Simon Fraser University Scholarship: 7 Funding Opportunities You Must Know

Are you a domestic or international student searching for a Simon Fraser University scholarship? You are in the right place. This guide covers every major Simon Fraser University scholarship currently open — entrance awards, in-course scholarships, graduate fellowships, and government-funded programs — along with eligibility requirements, award values, and application steps, updated annually so you always have the latest information.

The Simon Fraser University scholarship program offers financial awards to both Canadian and international students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. A Simon Fraser University scholarship is available through multiple streams — entrance awards, merit-based in-course scholarships, and faculty-specific fellowships. The flagship Simon Fraser University scholarship for incoming students is the Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship (USES), which ranges from $20,000 to $140,000 for international students.

The Simon Fraser University scholarship database lists hundreds of awards each year, including the Undergraduate Open Scholarship, Graduate Fellowship, and Schulich Leader Scholarship. To be considered for a Simon Fraser University scholarship, most students need a minimum CGPA of 3.50 and enrolment in at least 12 standard graded units. A Simon Fraser University scholarship is awarded each term — meaning new opportunities open up annually for every stage of study.

About Simon Fraser University

Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a public research university in British Columbia, Canada, founded in 1965. It operates three campuses in Burnaby, Surrey, and Vancouver, enrolling more than 35,000 students across over 100 undergraduate and 45 graduate programs. According to the QS World University Rankings, SFU is consistently ranked among the top universities in Canada and within the top 350 globally.

SFU offers programs in arts, science, business, engineering, health sciences, education, communication, and the environment. This breadth means there is a Simon Fraser University scholarship available across nearly every faculty and discipline.

Why Apply for a Simon Fraser University Scholarship?

Studying in Canada is a major financial investment. For international students, annual tuition at SFU can exceed CAD $30,000, and domestic students face rising fees subject to annual review by the Board of Governors. A Simon Fraser University scholarship can eliminate or significantly reduce these costs — sometimes covering full tuition plus living expenses over multiple years.

Beyond money, holding a Simon Fraser University scholarship builds your academic profile, strengthens your graduate school applications, and demonstrates merit to future employers. Some flagship awards like the Schulich Leader Scholarship and the USES Program are nationally recognized and carry significant prestige.

Each year, SFU awards millions of dollars in scholarships, bursaries, and fellowships to students at every stage of their academic journey.

Types of Simon Fraser University Scholarships

SFU organizes its scholarship programs into several broad categories:

Entrance Scholarships — Awarded to incoming high school or transfer students before their first term begins.
In-Course Scholarships — Awarded to current SFU undergraduates based on term-by-term academic performance.
Graduate Scholarships and Fellowships — Awarded to Master’s and PhD students entering or progressing through graduate programs.
Equity and Inclusion Awards — Specifically designed for Indigenous students, students with disabilities, LGBTQIA2S+ students, and students facing financial barriers.
External and Government-Funded Scholarships — Federal and provincial programs available to SFU students.
Donor-Funded Named Scholarships — Endowed by individuals, families, and corporations, listed in the SFU Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries database.

Each category has distinct eligibility criteria, application processes, and award values — all outlined in detail below.

Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships

Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship (USES)

The USES Program is SFU’s most prestigious entrance award. It is designed to attract both domestic and international high school applicants who demonstrate academic excellence and the potential to enrich the university community.

Award Value:

Domestic students: $20,000 to $60,000
International students: Up to $140,000
Living allowances may be added for students with demonstrated financial need.

Eligibility: Open to high school applicants in any SFU faculty. Students submit one application and are considered for all USES scholarships automatically.

Renewal Requirement: Recipients must meet a cumulative GPA of 2.00 after their first term and enrol in a minimum of 12 standard graded SFU units.

Schulich Leader Scholarship

One of the most competitive STEM scholarships in Canada. Established by businessman Seymour Schulich with a $100 million endowment, this award is offered to high school applicants enrolling in an eligible STEM undergraduate program.

Award Value: $100,000 paid over four years (for Science, Technology, or Mathematics programs). This program awards 100 scholarships annually across participating Canadian universities, including SFU.

Citizenship: Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents only. Consideration is coordinated through the Schulich Leader website.

Uggla Family Scholarship

Awarded each year to students who face significant financial barriers to post-secondary education. This includes students who identify as Indigenous, Black, or a person of colour, students with disabilities, LGBTQIA2S+ students, and students of all gender identities.

Award Value: Ten scholarships are offered annually. The award value is competitive and updated periodically.

Lloyd Carr-Harris Entrance Scholarship

Awarded to the highest-ranking entering high school applicant admitted directly to SFU’s Beedie School of Business. Consideration for this award is automatic — no separate application is required.

Geographic Entrance Scholarship (International Students)

Offered to incoming international high school applicants from specific geographic regions with excellent academic standing. Recipients must be entering programs that align with SFU’s strategic enrollment plans, as determined by the university annually.

Award Value: $10,000

Note: No application is required. Consideration is automatic upon admission review.

In-Course Undergraduate Scholarships

SFU Undergraduate Open Scholarship

The Undergraduate Open Scholarship is automatically awarded — no application is required. It recognizes undergraduate students who are highly qualified academically, and awards are made on a term-by-term basis throughout the academic year.

Award Value: $70 to $100 per unit of standard graded courses, set each term based on available funds.

Eligibility Requirements:

Must have completed at least 30 units of courses at SFU.
SFU cumulative GPA of 3.90 or higher.
Minimum term GPA of 3.50 in the last term of enrolment.
Not currently holding an SFU Entrance Scholarship.
Pursuing a first degree (graduate students are not eligible).

Important: Eligibility expires when your total accumulated units exceed by 10% the minimum units required to complete your degree.

Named In-Course Scholarships

SFU’s Scholarship, Awards and Bursaries database lists dozens of named scholarships for current students, many of which are competitive and require an application through the Student Information System (go.sfu.ca). Examples include:

Chung Family Undergraduate Scholarship: $3,000, minimum CGPA 3.50, preference for History or Philosophy majors.
Linda Brideau Memorial Scholarship: $2,200, minimum CGPA 3.50, preference for honours program or 60 units completed.

Applications for in-course scholarships open each term. Students may apply for multiple scholarships in a single application cycle.

Graduate Scholarships and Fellowships

SFU’s Faculty of Graduate Studies offers merit-based entrance awards to incoming Master’s and PhD students. These are primarily nomination-based and include:

Graduate Entrance Awards

Graduate General Entrance Scholarship (SGES): Value ranges from $1,000 to $10,000. Awarded through an internal nomination procedure by the admissions committee.
Entrance Scholarship for Master’s Students Entering a PhD: Two or more scholarships of at least $14,000 each are granted annually for students completing a Master’s degree and entering an SFU PhD program.
Doctoral Entrance Scholarships: Valued at a minimum of $12,000 each, awarded annually to incoming graduate students who have demonstrated academic excellence at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.

Graduate Fellowship (GF)

A one-term award typically worth $7,000, available to eligible graduate students with a GPA of 3.5 or above. At some departments (such as the School of Resource and Environmental Management), Graduate Fellowships are chosen by nomination.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Although administered nationally by the Canadian government, SFU graduate students are eligible to apply. The Vanier CGS awards $50,000 per year for three years to outstanding doctoral students.

Government of Canada International Scholarships at SFU

SFU participates in several Government of Canada exchange scholarship programs for international students:

Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP): For students from Latin America and the Caribbean pursuing short-term study or research in Canada. Value: CAD $8,200 to $12,700.
Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED): For students from ASEAN member states pursuing study or research at Canadian post-secondary institutions at undergraduate and graduate levels.

Scholarships for International Students

SFU’s Financial Aid and Awards Office is specifically committed to providing funding opportunities for international students. The following are currently open or recurrently offered each year:

USES International Award — Up to $140,000 for high school applicants entering from outside Canada.
Geographic Entrance Scholarship — $10,000 for international students from target enrollment regions.
Named Scholarships in the SFU Database — Many donor-funded scholarships are open to both domestic and international students, provided academic requirements are met.
ELAP and SEED Government Scholarships — Short-term study and research funding for students from eligible countries.

Note: International students are not eligible for Canadian government student loans and grants, making university-administered scholarships and fellowships especially important.

Eligibility Requirements at a Glance

Undergraduate In-Course Scholarships (General):

Completed at least 12 units of standard graded SFU courses.
Enrolled in a minimum of 12 units of standard graded courses in the term of application.
Challenge, audit, and credit-free courses do not count.
Co-op enrolment (3 units) does not satisfy the requirement.

For the Undergraduate Open Scholarship (automatic):

Minimum CGPA of 3.90.
Minimum term GPA of 3.50 in the previous term.
Completed at least 30 SFU units.

For Students with Disabilities:

Eligible with a minimum of 6 units (instead of 12) with a letter from SFU’s Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL).

Entrance Scholarship Interaction:

A student holding an SFU entrance scholarship is not eligible for any other University-administered scholarship until the entrance scholarship is fully paid out.
A student holding an SFU entrance award (not scholarship) remains eligible for all other University-administered scholarships.

How to Apply — Step-by-Step

Step 1: Review the Scholarship and Awards List Log into the SFU Student Information System at go.sfu.ca and review the current Scholarship and Awards List each term to identify which scholarships you are eligible for.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application Under “Student Center,” list every scholarship you want to be considered for. Submit the completed application before the term deadline.

Step 3: Submit Supporting Documents If any scholarship requires supporting documentation (reference letters, transcripts, personal statements), email these to [email protected] by the stated application deadline.

Step 4: Set Up Direct Deposit Set up Direct Deposit through the Student Accounts Office as soon as possible. Scholarship funds are processed mid-term after the tuition deadline.

Step 5: Await Notification If awarded a scholarship, the Financial Aid and Awards Office will notify you in writing. Due to high application volumes, payment is processed in the middle of the term of application.

📷 Image Prompt: Close-up of a student’s laptop screen showing the SFU Student Information System portal with the scholarship application section visible. Alt text: “How to apply for a Simon Fraser University scholarship — SFU online application portal.”

Application Deadlines

Scholarship applications at SFU open and close each term. The three main application periods are:

Term	Application Opens	Deadline
Fall	Late summer (check sfu.ca annually)	Early fall — check each year
Spring	Late fall (check sfu.ca annually)	Early spring — check each year
Summer	Approximately May 4 each year	Mid-summer — check each year

Important: Always verify the exact opening and closing dates through the official SFU Financial Aid and Awards website, as deadlines are updated each academic cycle. Entrance scholarship deadlines for high school applicants are typically set in the spring preceding fall enrolment.

Top SFU Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Level	Value	Open To	Application Required?
USES Program	Undergraduate Entrance	$20,000–$140,000	Domestic & International	Yes (one application)
Schulich Leader Scholarship	Undergraduate Entrance	$100,000	Canadian Citizens/PRs	Yes (via Schulich website)
Geographic Entrance Scholarship	Undergraduate Entrance	$10,000	International Students	No (automatic)
Uggla Family Scholarship	Undergraduate Entrance	Varies	Equity-focused students	Yes
Undergraduate Open Scholarship	In-Course (Undergrad)	$70–$100/unit	Domestic & International	No (automatic)
Chung Family Scholarship	In-Course (Undergrad)	$3,000	Domestic & International	Yes
Graduate Entrance Scholarship	Graduate (Entrance)	$1,000–$10,000	Graduate Students	Nomination-based
Graduate Fellowship	Graduate (In-Course)	~$7,000/term	Graduate (GPA 3.5+)	Nomination-based
Doctoral Entrance Scholarship	Graduate (PhD Entry)	Min. $12,000	Doctoral Students	Yes (via GA3)
ELAP (Government)	Graduate/Undergrad	CAD $8,200–$12,700	Latin America/Caribbean	Yes
Vanier CGS (Government)	PhD	$50,000/year	All (via SFU)	Yes (federal portal)

What People Also Ask

Q: Does SFU give full scholarships to international students? A: SFU’s most generous award for international students is the Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship (USES), which can be worth up to $140,000. While this does not cover all costs for all programs, combined with a living allowance for students with financial need, it can come close to full funding for high-achieving applicants.

Q: What GPA do you need for a scholarship at SFU? A: For in-course scholarships, the standard minimum is a CGPA of 3.50. The automatic Undergraduate Open Scholarship requires a higher CGPA of 3.90. Entrance scholarships for high school students are typically based on admission averages, which vary by program and scholarship type.

Q: How do I apply for an SFU scholarship? A: Log into the SFU Student Information System (go.sfu.ca) during the application period, select the scholarships you wish to be considered for, submit your application, and email any supporting documents to [email protected]. Some scholarships are automatic and require no application.

Q: Can I get a scholarship at SFU without applying? A: Yes. The Undergraduate Open Scholarship requires no application — students who meet the CGPA and enrolment criteria are automatically considered each term. The Geographic Entrance Scholarship for international students and the Lloyd Carr-Harris Entrance Scholarship are also automatic.

Q: Are SFU scholarships renewable? A: It depends on the scholarship. Entrance scholarships like the USES are typically multi-year awards with renewal conditions (minimum CGPA and enrolment requirements). In-course scholarships like the Undergraduate Open Scholarship are reassessed each term.

Q: Can graduate students get scholarships at SFU? A: Yes. SFU’s Faculty of Graduate Studies provides merit-based awards, entrance scholarships, and fellowships for Master’s and PhD students. Most are nomination-based, and funding details are typically included in the admission offer letter.

Q: Is SFU good for scholarships compared to other Canadian universities? A: SFU is competitive with other top Canadian universities. Its USES program is one of the most generous undergraduate entrance award programs in British Columbia, and its graduate funding packages are comparable to those at the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria.

Q: Does SFU give scholarships to African students? A: Yes. SFU scholarships are available to students from all countries. International students from Africa can apply for the USES Program, named scholarships in the SFU database, and government-funded programs such as ELAP and SEED where eligible.

Tips to Win a Simon Fraser University Scholarship

1. Apply Early and Apply Often Each term, new scholarships open in the SFU database. Log into go.sfu.ca at the start of every application window and apply for every scholarship for which you are eligible. There is no penalty for applying to multiple awards simultaneously.

2. Protect Your CGPA at All Times Most SFU scholarships — including automatic ones like the Open Scholarship — hinge on your CGPA. A 3.50 is the standard minimum, and the most prestigious awards require 3.90 or above. Treat every course as part of your scholarship strategy.

3. Submit a Compelling Personal Statement For competitive named scholarships that require supporting documents, your personal statement is your differentiator. Describe your academic goals, community contributions, and financial circumstances clearly and specifically.

4. Register with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) If you are a student with a disability, registering with CAL unlocks reduced-load scholarship eligibility and access to equity-specific funding. Do not overlook this resource.

5. Start the USES Application Before You Arrive The USES deadline is typically before your first semester begins. High school students should research USES criteria when they first apply to SFU — not after they receive their acceptance letter.

6. Explore Government and External Awards Alongside SFU Awards SFU’s scholarship database also lists external awards and government-funded opportunities. Combining an SFU entrance scholarship with a federal program like Vanier CGS (for graduate students) can create a powerful funding package.

Based on related content from LicensureHub.com, the following articles will help you explore more scholarship opportunities in Canada:

UBC Undergraduate Scholarships: 7 Powerful Funding Opportunities You Must Know — Compare SFU’s entrance awards with what UBC offers for domestic and international students.
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship: 5 Powerful Secrets — If you plan to pursue a graduate degree at SFU, the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship (CGRS) is a federal funding program you must explore.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarships: Complete Guide — One of Canada’s most prestigious doctoral awards worth up to $210,000, available to eligible SFU PhD students.
Ottawa University Scholarships: Your Complete Guide to Funding — Explore funding at another leading Canadian university and compare opportunities.
UVic Scholarships: The Ultimate Guide to Securing Funding — University of Victoria scholarship programs compared with SFU for BC-based students.

For the most accurate and current information on the Simon Fraser University scholarship program, consult these authoritative sources directly:

SFU Financial Aid and Awards — Undergraduate Scholarships: https://www.sfu.ca/students/financial-aid/undergraduate/scholarships.html — The official scholarship application portal and database for current SFU undergraduate students.
SFU Faculty of Graduate Studies — Awards and Funding: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/awards-funding.html — The official source for all graduate-level scholarships, fellowships, and entrance awards at SFU.
Government of Canada — Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: https://vanier.gc.ca/en/home-accueil.html — Federal doctoral scholarship worth $50,000/year for three years, available to eligible SFU PhD students.

Simon Fraser University scholarship campus overview — Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

Final Thoughts

A Simon Fraser University scholarship is more accessible than many students realize. Whether you are a high-achieving high school student eyeing the USES Program’s up to $140,000 for international applicants, an undergraduate student maintaining a strong CGPA for the automatic Open Scholarship, or a doctoral candidate targeting the Vanier CGS, SFU provides a structured, well-funded scholarship ecosystem.

The key is to understand which Simon Fraser University scholarship you are eligible for, apply in every available term, and protect your academic record. Scholarships at SFU are awarded each year — meaning the opportunity resets and renews throughout your academic career.

Bookmark this page and check back for the latest update each academic cycle. Use the official SFU Financial Aid and Awards portal at go.sfu.ca as your primary application source.

Disclaimer: Scholarship amounts, deadlines, and eligibility criteria are reviewed annually and subject to change. Always verify the latest information directly through SFU’s official Financial Aid and Awards website before submitting an application.