A significant expansion of educational support for the children of Overseas Filipino Workers is underway, as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration rolls out its largest scholarship increase to date, opening 10,000 new slots within the program this year.
OWWA Administrator Atty. Patricia Yvonne Caunan confirmed that the agency is currently supporting about 15,000 scholars nationwide. With the latest expansion, thousands more dependents of OFWs are expected to gain access to financial assistance for their studies.
According to Caunan, previous scholarship cycles left many applicants unaccommodated due to limited slots, funding constraints, and stringent screening requirements. These challenges prompted the agency to revisit both capacity and eligibility rules to broaden access.
One of the key adjustments involves income qualifications. Applicants were previously limited to families of OFWs earning no more than US$600 per month. Under the revised criteria, children of workers earning up to US$1,000 monthly may now apply.
OWWA said the decision to expand the scholarship program followed internal assessments of the agency’s financial position, ensuring that the additional commitments remain sustainable.
Beyond scholarships, the agency is also exploring further benefit enhancements for OFWs, although these proposals remain subject to internal approval processes, including review by management and the Board of Trustees.
The broader expansion has been supported by continued growth in OWWA’s trust fund, which increased from ₱20.3 billion in December 2024 to ₱21.3 billion as of December 2025.
During the same period, active OWWA membership rose from around two million to 2.6 million, reflecting an additional 600,000 members enrolled with the agency.
