Funding

In 2022, 22.4% of Domestic Expenditure on Education (‘DIE’) was allocated to higher education (see DEPP, RERS 2024, sheet 10.01). The State remains the primary funder (60.2% of financing), followed by companies (18.3%), households (10.5%), and local authorities (7.9% - cf. L’État de l’École 2023, Figure 8.3).

Since the implementation of the Organic Law of 1 August 2001 on Finance Laws (known as the LOLF) on 1 January 2006, the State budget has been organized into "missions" and "programmes":

• A mission encompasses a set of programmes contributing to a defined public policy. Each mission serves as the unit for budget voting by Parliament.

• Defined at the ministerial level, a programme consolidates the appropriations intended to implement an action or a coherent set of actions under the same ministry. These are associated with specific objectives, defined according to general interest goals, and expected results illustrated by performance indicators. An annual performance plan is annexed to the Finance Bill for each programme, detailing the programme's objectives and expected results, along with the corresponding resources. The following year, an annual performance report for each programme will highlight the results achieved and the means implemented to achieve them.

The LOLF revolves around two principles: performance-based public management and transparency of budgetary information, enabling close parliamentary oversight.

Higher education and research fall under an "inter-ministerial" mission involving several ministries. This mission comprises eight programmes, each encompassing multiple actions and budgetary appropriations, which are voted on by Parliament based on stated objectives and renewed based on achieved results.

Public research laboratories are partially funded by budget appropriations from universities, public research organizations, and funding agencies, including the National Research Agency (ANR). They also receive grants from French regions, charities, industry, and European funding.

Financial Autonomy and Control

According to Articles L711-1 and L711-2 of the Education Code, universities, institutes (including national polytechnic institutes), schools outside universities, teacher training colleges, French schools abroad, and major institutions, as well as communities of universities and establishments, are public scientific, cultural, and professional establishments with legal personality and pedagogical, scientific, administrative, and financial autonomy.

Each public scientific, cultural and professional establishment enters into a multi-year contract with the State, defining the institution's objectives and the reciprocal commitments of the parties. The contract outlines the shared objectives with the institution's partner public research institutions. Institutions report on their commitments and the achievement of the contract's objectives at least once every two years. The contract's performance is evaluated, and the State considers the evaluation results to determine its financial commitments to the institution under the multi-year contract.

Fees within Public Higher Education

Tuition Registration fees vary according to the type of higher education institution and the training followed. The decree of 19 April 2019 (amended on 9 June 2020) establishes the tuition fee rates for public higher education institutions under the authority of the Minister for Higher Education.

Rules on the accumulation of tuition fees 

According to the decree, when a student enrols in multiple institutions referred to in this decree to prepare several separate diplomas simultaneously, they pay the fees provided for each diploma. When a student enrols in the same institution for multiple diplomas, they pay the first fees at the full rate and the other fees at the reduced rate defined on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the table in the appendix to this Order. If these tuition fees have different rates, the highest fees are paid first.

Fees for different courses

Short-Cycle Courses: The annual tuition fee for training leading to a short-cycle higher education diploma varies by training type. For a BTS diploma, the training, primarily conducted in high schools, is free for public education students. For a BUT (university bachelor's degree in technology), the tuition fees are the same as for a bachelor's degree. The annual rate is set at €175 for the 2024 academic year, with a reduced rate of €116.

Bachelor's Courses: The annual tuition fee for the National Diploma under the bachelor's cycle (bachelor's degree, professional bachelor's degree, etc.) is set at €175 for the 2024 academic year, with a reduced rate of €116.

Master's Courses: The annual tuition fee for courses leading to the National Diploma under the master's cycle (master's degree, state diploma in midwifery, technological research diploma, etc.) is set at €250 for the 2024 academic year, with a reduced rate of €164.

Doctoral Courses: The annual tuition fee for preparing a doctorate in public higher education institutions under the Minister for Higher Education is set at €391 for the 2024 academic year, with a reduced rate of €260.

Habilitation to Supervise Research: The annual tuition fee for accreditation to supervise research in public higher education institutions under the Minister for Higher Education is set at €391 for the 2024 academic year, with a reduced rate of €260.

Engineering Degree Curriculum: The registration fees for public grandes écoles vary by diploma. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the registration fees for a public engineering degree are €618, except for programs started after 1 September 2018 at the École Centrale de Lille, Lyon, Marseille, and Nantes, and at the École des Mines de Nancy, where the annual tuition fee is €2,572. The reduced rate is €413, except for the aforementioned programs.

Additionally, some grandes écoles provide free education and remunerate their students, such as the École Polytechnique and the Écoles Normales Supérieures.

Student life and campus contribution (‘CVEC’) 

In addition to registration fees, students enrolled in initial training in a higher education institution or in a preparatory class for the grandes écoles (‘CPGE’) must pay a contribution of €103. This contribution funds actions aimed at promoting student reception and social, health, cultural, and sporting support, as well as prevention and health education, in accordance with Article L. 841-5 of the Education Code. Scholarship students, refugee students, students registered as asylum seekers with the right to remain in the territory, and students benefiting from subsidiary protection are exempt from the CVEC.

Registration fees for non-EU Students (Outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland)

The decree of April 19, 2019, amended in 2023, sets the registration fees for non-EU students. These fees are indexed annually from the 2024-2025 academic year based on the national consumer price index excluding tobacco, as recorded by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies for France for the previous calendar year.

The registration fees for these students are as follows:

• €2,770 per year for the bachelor's cycle.

• €3,770 per year for the master's cycle.

For doctoral students, the French state continues to cover most of the training costs, and the registration fees remain the same as for other students (€380 per year).

Financial Support for Students

Aid for Students' Families

Family Allowance 

Families receive a family allowance starting from two children under the age of 20. This allowance increases with each additional child within the age limit and is reduced based on household income. The basic amount for a family with two children under 20 in 2025 is €148.52 per month.

Tax Reduction for Parents 

Parents are eligible for a tax reduction if their children are enrolled in higher education at a public or private institution, even if they are adults, as long as they are attached to the tax household (until they are 25 years old). The reduction depends on the child's family situation (single, married, with children, etc.).

The education pursued by the child must be organized in one or more annual cycles, lead to a diploma, and be conducted collectively on a full-time basis in an institution (or in alternating training in a professional environment). Children must not be employed or paid to remain attached to the parents' tax household. The tax reduction for the household is €183 per child enrolled in higher education.

Student Financial Aid

Housing Assistance 

Students can benefit from Personalized Housing Assistance (APL), Social Housing Allowance (ALS), or Family Housing Allowance (ALF). This aid is awarded by the National Family Allowances Fund (CNAF) based on social criteria (income, family situation, type of housing, etc.). The value of the applicant's assets is considered in the calculation of the APL. Students who receive housing benefits are no longer considered dependents for family benefit purposes.

Regarding housing, the CROUS offers student accommodations at reduced prices. Foreign students with scholarships from the French government (BGF) or foreign governments (BGE) from developing countries are prioritized for CROUS-managed housing - 20% of foreign students benefit from this type of housing.

Catering Assistance 

The CROUS manages university restaurants for students. The meal voucher price has been €3.30 since 2019. From the 2020/2021 academic year, to support economically vulnerable students during the pandemic, the meal voucher price is €1 per meal for precarious scholarship or non-scholarship students.

Scholarships

The operation of the grants awarded to higher education students is detailed in the ministerial circular of 8 June 2020.

Scholarships Based on Social Criteria 

Higher education scholarships based on social criteria are awarded to students facing financial difficulties that hinder their ability to pursue higher education. Family income and expenses are considered to determine the grant rate according to a national scale. During their higher education, students may claim annual scholarships based on social criteria as outlined in the appendix. In 2022-2023, approximately 36% of students received a grant based on social criteria.

Typically awarded over 10 monthly instalments, these scholarships can be extended to 12 monthly payments for students who have not completed their course by July 1, covering July and August.

Continuation of the scholarship is subject to academic progress, class attendance, and exam participation. To qualify, students must be enrolled in a course under the Minister for Higher Education leading to a national diploma or authorized to receive scholarship holders. They must also meet age, diploma, and nationality criteria.

An annual decree sets the income ceilings for eligibility. Eight levels (0 to 7) are established based on income ceilings. The amounts, set by the decree of July 22, 2020, range from €1,032 per year (level 0 bis, 10 monthly instalments) to €6,815 per year (level 7, 12 monthly instalments).

Merit-Based Aid 

Merit aid is awarded to students who receive a higher education scholarship based on social criteria or an annual allowance under the specific aid scheme for the 2020-2021 academic year. Merit aid is paid in nine monthly instalments, with the amount set by inter-ministerial order. It does not cover university holidays and can be combined with international mobility aid and one-off aid under the specific aid scheme.

This aid is for students with a "very good" mention in the last session of the French baccalaureate, enrolled in a course qualifying for the scholarship. The amount, set by the decree of July 22, 2020, is €900 per month.

A student can receive a maximum of three merit-based aids, applicable in both linear courses and reorientation contexts. Continuation of merit-based aid is subject to academic registration, class attendance, and exam participation. In case of repeating a year, merit-based aid is only continued for medical reasons.

International Mobility Assistance

The international mobility grant is intended for students who:

• Wish to pursue higher education abroad as part of an exchange program or an international internship.

• Are preparing a national diploma under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Higher Education.

• Receive scholarships based on social criteria.

This grant can also be combined with merit-based aid. The duration of the student's assisted stay abroad must be between two and nine consecutive months. Throughout their higher education, students may not benefit from cumulative mobility aid exceeding nine months.

The payment of international mobility grants is managed by higher education institutions. It is advisable to make at least one monthly payment before the student's departure. Institutions must inform each selected candidate of the amount of mobility aid allocated before their departure. The amount is set by the decree of July 22, 2020, for the 2020-2021 academic year (€400 per month).

The stay or internship at the host institution, as well as attendance at the courses provided for in the student's project, must be effective. The head of the originating institution must carry out the control. In case of non-compliance, the institution will immediately stop the payment of the aid.

Exceptional Provision: Students who have received nine monthly payments of the international mobility aid and whose stay abroad was interrupted due to the Covid-19 epidemic may benefit from additional monthly payments for subsequent mobility, within the limit of the duration of the interrupted mobility.

Other

Specific Annual Aid 

To benefit from this aid, students must meet the diploma, study, and nationality conditions stipulated by the regulations for higher education scholarships based on social criteria and must not fall within the exclusion cases of these regulations. The conditions for allocation are detailed in the circular of October 8, 2014.

Students must also meet the same attendance conditions as scholarship students. If a student interrupts their studies during the year for serious medical reasons (medical treatment, hospitalization), they continue to receive the annual allowance for the remainder of the period during which it was to be paid.

One-Time Aid 

One-time aid addresses serious social situations when an annual allowance cannot be awarded during the academic year. These situations require occasional assistance to allow the student to continue their studies, as attested by a social assessment. The circular of January 1, 2021, modifies the allocation conditions, specifying that any student enrolled in an initial higher education course in France, regardless of nationality, scholarship holder or non-scholarship holder, may apply for one-time aid.

If justified, several one-time grants may be exceptionally granted during the same academic year. The maximum amount of one-time aid corresponds to the annual amount of level 2 of higher education grants based on social criteria. If several one-time grants are awarded in the same academic year, the cumulative amount may not exceed twice the annual amount of level 2. Unlike annual aid, one-time aid can be combined with a grant based on social criteria, an annual allowance, an international mobility grant, or merit-based aid.

State-Guaranteed Student Loan 

This loan is intended for students aged 18 to 28, French or nationals of the European Union or the European Economic Area, enrolled in an institution in France to prepare for a French higher education diploma. The loan characteristics are:

• Maximum amount: €15,000 per student.

• No means test required.

• No parental or third-party guarantee required.

• Possibility of deferred reimbursement (partial or total at the student's choice).

• A loan for which part of the default risk is guaranteed by the State, similar to systems in other countries.

Applications are made directly to partner banking institutions.

Private Education 

The State may subsidize private higher education courses. Some schools are funded by other ministries, but many receive subsidies from the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

The establishment must be "recognized" by the State, which involves a control of the establishment's functioning, training, and supervisory and teaching staff. Recognition allows the institution to apply for subsidies, although allocation is not automatic.

Tuition Registration fees for private higher education institutions vary by institution.

Financial Aid for Families and Students 

To minimize the financial burden on students from modest families, engineering or business schools often have systems to reduce tuition fees or delay their payment. State recognition allows them to receive students with State scholarships. Additionally, some schools grant scholarships or internal loans (repayable ten years after the end of studies) and offer paid activities within the institution. Some schools offer apprenticeships, dividing time between the company and the training institution, exempting students from tuition fees and providing a minimum remuneration of up to 78% of the minimum integration wage (SMIC, with a gross monthly minimum wage of €1,801.80 based on a 35-hour workweek).