SCA AWARDS
Application Deadline: May 15, 2026
There are a number of Scholarships, Awards, and Bursaries available to students across SFU. Visit SFU's searchable Bursaries and Scholarships Database to see all that is available.
Each Scholarship, Award, and Bursary available through SFU has its own terms of reference and application requirements that applicants must meet and complete, but SFU also requires that all applicants must meet these basic criteria:
Scholarships
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50.
- Be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units of standard graded courses in the term of award. Challenge, audit and non-credit courses are not considered.
- Have completed at least 12 units of standard graded courses at SFU.
- A student holding an SFU Entrance Scholarship is not eligible for any other University administered scholarships. This policy applies to any term in which an entrance scholarship is deferred. Please contact Financial Aid and Awards to check if the selected student is a recipient of an SFU Entrance Scholarship.
Awards
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 at SFU and be in good academic standing (in the case the student is a first term or transfer student he/she must possess an equivalent secondary school or college standing).
- Registration in a minimum of 9 units of standard graded courses in the term of eligibility. Challenge, audit, and non-credit courses are not considered.
Awards and Scholarships for the SCA
We've collected a set of Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries, listed below, that are particular to students in the School for the Contemporary Arts.
If you meet the above criteria from SFU, please use the online form on this page to apply to the Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries listed here.
NOTE: Please make sure to include everything that the particular Award and/or Scholarship asks for as part of your application, which, as necessary, can be included as an attachment (PDF or Word document) with the online form.
ALSO NOTE: for awards that require letters of recommendation, they are required only once a student has been nominated for the award.
All of the applications submitted for the Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries listed here are granted by the Senate Undergraduate Awards Adjudication Committee on the nomination of the SCA Awards Committee, which assesses and adjudicates all applications.
If you have any questions, please contact us at faawards@sfu.ca.
SCA Service Awards
When available, applications for the SCA Service Awards are submitted via this online form, as well. Along with the application materials requested by the other awards and bursaries you're applying for, please make sure to also include everything that the SCA Service Award asks for in your attachment (PDF or Word document).
List of Awards and Scholarships
P.W. SULLIVAN VISUAL ARTS AWARD
An annual prize, equal in value to the accrued interest, is available in the Spring/Summer term to a student majoring in the Visual Arts program in the School for Contemporary Arts. The award will be based upon the student's contribution to the Visual Arts and the financial need associated with the public exhibition of work.
Award amount is $400.
VOLUNTEERS OF THE BURNABY ART GALLERY AWARD IN VISUAL ARTS
The Volunteers of the Burnaby Art Gallery Award in Visual Arts will be given from a portion of the earned income in the Spring term to the most promising student in third year in the Visual Arts major program.
Award amount is $2550.
NOEL ARCHAMBAULT MEMORIAL AWARD IN FILM
An annual award will be granted to an undergraduate student in the School for Contemporary Arts, film Major Program whose fourth year film/video project best evokes Noel Archambault's spirit of independence, innovation and technical ingenuity. The award will be adjudicated on the basis of the proposal for their upcoming fourth year film or video project the film major students present at the conclusion of their third year in the film program.
Award value is $3100.
GERALD AND SHEAHAN MCGAVIN AWARD
The Gerald and Sheahan McGavin award, valued at a minimum of $2,000, will be granted in any term to undergraduate students in the School for the Contemporary Arts in good academic standing based upon demonstrated volunteer involvement in the community. The application should include a detailed discussion of the student's volunteer involvement in community activities.
MARCIA AWARD IN ELECTROACOUSTICS
An award of at least $250 is available annually in the Summer term to a graduate or undergraduate student from any discipline who shows promise and/or excellence in the field of electroacoustics, whether for composition, research, performance or production.
JOHN DRIFTMIER MEMORIAL AWARD
The award, valued at a minimum of $800, will be granted annually to an undergraduate student who fulfills the following criteria:
- has completed his/her second year or is in his/her third year of study;
- is enrolled full-time in the Program in Film at Simon Fraser University;
- is in good academic standing; and
- has demonstrated commitment to film directing in the spirit of this award.
Nominations must include a letter from the applicant outlining his/her commitment to filmmaking as well as a letter of recommendation from a faculty member in the Program in Film attesting to the applicant's directorial skills and to his/ her embodiment of the spirit of this award.
SCA SERVICE AWARD
A number of awards are offered annually in the Fall and Spring terms to students actively involved in the School for the Contemporary Arts and, who have made a significant contribution in their field of study. Graduate students may also be recognized for these awards. These awards are a minimum of $500 each.
- Candidates must have been enrolled in a minimum of 6 units (units with a calculated GPA) with satisfactory academic standing in the qualifying term of contribution.
- Applicants must include a description of voluntary activity done in their field of study during the qualifying term of contribution (please describe the project and indicate the organization, hours contributed, etc.).
Please note: Work done for remuneration, or for a class, does not qualify for an SCA Service Award.