FSL Bursary Program 2023-2024
Applications for 2023-2024 are now closed.
For the period of 2023-2024, 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 English-speaking students to pursue postsecondary 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 Anglophone Canadians or permanent residents commencing their first year of full-time studies at SFU in Fall 2023, in an undergraduate program taught in French.
- Students whose first language is French or who have completed secondary studies at a Francophone school are not eligible.
Bursary amount
- 60 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)
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a Canadian citizen or have permanent residency
- Have reached the age of 17 years old on the first day of class
- Have English as the first official language spoken/learned
- Have completed secondary school studies in an English-language institution (ex. B.C. English or French immersion secondary school) and have graduated from this school
- Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of French to be able to study in that language
- Be enrolled in their first year of a post-secondary program in French
Undergraduate Programs
- Study full-time for the academic year, both Fall and Spring terms, in a declared program taught in French (minimum of 9 units per term at SFU)
- Take an average of 50% of their courses and related activities in French over the two terms
- Study full-time for the academic year, both Fall and Spring terms, in a declared program taught in French (minimum of 9 units per term at SFU)
Professinal Development Program
- Be enrolled in the PDP – French module in both Fall and Spring terms
- Be enrolled in 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!
Whether you want to add a French dimension to your studies or to pursue a bilingual degree, the options are flexible and accessible.
Check out the list of programs in French available or contact the Department of French student advisor to discuss in more detail: frenadv@sfu.ca.
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
- Applications for the 2023-2024 academic year will be open from July 17 (at 8:00 am) until September 30, 2023
- Complete the online bursary application form (published here during the application period)
- If you have already received a bursary in the past, you may not apply again.
- You must be commencing your studies in a program at SFU (equivalent of a first-year student).
Applications for 2023-2024 are now closed.
Process
- Special consideration given to students (applicant ranking):
- 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
- 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 mid-November based on the eligibility criteria, including program and course enrollment
- Students will be notified, in late 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 2024
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.
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. This program is administered by the ACUFC.
