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FSL Bursary Program

For the period of 2024-2025, the Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs at Simon Fraser University (SFU) will once again be a sub-beneficiary of the “Bursaries for Postsecondary Studies in French as a Second Language Program” administered by the Association des collèges et université de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC). The ACUFC has been entrusted by the contributor, the Department of Canadian Heritage, with the implementation of this “FSL Bursary Program” designed to encourage students whose first official language spoken is English to pursue their post-secondary studies in French, to provide them with related support, to use and improve their language skills and to increase their knowledge of Francophone culture.

FSL Bursary Program Overview

This bursary program is intended for Canadians or permanent residents whose first official language spoken is English and who are studying full-time in a program taught in French.
Students whose first language is French or who have completed secondary school studies at a Francophone school are not eligible.
Students may only receive this bursary once over the course of the entirety of their post-secondary studies.

Bursary amount

80 bursaries, valued at $3,000 each
The bursary is a one-time amount per student
This bursary may be combined with other sources of financial aid
The bursary is a taxable benefit (T4A forms are available for download in goSFU)

New and Updated Eligibility Criteria for 2024-2025

Students can now apply anytime during the course of their studies (at the undergraduate or graduate level). Applications are no longer limited to the first year of study of an undergraduate program.

General Criteria

Must be a Canadian citizen or have permanent residency of Canada
Have English as the first official language spoken
Have completed their secondary (high) school studies in an English* or non-official language (neither French nor English) institution and graduated from said institution
Be studying in a program delivered in French at SFU

*French immersion schools are considered English-language institutions

Undergraduate Programs or certificates

Be enrolled (intended or declared) in an undergraduate program or certificate taught in French (Dept. of French or FCP)
Study full-time for the academic year, both Fall and Spring terms (minimum of 9 units per term)
Take a minimum of 50% of their courses and related activities in French over the two terms in question
Cannot apply for terms of study during an exchange program

Graduate Programs

Be enrolled in a graduate program taught in French (master’s or doctorate)
Study full-time for the academic year, both Fall and Spring terms
Take a minimum of 50% of their courses in French

Teacher Education Program

Be enrolled in the PDP or PLP – French module for the academic year, both Fall and Spring terms
Take a minimum of 50% of their courses (2/4 courses) in French for the Summer term (EDUC 404);
priority will be given to students who are enrolled in the Minor in French education

Not yet enrolled in a program in French? Pourquoi pas?

it’s rewarding to be bilingual!

Check out the list of programs available in French.

Related Activities in French

We highly recommend that you also get involved in SFU’s student life in French. Take advantage of the many opportunities to experience French outside the classroom. By adding additional related activities in French to your academic pathway, like volunteer activities with clubs, committees or organizations at SFU or within the Francophone community, you could improve your language skills and increase your knowledge of Francophone cultures. Consult the Get Involved section.

Application

For actively enrolled SFU students (not intended for admission applicants)
Complete the online bursary application form through SurveyMonkey using your SFU credentials during the application period
No supporting documents or letters are required for this application
Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year will be open:
from September 16 (at 9:00 am) until October 31, 2024 (at 11:59 pm)

The application period for 2024-2025 is now closed.

Process of Distribution AND TIMELINE

Exceptionally for 2024-2025, priority will be given to students who are commencing their final year of study in a program in French at SFU
Then, special consideration will be given to students:
- facing financial difficulties where tuition fees are an obstacle to accessing postsecondary education – by confirmation of an application for a student loan
- being the first generation in their family to pursue studies at college or university level – by personal declaration
- belonging to an underrepresented group or a disadvantaged minority – by personal declaration
  (for example, aboriginal students, students with disabilities, members of a visible or disadvantaged minority, members of the LGBTQ2+ community, who have lived in foster care or youth centre)
Finally, the remaining bursaries will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis according to the established award criteria, until all funds are allocated
Students’ applications will be initially evaluated in November based on the eligibility criteria, including program and course enrollment
Students will be notified, by the end of November, if their application has been conditionally accepted or not
A second verification of program and course enrollment will be completed in late March
Students will be notified, in early April, if they have been awarded the bursary or not

Note: Study terms must be completed. If for any reason, students withdraw from the program during the terms in question, the application will be rejected. SFU reserves the right to require reimbursement of amounts paid.

Payment

Applicants will be notified via email if they have been awarded the bursary or not depending on the funds available
Payments will be made directly to SFU student accounts
Anticipated payment: early April 2025

ATTENTION: The above mentioned dates are subject to change.
Please consult this webpage regularly for updated information.

Questions ?

If you still have questions about the FSL Bursary Program and its eligibility criteria, please contact us at fcpmgr@sfu.ca.

The FSL Bursary Program has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. This program is administered by the ACUFC.