The Simon Fraser University Scholarships 2027 support international students pursuing undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programmes in Canada. The university’s flagship International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship provides CAD 140,000 over eight terms, and exceptionally talented students with demonstrated financial need may also receive an additional CAD 8,000 living allowance per term. Graduate students can compete for entrance scholarships and fellowships, while eligible PhD students receive guaranteed minimum funding of at least CAD 28,000 per year for four years, equivalent to at least CAD 112,000. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the Simon Fraser University Scholarships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The main funding opportunities covered in this guide are:
- International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship
- SFU Graduate Entrance Scholarships
- SFU PhD Minimum Funding
Simon Fraser University also offers scholarships and awards to continuing international students after enrolment.
Simon Fraser University Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD
- Institution: Simon Fraser University
- Study Destination: British Columbia, Canada
- Minimum PhD Funding Period: Four years
- Courses Offered: Eligible SFU undergraduate and graduate programmes
The International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship is available across SFU undergraduate faculties rather than being restricted to one particular degree.
Simon Fraser University Scholarships Application Deadline
Simon Fraser University has already published the scholarship schedule for students entering in Fall 2027:
- USES application opens: October 1, 2026
- USES scholarship deadline: December 15, 2026
- Supporting documents and references deadline: January 31, 2027
- SFU undergraduate admission deadline: January 31, 2027
Scholarship applications are reviewed between February and March, with successful candidates generally notified from mid-March onwards.
Graduate admission and scholarship periods vary by department. Graduate entrance scholarships are generally connected to the admission process, and academic units nominate strong applicants for relevant awards.
Simon Fraser University Scholarship Coverage
International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship
The International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship (USES) is Simon Fraser University’s most valuable general entrance scholarship for international undergraduate students.
For international students, the scholarship provides:
- CAD 140,000 total
- CAD 17,500 per term
- Eight scholarship payments
- Support across a standard four-year undergraduate degree
- Priority access to university residence
- Priority course enrolment
This is one of the strongest undergraduate scholarships currently available to international students at a Canadian university.
Additional Living Allowance
In limited cases, exceptionally talented scholarship recipients who also demonstrate significant financial need may receive:
CAD 8,000 per term as an additional living allowance.
This allowance is separate from the main scholarship payment.
Because the standard international USES already provides CAD 140,000 and the additional living allowance can substantially increase the support received, selected students can receive funding covering a large part of their tuition and living costs.
However, the living allowance is not guaranteed to every scholarship recipient.
Can the SFU Scholarship Be Considered Fully Funded?
The CAD 140,000 International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship is an exceptionally large award, but it should not automatically be described as completely fully funded.
The scholarship provides a fixed CAD 140,000 award over eight terms. Only a limited number of students with demonstrated financial need receive the additional CAD 8,000-per-term living allowance.
Students should therefore compare their individual scholarship package with:
- Tuition
- Housing
- Food
- Health insurance
- Books
- Transportation
- Personal expenses
before describing their individual award as fully funded.
SFU Scholarships for Continuing International Students
After beginning their degree, international students can continue competing for SFU undergraduate scholarships.
SFU states that its continuing undergraduate scholarships are available to both Canadian and international students and recognise outstanding academic achievement.
Scholarships are offered during different academic terms, and individual awards have their own eligibility requirements.
These scholarships are useful additional funding opportunities but should not be treated as guaranteed sources of support when planning the initial cost of studying in Canada.
SFU Graduate Entrance Scholarships
Simon Fraser University offers several graduate entrance scholarships for outstanding students entering master’s and PhD programmes.
Graduate entrance scholarships are funded by SFU and individual donors, with awards currently ranging from approximately:
CAD 7,000 to CAD 50,000.
Many of these awards are nomination-based, meaning the academic department identifies strong graduate admission applicants rather than requiring every student to submit an independent scholarship application.
Examples include:
- Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship
- Special Graduate Entrance Scholarship
- Darcy and Karina Biagioni Family Graduate Scholarship
- Simons Foundation Doctoral Entrance Fellowship
- Other faculty and donor-funded graduate awards
Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship
The Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship is used by participating departments to recruit outstanding applicants entering master’s and PhD programmes.
It can provide:
- Between CAD 1,000 and CAD 8,000 per term
- Up to CAD 24,000 per year
- Funding for up to two years for master’s students
- Funding for up to four years for PhD students
Not every academic department offers this scholarship, and the exact award depends on the funding arrangement of the applicant’s programme.
Darcy and Karina Biagioni Family Graduate Scholarship
Another valuable graduate award provides:
At least CAD 50,000
split over the first two years of a master’s or PhD programme.
Applicants must demonstrate excellent academic performance together with strong potential for advanced research.
Students are nominated by their Graduate Program Chair rather than applying directly for this scholarship.
SFU PhD Minimum Funding
Simon Fraser University has established a university-wide minimum funding guarantee for eligible PhD students.
Every eligible PhD student entering a covered doctoral programme receives at least:
CAD 28,000 per year.
The funding is guaranteed for at least:
Four years.
This gives a minimum four-year funding commitment of:
CAD 112,000.
Individual programmes can provide funding packages above this university minimum.
PhD funding can come from combinations of:
- Scholarships
- Graduate fellowships
- Teaching Assistantships
- Research Assistantships
- Supervisor research grants
- External scholarships
- Internal university awards
The source of funding can change from one term or year to another while the total support remains consistent with the student’s funding offer.
Professional doctoral programmes are excluded from SFU’s university-wide PhD minimum funding policy.
Eligibility Criteria for Simon Fraser University Scholarships
International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship
International applicants must:
- Apply to SFU for undergraduate study in the Fall term
- Be completing their final year of secondary school, or have graduated within the previous year without completing post-secondary coursework
- Meet admission requirements for their first-choice programme
- Have at least 90% or equivalent
- Or have at least 31 International Baccalaureate points, excluding bonus points
- Demonstrate excellence in academics
- Demonstrate significant extracurricular or community involvement
- Provide two complete references
- Complete the separate USES scholarship application
The 90% or 31 IB requirement is the minimum for scholarship consideration, not a guarantee of selection.
Because the International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship is highly competitive, successful candidates should normally demonstrate achievement well beyond the minimum academic threshold.
Extracurricular and Leadership Requirements
SFU specifically considers applicants’ contributions outside the classroom.
Strong candidates may demonstrate achievement through:
- Community service
- Volunteer work
- Student leadership
- Employment
- Entrepreneurship
- Athletics
- Arts
- Academic competitions
- Clubs and societies
- Personal projects
- Other significant achievements
Applicants should focus on the impact and meaning of their activities rather than simply presenting a long list.
Graduate Scholarship Eligibility
Graduate entrance scholarship requirements differ between awards, but strong candidates generally need:
- Admission to a full-time SFU master’s or PhD programme
- Excellent undergraduate or graduate academic performance
- Strong research potential
- Recommendation letters
- Relevant academic or research experience
- A strong statement of purpose or research interests
- Nomination by the academic programme for nomination-based awards
SFU graduate programmes may impose additional admission and scholarship requirements.
PhD Minimum Funding Eligibility
Eligible students must:
- Be enrolled in an SFU PhD programme covered by the funding policy
- Study full-time where required by their programme
- Make satisfactory academic progress
- Meet the funding requirements established by their academic unit
- Accept or apply for funding components included in their package where required
A funding package can include teaching, research, fellowship, and external scholarship income.
Graduate Academic Requirements
For master’s admission, SFU generally requires:
- A recognised bachelor’s degree
- A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0/4.33, or
- Approximately 3.33/4.33 in the final 60 undergraduate units
Individual programmes may set higher academic requirements.
For PhD admission, applicants generally need a recognised master’s degree. Direct admission from a bachelor’s degree is possible for exceptionally strong candidates meeting SFU’s higher academic requirements.
English-Language Requirements
Undergraduate Students
International applicants who need to demonstrate English proficiency can currently use:
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, no section below 6.0
- TOEFL revised scale: 4.5 overall, no section below 4.0
- Duolingo English Test: 125
- PTE Academic: 65 overall, minimum 60 in each communicative skill
- CAEL: 70 overall, no section below 60
- Cambridge English: 176 overall, no section below 169
Applicants can also satisfy the English requirement through certain previous English-language education or accepted academic qualifications.
You can review our guide to scholarships without IELTS for more information.
Graduate Students
Current minimum graduate English requirements include:
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, minimum 6.0 in each section
- TOEFL revised scale: 4.5 overall, minimum 4.0 in each section
- Duolingo English Test: 125 overall, minimum 105 in each section
- PTE Academic: 65 overall, minimum 60 in each section
- CAEL: 70 overall, minimum 60 in each section
- Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: 180
Individual graduate programmes can require higher scores.
How to Apply for Simon Fraser University Scholarships?
International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship
(1) Apply for admission to an undergraduate programme at Simon Fraser University.
You must first submit your SFU admission application because you need your SFU student number to access the scholarship application.
(2) Complete the separate Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship application.
The USES scholarship is not automatic.
The application asks you to provide information about up to five extracurricular activities and achievements, which can include volunteer work, employment, athletics, arts, community involvement, or other personal achievements.
(3) Prepare the 500-word scholarship essay.
SFU asks applicants to explain how their personal experiences have shaped their outlook on life and how those experiences connect with their future at Simon Fraser University.
Avoid writing a generic essay about wanting a scholarship.
Use specific experiences to demonstrate:
- Personal growth
- Values
- Leadership
- Resilience
- Community contribution
- Future goals
(4) Provide two strong references.
Choose referees who know your achievements well and can verify the academic, extracurricular, community, or personal accomplishments included in your scholarship application.
Use our scholarship recommendation letter guide when approaching your referees.
(5) Complete all required admission documents shown in your SFU Student Centre.
Your admission and scholarship applications are linked, so incomplete admission documentation can affect scholarship consideration.
(6) Monitor your SFU account and email for the scholarship decision.
Successful recipients receive the scholarship according to the payment schedule specified by SFU.
Graduate Entrance Scholarships
(1) Choose a suitable SFU master’s or PhD programme.
For research degrees, review:
- Faculty profiles
- Research laboratories
- Current projects
- Recent publications
- Potential supervisors
(2) Prepare a competitive graduate admission application.
Typical supporting materials include:
- Academic transcripts
- Academic CV
- Statement of purpose
- Research interests
- Recommendation letters
- English-language test results
- Research proposal where required
Use our guides to prepare your academic CV, statement of purpose, and scholarship recommendation letters.
(3) Submit the graduate admission application to your selected programme.
Many SFU graduate entrance scholarships are awarded through departmental nomination, so a strong admission application is particularly important.
(4) Complete additional scholarship information if your department invites you.
For some graduate entrance scholarship competitions, shortlisted applicants may be invited to provide further information concerning their proposed research interests.
(5) Your graduate programme submits nominations for relevant awards.
Students do not directly nominate themselves for awards such as the Darcy and Karina Biagioni Family Graduate Scholarship.
SFU PhD Funding
(1) Apply to an eligible SFU PhD programme.
(2) Identify a suitable supervisor where required.
When contacting faculty, briefly explain:
- Your academic background
- Previous research
- Proposed research area
- Relevant technical skills
- Publications or conference experience
- Why their research aligns with your interests
Attach a concise academic CV.
(3) Submit a complete doctoral application.
PhD funding is generally arranged through the programme and described as part of the funding offer.
(4) Review the funding offer carefully if admitted.
Confirm:
- Guaranteed annual funding
- Funding duration
- Scholarship components
- Teaching Assistantship requirements
- Research Assistantship requirements
- Tuition and fees
- Health insurance costs
- External scholarship obligations
SFU funding offers can combine several sources, so the individual offer letter is the best source for determining your actual doctoral support.
Documents Required for Simon Fraser University Scholarships
Undergraduate Scholarship Documents
Applicants for the International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship should prepare:
- SFU undergraduate admission application
- Secondary-school academic records
- Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship application
- Details of up to five extracurricular activities or achievements
- Scholarship essay
- Two references
- English-language proficiency evidence where required
- Supporting admission documents requested through the Student Centre
Applicants should provide accurate information about achievements because referees may be expected to confirm the activities described in the application.
Graduate Documents
Graduate applicants generally need:
- Graduate admission application
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Master’s degree certificate where applicable
- Academic transcripts
- Academic CV
- Statement of purpose
- Recommendation letters
- English-language proficiency result where required
- Research statement or proposal where required
- Writing sample where required
- Publications or other research evidence
- Additional programme-specific documents
For nomination-based graduate scholarships, the academic unit may use the material already submitted with the admission application rather than requesting completely new documents.
Applicants can use these ScholarshipRoar resources:
Website
For more information about Simon Fraser University Scholarships, visit:
- International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship
- SFU Undergraduate Scholarships
- SFU Graduate Entrance Scholarships
- SFU Graduate Awards and Funding
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Simon Fraser University offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. International undergraduate students can compete for the International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship worth CAD 140,000, while international graduate students can receive fellowships, entrance scholarships, teaching or research assistantships, and other graduate funding.
How much is the Simon Fraser University International Entrance Scholarship?
The International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship is worth:
CAD 140,000 over eight terms.
It is paid as CAD 17,500 per term.
Does SFU also pay living expenses?
Selected exceptional scholarship recipients with demonstrated financial need may receive an additional:
CAD 8,000 per term living allowance.
This additional allowance is limited and is not guaranteed to every recipient.
Is the SFU CAD 140,000 scholarship fully funded?
It is a very substantial scholarship, but the standard CAD 140,000 award should not automatically be described as completely fully funded.
Some recipients may additionally receive the CAD 8,000-per-term living allowance, making their overall support considerably more comprehensive.
What grades do I need for the SFU entrance scholarship?
Applicants need a minimum:
- 90% average, or
- 31 IB points, excluding bonus points.
Meeting the minimum does not guarantee selection.
Is the SFU entrance scholarship automatic?
No.
Applicants must first apply to SFU and then submit a separate Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship application.
Can international students apply for undergraduate scholarships after starting at SFU?
Yes. SFU continuing undergraduate scholarships are available to Canadian and international students who meet the applicable academic and scholarship requirements.
Does SFU fund international PhD students?
Yes. SFU’s minimum funding policy applies to eligible PhD students in covered programmes and guarantees at least CAD 28,000 per year for four years.
How much is the minimum SFU PhD funding package?
The minimum is:
CAD 28,000 per year
for at least four years, giving a minimum total commitment of:
CAD 112,000.
Some programmes provide more.
Does every SFU master’s student receive funding?
No.
SFU’s university-wide minimum funding guarantee applies to eligible PhD students, not all master’s students. Master’s applicants may receive graduate entrance scholarships, fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or supervisor funding depending on the programme.
Is IELTS compulsory for Simon Fraser University?
Not necessarily.
Students can satisfy the English-language requirement through previous eligible English-language education or accepted tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, PTE, CAEL, Cambridge English, and other approved routes.
The standard undergraduate IELTS requirement is 6.5 overall with no component below 6.0.
