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Scholarships · Funding · 2025/26

Scholarships to Study in France: Government, University & Mobility Funding (2025-2026 Guide)

France is already more affordable than many English-speaking countries, especially thanks to low public university fees. This 2025 guide explains French government scholarships (including Eiffel), university & business school funding, Erasmus+ mobility grants, regional support – and how to build a strong scholarship strategy with StudyConnectFrance.

Public fees still only a few hundred €/year Eiffel, Erasmus+, regional & institutional Build a realistic funding strategy

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Studying in France is already more affordable than many English-speaking countries, especially thanks to public university tuition that is far below the real cost of education. For 2025/26, registration fees at public universities are still only a few hundred euros per year, with the French state subsidising the rest.

But the big questions most international students ask are:

  • How do I reduce my tuition fees further?
  • Can I get help with living costs (rent, food, transport)?
  • What realistic scholarships actually exist for France?

This guide gives you a clear overview of:

  • French government scholarships (including Eiffel)
  • University & business school scholarships
  • Erasmus+ and other mobility grants
  • Regional, external and home-country funding
  • How to build a strong scholarship application
  • How StudyConnectFrance can help you target the right options

You can also explore our dedicated hub here: 👉 Scholarships & Funding for France – Overview

1. Types of Scholarships to Study in France

France offers a mosaic of funding options. Campus France summarises them as a combination of French public institutions, Erasmus+ and other public/private bodies that finance foreign students.

Broadly, you’ll find:

  • French government scholarships
    Often funded by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs or other ministries; many are managed via embassies and Campus France.
  • University & school scholarships
    Tuition waivers or reductions, excellence scholarships, early-bird discounts, programme-specific funding.
  • Erasmus+ & mobility grants
    For students enrolled in European higher education institutions taking part in exchange or traineeship mobility.
  • Regional & city scholarships
    Support from French regions/cities for international students or specific mobility projects.
  • External/private & home-country funding
    Foundations, companies, NGOs and government schemes in your own country.

We structure these in detail across: French Government Scholarships, Institutional Scholarships in France, and Erasmus+ Mobility Scholarships.

2. French Government Scholarships

French government scholarships are mainly managed by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) and other ministries. Most of them are allocated via French embassies and consulates, not directly from Paris.

2.1 France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Programme

The most famous scheme is the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship, run by Campus France on behalf of the MEAE.

Key Points

  • Targets: top international students at Master’s and PhD/Doctorate level.
  • Fields covered (as per recent calls):
    • Science & technology: biology & health, ecological transition, mathematics & digital sciences, engineering sciences.
    • Humanities & social sciences: history, French language & civilisation, law, political science, economics & management.
  • Duration:
    • Up to 12–24 months for Master’s (M2 or full M1+M2)
    • Up to 36 months for some engineering and doctoral projects
  • Benefits typically include:
    • Monthly allowance (Master’s / PhD amounts differ)
    • International return travel
    • Health insurance, cultural activities and local support

Important:

  • You cannot apply directly as a student.
  • Your French institution must nominate you and submit your Eiffel file to Campus France.
  • Universities often set internal deadlines weeks before the national Eiffel deadline.

StudyConnectFrance helps you identify programmes and schools that are active in the Eiffel programme, then coordinate your timing and application strategy with them.

More details here: 👉 French Government Scholarships – Eiffel & Others

2.2 Other French Government & Embassy Scholarships

Beyond Eiffel, French embassies manage numerous other schemes, such as:

  • National scholarships for specific partner countries or fields.
  • Co-financed scholarships with local ministries or companies.
  • Short-programme or French-language course funding.

The French government’s official portals confirm that most government scholarships are awarded by cultural and cooperation services (SCAC) in embassies and consulates, and that students usually apply via the embassy in their country of residence.

Because these schemes vary a lot by country, StudyConnectFrance helps you:

  • Check which embassy scholarships exist for your nationality.
  • Align your timeline so you don’t miss early deadlines.
  • Combine them with institutional and regional funding where possible.

3. University & Business School Scholarships in France

Most international students will rely heavily on institutional scholarships from French universities and schools.

These can include:

  • Tuition fee waivers / partial exemptions.
  • Excellence scholarships (merit-based).
  • Need-based financial support.
  • Early-bird discounts for early admission or full payment.
  • Programme-specific scholarships in partnership with companies or regions.

Campus France highlights that French public institutions offer many grants for foreign students, often alongside Erasmus+ mobility support.

3.1 Fee Waivers & Partial Exemptions for Non-EU Students

Some universities publicly state that they partially or fully exempt non-EU students from “differentiated tuition fees”, meaning non-EU students may pay the same low registration fee as EU students.

  • Université Paris-Saclay explains that non-EU students who would normally be subject to differentiated fees can receive a partial exemption, bringing costs down to the national rate (e.g., around €178 Bachelor / €254 Master / €397 Doctorate per year).
  • Université Côte d’Azur (UCA) and Université Clermont Auvergne have indicated that non-EU students will pay the same fees as EU students for the 2025/26 academic year.
  • Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne voted to apply the same tuition-fee rates for French and foreign students in 2025/26, regardless of EU status.
  • Other universities and Grandes Écoles have adopted similar partial exemptions or waivers.

These policies work like a built-in scholarship: your tuition is effectively cut from the “differentiated” non-EU price back down to the French national rate.

StudyConnectFrance tracks these universities and helps you prioritise fee-friendly options that still deliver strong academics.

We summarise typical institutional schemes on: 👉 Institutional Scholarships in France

3.2 Business School & Grande École Scholarships

Private schools and business schools often offer their own funding, for example:

  • Excellence scholarships for top profiles.
  • Diversity or international student scholarships.
  • Merit-based tuition reductions (sometimes 5–50% or more of tuition).
  • Corporate or alumni-sponsored grants linked to specific programmes.

Selection criteria vary but often consider your academic performance, internships/work experience, country or region, and how early you confirm your place.

Since private schools can charge roughly €7,000–€20,000+ per year for non-EU students, these scholarships can dramatically change your budget.

StudyConnectFrance helps you:

  • Compare net cost after scholarship, not just the catalogue price.
  • Target schools where your profile is realistically competitive for funding.

4. Erasmus+ & Mobility Grants

If your programme includes mobility within Europe (e.g. semester abroad or joint degree), you may benefit from Erasmus+.

The Erasmus+ programme supports physical and blended mobility for higher education students at all cycles, for both study and traineeships.

Key Points

  • As an Erasmus+ student, you are typically exempt from paying tuition, registration or exam fees at the host university (though small local fees like insurance or student union fees may still apply).
  • You receive a monthly grant, whose amount depends on distance between countries, cost of living and available funds.
  • Many French universities send and receive hundreds of Erasmus+ students each year with these grants.

Erasmus+ is usually a top-up, not a full scholarship – you still need a base funding plan for tuition and living costs.

Learn more in our guide: 👉 Erasmus+ Mobility Scholarships

5. Regional, City & External Scholarships

Depending on your field and destination city, you may also find:

  • Regional scholarships offered by French regions or cities to attract international talent.
  • Scholarships from local councils, chambers of commerce or industry clusters.
  • Grants from international organisations, NGOs or foundations (e.g. human rights, environment, development).
  • Home-country scholarships (government or corporate) for overseas studies.

University websites often have a “Funding your mobility” or “Scholarships” section listing regional and external grants alongside Erasmus+.

StudyConnectFrance scans these when we build your financial strategy, especially if you come from priority partner countries or study in strategic fields (green transition, AI, health, etc.).

6. Who Can Get Scholarships? Eligibility Factors

Eligibility varies by scheme, but most scholarships look at a combination of:

Academic Excellence

  • GPA/percentage, ranking in your class.
  • Quality and reputation of your previous institution.

Level & Field of Study

  • Some schemes (like Eiffel) are restricted to Master’s & PhD and specific fields.
  • Others target strategic areas (e.g. green transition, AI, health).

Nationality / Country of Residence

  • Many French government and Erasmus+ schemes specify eligible countries.
  • Some scholarships are reserved for certain regions or bilateral partnerships.

Language Skills

  • Some require French, some English, many accept a mix depending on programme language.

Financial Situation & Motivation

  • Need-based grants consider how you will fund your stay.
  • Committees check if your study project is coherent and realistic.

7. How to Build a Strong Scholarship Application

To maximise your chances, you need more than good marks. Scholarship committees like clarity, coherence and credibility.

7.1 Academic Proof & CV

  • Transcripts with clear grades and ranking (if available).
  • A structured CV highlighting:
    • Academic achievements.
    • Internships and work experience.
    • Projects, competitions and volunteering.

7.2 Motivation Letter / SOP

Your SOP should:

  • Explain why France, why this programme, why now.
  • Connect your past (studies/experience) → present (programme) → future (career goals).
  • Show how you will use the scholarship and why you are a smart investment.

7.3 Recommendation Letters

  • At least 1–2 letters from professors or employers who know your work.
  • They should speak about your academic potential, work ethic and suitability for international study.

7.4 Timing & Consistency

  • Many scholarships (especially Eiffel, Erasmus+ and some university schemes) have deadlines 6–12 months before intake.
  • Your applications to the school and to scholarships must tell the same story (no contradictions in goals, dates or funding).

How StudyConnectFrance helps:
We help you polish your CV, SOP and scholarship narrative so you look serious and consistent to both schools and scholarship committees, while also keeping your future visa file in mind.

For deeper 1:1 work on your documents, see: 👉 Premium Study Abroad Counselling

8. When to Start Looking for Scholarships (Timeline)

Simple rule: start your scholarship search 12–18 months before your intended intake.

Example: for a September 2026 intake, a typical timeline might be:

Sept–Dec 2025

  • Research programmes and scholarships (government + institutional).
  • Check Eiffel/internal deadlines if you aim for top funding.

Jan–Apr 2026

  • Apply to programmes.
  • Submit scholarship applications in parallel, where possible.

May–Jul 2026

  • Receive admissions and scholarship results.
  • Prepare for visa, housing and travel.

Our Scholarships hub is designed to help you organise this: 👉 Scholarships & Funding for France – Overview

9. How StudyConnectFrance Helps With Scholarships

StudyConnectFrance is a France-focused education consultancy based in Lyon, with an entire section dedicated to scholarships, mobility and funding strategies.

Pick Financially Smart Programmes

  • Compare public vs private options.
  • Prioritise institutions with fee waivers or strong scholarship culture.

Combine Funding Sources

  • Institutional scholarships + possible French government schemes.
  • Erasmus+ for later mobility, where relevant.
  • Home-country funding and realistic education loans.

Prepare Scholarship-Ready Documents

  • CV, SOP, recommendation letters aligned with your goals.
  • A coherent financial story that also matches your future visa file.

Avoid Common Myths

  • “Full scholarships everywhere” vs realistic partial funding.
  • Over-reliance on part-time jobs instead of proper financial planning.

Explore our pages:

Or talk to us directly: 👉 Free Study Abroad Counselling · 👉 Contact / Book a Call

10. FAQ – Scholarships to Study in France

1. Can I cover 100% of my costs with scholarships?

It’s possible but rare. Most students use a mix of partial scholarships, tuition waivers, family funds and/or education loans. Erasmus+ grants, for example, are designed to support mobility, not to fully cover all tuition and living costs. 2. Are scholarships guaranteed if I get admission?

No. Admission and scholarships are separate decisions. Even if a school admits you, funding may be limited and competitive. That’s why it’s important to apply early and have a backup financial plan. 3. Can I get Eiffel by applying on my own?

No. You must be nominated by a French institution, which submits your Eiffel application to Campus France. First, apply to eligible programmes and ask the school about their Eiffel process and internal deadlines. 4. Can I combine Erasmus+ with other scholarships?

Often yes. Erasmus+ grants are compatible with many other funding sources, but you must check with your host institution and programme rules. In most cases, Erasmus+ acts as an extra mobility grant on top of your main funding. 5. When should I start planning my scholarship strategy?

Ideally one year or more before your desired intake. Some calls (like Eiffel) open nearly a year before the academic year they fund, and universities may set earlier internal deadlines. The earlier you start, the more options you can realistically target.

Ready to Build Your Scholarship Plan for France?

Whether you’re aiming for public universities with fee waivers or top business schools with merit awards, the key is a realistic, multi-source funding strategy.

  • Map your total budget: tuition + living expenses.
  • Identify government, university, Erasmus+ and home-country options.
  • Prepare strong documents that support both scholarship and visa success.

Check Programs & Funding Fit in 60 Seconds Get a Personal Scholarship Roadmap

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