Objectives
- Alleviate financial burdens of less fortunate OCWs.
- Provide opportunities for college education to deserving dependents.
- Offer placement assistance after graduation.
Coverage and Priority
- Beneficiaries prioritized in the following order:
- Dependents of deceased OCWs.
- Dependents of OCWs permanently disabled due to work-related injuries.
- "Dependents" limited to legal children, single, and not older than 21 years.
- Number of recipients and courses determined by Scholarship Committee per approved budget.
Qualifications for Applicants
- Must be a Filipino citizen.
- Single and of good moral character.
- Physically and mentally fit.
- Must be deserving, demonstrated by academic performance:
- Top ten of graduating class.
- Minimum NCEE percentile ranks: Engineering (80%), Nursing and Education (70%), Other 4-year courses (65%).
- High school graduates to have at least 85% final year average.
- College level must have an 85% weighted average with no incomplete grades.
- Must pass competitive entrance exams of designated schools.
- Family income must be within poverty threshold as per NEDA standards.
- Willingness to enroll in prescribed courses and maintain full-time student status.
Required Documentary Submissions
- Completed application form.
- Two (2) copies of 2x2 ID photos.
- Authenticated birth certificate.
- Police clearance.
- High school transcript and principal's certification of class rank.
- National College Entrance Examination results.
- Medical/health certificate from government physician.
- OCW's death or permanent disability certificate.
- Passport or seamen's service record book.
- Proof of OCW welfare fund contribution or related certifications.
- Latest original income tax return of parents.
- Certification confirming no prior SESP Phase I scholarship received by applicant or family.
Selection Procedure
- Regional OWWA units screen applicants and endorse up to three nominees per available slot.
- Applicants from NCR screened by Programs and Projects and Seafarers Programs and Projects Divisions.
- Complete applications forwarded to Manila for review.
- Final selection by a Selection Committee composed of directors from key OWWA departments.
- Selection Committee decisions are final.
Scholarship Benefits
- Tuition and standard school fees fully covered.
- Monthly allowance of ₱500 for ten months annually for duration of course (4 or 5 years).
- Semester clothing allowance of ₱750.
- Semester allowance of ₱750 for books and school supplies.
Procedures for Availing Scholarship
- Awardee and parents attend orientation before enrollment.
- Signing of agreement with OWWA, represented by regional supervisor for regional awardees.
- OWWA issues educational plan and referral slip.
- Awardee reports to designated company for enrollment instructions.
- Enrollment in the designated college/university.
Continuance and Termination of Scholarship
- Scholarship valid until graduation, subject to meeting continuance requirements in the agreement.
- Awardees may transfer to another approved school of the same category after first year second semester with prior OWWA approval.
- Awardee must pay additional tuition fees arising from transfer.
Monitoring and Reporting
- Monitoring by Programs and Projects Division, Seafarers Programs Division, regional OWWA units, and schools.
- Reports on academic performance and status submitted to Scholarship Committee at semester end.
Enforceability
- Agreement between OWWA and awardee is integral to the Memorandum of Instructions.
Effectivity
- The guidelines and policies take effect immediately upon adoption on September 18, 1992.