Scholarships and Fellowships Awarded by the University

I. Entrance Scholarships

The following five awards are available only by nomination. All applicants given consideration for entry to the program are considered for nomination. Full-time registration is required.

Bert Henry Memorial Graduate Scholarship

The recipient is a student who has received a Master’s Degree and is entering any Ph.D. program at SFU. The recipient must show high academic performance and potential for significant contribution to the chosen field of study. One award valued at $18,000 (subject to funding) per annum is made each year.

Simons Foundation Doctoral Entrance Fellowship

The recipient is a woman entering any Ph.D. program at SFU. The recipient must show high academic performance and potential for significant contribution to society through achievement in her chosen field. One award valued at $17,000 per annum is made each year.

C.D. Nelson Memorial Graduate Scholarships

Recipients are outstanding scholars entering any SFU graduate program. Eighteen or more awards valued at $18,000 per annum are made each year.

Scott Paper Limited Bicultural Graduate Entrance Fellowship

The recipient is a student entering any SFU graduate program. The recipient must have completed a previous degree at a University in the province of Quebec. One award valued at $15,000 per annum is made each year.

Arthur and Ancie Fouks Grduae Entrance Award in Public Service
The recipient is a student recognized for both outstanding academic performance and a high level of public service. Student must be nominated by his/her intended department. One award valued at $4,000.

SFU Alumni Association Graduate Entrance Scholarship

Recipient is outstanding scholar entering any master’s or doctoral program at SFU. One award valued at $18,000.

Awards for New or Continuing Students

William and Ada Isabelle Steel Memorial Graduate Scholarship Recipient is outstanding fulltime student in any Simon Fraser University graduate program who research takes place outside the lower mainland of BC. One award of $17,000, (of which $2,000 of the award value is targeted for travel, accommodation and related research expenses).

Graduate Fellowships (GF) Recipients are full-time students in any SFU graduate program. Awards are made on the basis of academic merit: the normal minimum criterion for eligibility is a C.G.P.A. of 3.5. These are one-semester awards valued at $3,125.00  or $6,250.00  Students may apply in an annual competition for Graduate Fellowships tenable in one, two or three semesters. Application deadline is April 15. GF Criteria

Awards for Continuing Students

President’s Ph.D. Research Stipends (PRS) These are one-semester awards available to all full-time doctoral students who began their program before January 1, 2009 and have completed all degree requirements with the exception of the thesis. The value is $6,250. Students may receive the Stipend no more than once. Application deadlines are the end of the second month of the semester preceding the semester of tenure.  (February 28, June 30, October 31)

Faculty of Communication, Art & Technology (FCAT-GF)

The Faculty of Communication, Art & Technology Dean’s Fund Graduate Fellowship (FCAT-GF) is a one-semester award valued at $6,250 for a Master’s student and $6,250 for a Ph.D. student .

This fellowship is available strictly on a matching basis; half of the fellowship will come from the Dean’s Fund and the other half, in the form of a research assistantship, from a thesis supervisor. An exception for non-matching of funds may be made for a new, junior faculty member who does not yet have a research grant.

Recipients are full time students in a graduate program in the Faculty of the Communication, Art & Technology. Awards are made based on academic merit (minimum of 3.5 GPA) and good standing in research ability.

Private Scholarships Administered by the University

There are a number of smaller awards available to graduate students in specific fields of study. Details can be found in the SFU Calendar listing of Financial Aid for Graduate Students and the Dean of Graduate Studies Scholarships and Awards Page. Deadline dates for these awards may vary, but many have deadlines of September 30, January 30, or May 30.

II. Assistantships

Teaching Assistantships

Each semester the School of Communication has a number of teaching assistantships available for graduate students. Teaching assistants are responsible for assigned instruction of undergraduate students, usually in a classroom or laboratory setting under the direction of a faculty member or course instructor. Pay rates are set by a collective agreement between the University and the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU). As of May 2007, the rates for teaching four tutorials per week (for 12 weeks)7in one course during one semester (17 weeks) and associated preparation and marking are $5,263 (Master’s student) or $6,213 (Doctoral student).

Tutor-Markerships

Each semester the School of Communication has a number of tutor-markerships available for graduate students. Tutor-Markers are responsible for assignment and exam marking, and exam invigilation of undergraduate students in distance education (correspondence) courses, under the direction of a faculty member or course supervisor. Pay rates are set by a collective agreement between the University and the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU). These rates are dependent on the enrollment levels in a course. As of May 2007, the rates for Tutor-Markers with a minium of 20 students in one course during one semester (17 weeks) and associated preparation and grading are $3,219 (Master’s student) or $3,789 (Doctoral student). Each 1-5 student increment in enrollment equals an increase of $255.50 (MA) or $303.00 (PhD). Most classes have enrollments of 40-60 students, which would be a range of pay from $4,241 (MA) or $5,001 (PhD) to $5,263 (MA) or $6,213 (PhD). Tutor-Markers are hired by the School of Communication, and paid by the Centre for Online and Distance Education (CODE).

Sessional Instructorships$6,725

Each semester the School of Communication has several courses to be offered that need to have sessional instructor’s hired to teach. Rates of pay are set by a collective agreement between the University and the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU). These rates are dependent on the enrollment levels in a course, and the amount of teaching per week in the lecture or seminar, which varies from 2 to 4 hours per week. As of May 2007, the rate of pay for a Sessional Instructor teaching one course, in one semester, with up to 90 students is 6,725. Courses with more than 45 students usually have a Teaching Assistant assigned to help with the course. Sessional Instructors usually have their MA degree completed, and are in the PhD program with their comprehensive exams finished.
Research Assistantships

Some faculty members are able to offer research assistantships to graduate students studying under their supervision. The level of support varies depending on the field of study and the availability of research grant funds but is typically between $4,500 – $6,000 per semester.

Teaching and research assistantships are administered at the departmental and faculty levels. Inquiries should be directed to the Graduate Program Chair of the appropriate department.

III. Awards from External Agencies

Federal and Provincial Granting Agencies

Four granting agencies administer major graduate scholarship competitions. To be eligible, students must be Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents at the time of application.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

offers Postgraduate Scholarships for students of science, engineering, physical geography, experimental psychology and some related interdisciplinary areas. Candidates who are currently attending a Canadian university submit their applications through their departments in October. Candidates not currently attending a Canadian university submit their applications directly to NSERC no later than December 1.

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)

offers Doctoral Fellowships in the social sciences and humanities. Candidates who are registered full-time at a Canadian university submit their applications through their departments in October. Other candidates submit their applications directly to SSHRC, postmarked no later than November 15.

Medical Research Council of Canada (MRC)

offers Studentships to highly qualified graduate students who are undertaking full-time research in the health sciences. The application deadline is December 1.

Science Council of British Columbia offers Graduate Research and Engineering Technology (GREAT)

awards in the natural and applied sciences for research projects performed in cooperation with agencies (e.g., companies) outside the University. The application deadline is January 31.

Other Direct Awards

There are a limited number of direct awards available to graduate students in specific fields of study. Details can be found in the Calendar listing of Financial Aid for Graduate Students or the SFU Graduate Awards Guide. Application forms may be available from the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies. Applications are usually submitted directly to the agency by the student. Some awards in this category are: AUCC scholarships, ICCS Commonwealth Scholarships, CBIE Celanese Canada Fellowships, the Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program, and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Scholarships.

IV. Need-Based Awards and Loans

Canada Student Loan/B.C. Student Assistance

This program is open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who require financial assistance to pursue their educational programs. The amount of assistance awarded will be based on assessed need as determined by the provincial authority. Currently, single full-time students are eligible for a maximum of $4,420 in BCSAP each semester. The maximum for students with dependent children is $6,545 a semester.

A student in need of a Canada Student Loan/B.C. Student Assistantship must first obtain an application form from Financial Assistance.

Work-Study Program

The work-study program provides part-time on-campus jobs for full-time students. To become eligible, students must apply for BCSAP funding. If their financial need is greater than the maximum BCSAP funding, they may be notified by Financial Assistance that they are eligible for Work-Study placement.

Emergency Loans and Bursaries

Students in critical financial need due to unforeseen circumstances may be eligible for emergency loans or bursaries.

For further information on need-based awards or loans, contact the Office of Financial Assistance, Maggie Benston Student Services Centre, phone (604) 291-3892.

For an application form for Entrance Scholarships or Graduate Fellowships, contact:

Graduate Program Chair, Department of present or intended enrolment

or

Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies

Simon Fraser University

8888 University Drive

Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6 Canada

[Indicated values of awards are effective September 1998 and are subject to change.]