During their higher studies, students usually seek student accommodation to live in. Some are eligible for financial aid, such as a student grant, to pay their rent. Here is our complete guide on student accommodation, the aid that exists and the steps to take.
After the baccalaureate or as part of a CAP training, many students are led to study away from home and take a student housing. Every year, well before the start of the school year, the search for student accommodation multiply in large cities, especially at the beginning of summer (even if the ideal period is rather in May). Some apply for a place in a Crous residence (Regional Center for University and School Works), while others turn to private accommodation or some roommates between students. However, it is not always easy to find decent accommodation with reasonable rent. What are the financial help which students can claim? Answers and practical advice on student accommodation.
What type of accommodation for a student?
Several accommodations can be accessible and adapted to students:
- THE Crous university residences
- Private student residences
- The studios
- T1 apartments
- Flatshares
- Intergenerational cohabitation
- Student hostels
- Social residences or homes for young workers
What are the aids for student accommodation?
The Family Allowance Fund (Caf) and also Action Logement offer students financial aid for housing depending on the type of accommodation chosen and the family situation of the young person. They are paid either directly to the owner of the accommodation or to the student.
- Social housing allowance (ALS) for single or couple students, without dependents. It is generally paid when the student cannot claim the ALF or the APL.
- Family housing allowance (ALF) for single students or couples, with a dependent (in mainland France or overseas departments),
- Personalized housing assistance (APL) for students with no dependents, single or in couple, living in approved accommodation.
- Mobili-Jeune assistance for young workers under 30 on work-study contracts.
For benefit from housing aid at the start of the next school year, four conditions must be met:
- Be a French or foreign student with a valid residence permit.
- Rent decent accommodation (meeting minimum surface and comfort criteria and without risk of harming the safety and health of the tenant).
- Not be related to the owner of the accommodation.
- Have resources (salary, student grant, alimony, etc.) below a certain ceiling.
What steps and documents for a request for student housing assistance?
You have found your future student housing and you have just received the keys to your first apartment? It’s time to prepare the documents needed to apply for housing assistance from the Caf or Action Logement, depending on your situation. It will then be necessary to present: the rental contract or the lease, a RIB (BIC/IBAN format) belonging to the student, the beneficiary number of the parents (and their Caf of membership if they are beneficiaries), as well as the contact details of the lessor, and the amount of the rent. If you do not have a guarantor, the Caution Locative Etudiant (or Visale) can be used for students: it is a deposit guaranteed by the State.
To do a housing assistance simulation, go directly to the Caf website, section “Help and procedures” then “Housing”, to determine the amount that can be allocated to you. This is calculated based on the the rent and some geographic location of your future apartment, but also of your income and family situation. It should be noted that the parents’ income is not taken into account in the calculation of housing aid of the student. Nevertheless, parents are advised to calculate whether it is more advantageous for them to continue to attach their child to the household or not when filing tax returns, so as not to lose family benefits.
In France, students can have access to a housing for social housing in a university residence, managed by the Crous. THE Crous housing are accessible to students subject to means conditions. In general, the criteria are the same as for the calculation of the student grant, i.e. for students whose income is low. To apply for Crous accommodation, the future tenant must compile a student social file (DSE) on the site messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr, check the box “I request accommodation”, then submit it. If you are not yet registered on this site, the first step is to register.
To obtain a student grant, you must apply for it on the website messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr. For the 2023-2024 academic year, applications must be submitted by May 31, 2023. Students must apply for this. student social file (ESD).
If you are registered on Parcoursup, you automatically have an account, and all you need to do is access it with your email address and password. If this is not the case, you must create one by entering your INE number (national student identification) which can be found on your student card or on the baccalaureate registration confirmation form. Then you just need to add to your DSE, a copy your 2022 tax notice on the income received in 2021 and that of your parents. You must also file the digital versions of your school certificates, and those of your siblings if they are also students. Other documents may be requested depending on your situation. Click on the link to test your eligibility for a student grant.