KORONADAL CITY - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Soccsksargen (OWWA-12) is urging qualified dependents of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to avail of their scholarship programs.

In a statement Friday, Marilou Sumalinog, the OWWA-12 director, said they are now accepting applications for Education For Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP).

"We highly encourage our beloved OFW beneficiaries to avail of these scholarship programs because it will be of great help financially to the encumbrances of your OFW family member especially now that we were confronted by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic," Sumalinog said.

She said siblings or a child of a single OFWs with no failing grades and with a general weighted average (GWA) not lower than 80 percent equivalence in all academic and non-academic subjects during last year's attendance in full load can apply as EDSP scholars.

"EDSP scholars who want to enroll in 4-5 year baccalaureate course in any preferred colleges or universities can avail a yearly assistance of PHP60,000 to cover their tuition and other miscellaneous fees," Sumalinog said.

Meanwhile, the CMWSP is intended for children or siblings of unmarried OWWA members with no failing grades and GWA of not lower than 85 percent and the family income does not exceed 2,400 US dollars or its equivalent.

"Former OFWs who want to continue their education provided they are 45 years old upon application can also apply as CMWSP scholar," Sumalinog said.

Qualified applicants for both scholarship programs are graduating Grade 12 students, single and not more than 21 years old.

The deadline for submission of requirements is on February 18, 2022.

Interested applicants are advised to visit the OWWA-12 office here while those in other areas of the region can ask help from the OFW desk officers in their city or municipal halls. (PNA)