Relationship to OFW Member such as an OFW Birth Certificate, if the dependent is a sibling, an OFW Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR, if single), and the dependent’s birth certificate.
- Dependents shall also provide a Form 137 or a Certified True Copy of Form 138 or a Transcript of Records (TOR). Freshmen students should have at least 80% general weighted average without failing grades. Meanwhile, 2nd year to 5th-year students must have at least 85% general weighted average.
- For freshmen college students, they must provide a Notice of Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs) of qualifying for the DOST-OWWA Pre-Qualifying Examination for EDSP and other requirements such as a Certificate of Good Moral and Medical Certificate.
Step by Step Application Process for OWWA EDSP Scholarship
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you with your application for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP).
Step 1: Visit the official website of OWWA here – https://owwa.gov.ph/ to read more about the scholarship grants for dependents of OFWs and to send an online application.
Step 2: Download the Application and Evaluation Form here – https://owwa.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/APPLICATION-FORM-FOR-EDSP-FOR-REGIONS.pdf or go to the nearest OWWA office for the Application Form.
Step 3: Complete all the required documents and fill out the Application and Evaluation Form completely and accurately.
Step 4: Then, submit all the required documents together with your duly accomplished application form to the nearest OWWA office or online. You may also send your application with the documents attached through courier services.
Step 5: Wait for a call or response from OWWA if you were secured a slot for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP).
Important Reminders
Here are some of the reminders and key takeaways that student applicants and dependents of overseas Filipino workers must bear in mind when applying for an Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) scholarship grant from OWWA.
- The application starts every June of each academic year and the deadline for submission is every first week of August as prescribed by the Responsible Outgoing College Students (ROCS) based on the scheduled qualifying examination by DOST.
- This scholarship grant or financial assistance is offered only once or to one child per active OWWA member.
- Student applicants must be in the 4th year of high school student or Grade 12 in the K-12 curriculum that belongs to the graduating class at the time of application.
- Always check or re-check the required documents. Incomplete documents are not accepted.
- Applications are subject to further evaluation and review likewise with the documents submitted.
- Approval of applications will only identify qualified applicants who are qualified to take the national examination conducted by DOST.
- A voucher scheme is used to give the scholarship and must be used within the period specified on the vouchers.
- Keep in mind that scholarships are non-transferable.
- More importantly, a student who availed of the scholarship is tested and measured daily.
- Awards and recognition are also given to students who excel in their studies.
Video: Learn More About the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) Financial Assistance by OWWA
This video will give you some more insights about the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) offered by OWWA for the dependents of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). This video is very helpful to anyone who wishes to apply for this scholarship grant because of its financial benefit of Php 60,000 per school year which can sustain the studies of a child dependent on an OFW throughout his/her college education. Here, the uploader explains the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance or scholarship grant. He also further explained the scope of the scholarship grant as well as who can avail of the financial assistance. In the video, he also tackled the qualifications or eligibility of student applicants for the scholarship program.
Hence, if you have an overseas Filipino worker in your household, you should grab this opportunity. You just have to qualify and pass the qualifying exam and secure all the necessary documents for application and meet all the qualifications to apply. Visit the official website of OWWA here – https://owwa.gov.ph/ to stay updated of the opening of the scholarship grants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please check out these FAQs about EDSP scholarship from OWWA:
1. Who can apply for the OWWA Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance or scholarship grant?
Dependents of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are encouraged to apply for an OWWA Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance or scholarship grant. This financial assistance is solely intended for the children or siblings of a single overseas Filipino worker that will enroll or is currently enrolled in any higher education institutions (HEIs).
2. How much is the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance that the beneficiaries entitled to receive?
Beneficiaries or student grantees of the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance are entitled to receive Sixty Thousand Pesos (Php 60,000) every school year or Thirty Thousand Pesos (Php 30,000) per semester. The total amount of Php 60,000 per year shall be divided by the number of terms per academic year.
3. What are the qualifications for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance?
To qualify for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance, student applicants must meet the following qualifications:
A child of an active member of OWWA, a sibling of a single active OWWA member who may be an:
A. Incoming Senior High School students
- Who have at least 80% of a general weighted average (GWA) and have no failing grades upon application.
- Shall pass the qualifying examination provided by the DOST and belong to the top 400 passers nationwide.
B. Incoming freshmen or first year college students
- Single and a Grade 11 graduate or incoming Grade 12, or currently enrolled in Grade 12.
- Shall not exceed 21 years old and has a general weighted average of 80% or higher.
- Can use their grades or their general weighted average in the two consecutive preceding terms of the school year as the basis for the evaluation of the required general weighted average (GWA) is not available at the time of application.
- Become one of the 400 passers of the qualifying examination given by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
C. Currently enrolled in 2nd year to 5th year in college
- Does not exceed the age limit or older than 30 years old.
- The general weighted average (GWA) must be less than a B letter grade or 85% equivalent in all the subjects (academic or non-academic) during the last school year attended in a full load.
4. What are the documents required that I need to prepare and secure when applying for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance or scholarship grant?
When applying for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance or scholarship grant, you must secure a duly accomplish Scholarship Form, provide an OFW Membership Record, 2 pcs of I.D. with a nametag on it, at least one (1) valid I.D. of the OFW and/or the Authorized Representative, Proof of Relationship to OFW Member such as an OFW Birth Certificate, if the dependent is sibling, an OFW Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR, if single), and dependent’s birth certificate, a Form 137 or a Certified True Copy of Form 138 or a Transcript of Records (TOR) and a Notice of Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs) of qualifying the DOST-OWWA Pre-Qualifying Examination for EDSP and other requirements such as a Certificate of Good Moral and Medical Certificate.
5. How can I get the application form for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance?
You can access the application form for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance here – https://owwa.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/APPLICATION-FORM-FOR-EDSP-FOR-REGIONS.pdf.
6. Where can I apply for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance?
You can apply on the official website of OWWA here – https://owwa.gov.ph/ and wait for announcements when the application for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance is held open. Usually, applications start every June of each academic year and the deadline for submission is every first week of August as prescribed by the Responsible Outgoing College Students (ROCS) based on the scheduled qualifying examination by DOST.
7. How can I pass for the EDSP financial assistance or scholarship grant?
You must be able to pass the qualifying examination conducted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and provide all the required documents.
8. Is there a minimum age requirement in applying for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance or scholarship grant?
Interested incoming freshmen or first-year student applicants must not be over 21 years old. For 2nd-year to 5th-year student applicants, they must not be over 30 years old at the time of application.
9. Is there a maintaining grade or general weighted average for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance or scholarship grant?
Student grantees must have excellent academic performance. When applying for the scholarship grant, incoming first-year students shall have at least 80% general weighted average without failing grades. Meanwhile, 2nd year to 5th-year students must have at least 85% general weighted average. They are also measured and tested daily. Additionally, students who excel in their studies shall be given recognition and awards for outstanding performance.
Summary
In conclusion, the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance or scholarship grant is intended for the dependents of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Philippines who are enrolled or wish to enroll in any higher education institution (HEI). OWWA is a recognized agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which is responsible for protecting the welfare and well-being of the OFWs. Hence, they provide different types of scholarships and training programs for the dependents of the OFWs.
The scholarship grant aims to support the studies of the child or sibling of an overseas Filipino worker. Hence, this financial assistance or scholarship grant is a huge help to the dependents of the OFWs in the Philippines to support their higher education as long as they can pass the qualifying exam conducted by DOST and secure all the documents required when applying for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) financial assistance or scholarship grant.