The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) provides different types of programs for OFWs and their families. These include scholarship programs, such as the Education for Development Scholarship Program or EDSP.
The EDSP offers financial assistance to qualified dependents of active OWWA members, enabling them to complete a college degree. Interested applicants can learn more about the program’s benefits, qualification, requirements, and guidelines through the OWWA official website.
Program Benefits
Beneficiaries of the EDSP can expect to receive financial assistance up to PHP 60,000 per school year until they complete their four- or five-year baccalaureate course. Usually given at PHP 30,000 per semester, this can be used to pay for tuition, school fees, and other educational expenses.
Notably, program beneficiaries are classified under two categories: Category 1, which focuses on incoming college freshmen; and Category 2, which caters to second year to fifth year college students.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the EDSP program, an applicant must be:
- A child of an active OWWA member; or
- A sibling of a single or married but childless active OWWA member.
Furthermore, there must be no availment of any OWWA scholarship program by other members of the family. These requirements apply to both Category 1 and Category 2 scholarship applicants.
Qualifications
The specific qualifications for applicants who want to register for the EDSP program are as follows:
Category 1: Incoming First Year College Students
- Single;
- Not more than 21 years old;
- Grade 12 graduating student; and
- Have a GWA of 80% or its equivalent.
Category 2: Second Year to Fifth Year College Students
- Single;
- Not more than 30 years old;
- Have a GWA of 85% or its equivalent;
- Have no failing grades; and
- Enrolled in a Philippine-based college or university.
Requirements
For both categories, the basic requirements to be submitted by applicants are the following:
- 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 current or previous semester grades of the applicant are not yet available, proof of grades within the last two school years may be considered as reference.
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How to Sign Up
Interested applicants are urged to sign up for EDSP through Scholarship Online Application, an online platform designed for OWWA members and their families. The schedule for registration is announced through the OWWA official website and social media channels.
At the online platform, applicants shall locate the EDSP program tab and select the category they wish to register for: Category 1 for incoming first year college students; or Category 2 for those who are already enrolled in second year to fifth year in college.
Upon choosing a category, applicants will be shown the “Scholarship Online Application User Agreement” onscreen. They must read this carefully, click “Accept and Continue,” then continue to follow further instructions online.
Important Reminders
Prior to signing up for the EDSP program online, applicants are advised to:
- Use a valid and working email address;
- Have a valid and working mobile number;
- Prepare all the required documents and information;
- Make sure that all the names and information to be entered are spelled correctly and completely; and
- Ensure that their Internet connection is strong and stable.
Moreover, students are cautioned against making multiple applications, as this could affect the process of verifying and evaluating their registration.
Selection of Scholars
For Category 1 or incoming college students, the selection of scholars is based on the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST – SEI) national examination results. Only the top 1,000 qualifiers will be considered for the scholarship.
Meanwhile, 600 slots are provided for Category 2 — those who are second year to fifth year students in Philippine-based colleges or universities.
All EDSP scholars will be selected and recommended by the OWWA Scholarship Committee, for final approval by the OWWA Administrator. Eventually, the list of selected scholars shall be announced through the agency’s official website and social media channels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meanwhile, here’s a list of commonly asked questions and answers about the EDSP program:
What is the EDSP program?
The Educational for Development Scholarship Program or EDSP is a scholarship program offered to qualified dependents of OFWs who are active OWWA members. This program enables them to finish a four- or five-year baccalaureate degree. Beneficiaries include incoming college freshmen as well as second year to fifth year college students.
What are the benefits?
The EDSP program provides financial assistance amounting to PHP 60,000 per school year. This may be used to pay for the scholar’s tuition fee, school fees, and other education-related expenses.
Who are eligible to join?
First and foremost, the applicant must be a qualified dependent of an active OWWA member. He/She may be the child of an OWWA member; or the sibling of a single or married but childless active OWWA member.
What are the specific qualifications?
To qualify for the program, an incoming college students must be single, not more than 21 years old, a Grade 12 graduating student, and have a GWA of 80% or its equivalent. Likewise, a second year to fifth year college student must be single, not more than 30 years old, have a GWA of 85% or its equivalent, have no failing grades, and enrolled in a Philippine-based college or university.
How to sign up?
Those who are interested in the EDSP program are encouraged to sign up through the Scholarship Online Application platform of OWWA.
The Education for Development Scholarship Program or EDSP is just one of OWWA’s scholarship programs for OFWs and their families. Thanks to this program, many children and siblings of OFWs are able to complete their college degrees and begin pursuing their dream vocations.