Co-operative Education
Co-operative Education is an educational model that formally integrates academic study with relevant, paid work experience. The standard co-op program consists of periods of academic study combined with periods of work experience in appropriate employment fields such as business, industry, government, the professions, not-for-profit and community-based organizations.
Student Financial Assistance in Co-op
Students participating in a Co-op term are able to apply for and receive government-issued, student financial assistance, including both loans and grants (non-repayable funding).
Participating in a Co-op term is not considered to be the same as having a full-time job when applying for student financial assistance. When submitting their application, BC students applying through StudentAid BC must:
- apply for student financial assistance on a term-by-term basis
- answer “yes” to the question “Between the date classes start and the date classes end, will you be on a co-op/paid work term?
Contact a Financial Aid Advisor if participating in:
- a Co-op term and are enrolled in 4 or more additional units
- a Co-op term requiring you to relocate to a different city for the duration of your Co-op term, normally outside of BC and/or Canada
Maintaining In-Study Payment-Free Status
Enrolment in Co-op is considered the equivalent of full-time study; therefore, a Co-op student may apply for In-Study Payment-Free status. This does not happen automatically. In-Study Payment-Free status is also referred to as an In-Study Interest-Free study period. Refer to In-Study Payment-Free Status (BC residents) for more information; otherwise, check with your province of residence.
Students must submit a request for confirmation of enrolment on a term-by-term basis to update their student status through their National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC) portal.
Contact a Financial Aid Advisor for further information.
Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries (SAB)
Students enrolled in an SFU Co-op term only are not eligible to apply for scholarships, awards and/or bursaries administered by Financial Aid and Awards since the 3-unit Co-op is not a standard graded course. Students must meet the minimum eligibility requirements listed for scholarships, awards, and/or bursaries.
*Students enrolled in an SFU International Co-op term are eligible to apply for SFU International Co-op Education Bursaries and/or the SFU International Co-op Education Awards.