Filipino expats' children and dependents are eligible to apply for government scholarships that offer allowances up to Php60,000 per academic year (Dh3,785). The application window for this year is set from July 26 to August 16, as announced by the authorities. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) has made two scholarship programs available: The Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP).
EDSP is designed for children and dependents of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are in their second to fifth year of college. In contrast, ODSP covers those in their first to fifth year. The EDSP scholarship is accessible to freshmen through graduating students, with first-year scholars selected based on their performance in national science and technology exams. Applicants for higher year levels must be under 30 years old and have a general weighted average (GWA) of at least B or 85% in all subjects from the previous academic year. Successful candidates receive up to Php60,000 (Dh3,785) annually until graduation.
The ODSP scholarship provides financial assistance of Php20,000 (Dh1,260) per academic year to dependents of OFWs earning a monthly salary not exceeding $600 or Php34,000. For incoming freshmen, eligibility criteria include being single, currently enrolled in Grade 12, not older than 21 years, and having a passing grade. For second to fifth-year college students, the criteria are being single, not older than 30 years, and having a passing grade. Interested applicants can find the full list of requirements on the Owwa website and submit their applications at any Owwa Regional Office.
