The University of San Carlos (USC) is one of the most respected universities in Cebu City and the Philippines. Founded in 1935 by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) missionaries, this Catholic institution offers a complete educational journey, from kindergarten and a Montessori academy all the way to graduate studies.
Committed to giving Filipino students fair access to quality tertiary education, USC not only consistently produces top performers in board exams across many disciplines but also offers a wide range of scholarship programs to support its students financially.
What is the University of San Carlos?
The University of San Carlos (USC) is a highly respected Catholic university in Cebu City, Philippines, founded in 1935. It offers a comprehensive educational path from kindergarten to graduate studies and is known for producing top performers in board exams.
Campuses and Schools
USC has four campuses across Cebu City—Downtown, Talamban, South, and North—supported by seven schools:
- Fine Arts and Design
- Arts and Sciences
- Engineering
- Business and Economics
- Health Care Professions
- Law and Governance
- Education
Students have access to strong support services, including an international students’ office, dormitories, and campus transport.
Academic Programs and Global Partnerships
The university offers 62 undergraduate and 88 graduate programs in fields like engineering, business, health care, and the arts. USC welcomes international students and collaborates on research with universities across the US, ASEAN, Europe, and East Asia. Its programs are highly accredited by the Federation of Accrediting Associations of the Philippines (FAAP) and the Philippine Technological Council (PTC-ACBET).
Rankings and Scholarships
Recognized as a leading research hub, USC ranks #1 in Cebu City and 7th nationwide. To support students, USC provides various scholarship programs for basic education, college, and graduate studies. The options below detail eligibility requirements and benefits.
USC has four campuses namely, Downtown Campus, Talamban Campus, South Campus, and North Campus located in various areas around Cebu City. Additionally, each campus has seven (7) schools namely: the (1) School of Fine Arts and Design, (2) School of Arts and Sciences, (3) School of Engineering, (4) School of Business and Economics, (5) School of Health Care Profession, (6) School of Law and Governance, and the (7) School of Education. The said university also has student support systems that include an international students’ office, dormitories, online enrolment, cafes, and canteens, as well as a transport system within the Talamban Campus.
Some of its undergraduate program offerings include courses in anthropology, communication, English language studies, history, literary and cultural studies, political science, sociology, fine arts, library and information science, philosophy, physical education, accountancy, accounting information system, applied physics, architecture, biology, business administration, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, economics, electrical engineering, electronics engineering, entrepreneurship, environmental planning, environmental science, executive resource management, hospitality management, industrial engineering, information systems, interior design, internal auditing, landscape architecture, management accounting, marine biology, mathematics, mechanical engineering, nursing, nutrition and dietetics, pharmacy, psychology, and tourism management.
Today, the said institution is one of the most respected schools in the country. USC offers 62 undergraduate programs and 88 graduate and post-graduate programs. In terms of quality education, USC established partnership agreements with several US, ASEAN, European, and East Asian universities for collaboration in research and projects. Aside from that, the US has received various recognitions and accreditations for the programs they offer. Some of these accreditations include Level II or Level III accreditation from the Federation of Accrediting Associations of the Philippines (FAAP) as well as accreditations for its engineering programs from the Philippine Technological Council-Accreditation and Certification Board for Engineering and Technology (PTC-ACBET).
Aside from that, USC has been recognized as a research hub in the southern part of the country. Hence, the said institution is widely known in the country for its strong commitment to excellence. To name a few of its academic achievements, USC ranks #1 in Cebu City and ranked 7th out of the 229 universities in the Philippines. Additionally, the said university consistently ranked among the top 30 universities in the Philippines and has been producing top notchers in board examinations in various disciplines.
Moreover, various scholarship programs are available at the University of San Carlos that is offered to interested students who wish to apply for a scholarship program to support education most especially to the underprivileged students of the said university who don’t have enough financial allowance to sustain all of their educational expenses at school. The following scholarship programs below will be categorized according to the level of education that the students applying for. There are scholarships available for the Basic Education (BED) including the Senior High School education. Then, there will be also available scholarships for tertiary education or incoming college students and the last is for graduate education programs or for those students that will have a Master’s or Doctorate.
I. Scholarships for Basic Education
The following are the scholarship programs being offered to the students for basic education (Elementary- Senior High School).
A. USC Merit Scholarships
San Carlos Borromeo Scholarship Program
The said scholarship program is intended to offer to the varsity or student-athlete in some selected sports that are elementary or high school students under the basic education program at the University of San Carlos.
1. University of San Carlos Vice President for Administration Scholarship
Another educational privilege is given to the dependent or children of the administrative employee of the University of San Carlos that are in elementary or high school grade provided that they don’t have any record of the disciplinary offense and they must have a good moral character with good academic standing. Interested student applicants are required to apply for the scholarship grant to the Scholarship Office of the said University.
2. University of San Carlos Vice President for Academic Affairs Scholarship
This scholarship grant is entitled to offer to the children or dependents of the University’s faculty members studying as elementary or high school students under the basic education program of the said university. The said faculty member must be a regular faculty of USC and actively participate in the University’s learning activities and school program.
3. Carolinian Honors Scholarship
The said educational assistance is given to the academic achiever of Grade 2 up to Grade 10 of the basic education program which holds the first and second-ranked as a honor student align with the component of Virtus and Devotio with a Scientia added. The Virtus also known as the good moral character of the student with an involvement in leadership and other co-curricular activities that the said university holds while devotion means the community extension services which holds a vital part in the student’s civic consciousness and most importantly, the scientia or the good academic performance, talent and skills that the student holds.
B. Alumni Association Merit Scholarship
1. Chemical Engineering Class of 1964
2. Anita Y. Sanchez
3. Walter and Maria Quijano
4. Carmelita L. Piramide
C. Student-Sponsored Merit Scholarships
1. USC- Supreme Student Council (SSC) Scholarship
The said scholarship program is funded by a student council of USC for incoming Grade 11 student of the Senior High School program under the Basic Education Curriculum who wants to take the STEM strand.
D. Government-Sponsored Student Financial Assistance
1. Education Voucher System (EVS) Student Financial Assistance
The Department of Education also covers the Education Voucher System (EVS) for incoming Grade 11 and Grade 12 students that are taking up ABM, HUMSS, STEM, and Arts and Design Senior High School track that is under the K-12 Curriculum of the Basic Education Program.
Department of Education-Education Service Contracting (ESC) Student Financial Assistance that intends to offer to the Grade 7 – Grade 10 students of the said university studying under the BED Program that is in the North Campus.
Department of Education-Education Service Contracting (ESC) Student Financial Assistance that intends to offer to the Grade 7 – Grade 10 students of the said university studying under the BED Program that is in the South Campus
Scholarships for Tertiary/ College Programs
A. USC Merit Scholarships
1. Carolinian Honors Scholarship
This USC-sponsored Merit Scholarship is similar to the Carolinian Honors Scholarship under the BED however it is usually given to the first, second, and third honor students who ranked as the top achiever students effectively in the given academic school year. The said scholarship is also given by its component under the Virtus, Devotio, and Scientia.
2. National Service Training Program (NSTP) Scholarship
The National Service Training Program (NSTP) Scholarship is an educational scholarship intended to offer to the student assistant of USC who are currently enrolled in any college course or tertiary education program.
San Carlos Borromeo tends to offer a scholarship grant to the enrolled college students of the USC Theater Guild. Students who are a member of the said organization and actively taking part can avail of a scholarship under the San Carlos Borromeo for USC Theater Guild provided that they will abide by the rules set to them.
3. San Carlos Borromeo USC Dance Troupe
Another scholarship is being offered to the student dancer that is currently enrolled in any college course and an active member of a recognized organization of the said university, the USC Dance Troupe. Active members who are currently enrolled in any college program of the university and have good academic performance at school are encouraged to apply along with the approval of their organizational coordinator.
4. San Carlos Borromeo Athlete Scholarship
The said scholarship is an educational privilege given to the student-athlete/varsity of the said university. The qualified applicants of the said scholarship grant must be a varsity or an athlete of some selected sports that will be chosen by the said scholarship program committee and the university. The eligible applicants must have a good academic standing and have a good moral character.
The next scholarship program is the USC Vice President for Administration Scholarship which is honored to offer to the working students of the said university that render services through working in any administrative work depending on the level of the student’s ideas and knowledge. This will also allow students to work effectively and be nurtured in how to work with some office tasks along with studying at USC. Usually, continuing working students is an advantage provided that it will not conflict with your study lecture.
5. USC President Scholarship (Natural Sciences)
Another scholarship is usually given to those college students that are currently enrolled in Natural Sciences courses like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics wherein they will be given a chance to be a scholarship provided that will abide by all the requirements needed to pass the student’s scholarship application.
B. SVD Priests-sponsored Merit Scholarships
- Margario R. Alingasa Scholarship for Natural Sciences and Engineering
- Henry Schumacher Scholarship for Education
- Alumni-sponsored Scholarship for USC students
- School of Architecture, fine arts, and design (SAFAD) Alumni Association Educational Loan Assistance Program
Video: Exploring University of San Carlos
This video entails showing the different features of the USC including their school building and other school infrastructure that has been a great part in the learning development of the students of the said university.
Likewise, it brings a lot of information to know the said institution very well. This will also provide a further understanding of how this institution shapes students into well-nurtured and responsible individuals along with a comfortable learning environment that allows them to grow and make the students enjoy their learning experiences.
Summary
Most of the grants and financial aid above may require you to at least meet the minimum grade requirements and abide by its rules, terms, and conditions.
Thus, before applying for your desired program, read thoroughly and carefully the “Terms and Conditions” section if available. We hope that you have found this article helpful in determining what scholarships are available in USC that you may avail of and apply for to help you lessen the burden of your finances.