Project Overview

Project status

Project manager or
resource person

Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC)

Bursaries for Postsecondary Studies in French as a Second Language (FSL) program

The aim of the Bursaries for Postsecondary Studies in French as a Second Language (FSL) program is to encourage English-speaking students to pursue their postsecondary studies in French. They have an opportunity to receive a one-time bursary of $3,000, awarded annually.

The objective is simple: allow a greater number of English-speaking Canadians to become bilingual.

To receive a bursary for postsecondary studies in French as a Second Language, students must:

  • Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
  • Have English as the first Canadian official language spoken.
  • Have completed their high school studies in an English or non-official language (neither French nor English) institution, and graduated from said institution.
  • Be enrolled full-time in a college program (minimum duration of one year) or university program (minimum duration of two years) delivered in French by a postsecondary entity that participates in the Program.
  • Take at least 50% of their courses and participate in related activities (placements and training activities in the community) in French.

The initiative is student-centred, providing students with related support, encouraging them to use and improve their language skills and to increase their knowledge of Francophone culture.

Special consideration is given to students facing financial difficulties and those from under-represented groups.

Targeted Results

Implementation of the initiative is on schedule.
850 English-speaking students from across Canada benefit each year from the opportunity to pursue their postsecondary education in French and perfect their bilingualism through the bursaries.
Young people contribute to the increase in bilingualism of English speakers in Canada.

Main takeaways (learnings)

  • In addition to the resources offered to post-secondary entities for program promotion, it is important to offer them financial resources for administration.
  • Visibility agreements with national and provincial partners have been successful in promoting the program.

Potential/desired collaborations

National FSL organizations (e.g. CPF, ACPI, CASLT, Le français pour l'avenir)
  • To promote the program to their audiences.
Eligible colleges and universities offering French-language programs
  • So that their students can benefit from the bursary.
Any organization that can help the program reach high school immersion graduates to let them know about the bursary.
  • School boards and districts, principals and teachers can help ACUFC promote the bursary to students.

Digital platforms and documents for consultation or sharing

Digital platforms and documents for consultation or sharing

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