OWWA ODSP – OFW Dependent Scholarship Program

The OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) is a scholarship program offered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) government agency.OWWA ODSP – OFW Dependent Scholarship Program It aims to provide financial assistance to dependents of active Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to support their education in a state university in the Philippines. Here are the steps to apply for the ODSP program and some important information about it:

1. Eligibility: To qualify for the ODSP, you need to meet the following criteria: a. Be a legal dependent of an active OWWA member who is an OFW. b. The OFW parent or guardian must have a monthly income of less than USD 600. c. The applicant should be a high school graduate and not more than 21 years old at the time of application.
2. Application Process: a. Obtain an application form from the OWWA Regional Welfare Office nearest to your residence or download it from the OWWA website. b. Fill out the application form completely and accurately. c. Prepare the necessary documents, which usually include the following:
   • Birth certificate of the applicant
   • Proof of OWWA membership of the OFW parent or guardian
   • Proof of relationship to the OFW parent or guardian
   • Proof of income of the OFW parent or guardian
   • High school diploma or transcript of records d. Submit the application form and supporting documents to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office.
3. Evaluation and Selection: a. The OWWA Regional Welfare Office will evaluate the applications and verify the authenticity of the documents submitted. b. The selection process may include interviews or examinations, depending on the regional office’s discretion. c. Applicants who pass the evaluation and selection process will be notified and awarded the scholarship.
4. Scholarship Benefits: a. Approved beneficiaries of the ODSP will receive a financial allowance of PHP 20,000 per year for four years (or five years, depending on the course duration) in cash. b. The scholarship funds are intended to cover the educational expenses of the beneficiaries, such as tuition fees, books, and other school-related costs.
5. Renewal and Obligations: a. The ODSP scholarship is renewable annually, subject to the submission of the required documents and compliance with program guidelines. b. Beneficiaries must maintain good academic standing and pass all their subjects to continue receiving the scholarship. c. Upon graduation, the beneficiaries are expected to return to the Philippines and work for at least two years.

Overview

The OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) is a valuable scholarship grant that aims to support the educational pursuits of dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). This article serves as a comprehensive guide to assist interested individuals in successfully applying for the ODSP. Whether you are currently enrolled or wish to enroll in a 4-year or 5-year degree program at a state university or college (SUC) of your choice, this guide will provide you with essential information and tips to navigate the application process smoothly.

1. Eligibility Criteria:

• The scholarship is open to dependents of OFWs who are either married/single parents or single individuals.
• Dependents can include a single child if the OFW is married or a single child, sibling, or nephew/niece if the OFW is single.
• Applicants must be enrolled or intend to enroll in a 4-year or 5-year degree program at any SUC.

2. Required Documents: To ensure a successful application, gather the following documents:

• Birth certificate of the dependent applicant
• Proof of relationship to the OFW (marriage certificate or birth certificate, as applicable)
• Proof of OFW status (Overseas Employment Certificate, employment contract, or any relevant document)
• Certification of enrollment or admission in a 4-year or 5-year degree program from an SUC
• Income tax return of the OFW or any proof of income

3. Application Process:

• Contact the designated office responsible for handling the ODSP applications in your chosen SUC.
• Obtain and complete the application form. Ensure all required fields are accurately filled.
• Attach the necessary documents mentioned above.
• Submit the application form and supporting documents within the specified deadline. Keep copies of all submitted materials for reference.

4. Selection and Awarding:

• The SUC will review all received applications and verify the provided information.
• Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and submit complete and accurate documents will be considered for the scholarship.
• The selection process may include interviews, examinations, or additional requirements, depending on the SUC’s guidelines.
• Successful applicants will be notified of their selection and will receive financial assistance worth up to PhP 20,000 per academic year.

5. Scholarship Renewal and Requirements:

• Scholars must maintain good academic standing and meet the SUC’s prescribed grade requirements.
• Submit all necessary documents for scholarship renewal promptly.
• Fulfill any additional requirements specified by the SUC, such as participation in community service programs or academic activities.

Benefits

Approved individuals who have fulfilled the required criteria are eligible to receive financial support amounting to PhP 10,000 per semester or a maximum of PhP 20,000 per academic year. This assistance proves invaluable to numerous overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are working hard to save money for their children living abroad. It also benefits the dependents themselves, who aim to lessen the financial burden on their OFW relatives.

Qualifications

To qualify for the ODSP grant, the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) must meet the following criteria:

1. They must be an active member of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
2. Their monthly salary should not exceed USD 600 at the time of application.

In addition to the qualifications for the OFW, the dependent of the OFW must meet the following requirements:

1. If the dependent is an incoming freshman, they should be no more than 21 years old. If the dependent is already enrolled prior to the application, they should be no more than 30 years old.
2. The dependent must be a high school graduate or part of the high school graduating class at the time of application.
3. The dependent should be physically, mentally, and morally fit.
4. They must pass an entrance exam administered by the State University or College (SUC) they intend to enroll in.
5. The dependent should not have taken any post-secondary or undergraduate units prior to the application.
6. They should not be a recipient of any government-funded scholarship grant.

Requirements

The list of documents mentioned is for qualified dependents who wish to apply for a specific purpose, which is not explicitly stated in your message. These requirements are typically associated with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), an agency in the Philippines that provides social and welfare services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents.

To summarize, here are the documents required for qualified dependents applying for a certain purpose:

1. Duly accomplished application form.
2. Two recent and identical 2×2 ID photos.
3. Proof of relationship to the OFW, which varies depending on the dependent’s relationship to the OFW:
   • Birth certificate of the applicant if a child of an OFW.
   • Birth certificate of the applicant and OFW if a sibling of an OFW.
   • OFW’s certificate of non-marriage from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) if unmarried.
4. Educational documents:
   • Form 137 (High School Report Card) for incoming freshmen.
   • Transcript of Records for applicants who are already enrolled in college.
5. Health certificate attesting to the applicant’s physical fitness.
6. Certificate of good moral character issued by the school principal or guidance counselor.
7. Certificate of non-enlistment to any post-secondary or undergraduate units prior to application.
8. Duly signed certificate attesting to the applicant’s inclusion in the upper 20% of the high school graduating class, with a General Weighted Average (GWA) of above 80% in the most recent Report Card.
9. Sworn statements:
   • Stating the applicant’s non-receipt and non-application of any government-funded scholarship grant.
   • Stating the applicant’s non-application for resident immigrant status in any country and that they are not a dual citizen.
10. Proof of the OFW’s OWWA membership (e.g., Official receipt of OWWA contribution).

It is important to ensure that all documents are completed and submitted together, as OWWA only processes and forwards applications with complete requirements. Additionally, please note that these requirements may be subject to change, so it’s advisable to verify them with the appropriate authorities or refer to the latest guidelines provided by OWWA.

How to Process ODSP Scholarship Program

Upon completion of the documentary requirements, applicants will have to follow the steps below:

1. Download the application form from the Google Drive folder link below. You should be able to save one application form for your personal information and an evaluation form for certifications: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FV8TwvuDRehsg4KCHmRIUek1yprfFIjH?fbclid=IwAR3VX1kAepqX9Ud3tW3606g30RwTeTND-r6cu8_KUE9Xpc00t-kkOt2658Q
2. Complete the forms and attach all documentary requirements.
3. Submit your application via email or to the OWWA Regional Office via courier service.
4. Wait to be called by an authorized OWWA representative for approval of your application.

General Reminders

The process for applying and qualifying for the grant can be summarized as follows:

1. Filing of Applications: The filing of applications begins every June and concludes in the first week of August, or as advised by Responsible Outgoing College Students (ROCS) based on the scheduled qualifying exam by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
2. Screening and Assessment: All applications, including those for other scholarship grants, undergo screening and assessment. Meeting the application requirements does not guarantee a slot in the scholarship program.
3. DOST National Competitive Exam: Approved applicants proceed to take the DOST National Competitive Exam. Only the top 200 passers in this exam will qualify for the grant.
4. Academic Requirements: To maintain the scholarship, awardees must not have failing marks in any of their required subjects.
5. Grant Disbursement: Awardees may receive the grant through vouchers, which can be claimed during the indicated period. It is important to note that the scholarship is non-transferable.

ODSP Application Form

The application form for ODSP program can easily be downloaded through this link – https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FV8TwvuDRehsg4KCHmRIUek1yprfFIjH?fbclid=IwAR3VX1kAepqX9Ud3tW3606g30RwTeTND-r6cu8_KUE9Xpc00t-kkOt2658Q

ODSP Scholar Shares Experience Getting the Scholarship

OFW  dependent student after finding out they were qualified. We hope this gives you a better idea about the application process for this scholarship:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions and answers about the ODSP scholarship:

1. Does the ODSP cover only incoming freshmen?

The ODSP welcomes applications from incoming freshmen as well as college students who are currently in their 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th year of studies, provided they fall within the specified age limits. Freshmen must be no older than 21 years, while other college students should be no older than 30 years.

2. Can I apply for two children if both I and my spouse are OFWs?

As a married OFW member, you can only apply for a scholarship for one (1) child, even if your spouse is also an OFW member. However, if you wish to apply for a scholarship for your other child, you can explore other OWWA scholarship programs such as the Education for Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) or the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP).

3. Can I apply directly to the OWWA Office?