SFU Bursaries

Need more funding support for your education? Simon Fraser University gives out bursaries to students with demonstrated financial need. SFU bursaries are need-based awards that do not have to be repaid! They are sent directly to your SFU student account to help cover tuition and other ancillary fees. Interested in learning about all that SFU has to offer in terms of bursaries? Continue scrolling and we’ll show you the information you need to know!

Difference Between a Bursary and a Grant

There are many different types of financial assistance at SFU to help students pay for their education. Two of the most common types of aid are bursaries and grants.

Bursaries are typically need-based awards, which means that they are given to students who demonstrate financial need. Grants, on the other hand, can be need-based or merit-based. Merit-based grants are awarded to students based on their academic achievement. A key difference between bursaries and grants is that bursaries are usually awarded by colleges or universities, while grants are typically awarded by governments or other external scholarship organizations.

For students who demonstrate financial need, both types of aid can help cover the cost of tuition, books, and living expenses. However, if you don’t qualify for a government grant and need support, you may still be able to receive an SFU Bursary instead; so it’s important to apply!

SFU Bursaries

SFU Bursaries are a secondary source of income for students with a documented need; they shouldn’t be considered your main source of support. Need is defined as the difference between the cost of your education and your expected family contribution as determined by the government assessment. SFU Bursary amounts will vary based on your assessed financial need and the availability of funds.

Please note: When applying for an SFU bursary, you do not need to specify the individual bursaries for which you want to apply. If you are eligible, you will be considered for all available bursaries!

To apply for a bursary, you must:

  • have a demonstrated financial need (as assessed by SFU).
  • be enrolled in a minimum of 9 units of standard graded courses in the term of application
  • be in good academic standing and have a minimum CGPA of 2.00 at SFU in the term of application (waived in your first term at SFU).
  • Be a Canadian resident or international student at SFU

How to apply for SFU Bursaries

  1. Check the application period at Application Deadlines.
  2. Apply online by logging in to the Student Information System (go.sfu.ca).
  3. Click on “Apply for Bursaries/Work-Study”.
  4. Complete and submit your application.
  5. Set up Direct Deposit (administered through the Student Accounts Office) as soon as possible, to receive any refunds you may be eligible to receive.

For a complete listing of all SFU Bursaries, check out the Scholarship, Awards, and Bursaries database.

Want To Win Bursaries at SFU?

To access in-depth coaching and guidance on your admissions journey, check out the GrantMe platform! Our trained essay editors know precisely what selection committees at SFU look for and can help you draft a winning application. We also provide personalized scholarship matches, essay editing, and mentorship from past winners to maximize your success. Complete our short scholarship eligibility quiz to learn more about how GrantMe can help you achieve your post-secondary goals.

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