Higher education can be very expensive. And students sometimes have trouble finding something to pay for it. Scholarships, loans, crowdfunding ... Here are several ways to finance your studies.

Studying can sometimes cost a lot of money. If parents can not help fund or part of it, there are other ways to raise the money. Here are some examples.

Public scholarships

Several scholarships can be awarded by the state. The best known is the social criteria grant. Each month you are awarded a sum based on your financial situation, family and the distance between your place of residence and your establishment. Ranged from 0 to 7, it allows you to waive tuition fees at the university, social security and awards you € 1,009 and € 5,551 per month (in 2017-2018). To obtain it, you must complete the Student Social File (EHR) between January and May.

For graduates who have obtained the "very good" baccalaureate, a grant of merit for scholarship students, equivalent to € 900, can be awarded for their first year. It can also be given to students doing long studies such as a master's degree or medical studies.

Public service allowances can be paid by the prefectures to the most deserving students who want to prepare public service competitions. To award this annual scholarship of 2000 €, the prefects are based on the results of young people during their studies.

In case of great difficulties, it is always possible to call on Crous emergency help. It can be granted punctually depending on your situation. It can also be distributed throughout the year (from € 1,009 to € 5,551 per year) if you do not benefit from the social criteria grant.

Private scholarships

The grandes écoles also grant scholarships to their students. They go through their foundations or alumni associations. This is the case of HEC and Polytechnique, which exempt their students from tuition fees and competitions.

Partnerships can be established between schools and businesses. The latter then pay the tuition fees of a promising student who will subsequently have to work in the same company. Rather widespread in engineering schools, students benefit from a scholarship of up to € 1,400 per month.

Take a loan

If you are under 28, you can apply for a state-guaranteed loan of up to € 15,000. There is no need for a parent or another person to be a guarantor since the state is a guarantor for the participating banks.

Housing subsidies

To pay your rent or your deposit, there are many aids. The help of the Caf first, the Visale guarantee, the Loca Pass helpers, the mobil-young aid or the Argoat help for young Bretons.

Work while studying

Arrangements are in place to make life easier for students who wish to work during their studies. The college offers, among other things, the dispensation of attendance for workers with half-time or more. Continuous monitoring is then replaced by the end-of-semester exams and allows the student to earn money and experience.

For some courses, students can also opt for alternation. The student divides his time between theoretical classes at school and practical exercises within the company. In agreement with the school, the school also pays the registration fees and a salary to the student.

Crowdfunding

Already well known for the financing of humanitarian, cultural, ... crowdfunding opens its doors to the world of education. Platforms like Eduklab, StudyLink or Edukys have been set up to help students finance their training. The counterparts can go from the simple thank you e-mail to the offer of skills acquired during the studies.