The OFW Dependent Scholarship Program or ODSP is one of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s scholarship programs. It offers financial assistance to children or siblings of OFWs, enabling them to complete a four- or five-year college course.
Interested applicants can learn more about ODSP, its benefits, eligibility criteria, requirements, and guidelines — through the OWWA official website. It should not be confused with EDSP, which is another scholarship program that also caters to OFWs and their families.
Program Benefits
Beneficiaries of the ODSP program can look forward to receiving financial assistance worth PHP 20,000 per school year. They can use this to pay for tuition, school fees, and other education-related expenses, until they complete their four- or five-year baccalaureate course, or associate course, in a college or university based in the Philippines.
Program beneficiaries are classified into two groups: Category 1, which covers incoming first year college students; and Category 2, which includes second year to fifth year college students.
Eligibility
To be eligible for joining the ODSP program, an applicant must be:
- A child of an active OWWA member;
- A sibling of a single or married but childless OWWA member.
NOTE: This requirement applies to both Category 1 and Category 2 scholarship applicants.
Qualifications
Program applicants should also meet the following qualifications:
Category 1: Incoming First Year College Students
- Single;
- Not more than 21 years old;
- Have a passing general weighted average (GWA) from previous school year;
- Have a monthly OFW income not more than USD 1,000 or its equivalent; and
- No availment of any OWWA scholarship program by other members of the family.
Category 2: Second Year to Fifth Year College Students
- Single;
- Not more than 30 years old;
- Have a passing GWA from previous school year; and
- Enrolled in a Philippine-based college or university.
Requirements
As for documentary requirements, applicants in either category need to prepare 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 latest or previous grades are not yet available, proof of grades within the last two school years may be submitted as reference.
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How to Sign Up
The schedule for joining the ODSP program is usually announced by OWWA through its official website and social media channels. When the registration period starts, here is a step-by-step guide to signing up:
- Go to Scholarship Online Application. This is an online platform designed for OWWA members and their families.
- On the website, locate the ODSP program tab and select your category: Category 1 for incoming first year college students; or Category 2 for second year to fifth year college students.
- Read the Scholarship Online Applicant User Agreement displayed on screen, then click “Accept and Continue.”
- Follow further instructions online, such as entering your personal information and uploading the necessary documents.
Important Reminders
Before signing up for the ODSP program online, here are some important reminders for applicants:
- Use a valid and working email address;
- Use a valid and working mobile number;
- Gather all the necessary documents and information;
- Make sure that the Internet connection is strong and stable; and
- When signing up, double check the names and details to be entered, ensuring that these are spelled correctly and completely.
In addition, applicants are advised not to make multiple applications, since this could affect the verification and evaluation of their application.
Selection of Scholars
Unlike other OWWA scholarship programs, there is no qualifying examination required for the ODSP program. Instead, there is a specific number of slots allocated per province. For every province, scholars are selected on a first-come, first-served basis, provided that they meet the eligibility, qualifications, and documentation requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here is a brief overview of the ODSP program, in Q&A form:
What is the ODSP program?
The OFW Dependent Scholarship Program or ODSP is a scholarship program offered by OWWA to dependents of OFWs, enabling them to finish a four- or five-year baccalaureate degree, or an associate course. Beneficiaries include incoming college freshmen (Category 1) as well as second year to fifth year college students (Category 2).
What are the benefits?
The ODSP program provides financial assistance worth PHP 20,000 per school year. This amount can be used to pay for tuition fees, school fees, and other educational expenses.
Who are eligible to join?
Applicants must be a child of an active OWWA member, or the sibling of a single or married but childless OWWA member.
What are the specific qualifications?
To qualify as ODSP Category 1 scholar, an incoming college freshman must be: single; not more than 21 years old; have a passing GWA from the previous school year; have a monthly income not more than USD 1,000 or its equivalent; and have no availment of any OWWA scholarship program by other members of the family.
Meanwhile, to qualify as ODSP Category 2 scholar, a second year to fifth year college student must be: single; not more than 30 years old; have a passing GWA from the previous school year; and already enrolled in a Philippine-based college or university.
Are ODSP and EDSP the same?
Although ODSP and EDSP are both scholarship programs offered to OFW families, they are not the same. The EDSP offers higher financial assistance worth PHP 60,000 per school year; incoming college freshmen must also pass a national examination. In contrast, the ODSP provides PHP 20,000 financial assistance per school year; and the monthly OFW income should not be more than USD 1,000 or its equivalent.
How to sign up?
Those who are interested in joining the ODSP program are urged to register through the Scholarship Online Application platform of OWWA.
Contact Information: OWWA Main Office
To learn more about the ODSP program, interested applicants can contact the OWWA Main Office in Pasay City, Metro Manila. The office is open Mondays to Fridays, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Address: F.B. Harrison St., Pasay City, Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 8891 7601
Email: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph
Website: https://owwa.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OWWAofficial/
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The ODSP enables children and siblings of OFWs to pursue and finish their college studies, without having to worry about financial costs. Indeed, this program greatly benefits the families of hardworking Filipinos worldwide.