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Guide to French School Education

14. French School Education Grants

There are a range of school grants available to families on a means-tested basis.

The main forms and sources of assistance are as follows:

14.1. Allocation Rentrée Scolaire

The basic 'return to school' grant is called Allocation Rentrée Scolaire (ARS).

14.1.1. Qualifying Rules

This is a grant available at the start of each school year (la rentrée) to help meet return to school costs, e.g. clothing, stationery.

It is payable to each child between the ages of 6 and 18 years attending school or apprenticeship training.

Although means tested, the grant is generous in its test of resources.

The maximum income level for eligibility depends on the number of dependent children.

The thresholds for 2024/25 are as follows:

No of Children	Income Ceiling
One	€27,141
Two	€32,588
Three	€38,443
Etc

For the school year 2024/25 the reference period for assessing your household income is the calendar year 2022, as advised on your French tax notice received in 2023!

Your ‘income’ is your net income as determined by the tax authority on your tax return, after deduction of eligible allowances - your revenu fiscal de référence.

If you have yet to make a tax return in France then you will need to produce details of your income from your home country, including your tax notice.

14.1.2. Grant

The amount of the grant for the academic year varies according to the age of the child and is revised each year. For children aged 6-10 years the sum is €416; for those 11-14 it is €439; for those aged 15-18 years it is €454 (2024/25).

14.1.3. Application Procedure

The ARS is paid out by the Caisse nationale des allocations familiales (CAF), a local office of which will be in your department. You can find out more at ARS CAF.

Next: College Grant

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