International students planning to study or remain in France should prepare for two important 2026 changes affecting monthly budgets: CAF housing aid and the resources required for a student residence permit.
CAF housing aid from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss international students who are not scholarship holders are expected to lose eligibility for CAF housing benefits such as APL or ALS.
This matters because APL or ALS can reduce the monthly rent burden for students. If you were counting on CAF support to afford rent, review your budget before signing a lease or accepting a study plan.
Students who should remain eligible, subject to the normal CAF rules, include:
- students from the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland;
- scholarship holders;
- students whose personal situation still meets the official CAF conditions.
Student residence permit resources from 1 August 2026
From 1 August 2026, students applying for or renewing a French student residence permit should prepare for a higher financial-resources threshold: EUR 847 per month, instead of the previous EUR 615 per month.
That is an additional EUR 232 per month to show in your file. This can affect bank-blocked funds, sponsor letters, scholarship documents, employment income, or other proof of resources depending on your situation.
Before submitting your application, check the exact documents requested by:
- France-Visas, if you are applying from outside France;
- ANEF or your prefecture, if you are renewing in France;
- Campus France or your school, if they support your student file.
What to do now
If you are planning to study in France, do not build your budget around CAF support unless you have confirmed you are still eligible. Add rent, deposit, insurance, transport, food, school fees, residence-permit fees and the new resource threshold to your planning.
If you are already in France, keep copies of CAF messages, rent receipts, scholarship documents, bank statements and residence-permit correspondence. Ask for help early if your housing budget or renewal file no longer works under the new rules.
GHYU can help members understand the questions to ask, but the final decision always belongs to the official services.
Frequently asked questions
Who is affected by the CAF housing aid change from 1 July 2026?
The change concerns non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss international students who are not scholarship holders. EU, EEA and Swiss students, and scholarship holders, should remain eligible if they meet the normal CAF conditions.
What monthly resources should student residence permit applicants prepare from 1 August 2026?
Students should prepare for a threshold of 847 euros per month instead of 615 euros per month, and verify the exact requirement with France-Visas, ANEF or their prefecture before submitting a file.
Does this article replace official advice?
No. It is a community alert. Always check CAF, France-Visas, Campus France, ANEF and your school or prefecture for the latest rule that applies to your situation.
Sources: caf.fr, france-visas.gouv.fr, campusfrance.org, univ-lorraine.fr