Total SFU student financial aid and awards from internal and external sources increased $10 million in 2009-10 to $69.2 million over the previous year.

Internally managed undergraduate scholarships and awards and the bursary and work-study program rose 5.9 percent, to $12.6 million.

Graduate students saw total merit-based funding from internal and external sources increase eight per cent to $14.9 million in 2009/2010.

The number of students applying for bursary funding rose 18 per cent, with a corresponding increase in student assistance of 22 per cent, representing disbursements of a further $970,000 over the previous year.

SFU also continued to fund the work-study program, handing out 480 awards worth $546,250.