Planning and managing your budget

For a successful study experience, make sure your financial resources are in relation to the cost of living in Lorraine, i.e. sufficient to finance the entire duration of your stay in France.


Preparing your budget must therefore be the first step before you decide to study in France!

Be aware of the difference in living standards between your country and France: the cost of living in France can be quite high. So if you do not have have enough money, avoid the stress of financial problems that could affect your health and studies and consider postponing your stay in France.

Planning

your Budget

Prepare your budget before your departure

To prepare your stay, we recommend that you draw up a realistic monthly budget that takes into account all your expenses: accommodation, food, studies, transport, healthcare, mobile and internet packages, leisure activities, etc.

  • List your resources: only resources you are sure of, such as grants (if you have a grant certificate) and your own income (from a financial guarantor, personal savings, etc.).
  • List your expenses: find out the real cost of living in France and watch out for price rises in France, particularly for rent and energy (gas/electricity).
  • Plan for all expenses before you leave / on your arrival / and throughout your studies in France.

Expenses before leaving for France

  • For non-EU nationals: visa application (cost varies depending on the country)
  • Booking fees for your accommodation in France
  • Deposit for your accommodation in France (around one month’s rent)
  • If CROUS accommodation: accommodation and liability insurance
  • Plane, train and/or bus ticket(s)
  • If necessary, translation(s) of document(s), etc…

Please note: this list is not exhaustive and depends on your personal situation.

Expenses on your arrival in France

  • Tuition fees (can be paid over 3 consecutive months if “differentiated” tuition fees for non-EU nationals)
  • “CVEC” tax (Contribution de Vie Etudiante et de Campus)
  • If you are a non-EU national: visa validation fee (if VLS-TS visa) or residence permit application fee (if visa with residence permit to be applied for on arrival in France = “titre de séjour à solliciter à l’arrivée en France”)
  • Accommodation costs:
    • If CROUS accommodation: first month’s rent (less the €100 reservation fee already paid)
    • If private accommodation: first month’s rent + security deposit, and the possible cost of:
      • reservation (or agency) fees
      • opening gas and/or electricity meter(s).
  • If private accommodation: accommodation and liability insurance
  • if unfurnished accommodation: furniture and equipment

Please note: this list is not exhaustive and depends on your personal situation

Daily expenses throughout your stay in France

Your budget must be :

  • planned for each month of your stay in France
  • realistic, taking into account all expenses: accommodation, food, study, transport, health, mobile and internet packages, leisure activities, etc.

If you are a citizen of a non-European Union country

You will have to prove that you have a minimum of 615 euros per month (excluding school fees) to apply for your visa and residence permit.

To do so, you must provide:

  • a grant certificate
  • OR a statement from a financial guarantor (relative, friend, etc.) in France or abroad
  • OR a permanent irrevocable transfer order from your bank in your usual country of residence
  • OR a certificate of adequate credit balance in a bank account in France

Please note:

Even once you are in France, any social welfare benefits you might be entitled to are not taken into account by the Préfecture in the €615 per month amount. So, don’t take them into account when preparing your budget!

Useful information:

You must have financed your studies before arriving in France: so don’t include any income from a job you might find once you are in France!

In fact, as a citizen from a non-EU country, you are authorised to work in France on an ancillary basis only: 60% of annual working time / 50% for Algerian students.

Moreover, if you arrive in France with a visa stating “residence permit to be applied for on arrival” (“titre de séjour à solliciter à l’arrivée en France”), you will not be authorised to work until you have obtained:

  • your final residence permit
  • + if you are of Algerian nationality: a work permit which is compulsory from the first hour of work!

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