Bursaries for Postsecondary Studies in French as a Second Language

Call for Proposals

Postsecondary entities must submit a new proposal every year, for consideration.

Applicants for funding must consult and complete the following documents, as the case may be.

The Call for Proposals is now closed.

Requests for Information

Please send all requests for information to boursesfls@acufc.ca.

Bursaries for Postsecondary Studies in French as a Second Language Program

Under the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023 (APOL) – Investing in Our Future, the Government of Canada made a commitment to promoting a bilingual Canada, in particular by supporting English-speaking Canadians in learning French.

The federal government has established a new yearly bursary program to encourage English-speaking students to pursue their postsecondary studies in their second official language, in this case in French, thus contributing to the increase of bilingualism among Anglophones in Canada.

The Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC) was assigned responsibility for implementing this Program by the Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH). Under the Program, 850 non-renewable bursaries, each worth 3,000 dollars, will be awarded yearly from 2019 to 2023.

Bursary Distribution

Interested students will be required to submit an application to postsecondary entities (colleges, universities and university faculties) participating in the Program. These postsecondary entities will be in charge of assissing student applications and awarding the study bursaries.

The ACUFC will not be accepting applications directly from students.

The list of postsecondary entities participating in the Program will be posted on this web page in April 2020.

Eligibility Criteria for Students

To be eligible for the Bursaries for Postsecondary Studies in French as a Second Language, the student must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
• Have English as the first Canadian official language spoken;
• Study full time in a Canadian institution during the current year;
• Have completed their secondary school studies in an English-language institution and graduated from this institution;
• Have reached the postsecondary level of education;
• Be enrolled in the first year of a postsecondary study program in their second Canadian official language, in this case French;
• Be at least 17 years old on the first day of class;
• Demonstrate that they have sufficient knowledge of French to be able to study in that language. A transcript will be required, attesting that they have taken courses in their second official language at the secondary school or college or university level in Canada for a minimum of two years;
• Intend to pursue full-time studies in a college or undergraduate university program in Canada, to take at least 50% of their courses and participate in related activities (placements, training activities in the community, activities aiming to foster a greater knowledge of Francophone culture) in French.
• Special consideration will be given to students facing financial challenges and those who come from under-represented groups.

Eligibility Criteria for Postsecondary Entities

To be eligible for the Program, a postsecondary entity must demonstrate its ability to provide Anglophone students with:

1. College degree programs in French of a minimum duration of one year, or university undergraduate study programs in French of a minimum duration of two years;
2. Related support and an environment that allows students to use and improve their language skills in French. Related support can take the form of:
   • Teaching support in French;
   • Additional language courses, if needed;
   • A support service for studies that fosters academic success in French;
3. Opportunities to enhance their knowledge of Francophone culture and engage in cultural experiences in French. Increased knowledge of Francophone culture can take the following forms:
   • The active offer of a student life experienced in French, with various clubs and activities where students will have the opportunity to communicate in French;
   • The provision of community activities in French, beyond courses and student life.

The postsecondary entity must demonstrate that, within the targeted program, at least 50% of courses as well as related and cultural activities will be offered in French.

Only postsecondary entities located in Canada are eligible for the FSL Bursary Program.