Top Scholarships for France 2026: Complete Guide

France offers over €500 million in scholarships annually to international students. The flagship Eiffel Excellence Scholarship pays €1,181 per month for master's students and €1,700 per month for PhD candidates. The means-tested CROUS bourse provides up to €6,335 per year for students from low-income families. Combined with France's already low tuition (€170–3,770 per year at public universities) and housing aid (CAF), these scholarships make France one of the most financially accessible study destinations in Europe.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme

The Eiffel programme is France's most competitive merit-based scholarship for international students. It is funded by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and managed by Campus France.

Detail	Master's Level	PhD Level
Monthly allowance	€1,181	€1,700
Duration	12–36 months	Up to 10 months
Tuition	Covered	Covered
Health insurance	Included	Included
Housing allowance	€700 (Paris) / €350 (other)	€700 (Paris) / €350 (other)
Travel	Return flight covered	Return flight covered
Fields	Science, Economics, Law, Political Science, Engineering	All fields (cotutelle)

How to apply: You cannot apply directly. A French institution must nominate you. Contact your target university's international office and ask them to submit your candidacy. The annual deadline is typically in January for the following September. About 400 scholarships are awarded each year from over 4,000 nominations.

A student from Vietnam nominated by Sciences Po Paris for a master's in International Affairs, for example, would receive €1,181/month plus covered tuition and a return flight — making the entire programme essentially free.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

The Erasmus Mundus programme funds joint master's degrees offered by consortia of European universities. Many include a semester at a French institution. The scholarship covers full tuition, travel costs, and a monthly living allowance of approximately €1,400.

Over 160 Erasmus Mundus programmes are available. About 30% include a French partner university. Fields span everything from engineering and environmental science to linguistics and human rights. The application deadline is typically December to February for courses starting in September.

CROUS Bourse (Means-Tested Grant)

The bourse sur critères sociaux (BCS) is France's primary means-tested student grant, managed by CROUS. It is available to EU/EEA students and some non-EU students who have been resident in France for at least two years with a French tax return.

Echelon	Annual Amount (2025/2026)	Approximate Family Income
Echelon 0bis	€1,454	Up to €33,100
Echelon 1	€2,163	Up to €26,500
Echelon 5	€4,889	Up to €11,800
Echelon 7	€6,335	Up to €3,100

BCS recipients also get exemption from tuition fees, €1 meals at Restos U, and priority for CROUS housing. Apply through the DSE (Dossier Social Étudiant) between January and May each year.

Embassy and Government Scholarships

Many countries fund their citizens to study in France through bilateral agreements.

• Charpak Scholarship (India): For Indian students. Covers tuition, living costs of €615–767/month, and travel. About 50 scholarships per year for master's programmes.
• MEXT equivalent programmes: Several countries have Ministry of Education scholarships specifically for study in France — check with your country's Campus France office.
• French Embassy scholarships: Many French embassies offer country-specific scholarships. Amounts and conditions vary. Contact the cultural section of your local French embassy.
• BGF (Bourse du Gouvernement Français): Government scholarships for master's and PhD students from priority countries. Monthly allowance of approximately €860–1,400.

Région-Specific Scholarships

French regions (régions) offer their own scholarship programmes. These are often overlooked but can provide €500 to €5,000 per year.

• Île-de-France: Master's scholarships of €2,000–10,000 for international students through the "Île-de-France" scholarship programme
• Occitanie: Mobility scholarships of up to €1,500 for incoming international students
• Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: CMIRA scholarships of up to €4,000 for international exchange students
• Grand Est: Regional mobility grants of €500–2,000

Check with your university's international office — they know which regional scholarships apply to your programme and can help with applications.

University-Specific Scholarships

Many French universities and Grandes Écoles offer their own merit and need-based scholarships.

• Sciences Po Paris: Émile Boutmy Scholarship — covers tuition (€14,500) or provides a €5,000–10,000 annual grant for non-EU students
• Université Paris-Saclay: International Master's Scholarships — €10,000/year for 1–2 years
• INSEAD: Over €17 million in scholarships distributed annually
• HEC Paris: Need-based grants reducing tuition by up to 50%
• Toulouse School of Economics: Full tuition waivers for top candidates

How to Maximise Your Scholarship Chances

Apply early. Most scholarship deadlines fall between November and February for a September start. The Eiffel programme deadline is usually in January.

Contact universities directly. For the Eiffel programme, you need a university nomination. Start emailing international offices in September — a full year before you plan to start.

Combine funding sources. You can hold a regional scholarship alongside CAF housing aid and work part-time. A student with a €500/month regional grant, €200/month CAF, and €500/month from a part-time job has €1,200 — enough for most cities outside Paris.

Check exemption policies. Even without a formal scholarship, many universities waive the non-EU fee surcharge. This saves you €2,600 per year at the bachelor's level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest scholarship for studying in France?

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is the most generous. Master's students receive €1,181/month plus tuition, housing allowance, insurance, and a return flight. PhD candidates receive €1,700/month. About 400 scholarships are awarded yearly.

Can I get a scholarship even if I'm not from the EU?

Yes. The Eiffel programme, Erasmus Mundus, embassy scholarships, and many university-specific scholarships are specifically for non-EU international students. The CROUS bourse is harder to access for non-EU students unless you have been resident in France for two years.

Are there scholarships for bachelor's students?

Fewer than for master's, but they exist. The CROUS bourse covers all levels. Some universities offer merit scholarships at the licence level. Embassy scholarships sometimes cover bachelor's programmes. Public university tuition is already just €170/year for EU students — far less than a scholarship elsewhere would provide.

How competitive is the Eiffel programme?

Very competitive. About 400 awards from 4,000+ nominations — a 10% success rate. Strong academic records, a clear research or study project, and a credible career plan are essential. The nominating institution's reputation also matters.

Can I combine multiple scholarships?

It depends. Some scholarships (like Eiffel) are exclusive and cannot be combined with other major funding. Regional scholarships, CAF housing aid, and university fee waivers can usually be combined. Always check the terms of each scholarship.

What is the Charpak scholarship?

The Charpak programme is specifically for Indian students. It covers tuition, a monthly living allowance of €615–767, and travel costs. About 50 scholarships per year for master's programmes. Apply through Campus France India.

When should I start applying for scholarships?

Start in September — one full year before your intended start date. Most deadlines are between November and February. The Eiffel programme requires university nomination in January. Embassy scholarships often have autumn deadlines for the following year.

Do scholarships cover living costs or just tuition?

It varies. The Eiffel programme covers everything (tuition + living + housing + insurance + travel). The CROUS bourse covers living costs only (tuition is waived separately). Regional scholarships typically cover partial living costs. University scholarships often cover tuition only. Check each programme's details carefully.