FSL Bursary Program 2024-2025
Applications for 2024-2025 will open in July 2024.
For the period of 2024-2025, 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 students whose first official language spoken is English to pursue their post-secondary 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 Canadians or permanent residents whose first official language spoken is English and who are studying full-time in a program taught in French.
- Students whose first language is French or who have completed secondary school studies at a Francophone school are not eligible.
- Students may only receive this bursary once over the course of the entirety of their post-secondary studies.
Bursary amount
- 80 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)
New and Updated Eligibility Criteria for 2024-2025
Students can now apply anytime during the course of their studies (at the undergraduate or graduate level). Applications are no longer limited to the first year of study.
General Criteria
- Must be a Canadian citizen or have permanent residency of Canada
- Have English as the first official language spoken
- Have completed their secondary (high) school studies in an English* or non-official language (neither French nor English) institution and graduated from said institution
- Be studying in a program delivered in French at SFU
*French immersion schools are considered English-language institutions
Undergraduate Programs or certificates
- Be enrolled (intended or declared) in an undergraduate program or certificate taught in French (Dept. of French or FCP)
- Study full-time for the academic year, both Fall and Spring terms (minimum of 9 units per term)
- Take a minimum of 50% of their courses and related activities in French over the two terms in question
- Cannot apply for terms of study during an exchange program
Graduate Programs
- Be enrolled in a graduate program taught in French (master’s or doctorate)
- Study full-time for the academic year, both Fall and Spring terms
- Take a minimum of 50% of their courses in French
Teacher Education Program
- Be enrolled in the PDP or PLP – French module for the academic year, both Fall and Spring terms
- Take 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?
Your bilingualism is your superpower!
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
- For actively enrolled SFU students (not intended for admission applicants)
- Complete the online bursary application form through SFU Websurvey using your SFU credentials (link published here during the application period)
- Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year will be open from July 15 (at 8:00 am) until September 30, 2024
Applications for 2024-2025 will open in July 2024.
Process of Distribution
- Special consideration given to students:
- 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
(for example, aboriginal students, students with disabilities, members of a visible or disadvantaged minority, members of the LGBTQ2+ community, who have lived in foster care or youth centre)
- 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 late November based on the eligibility criteria, including program and course enrollment
- Students will be notified, by the end of 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 2025
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.
The FSL Bursary Program has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. This program is administered by the ACUFC.
