How to Apply for OWWA Scholarship (for Dependents)
The OWWA Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) is one of the flagship programs of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). It provides full scholarship grants to qualified dependents of active OWWA member-OFWs who wish to pursue a college degree at any CHED-recognized institution in the Philippines. Under Executive Order No. 126 and Republic Act No. 11641 (Department of Migrant Workers Act), OWWA is mandated to implement welfare programs for OFWs and their families, including educational benefits that ensure the children of OFWs have access to quality education even while their parents work abroad.
Types of OWWA Scholarship Programs
OWWA offers several scholarship and education assistance programs for OFW dependents and OFWs themselves. The main programs include:
- Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP): A full scholarship for college education, covering tuition, fees, book allowance, and monthly stipend. This is OWWA's premier scholarship program for dependents of active OWWA members.
- OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (ODSP): An education assistance program that provides financial support to dependents of active OWWA members enrolled in four-year or five-year degree programs at CHED-accredited schools.
- Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP): A short-term training scholarship for OFWs and their dependents who wish to acquire technical or vocational skills through TESDA-registered training programs, enhancing their employability.
Eligibility Requirements
Who Can Apply for the EDSP?
To qualify for the OWWA Education for Development Scholarship Program, the applicant and the OFW parent must meet the following criteria:
- The OFW parent must be an active OWWA member with valid and updated membership (contribution must not have lapsed for more than the prescribed period)
- The dependent-applicant must be the legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted child of the OFW member, or an acknowledged illegitimate child as supported by proper documentation
- The dependent must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a bachelor's degree program at a CHED-recognized college or university in the Philippines
- The applicant must have a general weighted average (GWA) of at least 80% or its equivalent in the preceding semester or school year
- The applicant must be of good moral character with no pending criminal or administrative case
- The applicant must not be more than 21 years old at the time of application (for EDSP; age requirements may vary for other programs)
Requirements
Applicant Documents
- Duly accomplished OWWA Scholarship Application / Enrollment Form (available at OWWA Regional Offices or online)
- Certified true copy of grades or Official Transcript of Records (OTR) from the previous semester or school year
- PSA-issued Birth Certificate of the applicant (proving relationship with the OFW parent)
- Certificate of Enrollment or Proof of Acceptance from the CHED-recognized school
- School ID or any valid government-issued ID of the applicant (original + photocopy)
- 2x2 ID photos (recent, white background, 2 copies)
OFW Parent Documents
- Proof of active OWWA membership (OWWA Membership Card, OFW e-Card, or OWWA Verification Slip)
- Photocopy of the OFW parent's valid employment contract or Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)
- Photocopy of the OFW parent's valid passport (bio page)
- Valid government-issued ID of the OFW parent (photocopy)
- Authorization letter or Special Power of Attorney (SPA) if the OFW parent is abroad and cannot personally file the application
Note: Requirements may vary slightly depending on the OWWA Regional Welfare Office and the specific scholarship program applied for. Some offices may require additional documents such as a Certificate of Good Moral Character from the school, a medical certificate, or proof of family income. Always check with your nearest OWWA Regional Office for the complete and updated list of requirements before applying.
Step-by-Step Process
How to Apply for the OWWA EDSP Scholarship
Step 1: Check OWWA membership status of your OFW parent
• Verify that your OFW parent's OWWA membership is active and updated
• You can check online through the OWWA Member Services Portal or by calling the OWWA hotline
• If membership has lapsed, your OFW parent must renew before you can apply
Step 2: Prepare all required documents
• Gather all applicant documents (birth certificate, grades, enrollment proof, ID photos)
• Secure OFW parent documents (OWWA membership proof, employment contract, passport copy)
• Ensure your grades meet the minimum GWA requirement of 80%
Step 3: Visit the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office
• Go to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office that has jurisdiction over your area
• You may also apply at Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) abroad if the OFW parent is filing
• Office hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Step 4: Submit the accomplished application form and requirements
• Fill out the OWWA Scholarship Application Form completely
• Submit the form together with all required supporting documents
• The OWWA staff will review your documents for completeness
Step 5: Undergo evaluation and interview
• OWWA will evaluate your application based on eligibility criteria
• You may be called for an interview or written examination
• The evaluation considers academic performance, financial need, and other factors
Step 6: Wait for the results and notification
• OWWA will process and evaluate all applications received during the application period
• Results are typically released within 4–8 weeks after the deadline
• Successful applicants will be notified via email, phone, or posted at the OWWA Regional Office
Step 7: Claim scholarship benefits and sign the scholarship contract
• Once approved, visit the OWWA Regional Office to sign the scholarship contract
• Submit additional requirements if requested (e.g., school billing, bank account details)
• Scholarship benefits will be released per semester or as scheduled by OWWAExample Explained
Step 1: Before anything else, verify that your OFW parent's OWWA membership is active. This is a fundamental requirement — without valid OWWA membership, the dependent cannot apply for any scholarship program. You can check membership status online through the OWWA Member Services Portal, by calling the OWWA hotline at (02) 8551-6641, or by visiting any OWWA Regional Welfare Office. If the membership has lapsed, your OFW parent must renew it first (USD 25 contribution for another two years).
Step 2: Gather all the required documents for both the applicant and the OFW parent. The most important documents are your PSA-issued birth certificate (to prove your relationship with the OFW), your certified true copy of grades or transcript (to prove you meet the 80% GWA requirement), and proof of your OFW parent's active OWWA membership. Make sure all documents are complete and organized before visiting the OWWA office to avoid unnecessary trips.
Step 3: Visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Office nearest to your residence. OWWA has regional offices in all major cities across the Philippines. If the OFW parent is abroad and wishes to file on behalf of their dependent, they may also submit the application through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in their host country. Bring all original documents plus photocopies.
Step 4: At the OWWA office, request and fill out the OWWA Scholarship Application Form. Provide all required information accurately, including personal details, school information, OFW parent details, and family background. Submit the accomplished form together with all supporting documents. The OWWA staff will check your documents for completeness and may ask for additional requirements if needed.
Step 5: Your application will undergo a thorough evaluation process. OWWA considers several factors including academic performance, financial need, the OFW parent's membership status, and the chosen course of study. Some applicants may be called for an interview or required to take a written examination as part of the screening process.
Step 6: After the evaluation period, OWWA will release the list of successful applicants. Results are typically announced 4 to 8 weeks after the application deadline. You will be notified through the contact information you provided in your application form. Results may also be posted at the OWWA Regional Office or on the official OWWA website.
Step 7: If your application is approved, proceed to the OWWA Regional Office to sign the scholarship contract. This contract outlines the terms and conditions of the scholarship, including maintaining the required GWA, reporting requirements, and grounds for revocation. Submit any additional documents requested (such as school billing statements and bank account details for benefit disbursement). Your scholarship benefits will then be released according to the schedule set by OWWA.
Complete Example: Applying for OWWA EDSP Scholarship
Real-World Scenario
Scenario: Anna is a 19-year-old college student from Quezon City.
Her mother works as a domestic helper in Hong Kong and is
an active OWWA member. Anna wants to apply for the EDSP
scholarship to help fund her BS Nursing degree at a
CHED-recognized university in Manila.
Anna's Qualifications:
• GWA of 88% in her previous semester
• Enrolled in BS Nursing (4-year program)
• Mother's OWWA membership is active (renewed 6 months ago)
• 19 years old, within the age requirement
What Anna Prepares:
• OWWA Scholarship Application Form (accomplished)
• PSA Birth Certificate (showing her mother's name)
• Certified True Copy of Grades (GWA: 88%)
• Certificate of Enrollment from her university
• School ID (original + photocopy)
• 2x2 ID photos (2 copies, white background)
• Mother's OWWA e-Card (photocopy)
• Mother's employment contract (photocopy)
• Mother's passport bio page (photocopy)
• SPA from mother authorizing Anna to file the application
Anna's Timeline:
Day 1 — Checks mother's OWWA membership status online (confirmed active)
Day 2–3 — Gathers and organizes all required documents
Day 4 — Visits OWWA Regional Office (NCR)
9:00 AM — Gets and fills out the OWWA Scholarship Application Form
9:45 AM — Submits form and all requirements to OWWA staff
10:15 AM — Documents checked and accepted; told to wait for evaluation results
6 Weeks Later:
Anna receives a text message and email from OWWA
Her application has been APPROVED!
Day 46:
9:00 AM — Returns to OWWA Regional Office
9:30 AM — Signs the scholarship contract
10:00 AM — Submits school billing and bank account details
10:15 AM — Officially enrolled as an EDSP scholar!
Result: Anna is now an OWWA EDSP Scholar!
She will receive the following benefits per semester:
• Full tuition and fees coverage
• Book and supplies allowance
• Monthly stipend for living expenses
Total Application Cost: FREE (no application or processing fee)
Processing Time: About 4–8 weeks after application deadline
Scholarship Duration: Until completion of the degree program (subject to maintaining required GWA)Scholarship Benefits & Coverage
| Benefit | Description | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | Full coverage of tuition and other school fees per semester, paid directly to the school or reimbursed upon presentation of official receipts | Up to PHP 60,000/semester (may vary per school) |
| Book Allowance | Allowance for textbooks, reference materials, and school supplies needed for the enrolled semester | PHP 5,000/semester |
| Monthly Stipend | Monthly living allowance for personal expenses, transportation, and basic needs during the school term | PHP 3,000–5,000/month |
| Thesis/Dissertation Allowance | One-time allowance for thesis or dissertation expenses during the final year of the degree program | PHP 5,000–10,000 (one-time) |
| Coverage Period | The scholarship covers the entire duration of the degree program, subject to semestral evaluation and maintaining the required GWA | 4–5 years (depending on the program) |
| Graduation Incentive | Bonus incentive for scholars who graduate on time and with honors, as recognition of academic excellence | PHP 10,000–20,000 (varies) |
Note: Benefit amounts are approximate and may be adjusted by OWWA based on available funds and current policies. The actual amounts may vary depending on the school, location, and specific scholarship program. Benefits are released per semester upon submission of enrollment records and proof of enrollment for the succeeding term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many dependents per OFW can apply for the scholarship?
Generally, only one (1) dependent per active OWWA member-OFW may avail of the EDSP scholarship at a time. However, other dependents may apply for other OWWA education assistance programs such as the OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (ODSP). If the first scholar completes the degree, another dependent may then apply for the EDSP, provided the OFW parent's membership remains active.
Q: What is the minimum grade requirement to maintain the scholarship?
EDSP scholars are required to maintain a general weighted average (GWA) of at least 80% or its equivalent every semester. Scholars who fall below this requirement may be given a probationary period of one semester to bring their grades up. Failure to meet the GWA requirement for two consecutive semesters may result in the revocation of the scholarship. Scholars are also expected to carry a full academic load each semester.
Q: Can graduate students apply for the OWWA scholarship?
The EDSP is primarily for undergraduate or bachelor's degree programs. Graduate students (master's or doctoral level) are generally not eligible for the EDSP. However, OWWA may offer separate education assistance or training programs for graduate-level studies from time to time. It is best to inquire directly with your nearest OWWA Regional Office for any available programs for graduate students.
Q: When is the application deadline for the EDSP?
OWWA typically opens the application period for the EDSP on a semestral or annual basis. The exact application deadline varies each year and is announced through the official OWWA website, social media pages, and OWWA Regional Offices. Applicants are advised to monitor OWWA announcements regularly and apply as early as possible once the application window opens. Late applications are generally not accepted.
Q: What happens if the OFW parent passes away during the scholarship period?
If the OFW parent passes away while the dependent is an active EDSP scholar, the scholarship may continue until the scholar completes the degree program, provided the scholar continues to meet all academic requirements. The family must notify OWWA and submit the death certificate of the OFW parent. OWWA may also provide additional assistance through its death and disability benefits program for the family of the deceased OFW member.
Q: Can I reapply if my application was not selected?
Yes, you may reapply in the next application period if your initial application was not selected. There is no limit to the number of times you can apply, as long as you continue to meet all eligibility requirements (age limit, GWA, active OWWA membership of the OFW parent). Consider improving your grades and ensuring all documents are complete and properly prepared to strengthen your application for the next cycle.
Important Reminders
- The OWWA scholarship application is free of charge — do not pay fixers or anyone claiming to process your application for a fee
- Only dependents of active OWWA members are eligible — ensure your OFW parent's membership is valid and updated before applying
- Maintain a GWA of at least 80% every semester to keep your scholarship — falling below this requirement may lead to probation or revocation
- Apply only at OWWA Regional Welfare Offices or authorized POLO offices abroad — do not submit applications to unauthorized persons or offices
- Monitor the official OWWA website and social media pages for application schedules and deadlines — application periods are limited and late submissions are not accepted
- Submit complete and authentic documents — any falsification of documents or misrepresentation of information is grounds for disqualification and may result in legal action
- Scholars must enroll as full-time students and carry the prescribed academic load each semester — shifting courses or transferring schools must be approved by OWWA in advance
- If your OFW parent is abroad, they may authorize you or another representative to file the application through a notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA)
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. The requirements, steps, fees, and procedures mentioned here may vary depending on the OWWA you visit. We recommend visiting your nearest OWWA first to confirm the specific requirements and process before preparing your documents.