Student Awards

For all foreign students

There are several types of student awards available for foreign students whether you reside outside or within the European Union.

There are three types of grants a Non-European citizen can claim for:

• Grants allocated by the French government
• Grants distributed by the country of origin
• Grants or scholarships allocated by international and non-governmental organizations. The lists of these grants or scholarships are to be found in the UNESCO brochure: studies abroad.

Administrative procedure

- apply to the Culture Services of the French embassy in your country for a study grant application form or internship or training course grant application form.
The completed form must be submitted before the specified deadline. Make sure to apply one year in advance. The CNOUS (Centre National des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires) will examine :

• your study grant application as early as March,
• your internship or training course grant application three months at the latest before your program begins.

Conditions

The French Government allocates a considerable number of grants every year. Recipients are jointly appointed by the Cultural Service of the French Embassies and the authorities of their own country. Nominations depend on the annual co-operation programs drawn-up according to government priorities and the decisions of mixed committees. The duration of your grant will depend on your program : studies or training, which you undertake to complete within a specified period of time. The results of your exams and tests as well as the assessments of your achievements by your tutors and mentors will ensure the maintaining or ending of your grant.
This grant can assist you by providing you with one or several of the following benefits:

• Acommodation
• Travel expenses
• Enrolment expenses
• Training
• Books
• Materials

For students under 26 living in the European Union member state, or living in France for at least 2 years (holding a residence permit), a means-tested grant may be available.

There is one method to obtain this type of grant and that is to consult the CNOUS, (as mentioned previously) between January and the end of April and ask for a “DOSSIER SOCIAL ETUDIANT” (student application form).

To those establishments who take part in the Socrates Program, there are two other types of grants which apply. The first is the Erasmus Scheme Grant; this gives EU students the opportunity to study in other EU countries for six months or a year. To apply for this grant contact your International Office at your university.
The second is the program Lingua which applies to those students studying a language and destined to become a language teacher of foreign languages, again contact the International Office at your university.

For further information see the The Ministry of Foreign Affairs or contact the local French embassy.