Scholarships 2026: Eiffel, Erasmus+ & More for France

Why Scholarships Are Essential for Studying in France in 2026

Funding a university education in France in 2026 presents a significant financial challenge for international students. Differentiated tuition fees for non-EU students reach €2,770 for a bachelor's programme and €3,770 at master's level, on top of rent, food, and transport. Fortunately, a wide range of scholarships can significantly reduce these costs — provided you know where to look and apply on time.

This guide covers the main funding sources available to international students in France in 2026: the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, Erasmus+, CROUS means-tested grants, regional scholarships, and the Campus France scholarship portal. For each programme, we detail amounts, eligibility criteria, application procedures, and deadlines.

The Eiffel Scholarship: Excellence for Master's and Doctoral Students

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme is the flagship funding scheme of the French government for attracting high-achieving international students at master's and doctoral level. It is administered by Campus France on behalf of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Eiffel Scholarship Amounts in 2026

In addition to the monthly stipend, the Eiffel scholarship covers:

• Round-trip airfare to your home country
• Complementary health insurance
• Cultural activities organised by Campus France
• A settlement allowance upon arrival in France

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the Eiffel scholarship, you must:

• Be under 25 years of age for a master's programme (under 30 for a doctorate at the start of the grant)
• Be a citizen of a foreign country (not France)
• Have an excellent academic record (top grades or equivalent)
• Be pre-enrolled in an accredited French higher education institution
• Be nominated by your host institution — direct applications are not accepted

Priority disciplines for 2026 include law, economics, management, political science, engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, and public health.

How to Apply for the Eiffel Scholarship

The entire Eiffel application process runs through the French host institution:

1. Contact the international relations office of your host institution from October or November of the year before your intended arrival.
2. Assemble your file: CV, cover letter, transcripts (translated into French or English), letters of recommendation, and proof of pre-enrolment.
3. The institution submits the application on your behalf via the Campus France platform before mid-January.
4. Results are communicated between March and April.

The selection rate is highly competitive: roughly 10 to 15% of applications succeed. A strong academic record and a clearly articulated plan to return to your home country after your studies both improve your chances.

Erasmus+: International Mobility Open to All

Erasmus+ is the European Union's programme for education, training, youth, and sport. It is not limited to European students: through International Mobility Partnerships (strand KA171), students from around the world can receive an Erasmus+ grant to study in France or from France.

Erasmus+ Amounts in 2026

Grant amounts depend on your country of origin and the length of the stay:

An additional travel subsidy is awarded based on the distance between your home country and France.

Conditions and Application

To benefit from Erasmus+ international mobility:

• A partnership agreement must exist between your home university and the target French institution.
• You must be selected by your home institution based on your academic file and motivation.
• Mobility lasts between 2 and 12 months depending on your level of study.
• Two annual calls for applications exist: around March (for autumn mobility) and October (for spring mobility).

Contact the international office of your home university to find out which French institutions are listed as partners.

CROUS Means-Tested Grants (BPCS)

The higher education grants based on social criteria, awarded by the CROUS (Regional Student Life Centres), form the main financial safety net for students in France.

Who Is Eligible?

Contrary to a common misconception, international students can be eligible for CROUS grants subject to certain conditions:

• Being enrolled in a public or state-contract private higher education institution in France
• Being a citizen of a country that has signed a bilateral agreement with France (many African nations, Maghreb, non-EU Europe)
• Demonstrating family income below set thresholds
• Not already holding another French government scholarship

CROUS Grant Amounts 2025–2026

CROUS grant holders also benefit from exemption from tuition fees, access to €1 meals at university restaurants, and priority access to university halls of residence.

How to Submit the Student Social File (DSE)

The DSE is submitted each year between January and May on messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr. International students are asked for additional documentation such as certified translations of their parents' income statements from their country of origin.

Regional Scholarships: A Frequently Overlooked Resource

French regional councils offer complementary grants to students, including international ones. These scholarships are under-publicised and therefore under-applied for, which in practice improves your chances of success.

Regional Scholarship Examples in 2026

Check the website of your regional council for the exact 2026 amounts and eligibility criteria.

Campus France: Your Central Scholarship Search Tool

Campus France, the national agency for promoting French higher education abroad, lists all scholarships available to international students on its portal campusfrance.org.

The Campus France scholarship search engine allows you to filter by:

• Your country of origin
• Your level of study (bachelor's, master's, doctorate)
• Your academic discipline
• Type of scholarship (French government, regional, institution, bilateral)

In 2026, Campus France catalogues over 250 distinct funding schemes accessible from France — an essential resource to consult before any move.

2026 Application Calendar: Key Deadlines

Sign up for e-mail alerts from Campus France and your institution to be notified when application windows open.

How to Maximise Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship

Securing a scholarship depends on more than just your academic record. Here are the factors that genuinely make a difference:

A clearly articulated project. Selection panels — especially for Eiffel — value candidates who can explain precisely why studying in France fits into a defined professional or research project, ideally including a plan to return to their home country after graduation.

Strong institutional backing. For Eiffel, the quality of the endorsement from your host institution is decisive. Meet the head of international relations in person to discuss your profile well in advance of the deadline.

French language skills. Even for English-taught programmes, demonstrating French proficiency significantly improves your standing with French selection panels, particularly for CROUS and regional grants.

Apply to multiple schemes simultaneously. Do not rely on a single scholarship. A multi-source strategy — Erasmus+ plus a regional grant plus CROUS support — can yield a meaningful combined funding package.

Official Resources

• Campus France — Scholarship Search: campusfrance.org
• Erasmus+ France: erasmusplus.fr
• CROUS — Means-Tested Grants: etudiant.gouv.fr
• Student Social File (DSE): messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr
• Ministry of Higher Education: enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr