Education is one of the most valuable treasures that may affect our future. That’s why many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) work hard abroad to ensure their children can finish their studies. However, completing a bachelor’s degree can be difficult for some families, especially for low-income earners or due to unfortunate circumstances. Fortunately, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offers the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP).
Also Read: OWWA Scholarships and Training Programs
If you’re an OFW or one of your dependents is planning to pursue a course in the field of science and technology, the OWWA CMWSP can help you with the school expenses. This program provides annual financial assistance to deserving OFWs or their immediate dependents, aiming to help with school expenses until the beneficiary completes their 4 to 5-year baccalaureate course. So if you or someone you know will benefit from this scholarship program, read on to learn how to apply for OWWA CMWSP.
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What is OWWA CMWSP?
CMWSP stands for the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program, a scholarship program from OWWA mandated by R.A. 10022 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995. It aims to assist deserving migrant workers and eligible dependents of OWWA members who wish to pursue a course in the field of science and technology as per the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) also funds this program thru a replenishable fund allocated and maintained by OWWA.
Benefits
The Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) of OWWA is for deserving migrant workers and dependents of OWWA members. Under this scholarship program, qualified beneficiaries will receive financial assistance worth P60,000 per school year until beneficiaries finish their 4 to 5-year baccalaureate course in any university or college in the Philippines. The financial grant intends to cover the school tuition fee of qualified beneficiaries.
Furthermore, the beneficiaries’ chosen college or university will receive the amount. The beneficiary will also receive the remaining financial assistance during the grades submission for the semester if there is any. On the contrary, the program does not intend to cover the beneficiary’s entire tuition fee. It is only open to applicants who wish to pursue a course in the field of science and technology. Thus, beneficiaries should pay the remaining balance if the tuition fee exceeds the said amount.
Qualifications
Before we proceed with the procedures, check first if you meet the qualifications for OWWA CMWSP:
- Must be deserving Migrant Workers (active OFWs) who are not over 45 years old
- Must be a child dependent of active OFW OWWA members who are not over 21 years old
- The OFW must have an annual family gross income of $2,400 or P76,000
- Must pass the Alternative Learning System (ALS) thru the Continuing Education Program-Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) with an average of at least 85% or equivalent as certified by the Department of Education (DepEd) Accredited Schools
- Must have a General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 80% or equivalent if children of OFWs
- Must be in the top 20% of the graduating class if the applicant is children of OFWs
- Must not have failing grades if the applicant is OFW
Requirements
For qualified OFWs or their dependents, please secure the following documentary requirements to apply for OWWA Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP):
- 2×2 recent and identical photo on white background (2 copies)
- Duly accomplished CMWSP Application Form
- OFW Passport ID
- Certificate of Good Moral Character (issued by the School Principal/Guidance Counsellor)
- General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 80%
- Any official documents of grades:
- Form 137/Report card
- Transcript of Records (TOR)
- A certificate stating the applicant is part of the top 20% of the graduating class (issued by the School Principal)
- Health Certificate proving the applicant is physically fit
- Any proof of family income:
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
- Pay Slip
- Overseas Employment Contract
- Other relevant documents
- Any proof of OWWA membership:
- Official receipt of OWWA Contribution
- Certification issued by OWWA Membership Processing Center
- Any proof of the dependent’s relationship to the OFW OWWA member:
- For married/single parent OFWs- PSA Birth Certificate of the child
- For single OFWs- the PSA Birth Certificate of the sibling dependent and Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) of the OFW
- Certification that the applicant has not taken any post-secondary or undergraduate/college units
- Sworn Statement that the applicant has no pending request for resident immigration status in other countries and does not have dual nationality signed by a parent or legal guardians
How to Process CMWSP Scholarship Program
Follow the steps below to apply for the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) for the upcoming school year:
- Visit the designated OWWA Scholarship Online Application portal at: https://scholarship.owwa.gov.ph/.
- Choose the scholarship you want to apply for as CMWSP.
- Check the boxes in Qualified Beneficiaries.
- Next, choose the OWWA Regional Office where you want to process your scholarship application.
- Then, click Register and wait for the authorized OWWA Representative to contact you regarding your application.
Also, the OWWA Scholarship Online Application portal is not always available. You may not be able to proceed if the application for CMWSP is already closed for the school year. Based on the notice on the portal, OWWA will post the master list of qualified applicants on their website and social media accounts who should take the scheduled Pre-Qualifying Examination conducted by the Department of Science and Technology- Science and Education Institute (DOST-SEI).
Here’s a screenshot of the notice on the OWWA Scholarship Online Application portal:
Reminders for OWWA CMWSP
Please keep in mind the following reminders if you want to apply for OWWA Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) for the next school year:
- The CMWSP is financial assistance for deserving Migrant Workers (active OFWs) and immediate dependents of OWWA members who want to pursue a course in the field of science and technology.
- Qualified scholars of OWWA CMWSP will receive up to P60,000 per school year until they finish their 4 to 5-year baccalaureate course in any college or university in the Philippines.
- The dependents of OFWs may qualify for the program given they are not over 21 years old, has a GWA of at least 80% without failing grades, and are part of the top 20% of the graduating class.
- OFW applicants may qualify for CMWSP, given they are not over 45 years old, have no failing grades, and has an annual family gross income of $2,400 or P76,000.
- Migrant workers and dependents of OFWs who wish to apply for CMWSP may visit the OWWA Scholarship Online Application portal.
- Qualified applicants of the program should take the Pre-Qualifying Examination conducted by DOST-SEI will be posted on the official website and social media accounts of OWWA.
- OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs) will announce the venue and other details for the scheduled Pre-Qualifying Examination for CMWSP.
- The application for CMWSP is not open all the time, especially if OWWA has already selected qualified applicants for the school year. So you will have to wait for the scholarship application to open again for the next school year. Also, you may check the scholars for CMWSP for the school year 2022-2023 thru this link: https://owwa.gov.ph/?p=7929.
- Do note that the program intends to help with the school expenses of qualified scholars. The financial assistance is paid directly to their chosen college or university. If there’s a remaining amount on the financial support, the scholars will also receive it. However, qualified scholars should cover the remaining balance if the tuition fee exceeds the financial assistance.
- For more information on CMWSP, contact OWWA thru their official website, Facebook page, or email.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OWWA CMWSP?
The OWWA Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) is a financial grant from OWWA that aims to assist deserving Migrant Workers (active OFWs) and dependents of OWWA members who want to pursue a course in the field of science and technology. This program provides annual assistance until qualified scholar completes their 4 to 5-year baccalaureate course. In addition, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) provides funding to CMWSP scholars.
How to apply for OWWA CMWSP?
Migrant workers and dependents of OFWs who wish to apply for CMWSP should ensure they qualify before applying for the scholarship. If you meet OWWA’s qualifications, the next step is to secure the documentary requirements for the CMWSP application. Next, visit the OWWA Scholarship Online Application portal at: https://scholarship.owwa.gov.ph/. If the scholarship application is still open, fill out the required fields and choose the OWWA Regional Office to process your application.
Who qualifies for OWWA CMWSP?
The OWWA CMWSP is for deserving Migrant Workers (active OFWs) and eligible dependents of OWWA members who want to pursue a course in the field of science and technology. If dependent on an OWWA member, the applicant should not be over 21 years old, has a GWA of at least 80% without failing grades, and is part of the top 20% of the graduating class. Meanwhile, OFW applicants should be over 45 years old, have no failing grades, and has an annual family gross income of $2,400 or P76,000.
How much is the cash assistance for OWWA CMWSP?
Qualified scholars of OWWA CMWSP will receive cash assistance worth P60,000 maximum per school year until they complete their 4 to 5-year baccalaureate course.
Summary
Through the OWWA Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP), OFWs and their eligible dependents can turn their dreams into reality to pursue a bachelor’s degree in science and technology.
CMWSP-qualified scholars will receive financial assistance of up to P60,000 per school year until they finish their bachelor’s degree, which is a big help for OFWs who are low-income earners. So take advantage of OWWA CMWSP if you wish to complete your degree or need financial assistance for your dependent’s education.