91ÅÝܽ

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2010-2011 Calendar |

Undergraduate Financial Aid

This section contains senate-approved information related to Financial Aid and Awards only. For a complete list of SFU scholarships, bursaries, awards, and other financial assistance opportunities, see.

Students are eligible for a variety of financial assistance programs including entrance or continuing scholarships, bursaries, awards, and government student loans and grants:

  • Scholarships recognize outstanding academic achievements.
  • Bursaries are awarded on the basis of a demonstrated financial need.
  • Awards generally acknowledge outstanding achievements or contributions to the community.
  • Government student loans and grants are awarded on the basis of a demonstrated financial need by the student’s province of residence. Normally, grants are funding that students do not have to repay.

These programs are administered by one of three agencies: 91ÅÝܽ (University administered), , or .

Eligibility

Students entering 91ÅÝܽ from secondary or high school, or transferring from a regional college or university, may be eligible for

  • 91ÅÝܽ Entrance scholarships
  • bursaries
  • awards for the University community
  • federal and provincial/territorial government student assistance (i.e. student loans and grants)

Students currently studying at 91ÅÝܽ may apply for

  • scholarships for continuing students
  • bursaries
  • awards for the University community
  • federal and provincial/territorial government student assistance (i.e. student loans and grants)

General Information and Regulations

The following regulations apply generally to all financial assistance administered by the University.

  • All scholarships, awards, and bursaries are given on the recommendation of the senate undergraduate awards adjudication committee. Committee decisions, when announced, are final.
  • The University does not guarantee the payment of any scholarships, awards or bursaries other than those provided directly from University funds. If invested funds do not provide the necessary income for an endowed scholarship, award or bursary, payment may be reduced or withheld. The University reserves the right to withhold awards donated by individuals or organizations where the funds required have not actually been received.
  • The University reserves the right to refrain from making an award if, in its opinion, none of the applicants meet the specified terms.
  • Students must successfully complete the term for which they have received the award, or the award will be revoked.
  • The individual student is responsible for knowing the deadlines, proper completion of the application forms and supplying all appropriate documentation for the various scholarships, awards and bursaries. Incomplete applications may be rejected.
  • The senate policy committee on scholarships, awards and bursaries ensures that all scholarships, awards and bursaries administered by the University or listed in its Calendar, are in the best interests of the University as an academic institution. The terms of reference for scholarships, awards and bursaries should not include restrictive criteria unrelated to academic merit or financial need such as race, creed, colour, sex, or national origin, when the committee determines these criteria are improper or irrelevant.
  • The senate undergraduate awards adjudication committee has the right to give special consideration to course load requirements on scholarships, awards or bursaries for persons with disabilities who are unable to meet the course load requirements due to their disability. Supporting documentation may be required.
  • Students who misrepresent themselves on application forms for scholarships, awards or bursaries will be subject to disciplinary action.
  • Regulations which apply to a specific financial assistance category are within that subsection.

Entrance Scholarships

The University offers entrance scholarships and awards to outstanding students from across Canada. Our entrance scholarship program recognizes exceptional academic and community achievements of students entering directly from high school and BC colleges or equivalent.

The scholarships and awards described below reflect our current program. For complete descriptions and selection criteria, see

All scholarship applicants should have high academic standing — a minimum 90% grade average is normally required. Please read carefully the application requirements described on the above website, as not all scholarships require application. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents to qualify for the majority of major entrance scholarships, except for international awards. All scholars must meet certain academic and enrolment requirements for complete disbursement of funds.

Additional Scholarships and Awards

Students may only hold one entrance scholarship from the University. Upon redeeming all of the scholarship installments, students will be considered for scholarships available to continuing students.

Regulations

For entrance scholarships regulations, see

In Course Scholarships

The following regulations govern all university, private and endowed scholarships for continuing students over which the University has jurisdiction.

  • A minimum 3.50 CGPA is required to be eligible for a scholarship.
  • The student must be enrolled in a minimum of nine units of normally graded courses in the term of eligibility, unless otherwise stipulated. Challenge, audit and credit free courses are not considered. Students who enrol in fewer than nine units or subsequently drop below nine units may have their scholarships cancelled.
  • The student must have completed at least nine units of normal graded courses at the University to be considered for most private and endowed scholarships.
  • A student holding an ongoing 91ÅÝܽ Entrance Scholarship is not eligible for any other University administered scholarships until the entrance scholarship is fully paid out. This policy applies to any term in which an entrance scholarship is deferred.
  • Funds will be credited to the successful student’s University account. Outstanding University debts will be deducted from the scholarship funds before a cheque for the credit balance is issued.
  • The student must apply using the 91ÅÝܽ Private Scholarship paper application form which is available at . It is the student’s responsibility to meet applicable deadlines and supply all required documentation. Incomplete applications may be rejected.
  • Unless otherwise stated, scholarships are tenable only at 91ÅÝܽ.
  • Candidates are permitted to hold concurrently more than one academic award only with the permission of Financial Aid and Awards.
  • Scholarships are tenable for the term indicated and will not normally be deferred. Students who do not enrol in the term for which the scholarship is granted forfeit the award. To be considered for future private or endowed scholarships, students must reapply.

Undergraduate Open Scholarship Program

The Undergraduate Open Scholarship recognizes and supports undergraduate students who are highly qualified academically and awards scholarships to students on a term by term basis.

Eligibility

Eligibility is limited to students pursuing a first degree and will expire when a student’s total accumulated units (including transfer units) exceed by 10% the minimum number of units required to complete the degree program in which the student is enrolled. (e.g., a student whose major program requires 120 units to graduate becomes ineligible when her/his total accumulated credit and transfer credit exceeds 132 units.)

To qualify, a student must have

  • successfully completed at least 24 91ÅÝܽ units
  • a 91ÅÝܽ cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.67 or higher.
  • a minimum term GPA of 3.50 in the last term of enrolment
  • been enrolled in one of the last three terms
  • complete at least 24 units of normally graded courses over your last three terms of enrolment in such courses. For students who fall short of the 24 unit requirement because one term’s enrolment was in a single course of five units or fewer, the last four terms will be considered and that term of one course will be set aside in determining unit and term GPA eligibility. A student recognized as being required to take an ongoing maximum 40% course load based upon a confirmed permanent disability must complete at least 24 units of normally graded courses over the last four terms of enrolment in such courses.

All eligibility requirements must be met.

International undergraduate students are eligible on the same basis as other students.

Co-operative education students will be eligible subject to normal program guidelines. Job practicum courses, however, are excluded from the calculations (i.e., the scholarship does not cover the co-op fee). Enrolment in normally graded courses during a co-op term may affect eligibility. Co-op students should seek advice about this scholarship before enrolling in normally-graded courses while also enrolling in a co-op term.

Graduate students, including qualifying, special and exchange students, are not eligible for this scholarship.

No application is required. All undergraduate students are considered for eligibility each term; eligible undergraduate students will be notified no later than the end of the fourth week of classes.

Monetary Value

The value of the scholarship is set by the University as a portion of the actual tuition costs accrued by those eligible.

The per unit rate for normally graded courses will be determined based on the availability of funds. The per unit rate will be set for a value within a range of $70 to $110 each term.

Bursaries

The following regulations govern all university, private, and endowed bursaries over which the University has jurisdiction. Many of the following bursaries have been made possible by generous donations.

  • Bursaries are a supplemental source of funding for students in high financial need.
  • Students are expected to find their primary funding through other sources such as government student loan or grant programs, part time work, savings, family, etc.
  • Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible unless otherwise indicated.
  • Students must have a demonstrated financial need.
  • Undergraduate students must have a minimum CGPA of 2.00 to be eligible for bursaries.
  • Undergraduate students must be registered in a minimum of nine units of normal graded courses in the term of application unless otherwise indicated. Challenge, audit, and credit free courses will not be considered. Students who register in fewer than nine units or subsequently drop below nine units may have their awards cancelled.
  • Students must apply online through the Student Information System. It is the student's responsibility to meet applicable deadlines and supply all required documentation. Incomplete applications may be rejected.
  • Unless otherwise stated, bursaries are tenable only at 91ÅÝܽ.
  • Funds will be credited to the successful student's account with the University.
  • Outstanding debts to the University will be deducted from the bursary funds before a cheque for the credit balance is issued.
  • Bursaries are tenable only for the term indicated on the notice and may not be deferred. Students who do not enroll in the term for which the bursary is granted forfeit the award. To be considered for bursaries in future terms, students must reapply.

Work-Study Program

The following regulations apply to participate in the Work-Study Program.

  • Students must have a demonstrated financial need.
  • Undergraduate and graduate students, both domestic (Canadian) and international, are eligible to apply.
  • Undergraduate students must have a minimum CGPA of 2.00 to be eligible.
  • Undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of nine units of normal graded courses in the term of application. Challenge, audit, and credit-free courses will not be considered. Students who enrol in fewer than nine units or subsequently drop below nine units may have their work-study position cancelled.
  • The student must apply using the 91ÅÝܽ online bursary/work-study application form via the student information system (http://sis.sfu.ca). It is the student's responsibility to meet applicable deadlines and supply all required documentation. Incomplete applications may be rejected. Note: some BC students may be identified as eligible candidates through their StudentAid BC application and be notified of this opportunity.

Awards

The following regulations govern all prizes, medals or awards over which the University has jurisdiction.

  • In most cases, nominations are submitted directly to Financial Aid and Awards. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible unless otherwise indicated.
  • Undergraduate students must have achieved a minimum CGPA of 2.00 during the term of their contribution and must not be on academic probation, or in the case of first term or transfer students, must possess an equivalent secondary school or college standing.
  • Undergraduates must be registered in a minimum of nine units of normal graded courses in the term of eligibility. Challenge, audit, and credit free courses are not considered. Students who register in fewer than nine units or subsequently drop below nine units may have their awards cancelled.
  • Candidates must submit an application form to Financial Aid and Awards or be nominated by a member (or members) of the 91ÅÝܽ faculty, staff, student body or alumni. Individuals submitting a nomination for an award must file the nomination form with Financial Aid and Awards.
  • Normally, only one intervening term will be allowed between the term in which the registered student made their contributions and the term in which the award is adjudicated.
  • Where contributions are over and above usual expectations, remunerated or assigned activities, such as course assignments or teaching duties, may be considered for recognition.
  • Unless otherwise stated, awards are tenable only at 91ÅÝܽ for the term indicated on the notice and may not be deferred.

Student Emergency Loan Fund

The following regulations govern all loans for continuing students over which the University has jurisdiction.

  • Short term emergency funds are available to students who urgently need money while awaiting receipt of other sources of funding.
  • Emergency loans are not available for outstanding fees owed to the University.
  • Students must have a demonstrated financial need and a secured source of repayment.
  • Undergraduate students must be registered in a minimum of nine units of normal graded courses in the term of application. Challenge, audit, and credit-free courses will not be considered.
  • Students must meet with a Financial Aid and Awards advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to supply all requested documentation. Incomplete applications may be rejected.
  • 91ÅÝܽ Emergency Loans are tenable only at 91ÅÝܽ and only for the term indicated on the notice.

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