Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their children who aspire to complete a college degree are encouraged to apply for the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s scholarship programs. One of these is the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program or CMWSP.
CMWSP caters to outstanding students who are about to start college, providing them with financial assistance until they complete a four- or five-year course in the fields of Science and Technology. The OWWA official website features information about the program, its benefits, eligibility criteria, requirements, and guidelines.
Program Benefits
The Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) offers financial assistance worth up to PHP 60,000 per school year. This may be used to pay for tuition, school fees, and other educational expenses until the scholar completes a baccalaureate course in Science and Technology.
Notably, the funding for CMWSP is sourced from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). This fund is released to and maintained under a separate account by the OWWA Secretariat.
Eligibility
To be eligible for joining the CMWSP program, the applicant must be:
- An OFW himself/herself, not more than 45 years old on the day of application; or
- A child of an OFW, not more than 21 years old on the day of application.
Furthermore, there must be no availment other OWWA scholarship programs by other members of the OFW family.
Qualifications
Likewise, applicants must meet the following qualifications:
- Single;
- Incoming First Year College student;
- Annual family income less than USD 2,400 or its equivalent;
- General Weighted Average (GWA) at least 80% or its equivalent;
- No failing grades;
- Willing to enroll in a Science and Technology course; and
- Willing to enroll in a college or university based in the Philippines.
NOTE: The student’s chosen course must be based on the list provided by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Requirements
To apply for the program, interested applicants need to prepare these documents:
- Proof of Identity (OFW) – Copy of Valid Passport bio or data page;
- Proof of Identity (Dependent) – Birth Certificate or Baptismal Certificate, and Valid School ID or any available Valid ID;
- Proof of Grades from Previous School Year – e.g. Form 137 or Form 10 (TOR), Form 138 or Report Card, or Certificate of Grades from the school; and
- ID Picture of the Dependent – Size 2×2, white background, with name tag and signature of the applicant.
NOTE: In case the applicant’s latest or previous grades are not available yet, proof of grades within the last two school years may be considered.
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How to Sign Up
Typically, OWWA announces the schedule for joining the CMWSP program through its official website and social media channels. Once the registration period starts, applicants should follow this step-by-step guide:
- Go to Scholarship Online Application. This is a digital platform designed for OWWA members and their dependents.
- On the website, look for the CMWSP program tab. Read the Scholarship Online Applicant User Agreement featured onscreen. Make sure that you understand all the guidelines. Then, click “Accept and Continue.”
- Using the drop-down menu onscreen, select the OWWA Regional Office where you plan to apply for the scholarship program, then click “Proceed.”
- Enter your personal information, upload the necessary documents, and follow further instructions on the screen to complete your application.
By the end of the scheduled registration period, OWWA offices will check and evaluate each application. Eventually, they will notify applicants via email or contact number regarding the result of their application.
Important Reminders
Prior to signing up for the CMWSP program online, applicants must take note of these important reminders:
- Prepare all the required documents and information;
- Check and make sure that the Internet connection is strong and stable;
- Use a valid and working email address;
- Use a valid and working mobile number;
- Check the names and details to be entered in the online form, making sure that they are spelled correctly and completely.
What’s more, applicants are advised not to make multiple applications online, because this may affect the verification and evaluation of their applications.
Selection of Scholars
Compared to other scholarship programs, CMWSP follows a competitive selection process based on the applicants’ academic performance and other qualifications. To begin with, they need to have a GWA of at least 80%, and their annual family income must not exceed USD 2,400.
Secondly, applicants must take the DOST Nationwide Examination. Simply passing the exam is not enough, however. The OWWA Scholarship Committee will choose only the top performers in the national examinations. For instance, during the 2024-2025 cycle, the committee selected only 20 top qualifiers, based on their examination results.!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To know more about CMWSP, check out these commonly asked questions and answers about the program:
What is the CMWSP program?
The Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program or CMWSP is one of OWWA’s educational initiatives for OFWs and their families. Specifically, it offers financial assistance to those who want to take up a four- or five year baccalaureate course in the Science and Technology fields.
What are the benefits?
The CMWSP program provides financial assistance worth up to PHP 60,000 for every school year. This amount may be utilized to pay for tuition fees, school fees, and other education-related expenses.
Who are eligible to join?
OFWs themselves may be eligible to sign up for CMWSP; they must not be older than 45 years old on the day of application. The program is also open to children of OFWs, who should not be more than 21 years old on the day of application.
What are the specific qualifications?
To qualify as a CMWSP scholar, an applicant must be single and an incoming first year college student. He/She should also have: an annual family income that’s less than USD 2,400; a GWA of at least 80%; and no failing grades. Furthermore, the applicant must be willing to enroll in a Science and Technology course in a Philippine-based college or university.
How to sign up?
OFWs or children of OFWs who are interested in joining the CMWSP program are advised to register through the Scholarship Online Application platform of OWWA.
Qualified students who are interested in taking up a Science and Technology course are encouraged to apply for the CMWSP program. Interestingly, another OWWA program that involves taking the DOST Nationwide Examination is the Education for Development Scholarship Program or EDSP. Visit this link to learn more about this program.