14. School Education Grants in France

There are a range of school grants available to families on a means-tested basis.

The main forms and sources of assistance are as follows:

1. 14.1. Return to School Grant
2. 14.2. Collège Grant
3. 14.3. Lycée Grants
4. 14.4. Lycée Merit Grants
5. 14.5. Adaptation (Disabled) Grants
6. 14.6. School Social Grants
7. 14.7. Local Council Grants

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14.1. Return to School Grants

The basic 'return to school' grant is called Allocation Rentrée Scolaire.

14.1.1. Qualifying Rules

This is a grant available at the start of each school year (la rentrée), to help meet return to school costs, e.g. clothing, stationery.

It is payable to each child between the ages of 6 and 18 years attending school, or apprenticeship training.

Although means tested, the grant is generous in its test of resources.

The maximum income level for eligibility depends on the number of dependant children, as follows:


Table: Income Thresholds (2007/8)

No of Children	Income Ceiling
One	€21,991
Two	€27,066
Three	€32,141
Each Add	€5,075

For the school year 2007/8 the reference period for assessing your household income is the calendar year 2006, as advised on your French tax notice. – your revenu fiscal de référence.

Your ‘income’ is your net income as determined by the tax authority on your tax return, after deduction of eligible allowances.

If you have yet to make a tax return in France then you will need to produce details of your income from your home country, including your tax notice.

14.1.2. Cash Benefit

The amount of the grant for the academic year 2007/8 is €272 per child.

14.1.3. Application Procedure

The ARS is paid out by the Caisse nationale des allocations familiales (CAF), a local office of which will be in your département.

You can also download an application form at ARS Application .

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