The new school year in France starts on a harsh note. A cut in school grants has been announced. This is likely to be a headache not only for international students but also for French families living abroad. Beyond the rising student cost of living, this measure sounds like a long-lasting crisis.
Rising cost of living for students
UNEF, France's national federation of student unions, assesses a worrying rising cost of living for students in the country for both local and international students. According to its latest study, published on August 14, the cost of living for students has risen by 6.47% in 2023, representing an additional 594.75 euros. UNEF describes this rise as "unprecedented in 19 years of surveys". Energy and food are the main areas where price increases have been recorded. The energy crisis is also hitting the most vulnerable students. UNEF points out a 22% increase in the price of natural gas, 20.7% for gas and 10.1% for electricity. The cost of food has risen by 14.3%.
But housing remains the biggest expense, taking up just over 60% of students' budgets, according to UNEF calculations. Rents for private housing are skyrocketing. They were already high in 2022 (560 euros per month, on average) and are still on the rise in 2023 (to around 570 euros per month). The Crous (Centre régional des œuvres universitaires et scolaires) student residences are no exception, despite the rent freeze. Unef reports a 3.5% fee increase, from 381.48 euros the previous year to 394.83 euros. The Contribution de vie étudiante et de campus (CVEC), which only applies to students not entitled to a scholarship, has also increased from 95 euros to 100 euros this year.
The FAGE (Fédération des associations générales étudiantes) shares UNEF's view and believes that the cost of tuition for students will continue to rise. According to its survey published on August 16, a student without a scholarship and living alone would have to pay 3024 euros for the start of the new academic year. This is 4.68% more than last year when FAGE estimated a cost of 2889.15 euros.
Grants for international students in France
In September 2022, the French government reformed student grants based on social criteria. The main measures include a review of eligibility scales and an increase in the value of grants at each level. In March 2023, the government presented its reform, some points of which affect international students. The scholarship amounts vary according to the level, from 108.4 euros per month (level 0bis) to 596.5 euros per month (level 7).
From the start of the 2023 academic year, international students will be eligible for grants under certain conditions (enrolment in an eligible first degree, full-time studies, etc.). There are differences depending on whether the student is a European citizen or of another nationality. The French Ministry of Higher Education and Research indicates that 5.5% of grant recipients are international students. This leaves the vast majority of students without grants. There are other cost increases for them, such as transportation costs (+5.91% on average). However, there are significant differences between French cities. Lyon, for example, is less expensive than Paris or Fort-de-France. For UNEF, the grant increase (from +37 euros to +127 euros, depending on the case) remains insufficient.
Grant cuts for French families living abroad
While inflation is still a major cause of concern worldwide, France has also confirmed a significant reduction in school grants allocated to French families living abroad. The original scheme had been set up by the Agence pour l'Enseignement Français à l'Etranger (AEFE) to support French families living abroad, particularly modest ones. However, the measure implemented by the National Scholarship Commission last June is causing concern among many French expat families.
AEFE grants could drop by up to 7% for 2023-2024. This measure is part of the Contribution Progressive de Solidarité (CPS), a contribution levied on all families receiving a scholarship (except those receiving 100%).
A looming crisis for French families living abroad
Senator Ronan Le Gleut, representing the French living overseas, has written to the French Senate asking for a freeze of this measure. According to him, this is a considerable risk for both French families and French education overseas. Ronan Le Gleut fears that the most precarious families will certainly no longer be able to bear the cost of education in French institutions abroad. He also points out that "Cap 2030", a scheme launched by President Macron, aimed at doubling the number of French students in French institutions abroad and developing their network. According to Le Gleut, the student grants cut contradicts the president's strategy. Le Gleut predicts a drop in school attendance and an unprecedented crisis for expatriate families, especially the most vulnerable.
But Olivier Becht, the Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and the French living overseas, disagrees. He insists that these cuts will only affect some expatriate families. For instance, the most vulnerable (those who receive 100% of the grant) will not be affected. The Minister prefers to emphasize the increase in the total budget allocated to scholarships. In fact, it has increased from 100.4 million to 114.8 million. This does not cancel out the announced reduction in school grants. The Minister confirms the measure but disputes the 7% figure, referring instead to a 5% cut in school grants. French children attending schools in countries in severe crisis, such as Lebanon, could even receive special aid. A budget of 2 million euros will be allocated to students attending French schools in Lebanon.
Useful links :
Etudiant.gouv.fr: information on student grants
