The OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) is one of the main scholarship programs of the OWWA government agency that helps dependents of active OFW members get a financial allowance for their 4-year or 5-year course in any state university of their choice.
Approved beneficiaries will get PHP 20,000 per year for 4 years (or 5 years) in cash to be used for their education. Take note that this is for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who earn less than USD 600 per month in their job abroad.
Also Read: OWWA Programs Benefits Services for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
Please be guided on the steps in applying for this specific OWWA scholarship and the things you should know about the ODSP program
Contents
Overview
The OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) is a scholarship grant which aims to provide educational assistance to OFW dependents who are currently enrolled or wish to enroll in any 4-year or 5-year degree program in any state university or college (SUC) of their choosing.
The OFW dependent can either be a single child if the OFW is married or a single parent, or a single child, sibling, or nephew/niece if the OFW is single. Beneficiaries will receive financial assistance worth up to PhP 20,000 per academic year.
For OFWs or dependents who wish to avail of the program, let this article serve as your guide to a successful and stress-free application.
Benefits
Approved applicants who have completed the necessary requirements are entitled to monetary assistance worth PhP 10,000 per semester or a maximum of PhP 20,000 per academic year.
This makes for great help to many OFWs who are striving to save up for their children abroad, or to the dependents themselves who wish to alleviate their OFW relative’s burden.
Qualifications
To qualify for the ODSP grant, the OFW must be an active OWWA member earning a monthly salary not more than USD 600 upon application. Furthermore, to be eligible for the grant, the OFW dependent must be:
- No more than 21 years old, if incoming freshmen; no more than 30 years old, if already enrolled prior to application
- A high school graduate, or part of the high school graduating class upon application
- Physically, mentally and morally fit
- A passer of an entrance exam administered by the SUC they intend to enroll in
- A non-taker of any post-secondary or undergraduate units prior to application, and;
- A non-recipient of any government-funded scholarship grant
Requirements
Qualified dependents may apply upon completion and submission of the following documents:
- Duly accomplished application form
- 2 copies of recent and identical 2×2 ID photos
- Any of the following documents to prove the applicant’s relationship to OFW:
- Birth certificate of the applicant, if a child of an OFW
- Birth certificate of applicant and OFW, if a sibling of an OFW
- OFW’s certificate of non-marriage from PSA, if unmarried
- Form 137 (High School Report Card) for incoming freshmen, or Transcript of Records for applicants who are already enrolled in college
- Health certificate attesting to applicant’s physical fitness
- Certificate of good moral character issued by the school principal or guidance counselor
- Certificate of non-enlistment to any post-secondary or undergraduate units prior to application
- Duly signed certificate attesting to applicant’s inclusion to the upper 20% of the high school graduating class, with a General Weighted Average (GWA) of above 80% in the most recent Report Card
- A sworn statement stating the applicant’s non-receipt and non-application of any government-funded scholarship grant
- A sworn statement stating the applicant’s non-application for resident immigrant status in any country and that they are not a dual citizen
- Proof of OFW’s OWWA membership (i.e: Official receipt of OWWA contribution)
Do remember to complete all documents before submitting your application, as OWWA only processes and forwards applications with complete requirements.
How to Process ODSP Scholarship Program
Upon completion of the documentary requirements, applicants will have to follow the steps below:
- Download the application form from the Google Drive folder link below. You should be able to save one application form for your personal information and an evaluation form for certifications: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FV8TwvuDRehsg4KCHmRIUek1yprfFIjH?fbclid=IwAR3VX1kAepqX9Ud3tW3606g30RwTeTND-r6cu8_KUE9Xpc00t-kkOt2658Q
- Complete the forms and attach all documentary requirements.
- Submit your application via email or to the OWWA Regional Office via courier service.
- Wait to be called by an authorized OWWA representative for approval of your application.
General Reminders
- Filing of applications starts every June and ends in the first week of August, or as advised by Responsible Outgoing College Students (ROCS) based on the scheduled qualifying exam by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
- All applications are screened and assessed along with those for other scholarship grants, and therefore, do not guarantee slots.
- Approved applicants will then proceed to take the DOST National Competitive Exam, where only the top 200 passers will qualify for the grant.
- Awardees of the grant must not have failing marks on any of their required subjects to maintain the scholarship.
- Awardees may avail of the grant via vouchers to be claimed at the indicated period only. Keep in mind that the scholarship is non-transferable.
ODSP Application Form
The application form for ODSP program can easily be downloaded through this link – https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FV8TwvuDRehsg4KCHmRIUek1yprfFIjH?fbclid=IwAR3VX1kAepqX9Ud3tW3606g30RwTeTND-r6cu8_KUE9Xpc00t-kkOt2658Q
Below is a sample photo of the ODSP application form for your reference
Video: ODSP Scholar Shares Experience Getting the Scholarship
Here’s a video clip that shares a Filipino talking about the OWWA ODSP. This video was taken from the official YouTube channel of OWWA in an OWWA at Your Service episode:
Here’s another video testimonial of an OFW and dependent student after finding out they were qualified. We hope this gives you a better idea about the application process for this scholarship:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions and answers about the ODSP scholarship:
1. Does the ODSP cover only incoming freshmen?
No, the ODSP accepts applications for both incoming freshmen and college students who are already enrolled in their 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th year. This is as long as they are within the age limit of no more than 21 years for freshmen, or no more than 30 years for other college students.
2. Can I apply for two children if both me and my spouse are OFWs?
No, you can only apply for one (1) child if you are a married OFW member, even if your spouse is also an OFW member. Should you choose to apply your other child to a scholarship, you may do so under other OWWA scholarship programs like Education for Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) or Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP).
3. Can I apply directly to the OWWA Office?
Yes, you may get an application form directly from the OWWA Regional Office. However, in light of the surge of COVID-19 cases in the country, it is recommended that you file your application online or submit them via courier.
4. How much will I get from the ODSP?
Approved applicants are entitled to monetary assistance worth PhP 10,000 per semester or a maximum of PhP 20,000 per academic year.
5. Can I share the ODSP grant with my siblings?
No, the scholarship grant is non-transferable. The grant is also given via vouchers, where the tuition fee is directly paid to the university or college, and any extra amount is given directly to the awardee.
Summary
Throughout the years, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has ceaselessly provided genuine Filipino service to millions of our Filipino workers abroad. The OFW Dependent Scholarship Program is but another one of these services that are open to Filipinos who are in pursuit of a better life with quality education.
It is good to learn about these OWWA scholarship programs to help us Filipinos plan better for our children’s future. Of course, it is also a must to make sure that our students study hard and maintain good grades so the scholarship will be well-deserved!
Contact Details
For more information on ODSP or other OWWA scholarship grants and projects, you may visit their website at www.owwa.gov.ph or their official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/owwaofficial. You may also download the official OWWA Mobile App to update your membership and stay in touch with other news and programs.