FNAU — National Emergency Student Aid Fund
Emergency grants of €100 to €5,000 within 5-10 days — open to all students regardless of nationality
The FNAU (Fonds National d'Aide d'Urgence — National Emergency Aid Fund) is a French government emergency fund managed by the CROUS to help students in acute financial difficulty. It is one of the fastest and most flexible student aid mechanisms in France.
Two forms of FNAU
| Form | Amount | Duration | For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term FNAU | €100 to €5,000 one-time | Single payment | Acute emergency (accident, sudden loss of income) |
| Annual FNAU | €100 to €500/month | Up to 12 months | Chronic financial difficulty |
Eligibility
- Any student enrolled in a French higher education institution
- No nationality requirement
- No scholarship requirement (accessible to non-scholarship students)
- Any financial difficulty: sudden income loss, medical emergency, family crisis, housing accident
How to apply
- Contact your CROUS social worker — this is the entry point for all FNAU applications
- Prepare a file with: student card or enrollment certificate, RIB, documents explaining your situation (medical certificates, bank statements, etc.)
- Social worker interview — the worker assesses your situation and proposes the most appropriate aid
- Decision within 5 to 10 days for short-term FNAU, 2 to 4 weeks for annual FNAU
- Payment by bank transfer to your French RIB
Find your CROUS social worker
Each university is associated with a regional CROUS. Find your CROUS on etudiant.gouv.fr, then contact the social services department for an appointment. Appointments are free and confidential.