At SFU, we believe learning and development is an important part of doing meaningful work, building your career, and supporting the University's success. We recognize that employees have different goals, experiences, responsibilities, strengths, and learning needs. We are committed to supporting equitable access to learning and development opportunities and to creating inclusive learning experiences where employees can grow and contribute. Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise, develop new skills, explore future career opportunities, or simply learn something new, there are a variety of resources available to support you.

The Learning and Development team is here to help you make the most of those opportunities. We can:

• Connect you with learning opportunities offered at SFU
• Recommend conferences, courses, workshops, programs, or resources
• Help you identify development opportunities aligned with your current role or career goals
• Provide guidance on tuition reimbursement, tuition waiver, professional development funding, and leave provisions
• Consult with you and your leader on learning and development plans
• Help identify ways to address barriers that may affect access to learning and development opportunities
• Customize learning solutions for teams and departments where appropriate 
• Support the development of learning environments that are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to diverse needs

We encourage employees to have regular conversations with their leaders about learning goals, areas of interest, and professional growth. The Professional Development Program is a great opportunity to have these discussions through. These discussions can help identify opportunities that support both your current role and your longer-term career aspirations.

There is a wide range of support available to you at SFU, including Tuition Waiver, Tuition Reimbursement, Professional Development funding, leadership development opportunities, and learning programs. If you're unsure where to start, we are happy to help.

Congratulations on investing in your growth and development. We look forward to supporting your learning journey at SFU.

Tuition Reimbursement

Policy AD10-10 provides up to $1000 per calendar year for tuition reimbursement for job-related learning opportunities that include credit and non-credit courses, seminars, webinars, workshops and conferences. 

The Tuition Reimbursement Application must be submitted to the Learning and Development team (pei_learn@sfu.ca) prior to registering for any learning opportunities (AD 10-10 4.0)

This funding does not apply to SFU’s credit courses, which are covered through Tuition Waiver (policy AD 10.12).  

Professional Development Expenses

Under Policy AD10-11, the University encourages Employees to pursue PD activities in order to remain at the forefront of their respective disciplines. The University will reimburse the Employee for allowable PD expenses that are not otherwise reimbursed by the University.

The amount of reimbursement available for Professional Development is (AD 10-11 3.0):

• Continuing Employees: 
  • $1,100 per calendar year for 2026
  • $1,200 per calendar year, effective January 1, 2027
• Temporary Employees: 
  • $550 per calendar year for 2026
  • $550 per calendar year for 2027
• Notes: 
  • A Continuing Employee or a Temporary Employee with a minimum contract period of one (1) year hired on or after the date of ratification/approval by both parties, is eligible for reimbursement on the next January 1 following their start date. The reimbursement available will be pro-rated for a Part-time Employee in a Continuing or Temporary Position. (AD 10-11 2.0). 
  • Eligible Continuing and Temporary Employees will receive a one-time PD allocation of $225 to their PD accounts in January 2027. 
  • For Continuing Employees, unused PD funds in a calendar year may be carried forward to the next calendar year, but in no case will their total entitlement be greater than: $5,500. 
  • For Temporary Employees, unused Professional Development funds in a calendar year will not carry forward to the next calendar year.

Reimbursement and Submission Information: 

• To find your available PD balance, visit my.sfu.ca (login, and under Staff Resources, click on Professional Development Expenses).
• Effective September 1 2026, employees can submit two PD reimbursement claims per calendar year. (AD 10-11 4.1)
• All claims must submit professional development reimbursements directly through SFU’s Financial Information System (FINS) including any attachments. 
  • Travel and Business Expense Claim
  • How to Create a Travel and Business Expense Claim
• To find more information including eligible items and submission details please refer to the APSA PD Information Sheet Sept 2026 

Tuition Waiver

See Policy AD 10-12. Tuition for SFU credit courses is waived for Continuing APSA Employees and their Dependents.

• Tuition Waiver Application

Professional Development Leaves

Professional Development Leave is under Policy AD10-9. For Continuing APSA Employees who have completed six years of service, Professional Development Leaves of up to twelve months may be granted.

Updated: September 10, 2026