Grant to study

Obtaining a grant to study in France: what to do?

Different grants exist to help foreign students finance their studies in France. It may seem daunting, but it is worth taking the time to understand what is available: financial help is always welcome to finance your studies. And also remember to explore the possibilities of grants in your own country.

Grants in your home country

Before anything else, contact the Ministry of Education in your own country: they may be able to finance part of your studies. 

French Embassy grants or “French government grants”

These study grants represent some 80% of French government assistance.
To apply, you should contact the French Embassy or French Consulate in your country of residence.

How are the grants awarded?

The number of grants and the selection criteria vary from one country to another. As a rule, a student enrolled in a Master’s degree will have priority over a student enrolled for a first level university degree: the higher the level of studies, the easier it will be to obtain a grant.

When should you apply?

Contact the French Embassy or Consulate in your country about 6 months before your arrival in France because the procedure is lengthy and the dossiers and formalities complex to complete.

The different types of grant

• The “study grant” concerns students enrolled in the normal cycle of a French higher education establishment (University or education course approved by the Ministry of National Education).
• The “training course grant” (3 to 12 months) is intended for students:
  o attending a professional specialisation programme, further training or professional retraining course;
  o attending a short language course;
  o attending a course approved by the Ministry of National Education.
• The “high level scientific course grant” (1 to 3 months). As the name implies, this is for students:
  o who are continuing high level studies;
  o who are studying as part of a research programme and cultural, scientific, technical or industrial exchanges.

Specific programme grants

• The grant application dossiers are processed from Paris by organisations such as Egide or the CNOUS . The application for these grants is made directly in France.
• The Eiffel programme is for 2nd and 3rd cycle students in engineering sciences, economics and management or political science-law. To apply for a grant, your enrolment in an educational establishment must have already been accepted. This programme also concerns doctorate students wishing to study for a year in France.
  For more information about Eiffel or to apply for a study grant: Egide site
  The doctoral colleges provides an additional assistance paid by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For more information:  Egide Site 
• The Charcot programme allows high level students in medicine to study for a year in a medical research laboratory.
  For more information on the programme and how to apply: see the CNOUS site.

European programme grants: ERASMUS MUNDUS

If you are part of the ERASMUS MUNDUS study programme, you can present your study programme to a commission to receive a grant. Find out more on the Europe Education Formation site.
Other Study grants

There are also other grants available.

• Ministry of National Education grants. For more information, visit the Ministry of National Education website
• Grants from the Agence universitaire de la francophonie. For more information, see the AUF website
• Grants available from international institutions, NGOs and foundations. For more information, see the Unesco guide
• ANDES grants specifically for doctoral students. For more information, see the ANDES website.