SFU Graduate Student Handbook

Types of Awards and Funding

Merit-Based Awards and Scholarships

Throughout your graduate program, you may have the opportunity to apply for, or be nominated for various internally and externally-funded awards and scholarships. We recommend reading email announcements from your department/school to stay informed about various opportunities. Students in professional programs are generally not eligible for university merit-based awards and scholarships.

Award Payments

Payment of most merit based awards and scholarships are through the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies office. Award payments will be applied to your student account first, paying off any outstanding tuition balance. The remaining funds will be transferred to your personal bank account, provided if you have completed the direct deposit information on your SFU student account. Learn moare about award payments.

Research Assistantships

A component of your offer of funding may be a Research Assistantship (RA) funded by contract research, or other grant funds, which may require some work related to your research. Note the following:

• The value of the RA may not be the same in each academic term.
  
• Continuation of this component of your offer of funding may depend upon satisfactory performance of the duties assigned by your research supervisor and on the availability of funds.
  
• If you have received an external award/scholarship, the value of your award may impact the value of your RA.
  
• Students are required to maintain full-time status in the term in which the RA is paid.
  
• If you change your degree program, you may lose your RA position unless your new supervisor can provide funding for an RA position for you. For example, if you change from an MASc program in engineering to an MEng program, you will lose your RA unless your new supervisor can provide RA funding for you.
  
• In addition, if you change supervisors while in your graduate program, you may also lose your RA position unless your new supervisor can provide funding for a RA position for you.
  
• Please contact your program to verify how your RA is paid.

Teaching Assistantships

Registered graduate students are eligible to apply for Teaching Assistant (TA) and Tutor Marker (TM) positions across the university. If your offer of funding consisted of TA/TM positions, you are required to apply for these positions. Generally:

• Available positions are posted 8 weeks prior to the start of the term, for a period of 2 weeks on the SFU Human Resources website.
  
• TAs, TMs, and sessional instructors at Simon Fraser University are covered by the terms and conditions of a Collective Agreement between Simon Fraser University and the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU), found on the TSSU website.
  

Donor Funded Awards

A number of individuals and organizations have contributed substantial funds to the University through bequests, endowments and donations, in order to help support students in various fields of study:

• A complete list of merit based donor funded awards is available on our website.
  
• To be eligible to apply for, be nominated for and receive the award, you must be registered full-time in the program offering the award.
  
• The award is applied directly to your student account. It may be paid in one lump sum or paid in equal installments, depending on award value and terms.
  
• Names of recipients, their program, and research topic are normally given to University Advancement, and donor(s) of the award(s).
  

Bursaries

Bursaries are awarded on the basis of a demonstrated financial need and are administered by SFU Student Services (Financial Aid & Awards Office).

• Eligible students must have a demonstrated financial need and must apply using the Simon Fraser University online bursary/work-study application form via goSFU.
  
• It is the student’s responsibility to meet applicable deadlines and supply all required documentation.
  
• Funds will be applied to the student account, reducing any funds owed to the university, with any remaining funds being transferred to the student’s bank account.
  
• Bursaries are tenable only for the term indicated and may not be deferred; students not enrolled in the intended bursary term forfeits the bursary funds.
  
• To be considered for bursaries in future terms, students must reapply.
  

Work-Study Program

The Work-Study Program is an excellent opportunity to earn a supplemental income while gaining valuable experience and connecting with various members of the SFU community. The Work-Study Program is administered by SFU Student Services (Financial Aid & Awards Office).

• Work-Study hours are flexible, on-campus and supervised.
  
• Work-Study positions are available during the fall, spring and summer terms, beginning with the first day of classes and ending at the end of the Final Exam period for each term.
  
• The value of a Work-Study placement will vary depending on assessed financial need.
  
• Successful applicants will be awarded a specific number of Work-Study hours for a term.
  
• Eligible students must have a demonstrated financial need and must apply using the Simon Fraser University online bursary/work-study application form via goSFU.
  
• It is the student’s responsibility to meet applicable deadlines and supply all required documentation.
  

External and Government-Funded Awards

There are various external agencies which provide funding to graduate students. While some of these award opportunities are promoted and applied for through SFU, some are applied for directly by students. Please note:

• If you receive an award from an external agency you must notify your graduate program and supervisor.
  
• It is important to inform Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies as your award may be paid through our office, depending on the agency.
  
• Please refer to the award holder’s guide of the relevant external agency for the terms and conditions of your award.