OWWA Programs and Benefits: Educational Assistance for OFW’s Dependents

You know that as OWWA member, one of the benefits you can enjoy is educational programs and financial assistance. Here’s a good news for you: even your dependents, meaning your children, can also enjoy the same benefits that you do. In fact, OWWA offers scholarships for qualified dependents of overseas Filipino workers.

Below are the programs offered: Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)

EDSP is a scholarship grant offered to qualified dependents or beneficiaries of active OWWA members. It is in a form of financial assistance of up to P60,000.00 per school year.

If qualified, your child may enroll in any four- or five-year baccalaureate course in any preferred college or university.

Nonetheless, only one per family of an active OWWA member is eligible for this program. Also, your child (dependent-applicant) must not be a recipient of other scholarship grants and has not taken EDSP qualifying examination and any post-secondary, vocational, or undergraduate units in college.

In case you are interested, here are the requirements:

  • OFW must have an active OWWA membership.
  • The dependent-applicant must not be more than 21 years old.
  • The dependent-applicant must have must have an average of at least 80%.
  • The dependent-applicant must belong in the upper 20% of the batch on his/her third year in high school.
  • The dependent-applicant must belong to the graduating class at the time of application.
  • The dependent-applicant must pass and should belong to the top 200 passers in the examination to be conducted by DOST.
  • The dependent-applicant must pass the entrance examination required in the college or university where he/she intends to enroll.

Application for EDSP starts every June of each school year. Deadline of submission of application will be every first week of August or as prescribed by ROCS.

OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (OFWDSP)

This scholarship grant is offered to qualified dependents of OFW-OWWA members who plans to pursue a four- or five-year baccalaureate degree or associate degree in state college or university. The scholarship grant will be in the for of P20,000.00 per year financial assistance.

OWWA offers OFWDSP to 1,250 qualified students. This will be distributed equally among the poorest provinces and cities throughout the country.

Below are the requirements to qualify for this program:

  • Legal dependent of the OFW must be an active OWWA member and whose salary is below $400.
  • Only applicable to one child or one sibling per OFW family.
  • The dependent must not be more than 21 years of age.
  • Legal dependent must be a high school graduate, and is physically, morally, and mentally fit.
  • Legal dependent must pass the entrance examination conducted by the state college or university where he/she intends to enrol. Said examination will be conducted in OWWA regional offices.
  • The dependent-applicant must not be a recipient of other scholarship grants.
  • Qualified dependent must not be a previous availee of EDSP or CMWSP. Read about CMWSP here.

In case the couple are both OFWs, only one scholarship slot will be alloted for them.

Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP)

OWWA understands that unforeseen circumstances may lead to the death of OFW-OWWA member. In case this happens, the agency offers ELAP or Educational Livelihood Assistance Program to the deceased worker’s dependent.

ELAP is a program intended for OFW dependents of active OWWA member at the time of his/her death. Only one child, commonly the eldest child, will enjoy this benefit. This is also in the form of allowance e amounting to P5,000.00 for elementary, P8,000.00 for high school, and P10,000.00 if the child is in college.

The surviving spouse, if married, or mother/father, if single, will receive P15,000.00 livelihood assistance.

Note: As of this writing, these programs are temporarily suspended due to the K-12 program. This will resume in school year 2018-2019.

123 thoughts on “OWWA Programs and Benefits: Educational Assistance for OFW’s Dependents”

  1. good day po, pwede po ba ako mag pa assist sa enrollment po ng kapatid ko po, mag hi hi school na po sya? isa po akong ofw.

    1. Hi Mary June,

      Maaari po kayong pumunta sa pinakamalapit na OWWA Office sa inyong lugar para makapag-apply ng scholarship grant. Salamat.

      1. magandang araw po,kailan po ulit ang pag pasa ng mga requirements para sa owwa scholar grade 12 na po ang anak ko sa pasukan nito june 5.

        1. Temporarily suspended po ang educational benefits due to K-12 program. Next year pa po sila tatanggap ulit.

          1. I just called the OWWA regional office in our city. They said the scholarship is now open for incoming college freshmen next school year 2018-2019.

  2. Good pm sir/ ma’am, mayron pa ba kayong scholarship para sa elementary sa private schol? Seaferer po Asawa ko.

  3. Good Day po Mam!
    Tanong ko lang kung maari po bang mag-avail ng education financial assistance ang anak ko. Isa po akong active OFW and OWWA active member. Gusto niya kasing lumipat sa private school. Galing po siyang Universidad De Manila second year college at nais niyang lumipat sa NU. Pwede po b iyon? salamat po ng marami.

  4. Hi po, can we avail a scholarship if magsesenior high palang po ako. maggragrade 11 na po ako next year

  5. Maam ano po yung $400 below na salary ang makaavail ng scholarship sa dependants..paano po ung nag increase ang salary nmin dto sa abroad..wla na bang chance na maka avail ang anak namin sa scholarship.

    1. Hi, OWWA required monthly salary of below $400 to qualify for educational assistance. Kapag sobra po, hindi na po qualified as per their requirements.

  6. Good day,
    Ofw po si husband at active member po ng owwa.. Graduating po ng k-12 o grade 12 ang anak ko sa march 2018. Kelan po dapat mag asikaso ng mga requirements o anong buwan po?ano pong school ang covered ng scholarship?
    Salamat po….

  7. Good day po sir/mama nais ko pong ikuha ang anak ko,ang basic salary ko ay HK$4110 per month apat po clang magkakapatid pasok p po b kami kc d po sapat ang sinasahod ko llo n kng magkokoleyo n cya. Pls pkisagot nman po.

  8. Magandang araw po,
    Nasa Grade 12 ngayon ang anak ko ggraduate po sya sa May 2018.
    Paano po sya makaka kuha ng scholarship ?
    Seaman po ang mister ko.
    Salamat po.

    1. You can submit your applications to OWWA office. However, per OWWA website, submission of requirements is first week of August.

  9. Hi, Good day! I would like to ask if is it okay to apply for the scholarship even if my course is 6-year course, like dentistry?

  10. Husband ko po is an active owwa member, may college po kami na anak,meron po ba program oara sa mga may nag aaral na anak and ano po pwede namin gawin para makaavail ng educational assistance?salamat po

    1. Hello. The educational assistance is for incoming first year college students. You may apply sa ELAP, which is in the form of allowance.

  11. Good am po isa akong college student na nag aaral sa private school. Maghihingi po sana ako ng tulong sa inyo ngaun sa financial assistance sa education. Ngaun po nagkakaproblema po kami sa financial lalo sa pag aaral ko at ang papa ko ay 30 yrs na syang nagttrabaho saudi kaso po ngaung nagkacrises na sa saudi which is kasama sa list ang companya ng pinagttrabahoan ng papa ko ay nagkakaproblema na kami sa financial hindi na regular ang pagpapadala ng aking papa. Anu po gagawin ko at maitutulong nyo sa akin? Lalo na po sa pag aaral ko?

    1. You can apply for a scholarship. If you plan to avail of OWWA’s educational benefit, dapat active OWWA member ang iyong father.

  12. husband ko po ay seamam may anak po kami ngayun na grade 12 MAG 1ST YEAR COLLEGE NA PO SIYA NEXT YEAR.. PWEDE NAPO BA KAMI MAG APPLY NG SCHOLarship program niyo po.. tnx

    1. You can check with the OWWA Office near you if they are still accepting applicants for the scholarship. Per OWWA website, tapos na po ang submission ng application.

  13. Good pm .po apply ko anak ko po ng scholarship dati po akong ofw and my husband is still in taiwan …magk11 na po ang anak ko kelan po kmi pwedeng magapply ng scholar ..thnks po

    1. Hello Marivel. Yung scholarship po can be availed if mag-first year college po ang anak ninyo. I suggest you apply early, preferably by June next year para ma-accept at ma-process ang inyong application. Salamat.

  14. Good day po, OfW po aq. Pano po ba makatawag n active OWWA member, 10 yrs po aq nagtrabaho sa saudi, pero nagkakaroon lang po aq ng payment sa OWWA kung pinaprocess po ung contract ko sa POLO KHOBAR, pero Hindi po un every two year kc Hindi nmn po aq nakakauwi regularly, kung kelan lng po aq payagan umuwi ng ako ko. Ngaun po nagaaply aq sa hongkong, widow po aq at 2 ang anak ko. College po ang elder, Graduating po sa grade 12 ang bunso, Hindi ko po kayang pagaralin sa college ng Sabaysa college, gusto ko po sana makaavail ng khit ano previledges na galing sa owwa. Gusto ko po sana xa magtraining ng ng caregiver, taga Palawan po Kami, ang accredited training center po sa Puerto Princesa City ay sa Adventist Hospital po. Puede po b humingi ng advise kung ano gagawin ko or makaavail ang anak ko para makapagaral sua. Salamat po

    1. Hello Airies. We suggest po na i-formalize ang inyong OWWA membership by paying the corresponding fees. Yun po kasi ang unang requirement upang ma-enjoy ninyo ang benefits mula sa OWWA.

    1. Hello Angelita. Apparently, we are not affiliated with OWWA. We suggest that you contact them directly thru the Advocacy & Social marketing Division (891-7601 local 5414 / 5603) or Policy & Program Development Office (891-76-01 local 5609 / 5610). Thanks!

  15. pwede pa po bang maka-avail ng scholarship kahit late tapos na ang deadline? ngayon lang po kasi namin nalaman na may scholarsihp pala ang owwa

    1. Hi Lily. We are not sure since we are not affiliated with OWWA. You may contact them directly through this number:
      8917601 local 5401 / 5402 / 5403 / 5418

      Thanks!

  16. Hello,good day po.graduating po ang anak ko ng k12 sa march.ano po requirements gusto ko apply pra sa OFWDSP.at kailan po ang deadline ng pag submit ng mga requirements. Tnx po sa pag response.

    1. Narito po ang requirements:

      1. Accomplished Application Form (2 copies)
      2. 2×2 ID Photos (2 copies)
      3. Proof of relationship to OWWA member (e.g. PSA or Local Civil Registry (LCR)-authenticated birth certificate and certificate of no marriage, if OFW is single)
      4. Form 137 for incoming first year college or Transcript of Records or Certificate of Grades for those already enrolled in college
      5. Medical certificate/clearance from any DOH-accredited hospital/center/clinic
      6. Certificate of Good Moral Character issued by the principal/guidance counselor
      7. Accomplished original copy of the Scholarship Agreement

      1. pwede pa kaya maam/sir? 1st year na po ako sa college at natapos napo ang first sem namin..ngaun lang po kc namin nlaman..pwede pa po ba mg apply? dati ako ofw at nagaaral ako ngaun..salamat po sa sasagot godbless..

        1. Hello. The educational assistance is intended for incoming first year college students only. If you need financial assistance, you can try the Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) which comes in the form of monthly allowance 🙂

  17. Good day po Maam/Sir
    Ang concern ko po ay d about sa scholarship kundi about po ng pangkabihayan program po ng owwa pra sa mga ofw na gsto na po mgforgood.
    Meron po bang any assistance po Maam?
    Pls answer my inquiry po kc gsto ko na pi tumigil sa pg aabroad…thank u po ang God bless

  18. Ano na pong bng update dito mag grade 11 na po kase ako nxt year and ang sabi po sa aamin maaring mawala ang voucher sa 2019 po at tanging dito nlng po ako umaasa para sa financial yung papa ko is ofw na operahan po siya sa saudi and active member naman po siya ng owwa

    1. Hi Aila. Maaari ka mag-submit ng requirements bago mag-August upang maka-qualify ka sa educational assistance. Below are the documentary requirements:
      1. Accomplished EDSP Application Form (2 copies)
      2. 2×2 ID Photos (2 copies)
      3. Birth Certificate authenticated by PSA
      4. Certificate of Good Moral Character
      5. Form 137 for incoming first year college or Transcript of Records or Certificate of Grades for those already enrolled in college
      6. Certification from the principal that the applicant obtained a general weighted average (GWA) of 80% and that he/she belongs to the top 20% of the graduating class

  19. Hi po pwede po bang magtanong pwede parin ba magavail ng scholarship sa owa kahit 3rd year college kana sa 2018-2019 ..

    1. Hello Kim. Pasensya na pero ang scholarship ay para lang po sa mga incoming first year college students na dependent ng mga OFWs. You can consider looking for scholarships offered by other government agencies like TESDA. Thanks!

  20. Hi Mam/Sir,
    My daughter is on her K11 at this time. And by June she will be on K12, i want to know more details on how to apply for scholarship.
    Thank you .

    Imelda

    1. Hi. The scholarship is available for OFW dependents who are incoming first year college students. Nonetheless, please prepare the requirements since the deadline is every first week of August:
      1. Accomplished EDSP Application Form (2 copies)
      2. 2×2 ID Photos (2 copies)
      3. Birth Certificate authenticated by PSA
      4. Certificate of Good Moral Character
      5. Form 137 for incoming first year college or Transcript of Records or Certificate of Grades for those already enrolled in college
      6. Certification from the principal that the applicant obtained a general weighted average (GWA) of 80% and that he/she belongs to the top 20% of the graduating class

  21. Anak ko po nasa grade 12 na patapos na po sy2017-2018.I apply ko po ang anak ko for scholarship program for OFW po.husband ko po ay matagal ng member sa OWWA.yung pong exam na sinasabi po ninyo sa DOST where pi yon? D pu ba pwd yung sa skul nya na qualified sya to avail medical technology for college po.ang rating po nya for 1 quarter gen ave po ay 90.5 po.may online application po b kayo.pakisagot po

  22. Gud pm po…ask ko lang po sana kung pwd akong huminge ng tulong para s pamangkin ko..seaman po sya almost 2 yrs sya don..kauuwi lng nya ng march2017..nag uundergo n sya ng training after a month..ang prblema po e napansin nmin n naging manas sya at madaling mapagod..pinacheck up nmin..at nalaman nmin n sobrng taas ng createnin..at kailangan ng idialysis..ang sinahod po nya s 2 taon e kulang p s mga gamot..nagkaroon n kc ng kumplikasyon dhil severe n npo daw…pwd po b kami makahinge ng tulong kc naaawa n aq s magulang nya..ubos n ubos n kc kaming lahat..5 months n po sya dinadialysis..salamat po

  23. Good Pm po Namatay po ung asawa ko 2011 pa po dipo ako agad nkapag apply ng livelyhood at educational hndi ko po kasi alam that time di din po ako naiform..pero nkuha po nmin ung burial nia..naun po after 7 years gusto ko po i apply ung educational para sa mga anak ko at pti ndin po ung livelyhood para din po sa knila kasi lumalki npo ang pangangalangan po nila…anu po bng requirements at dapat gawin?

    1. Hi Jenny. We’re sorry to hear about your loss. Maaari po ninyo subukan ang Educational Assistance Livelihood Program, pero para lang po ito sa panganay na anak. You can coordinate this po with OWWA 🙂

  24. Hi! Active member po ng Owwa ang mother ko. And 3rd year college na po ako, pwede pa po ba ako mag-avail ng scholarship? Thank you in advance. 🙂

    1. Hi Nasser! Please submit the following requirements:
      1. Accomplished EDSP Application Form (2 copies)
      2. 2×2 ID Photos (2 copies)
      3. Birth Certificate authenticated by PSA
      4. Certificate of Good Moral Character
      5. Form 137 for incoming first year college or Transcript of Records or Certificate of Grades for those already enrolled in college
      6. Certification from the principal that the applicant obtained a general weighted average (GWA) of 80% and that he/she belongs to the top 20% of the graduating class

  25. Pwede pa po ba mag apply ngayong april ng shcolarship ? Mother and father ko po ofw pero mother ko lang stable yung job. Part time lang ang father ko . Need ko po sya talaga kasi kapos kami

  26. good day,
    mg collage na po Ang anak ko,mkapag avail po ba sya ng owwA ko as a member ?
    hindi po sya nka take ng exam for scholarship. thank you.

      1. Good day, Kakagraduate ko lang po ng g12 nung April, 2018 at ngayon ko lang po nalaman na may scholarship ang owwa. Pwede pa po ba akong mag apply?

        1. Hi Sheryl. You can submit the following requirements per OWWA website (http://www.owwa.gov.ph/programs-services/education-training) –

          Documentary Requirements
          1. Accomplished EDSP Application Form (2 copies)
          2. 2×2 ID Photos (2 copies)
          3. Birth Certificate authenticated by PSA
          4. Certificate of Good Moral Character
          5. Form 137 for incoming first year college or Transcript of Records or Certificate of Grades for those already enrolled in college
          6. Certification from the principal that the applicant obtained a general weighted average (GWA) of 80% and that he/she belongs to the top 20% of the graduating class

  27. hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin na update yong 400usd na yan..siguradong walang maka avail sa scholarship na yan. ang dh ngayon minimum 400usd ang sahod. nawalan na ang saysay ang programa. top 200 students, suntok sa buwan. sayang lang hulog namin. maganda lng pakinggan na may scholarship o pwede maka avail ng loan. pero napaka hirap mag apply. parang ayaw talagang magbigay sa mga ganitong programa.

    1. Hello Maico. We understand your sentiments. Unfortunately, this is what OWWA prescribes and we are merely “copying” the information posted on their website.

  28. Hi. I am just wondering if I can still apply for the scholarship eventhough I am already incoming 4th yr this sem. My dad is an OFW. Thank you.

  29. Hi last year po nkamuha ako ng 8k for may scholarship program..this year makakakuha po din ba ako ulit nasa special section po ako at incoming grade 10 student po ako..inaantay ko lang card ko i release sa may 3 po..

    1. Hi Alexa. Hindi po kami sigurado kung ang benefit na ito ay binibigay taun-taon. You can call them at 834-0717 / 804-0658 / 0927-613-9769

  30. Hi Ma’am/Sir, kakagraduate ko lang po ng g12 nung April, 2018 at ngayon ko lang po nalaman ang patungkol sa scholarship. Pwede pa po ba akong mag apply?

    1. Hi Sheryl. The application for educational assistance program is closed na po. Also, this is allowed sa mga incoming college freshmen.

    1. Hi! Here is a list of requirements per OWWA website (http://www.owwa.gov.ph/programs-services/education-training) –

      1. Accomplished EDSP Application Form (2 copies)
      2. 2×2 ID Photos (2 copies)
      3. Birth Certificate authenticated by PSA
      4. Certificate of Good Moral Character
      5. Form 137 for incoming first year college or Transcript of Records or Certificate of Grades for those already enrolled in college
      6. Certification from the principal that the applicant obtained a general weighted average (GWA) of 80% and that he/she belongs to the top 20% of the graduating class

  31. Good day Ma’am
    Im going to take the exam this year, and I would like to ask for the pointers or coverage of the exam if possible. Are there any reviewers given by OWWA? Thank you Ma’am.

    1. Hi Marie! Sorry, but we don’t know what the coverage of the exam will be or if reviewers are given. Nonetheless, we assume it’s General Knowledge 🙂 Thanks!

  32. Good day. Saan po ako pupunta at anak ko para maka avail ng scholarship program mag college na po anak ko? Saan po pupunta para sa exam? Thank you

    1. Hi Regina! Are you or your husband an OFW? If yes, please submit the requirements to OWWA to check if qualified po ang inyong anak sa scholarship.
      1. Accomplished EDSP Application Form (2 copies)
      2. 2×2 ID Photos (2 copies)
      3. Birth Certificate authenticated by PSA
      4. Certificate of Good Moral Character
      5. Form 137 for incoming first year college or Transcript of Records or Certificate of Grades for those already enrolled in college
      6. Certification from the principal that the applicant obtained a general weighted average (GWA) of 80% and that he/she belongs to the top 20% of the graduating class

  33. hello po
    saan po ba ma avail ang requirement natu sa EDSP
    — The dependent-applicant must pass and should belong to the top 200 passers in the examination to be conducted by DOST.??
    dapat pa po ba nag mag take ng exam na conducted ng DOST ?
    saan ? at kailan po ba mag papa.exam ang DOST ?

    at pwede po bang i pass ang mga requirements via online ? or dapat sa regional offices lang ?

    1. Hi Eric! Yes, kinakailangan po na among the top 200 passers para po ma-avail ang educational benefit. Requirements are enumerated below and to be submitted in OWWA or its regional offices –
      1. Accomplished EDSP Application Form (2 copies)
      2. 2×2 ID Photos (2 copies)
      3. Birth Certificate authenticated by PSA
      4. Certificate of Good Moral Character
      5. Form 137 for incoming first year college or Transcript of Records or Certificate of Grades for those already enrolled in college
      6. Certification from the principal that the applicant obtained a general weighted average (GWA) of 80% and that he/she belongs to the top 20% of the graduating class

  34. Pwede pa po bang mag apply for scholarship even though nakapag study na sa college for 3yrs pero mag shi shift ng course? From HRM to Nursing pwede po ba yun?

  35. Good day! Incoming freshmen student po ako sa collage late na po namin nalaman ang scholarship ng OWWA meron pa po ba akong pwedeng applyan na kahit sa susunod na semester or next year.

  36. Hello. Ask ko lang paano po kung salary ng OFW is above $400, hindi po ba qualified para sa Educational Assistance for incoming College freshman?

  37. Hi,
    applicable po ba ito sa mga nurssery

    Kung applicable ,
    Puwede ko po bang i- apply ng educational ang aking pamangkin. ako po ang nag papaaral sa kanya.

    1. Hi Judith! We’re sorry to inform you that the educational assistance program is for incoming first year college students only.

  38. Hi tanong lng po… what if you happened to apply for OWWA not knowing na DOST exam ang itatake mo tas nag apply rin po pla sa DOST.. so bale may 2 scheduled exam ka on the same day… pede po ba un or isa lng puntahan ko?

    1. Hello Junie. We’re not sure how to solve this. Perhaps, you could choose the exam that you need and will benefit you most 🙂

  39. hello po ask ko lang po pwede po bamag avail ng scholarship kahit kapatid ang ofw?i mean kuya ko po ang ofw then mag apply po ako ng scholarship as incoming 1st yr.college?

  40. Ano pong requirements para sa ELAP ? College na po ako taking Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management magsesecond year na . Papa ko po ay isang ofw . Pwede pa po bang makakuha ng scholarship?

    1. Hi Jayzel. THe assistance is for incoming freshman college student po. We’re not sure if OWWA will allow college students na. Thanks.

  41. Need ko po Sana humingi ng tulong 2nd yr college n ung pnganay ko s pasukan,s National University sya ng enroll kz hinabol Nya scholarship Don Para po khit pano mkaless s bayarin kaya lng ngfailed s sya isang subject s accounting 1st sem pero ok nmn po ung mga grades Nya s ibang subject at pasa nmn po tlga lhat till last sem kya lng my policy ung school n pg my failed n isang subject khit pasa p o mataas nmn general average Nya d n po sya scholar gusto ko sna ilipat sya school Para nmn mkabawas ng byarin kaya lng daming needs at hirap mghanap ng course Nya s ibang school my grade10 at grade8 p po ako at isang daycare bka lng skali mtulungan nyo po ako

    1. Hi Marian. The Educational Assistance po is for OFW beneficiaries lang na incoming first year college student po. Hindi po kami sigurado kung papayag ang OWWA kapag hindi na incoming freshman. Salamat.

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