Program Eligibility
Not all programs are eligible for government financial assistance (student loans and grants). Program eligibility is outlined in the current . We compare SFU鈥檚 programs to StudentAid BC鈥檚 policies to determine which programs meet their eligibility requirements.
StudentAid BC and/or Canada Student Financial Assistance will not fund an 51社区黑料program if it does not meet their eligibility criteria. For example, funding would not be granted for a program if it:
- does not lead to a formal credential issued by SFU
- is delivered on a part-time basis without a 100% full-time equivalent
- is an executive program that is designed specifically to meet the needs of members of the full-time labour force
- is considered professional development
- is offered through Continuing Studies
Please note: if your program is ineligible for student loan/grant funding, it is also ineligible for status. You may want to explore the if you have previous Canadian student loans.
The following undergraduate programs are not eligible for government student financial aid for the 2026/2027 program year:
Education
- Helping Ease Access for Returning Teachers (HEART)
- BC Education System Familiarization Program
- Professional Diplomas
- Professional Learning Series
Not for Credit studies
- Continuing Studies and Lifelong Learning programs
- Not for credit Diploma or Certificate
- Non-degree seeking student
Program Eligibility FAQ
How do I qualify for funding as a Non-Degree student?
In some cases, a student enrolled in non-degree studies at 51社区黑料might be eligible for government student financial aid if they are:
- a Visiting Student
- completing courses necessary to meet the entrance requirements for an undergraduate major
- transferring to another program/faculty
- completing qualifying studies before being admitted to graduate school
Please contact us for more information.
How do I apply for funding as a Teacher Education program student?
Students apply for funding one term at a time.
Scenario 1
Currently declared in a Bachelor of Education as a second degree and PDP, PLP, or AHCOTE:
In the StudentAid BC application system, select Teacher Education Programs, Bachelor of Education 2nd Degree (PDP, PLP, or AHCOTE) as your program.
Fall 2025 cohort Teacher Education students in Term 4 also select this as their program.
Scenario 2
Currently declared in PDP, PLP, or AHCOTE, and will be declared in a Bachelor of Education as a second degree program once I complete some prerequisite courses required by the Education department:
A Bachelor of Education (second degree) is eligible for funding.
If you are not yet declared in a Bachelor of Education, you may be able to access funding for PDP, PLP, or AHCOTE based on an exception offered by StudentAid BC. If a student must complete prerequisites before being declared in the Bachelor of Education (second degree), the student can apply under the 鈥渦nclassified/qualifying鈥� exception and receive up to 52 weeks of funding as a student qualifying for admission to the Bachelor of Education (second degree).
Graduands of PDP, PLP, or AHCOTE qualify for a B.C. Ministry of Education teaching certificate rather than a formal credential issued by SFU. These programs are not eligible on their own for funding unless the student is also pursuing a Bachelor of Education.
In the StudentAid BC application system, select Teacher Education: Qualifying studies for Bachelor of Education, 2nd Degree (PDP, PLP, or AHCOTE) as your program.
Scenario 3
Currently declared in PDP, PLP, or AHCOTE, and will not be declared in a Bachelor of Education (second degree).
PDP, PLP, or AHCOTE are not eligible for funding on their own. You might approach the Education department to explore declaring a Bachelor of Education (second degree) so that you might access funding as outlined in the two scenarios above.
How do I apply for funding if I do not have a declared major, or am completing several minors instead?
If you are completing a minimum of two minors, or have not declared a program major, select your degree pathway as your program of study. In the StudentAid BC application system, for instance, you might select Arts (Bachelor of Arts) *No Declared Major as your program of study.
How do I apply for funding if I have two majors?
If you are completing two majors within the same credential, you can select either major and have your funding be processed.
How do I apply for funding if I am in 5th year of study as an undergraduate?
Often, students take longer than the traditional four years to complete their degree.
At SFU, students select their year of program based on how many units they have completed, rather than the chronological year they are in, within their program of study.
Select your program year based on the following:
- I have completed 0 to 30 units: year 1
- I have completed between 31 and 60 units: year 2
- I have completed between 61 and 90 units: year 3
- I have completed between 91 and 120 units year 4
How do I apply for funding if I am in a COOP term?
In the StudentAid BC application system, select COOP as your study period offering within your program of study. COOP participation is considered full-time study for government student financial aid.
If you are enrolled in COOP and additional course(s) that exceed 3 units, please request Financial Aid and Awards to complete a Program Information Request (PIR) on your behalf.
Disclaimer:
We aim to keep this list as complete and up-to-date as possible. However, new programs and changes to current programs can occur without Financial Aid and Award's knowledge. Please contact Financial Aid and Awards if you have any doubts or concerns about your program's eligibility.
Program year eligibility is updated each May for the upcoming year.