Managing your budget when you’re a student is a real headache! The cost of student life has increased every year, in addition to rent, which represents an average of 55% of the budget.
Managing your budget when you’re a student is a real headache!
The cost of student life has increased every year, in addition to rent (which represents on average 55% of a student’s total annual budget), you also have to add registration fees, transport, food, outings and leisure activities… Financing your studies sometimes becomes a real challenge . How do they do it?
Find good deals to spend less..
Housing the price of independence
This is the number one concern for students. Finding the ideal accommodation (not too expensive, not too far from the university, the school, and public transportation, and with a minimum of comfort) is a real obstacle course! Here are three options.
The cheapest university residences
These highly sought-after 9 m2 rooms managed by the CROUS (Regional Centers for University and School Works) only accommodate 11% of students (according to the OVE: the National Observatory of Student Life).
Most popular rented studios or rooms
It’s expensive, small spaces are rare, and the guarantees required are sometimes beyond students’ means.
But what a feeling of freedom and independence: a real home! Pure bliss… except perhaps for the neighbors…
And to equip it, you might as well book a furnished apartment directly or look in the classified ads on Le Bon Coin.
The most user-friendly shared accommodation
Shared accommodation is cheaper than a studio apartment (all expenses are shared) and it’s bigger. A minimum of organization and rules are required between the roommates to ensure everyone feels comfortable… It can be a great experience, but it can also become a real nightmare!
Food It’s not just pasta and burgers!
It’s so much easier to make a pasta dish, and it’s very inexpensive.
Unfortunately, the food budget is often the one that is cut the most among students or the one that is the least well managed.
A small budget doesn’t necessarily mean eating badly. Eating at a fast food restaurant, snacking on chocolate bars between classes, and drinking coffee from the vending machine… There are some savings to be made around here! It is possible, with a minimum of culinary know-how, to eat a little healthier without spending too much time or blowing the budget. It’s easy to find simple and varied recipes for small budgets on the Internet or apps.
Schooling choosing the right type of establishment
In French public universities, university fees amount to approximately €500 per year, plus health insurance costs. Students enrolled in private schools are subject to these schools’ tuition fees, which can be very high (supervision, different types of teaching).
It is important to do your research when choosing the type of institution and course to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Transport advantageous subscriptions
Students are entitled to significant discounts on train, metro, and bus passes. For those with a car, maintenance, fuel, and young driver insurance can cost a small fortune. To reduce these costs, carpooling can be a solution. The Blablacar service connects those offering rides with those looking for them. It’s a great way to share costs or travel cheaply and in good company!
Outings students always have good ideas!
Student associations bring campuses to life and are full of great ideas for evenings, outings, and stays. Cities also go out of their way for their students by offering them numerous discounts (museums, exhibitions, etc.).
Some cards combine several benefits. The ISIC international student card entitles students to discounts in all areas of daily life to support them and ease their expenses: cultural (museums, theaters), but also tourism: accommodation (hotels), entertainment, shopping, etc. It also allows for a discount on transport fares (plane, train, car rental).
Travel: unforgettable experiences
Here again, there are many ways to find good deals.
To start, you have to find your destination. Many blogs give tips for
smart travel, like those of Béné and Antoine
Discovering Europe by train and at a lower cost is possible with an Interrail pass in your pocket. Choose the length of your stay and travel unlimited!
Finally, once there, the most daring are fans of couchsurfing by squatting for free on a sofa or in a guest room of hosts all over the world, for the simple pleasure of meeting people !
What are the incomes?
Thank you,, Dad, thank you, M.om
Students mostly rely on family support . Having just left the family cocoon, it can be difficult to cope with the many administrative procedures (registration, rent, aid applications, etc.). Parents finance a large part of the costs (housing, tuition, food) when they can. For students who have to manage on their own or those who need additional support, fortunately, there are solutions.
Small jobs, additional income,e and first experience
To earn a little more each month and manage your budget effectively, the best solution is to find a part-time job. Some work a few hours a week in catering, those who babysit, or giving them short lessons. Running a blog can be creative, but the positions are expensive, and it takes time. For Martin, a computer science student: “I repair computers and phones I create a few websites. This allows me to earn a little money.” You have to be careful that work does not take over from classes. Students who work alongside their studies gain initial professional experience, which is a major asset on their CV compared to other student .
Student aid and loansSeveral types of assistance. Several types of assistance can
There are several types of assistance that can be combined and are awarded based on different criteria.
More than 600,000 students receive personal housing assistance (APL) or a social housing allowance (ALS) from the CAF (French Housing Fund), which allows them to partially cover their housing costs.
Based on social criteria and after completing an application with the CROUS (French Housing Agency), a scholarship may be awarded. This allows students to cover a large portion, or even all, of their tuition fees.
Town halls, departments, and regions also offer assistance. It costs nothing to apply.
A student loan may be a solution to cover all these costs. Since 2025, Bpifrance has managed the guarantee for student loans. Since the state acts as guarantor, no means tests or parental guarantees are required. This loan is granted for a period of 2 to 10 years and a maximum amount of €15,000. However, it is not an interest-free loan.
