The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) grants scholarship to qualified beneficiaries or dependents of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through their Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP). Those who want to avail of this opportunity this year have until September 15 to submit their applications.   Each school year, the scholars are entitled to receive financial help from OWWA worth Php60,000. The OWWA sends this amount directly to the educational institution where the scholar is enrolled as payment for tuition fees. In cases when the Php60,000 financial assistance is more than the fees required, the remaining amount is release to the scholar at the end of the semester upon submission of the  final grades for that school period. On the other hand, when the Php60,000 is not  enough to pay for the full tuition,  the scholar will be the one to shoulder the remaining cost.   The financial assistance will continue until the scholar finishes the course he or she is taking and even if the parent or guardian ceases to be an OFW. They are also free to choose the course they want to pursue in any college or university that is recognized by the Commission on Higher Education. According to the chief of OWWA, Carmelita Dimzon, 150 scholarships will be given to deserving students this coming school year.

She said, "The 150 scholars will be chosen from the roster of those who pass the nationwide DOST-SEI competitive examination scheduled this November."   All graduating high school students that intends to enroll in any four or five-year baccalaureate course are welcome to submit their applications.

Other requirements to be an OWWA scholar are provided below:
1. A child of a married OWWA member or sibling of an unmarried OWWA member
2. Not older than 21 years old
3. A Filipino citizen
4. In good health and with good moral character
5. A student with an average grade of at least 80 percent and belongs to the upper 20 percent of the graduating class

The ESDP documentary requirements include:

1. Accomplished application forms (2 sets)
2. 1" x 1" ID pictures (2 copies)
3. Proof of relationship to OWWA member (copy of birth certificate of applicant and of the member if related as brother or sister that is duly certified by the Local Civil Registrar or NSO)
4. Form 137 or transcript of records with principal’s certification on scholastic standing
5. Proof of OWWA membership (i.e. official receipt of OWWA contribution or certification from OWWA membership processing center)
6. Health certificate attesting to physical fitness of applicant (Form B)
7. Certificate of good moral character issued by the school principal or guidance counselor (Form C)
8. Certification that applicant belongs to upper 20 percent of graduating class issued by school principal (2 sets)
9. Statement of applicant that he or she has not earned units in any post-secondary or undergraduate course (Form E)
10. Sworn statement that he or she has no pending application for resident immigrant status in any country and does not have dual citizenship signed by parent or legal guardians (Form F)

To apply for an EDSP scholarship grant, one can visit the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office. For inquiries, please contact OWWA’s 24/7 Operations Center at Globe hotline 2917 (Press 3 for OWWA); telephone numbers (632) 8917601 to 24, (632) 8336992 (833OWWA), (632) 5516641; fax numbers (632) 8917601, (632) 5516651; cellular phone numbers (63917) 8986992 (63917 TXT OWWA); or send an e-mail at: opcenter@owwa.gov.ph.  

Deadline to submit applications: September 15, 2009