Families of overseas Filipino workers have a fresh chance to ease the cost of a college education. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is running its OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) for the 2026-2027 school year, offering a partial grant of ₱20,000 per academic year to qualified dependents.
Also Read: How to Apply OWWA EDSP Scholarship Program
The support is need-based, meaning it targets families who genuinely struggle with money. It does not cover full tuition, but it helps pay for tuition, books, supplies, and other school fees.
NOTE: Application Update: The OWWA ODSP application for AY 2026–2027 is not yet open. Applicants should prepare the required documents in advance and wait for OWWA’s official announcement regarding the application period.
What is the OWWA OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP)?
The OWWA – OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) is financial assistance to qualified dependents of OFWs who has a monthly salary of US$ 600. Qualified dependents of OFWs are entitled to receive Php 20,000 per school year. This financial assistance is only applicable to students who will enroll or are currently enrolled in a 4-year or 5-year baccalaureate course or associate course in any college or university.
This financial assistance is already a great help to the children of overseas Filipino workers in pursuing their tertiary or college education until they graduate. Hence, all OWWA members are encouraged to apply and avail of OWWA scholarship programs if they have children or siblings in college or are incoming freshmen college students.
Who Can Apply
The ODSP is built for children of active OWWA-member OFWs. If the OFW has no children, a sibling may apply instead. To be considered, applicants must generally meet these conditions:
- Family monthly income between USD $600 and $1,000 (confirm the exact ceiling on the official portal)
- Age limit of 21 for new applicants, up to 30 for continuing students
- Passing grades, with no failing marks and a minimum general weighted average in some cases
- Enrolled or planning to enroll in a 4- to 5-year bachelor’s degree at a CHED-recognized school
- Only one dependent per OFW family can hold an OWWA scholarship at a time
Benefits
Qualified dependents of active OWWA members whose overseas worker parent earns US$600 or less per month will receive ₱20,000 in financial assistance per academic year. The grant can help cover tuition fees and other education-related expenses such as books, school supplies, and learning materials. This support aims to reduce the financial burden on OFW families while helping students continue their college education. Through the ODSP, scholars can focus on their studies with additional financial assistance from OWWA.
ODSP Category 1 (Incoming First-Year College Students)
Before applying for the OWWA ODSP Scholarship, applicants must agree to the program’s terms and conditions.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, you must:
- Be a child or sibling of an active OWWA member.
- Be single and not more than 21 years old.
- Have a passing General Weighted Average (GWA) from the previous school year.
- Have an OFW parent or sibling with a monthly income of USD 1,000 or below (or its equivalent).
- Not have another family member currently receiving an OWWA scholarship.
Required Documents
Prepare the following documents before submitting your online application:
- Copy of the OFW’s valid passport information page.
- Valid school ID or any valid government-issued ID of the applicant.
- Birth Certificate or Baptismal Certificate.
- Proof of grades from the previous school year (Report Card, Form 137, Form 10/TOR, or Certificate of Grades).
- Recent 2×2 ID photo with a white background, including the applicant’s name tag and signature.
Note: If your latest grades are unavailable, OWWA may accept grades from the last two school years.
Important Reminders
- Use a valid email address and active mobile number.
- Submit only one application to avoid delays in processing.
- Prepare all required documents before applying online.
- Double-check that all information is complete and correctly spelled.
- Make sure you have a stable internet connection during the application.
ODSP Category 2 (College Students in 2nd to 5th Year)
Applicants must agree to the OWWA Scholarship Program’s terms and conditions before submitting an online application.
Who Can Apply?
You may qualify if you:
- Are a child or sibling of an active OWWA member.
- Are single.
- Are 30 years old or below.
- Have a passing General Weighted Average (GWA) from the previous school year.
- Are currently enrolled in a college or university in the Philippines.
Documents Required
Prepare the following before applying online:
- Copy of the OFW’s valid passport information page.
- Applicant’s valid school ID or any valid government-issued ID.
- Birth Certificate or Baptismal Certificate.
- Proof of grades from the previous school year, such as a Report Card, Form 137, Transcript of Records (TOR), or Certificate of Grades.
- A recent 2×2 ID photo with a white background, including the applicant’s name tag and signature.
Note: If your latest grades are not yet available, OWWA may accept your grades from the last two school years.
Online Application Reminders
- Use an active email address and a working mobile number.
- Submit only one application to avoid delays during the evaluation process.
- Complete all required documents before starting your application.
- Review all information carefully to make sure it is complete and accurate.
- Use a stable internet connection while completing your online application.
Privacy of Your Information
OWWA protects all personal information in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173). The information you provide will only be used for scholarship processing and other OWWA services. Your personal data will remain confidential unless disclosure is required by law, and you have the right to request access, correction, or deletion of your information.
Qualifications
Here are the qualifications for the interested OFW dependents in applying for the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP). Interested applicants must assess themselves first if they have met the following qualifications to become eligible for the scholarship program.
Applicants must be a child or a sibling of an overseas Filipino worker who is an active member of OWWA.
The ODSP is built for children of active OWWA-member OFWs. If the OFW has no children, a sibling may apply instead. To be considered, applicants must generally meet these conditions:
- Family monthly income between USD $600 and $1,000 (confirm the exact ceiling on the official portal)
- Age limit of 21 for new applicants, up to 30 for continuing students
- Passing grades, with no failing marks and a minimum general weighted average in some cases
- Enrolled or planning to enroll in a 4- to 5-year bachelor’s degree at a CHED-recognized school
- Only one dependent per OFW family can hold an OWWA scholarship at a time
Important note: Interested student applicants must not be a recipient of any OWWA or other scholarship grant.
Requirements
Below are the requirements or documents required that student applicants must provide and secure when applying for the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP).
- A duly accomplished Scholarship Application Form from OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO).
- An OFW Membership Record from OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO).
- Applicants must provide 2 pcs. I.D. picture with name tag Government Issued or Company Issued I.D.
- Additionally, at least one (1) valid I.D. or Government Issued or Company Issued of OFW member and/or Authorized Representative.
- A Proof of Relationship to OFW Members such as a Birth Certificate from PSA or LCR. An OFW Birth Certificate if the dependent is a sibling, OFW CENOMAR if single, and the Dependent’s Birth Certificate.
- A dependent’s Form 137 or Certified True Copy of Form 138 or a Transcript of Records (TOR) indicating 80% GWA without failing grades from the school registrar.
- A Certificate of Good Moral and a Medical Certificate.
- A copy of the contract salary of the overseas Filipino worker not exceeding US$ 600.
Step by Step Application Process for OWWA ODSP Scholarship
Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) financial assistance from OWWA.
Step 1: Visit the official website of OWWA here – https://owwa.gov.ph/ to read more about the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) financial assistance and send an online application.
You can also visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO) near you to get the Scholarship Application Form.
Step 2: Complete and secure all the required documents as well as fill out the Scholarship Application Form completely and accurately.
Step 3: Then, submit all the documents together with the duly accomplished Scholarship Application Form to the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO).
You may also send your application and the required documents through Courier Services addressed to the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO).
Step 4: Wait for a call from OWWA. You will receive one if you got a slot for the scholarship program.
Important Reminders Before Applying
To avoid delays or problems with your application, remember the following:
- Use an active email address that you can access regularly.
- Provide a working mobile number for updates or verification.
- Submit only one application. Multiple submissions may affect the evaluation process.
- Prepare all required documents before starting the online application.
- Double-check that all names and personal information are complete and correctly spelled.
- Use a stable internet connection while completing the application.
Video: A Testimony from an ODSP Scholar of OWWA
This video will give you some insights on what it is like to avail of the scholarship program as well as how is the processing of requirements like as shared by the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) grantee or awardee until she graduated from college. She also shared how the scholarship program helped her and her family financially in her studies.
If you want to know more about the other scholarship programs of OWWA, you can watch this video below:
You may also visit the official Facebook page of OWWA here – https://web.facebook.com/OWWAofficial to stay updated for announcements. You may also visit their official website here – https://owwa.gov.ph/.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please check out these common questions about the ODSP OWWA program scholarship for Filipino students:
1. Who can apply for the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) financial assistance?
Dependents of the overseas Filipino workers residing in the Philippines who wish to enroll or are currently enrolled in a 4-year or 5-year baccalaureate course or associate course in any college or university can apply for the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) of OWWA, only if the overseas Filipino workers are active members of OWWA and their monthly salary does not exceed US$ 600.
2. Can Second Year college students avail the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) financial assistance?
Currently enrolled 2nd Year to 5th Year college students are eligible to avail of the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) financial assistance as long as they can meet the qualifications and their overseas Filipino worker parent or sibling is an active member of OWWA having a monthly salary of not over US$ 600.
3. How much shall the student dependents of the overseas Filipino workers receive when they became a recipient of the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) financial assistance?
Recipients or beneficiaries of the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) shall receive Php 20,000 per school year financial assistance for their school expenses.
4. Is there an age limit when applying for the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP)?
Incoming freshmen or first-year college students shall not be over or older than twenty-one (21) years old and the currently enrolled 2nd Year to 5th Year college students shall not be over or older than thirty (30) years old.
5. What are the qualifications for the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP)?
To become eligible for the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP), student applicants must be a child or sibling of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who is an active member of OWWA with a monthly salary of not more than US$ 600.
Incoming freshmen or First Year students must be Single and should not be over or older than 21 years old. They must also be a Grade 11 graduate, incoming Grade 12, or currently enrolled in Grade 12. They must also have passing grades.
Currently enrolled 2nd Year to 5th Year college students who wish to avail the scholarship program must be Single, not over or older than 30 years old, and have passing grades.
6. What are the documents required that I need to secure when applying for the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP)?
When applying for the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP), you must secure the following documentary requirements:
- A duly accomplished Scholarship Application Form from OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO).
- An OFW Membership Record from OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO).
- Applicants must provide 2 pcs. I.D. picture with name tag Government Issued or Company Issued I.D.
- Additionally, at least one (1) valid I.D. or Government Issued or Company Issued of OFW member and/or Authorized Representative.
- A Proof of Relationship to OFW Members such as a Birth Certificate from PSA or LCR. An OFW Birth Certificate if the dependent is a sibling, OFW CENOMAR if single, and the Dependent’s Birth Certificate.
- A dependent’s Form 137 or Certified True Copy of Form 138 or a Transcript of Records (TOR) indicating 80% GWA without failing grades from the school registrar.
- A Certificate of Good Moral and a Medical Certificate.
- A copy of the contract salary of the overseas Filipino worker not exceeding US$ 600.
7. Where can I apply for the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) of OWWA?
You can visit the official website of OWWA here – https://owwa.gov.ph/ and send an application online. You may also go to the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO) near your location to apply for the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) and bring all the required documents. Usually, applications start in June of each academic year and end every first week of August as prescribed by the Responsible Outgoing College Students (ROCS) based on the scheduled qualifying examination by DOST..
8. Can I share the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program with my sibling?
The scholarship program is non-transferable and only one (1) child or beneficiary is eligible for the scholarship program.
9. Is there a maintaining grade or a general weighted average to maintain the scholarship?
Awardees or recipients of the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) shall not have any failing grades or marks in any of their subjects to maintain the scholarship grant.
Summary
In conclusion, the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) financial assistance is intended for the student dependents of the overseas Filipino workers who will enroll or are currently enrolled in any 4-year or 5-year baccalaureate or associate course that are active members of OWWA and have a monthly salary of not more than US$ 600.
This is to support their college or tertiary education until they graduate. The qualifications are very simple. As long you have an overseas Family worker in your household such as your parents or sibling and your age is within the age limit you can apply.
However, it is important to note that this scholarship program or financial assistance is only eligible for one (1) beneficiary in every household of the OFW. There is a qualifying exam that you must take and you must be on the Top 200 to avail of a slot. Additionally, you have to maintain a passing grade to continuously benefit from the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP).
To apply, you just have to complete all the documentary requirements and fill out the application form completely and accurately. There are three ways to apply for the scholarship program. You can either apply by sending an online application through the official website of OWWA when the application period starts. You may also go to the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO) near you and submit all the required documents or you may use Courier Services to apply addressed to the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO).
The scholarship programs by OWWA are a huge help to overseas Filipino workers’ households. Financial assistance is a great help to aid the tertiary or college education of their dependents in the Philippines. Hence, if you have an overseas Filipino worker in the family, take advantage of the scholarship programs and other benefits you may get from OWWA.