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10 July 2024

Complete guide to student housing assistance

Are you a student or soon-to-be-student with questions about the housing assistance available to you? In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to help you navigate through the various housing assistance programs and find your student accommodation in Paris quickly.

Types of housing assistance for students

To enable them to pursue their higher education in the best possible conditions, French students, whether studying in Paris or in other French cities, can benefit from various types of housing assistance. This financial support includes Aide Personnalisée au Logement (APL), Allocation de Logement à Caractère Social (ALS) and other specific aids that help reduce rental charges and ensure an environment conducive to students’ academic and personal success.

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Personalized Housing Assistance (APL)

The Aide Personnalisée au Logement (APL) is a crucial allowance for student tenants, aimed at reducing their housing costs. Since January 2021, its amount has been adjusted quarterly on the basis of income over the last twelve months, ensuring regular and accurate updating of assistance. This measure adapts the APL to students’ financial fluctuations, ensuring adequate support throughout their academic career. Thanks to this reassessment, recipients can better plan their budget and concentrate fully on their studies, facilitating their integration and success in higher education.

Social Housing Allocation (ALS)

The Allocation de Logement à Caractère Social (ALS) is widely granted to students, and applies to all types of non-approved accommodation, unlike the APL, which is reserved for approved housing. This includes rooms in hostels or halls of residence, studios, apartments or houses. If no other form of housing assistance is applicable, the ALS can be claimed, provided you are listed on the rental lease. This allowance offers significant financial support to students, helping to alleviate your housing expenses and contribute to better budget management throughout your stud

Family housing allowance (ALF)

ALF is a financial aid for families. To qualify, you must be a French, European Union or Swiss national. You must hold the lease on your student accommodation and not be related to the landlord (assistance is not granted if the landlord is a parent or grandparent).

Applying for housing assistance

Applying for housing assistance as a student is essential in order to benefit from significant financial support to alleviate rental costs. This enables students to better manage their budget, concentrate their resources on their studies and enjoy a more serene and enriching academic experience.

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Conditions and eligibility

According to the official French government website, as a student, you are eligible for housing assistance provided you meet the following four conditions:

You are French or a foreign national with a valid residence permit.
You rent decent accommodation.
You are not related to the owner of the property.
Your income (salary, grants, etc.) is below certain ceilings.

If you share a flat, you may also receive housing assistance. The rent used to calculate the assistance is therefore divided by the number of roommates sharing the property. It should be noted that each flatmate must make his or her own application for assistance.

Documents and necessary steps

The documents required to apply for housing assistance include :

A valid e-mail address
Your rental contract or lease
Your bank details (RIB)
If your parents receive benefits, their benefit number
Your landlord’s contact details (agency or owner)
Rent amount
The SIRET number of your landlord if it’s an agency or a company
Income from assets

Finding student accommodation in Paris and the suburbs

Finding student accommodation in Paris and the suburbs can be a challenge due to high demand and limited supply, often requiring a proactive search and adaptation to local property market prices.

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Finding student accommodation in Paris

When you decide to pursue your studies in the French capital, finding student accommodation in Paris can be a laborious task, firstly because of the high cost of rents, and secondly because of the high demand for housing. That’s why many students turn to CROUS university residences, which enable them to find a room at an affordable price, usually close to their university. There are also social networking groups and websites where students can find the best value for money student accommodation in Paris.

Finding student accommodation in Massy-Palaiseau

Massy-Palaiseau is renowned for its two leading higher education institutions, École Polytechnique and École Centrale Supélec. Finding THE ideal student accommodation in Massy-Palaiseau is made easy by the presence of our ECLA houses, which are dedicated to helping you find the place that best suits your values and your mood.

Massy-Palaiseau also benefits from excellent public transport links, making it easy to get to Paris and other nearby cities. An early search and good organization are recommended to secure suitable, comfortable accommodation in this dynamic university area.

Finding student accommodation in Villejuif

Ecla helps students find student accommodation in Villejuif by offering modern, well-equipped residences. So if you’re a student in Villejuif, Ecla homes are designed to meet your needs, providing comfortable living spaces, quiet study areas and leisure facilities. Located close to universities and public transport, including metro line 7, they offer easy access to campuses and the center of Paris.

Finding student accommodation in Noisy-le-Grand

There are several attractive options for finding student accommodation in Noisy-le-Grand. In this part of the Paris region, you can also enjoy the comfort of our residences, which offer all the amenities you need for a successful student life.

As for public transport, Noisy-le-Grand benefits from a good public transport network, making it easy to get to Paris and other major destinations. Research on specialized platforms and good budget planning are recommended to guarantee a successful move to this dynamic student town.

Tips for obtaining housing assistance

Obtaining housing assistance as a student can be crucial in easing the financial burden of renting. Here are a few practical tips to help you navigate the administrative steps and maximize your chances of obtaining this valuable assistance.

Optimizing your application

To maximize your chances of obtaining housing assistance as a student, it’s crucial to optimize your file.

First of all, make sure you have all the necessary documents listed above, such as your ID, rental contract and bank details. Make sure you provide accurate and complete information about your income and student status. Then, take the time to check the specific eligibility criteria for each type of housing assistance and make sure you meet them. Finally, don’t hesitate to seek help and advice from the professionals or support services available to guide you through the process.

Useful information and contacts

On this page, you’ll find the telephone numbers of the main information and guidance center dedicated to social aid and family benefits. These centers, located throughout France, offer personalized support and advice to citizens on accessing social rights, particularly housing benefits. We also recommend that you contact the town hall of the municipality where you live to find out more about the benefits available to you.

Finding student accommodation can be a daunting task, especially in large cities where demand often outstrips supply. However, this process is made more accessible thanks to the various housing grants available, as mentioned earlier in this article.

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