MANILA, 12 January 2008 — Some 3,367 children and siblings of Filipino migrant workers are set to take the test tomorrow for 100 scholarship slots being offered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The examination will be held simultaneously in 79 testing centers.
The Department of Science and Technology administers the yearly competitive qualifying examinations for the OWWA Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP).
Passers of the test are to enroll for academic school year 2008-2009 that will start in June.
The number of qualified examinees has increased by seven percent compared to last year’s takers, the OWWA said in a press statement.
Those who qualify under the agency’s baccalaureate scholarship program are entitled to 30,000 pesos per semester fund for tuition for the student’s preferred four- or five-year degree course, plus a book stipend and other school expenses.
School fees and allowances are sent through the state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines’ ATMs that will be given to the 100 passers every semester.
Since the scholarship program started a few years ago, 419 children of OFWs have benefited from the program.
One of the OWWA scholars, Loris Marriel Barcelo Villar, a sophomore AB Political Science major at the Ateneo de Manila University, was adjudged winner in the Ten Outstanding Expat Pinoy Children for 2007 of the Bank of the Philippine Islands.
Examinees must be children of OFWs or sisters/brothers of unmarried OFWs and not more than 21 years old. An average grade of at least 80 percent is also required and the student must also belong to the upper 20 percent of the graduating high school class.
A statement of applicant stating that the student has not earned units in any post-secondary or undergraduate course called Form E must also be submitted.
Students must also present proofs that their father, mother or siblings are registered OWWA members.
OFWs who pay the mandated $25 yearly membership fee, which amounts to P1,043 starting this year, are regular OWWA members.