If you're a foreign student looking to study in France, finding accommodation will undoubtedly be one of your biggest challenges. Between the difficulty of finding cheaper accommodation close to your school and the need for a guarantor, you're likely to find yourself at a loss. Fortunately, in this article we present the documents you'll need to find accommodation, the types of social housing available to you and the steps you can take to reduce the cost of your accommodation. Happy reading!

Accommodation options for students

There are a number of housing solutions, in addition to the standard accommodation available to everyone, to ease the burden on students, both in terms of the search for accommodation and the cost of rent. Here's some information:

1- On-campus housing at your school/university and university halls of residence : These accommodations are only available to students at this school. Make sure before looking for your accommodation that your school doesn't offer any, because if it does, the conditions of access are generally straightforward!

2- CROUS housing CROUS housing is a furnished student accommodation located in a university residence, managed by the Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires (CROUS).

• CROUS housing is available in several types:
  • 9 to 14 m² university rooms
  • 15 to 20 m² studios
  • Apartments ranging from T1 to T3 in subsidized residences
• ADVANTAGES OF CROUS HOUSING CROUS housing offers students several advantages:
  • Low rents ranging from 200 to 600 euros depending on size and location
  • Possibility of benefit from the social housing allowance (ALS) or personalized housing assistance (APL)
  • Priority given to scholarship students and students in special situations
• CROUS RESIDENCE TYPES
  • Traditional residences furnished rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities
  • Approved residences HLM (Habitation à Loyer Modéré) furnished housing.

3-Privately owned housing These are the accommodations you'll be looking for in the city if you haven't obtained CROUS housing or on your school campus.

How do I apply for CROUS student housing?

Please note that applications for CROUS accommodation are made between March 1 and May 31 for the first phase, and around July 11 for the second phase. Be quick to apply as soon as applications open, or you risk not finding one! CROUSs are in high demand, and there aren't enough of them. Also, at each stage of your CROUS application, you'll be given lots of information on the site, so take the time to read it.

1- Eligibility requirements

To obtain CROUS accommodation in France, certain conditions must be met:

• Be a student enrolled in a higher education establishment
• Be under 28 on September 1 of the academic year (for first-time applicants)
• Hold a baccalaureate or equivalent diploma
• Have an income not exceeding a certain ceiling (8 income levels, from €1,084 to €7,158 per month for 2022-2023).

2- CROUS housing application procedure

• Visit our website: https://trouverunlogement.lescrous.fr/
• Click on ” Identification “and you will be asked to create an account on Messervices.étudiant.gouv.fr. Just do it, and have a digital passport photo and ID ready (it may take you 5-7 minutes!).
• When you log in to your account on the trouverunlogement.lescours.fr website, a search bar will appear at the very bottom. Enter the characteristics of the type of accommodation you are looking for and choose the offer that suits you best.
• Each home you choose constitutes a wish, and you are allowed up to three 4 wishes. So make your wishes according to your criteria (price, proximity to the school, etc.).
• After sending your request, you will receive an e-mail a few days later asking you to confirm your reservation.

3- Steps to take after booking validation

For this step, you will needa bank card to pay a €100 security deposit:

• You will be asked to compile and submit your rental file. To find out more, visit : https://messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr/. Log in to your account that you have already created.

IMPORTANT WARRANTY INFORMATION You have the choice of either providing a physical guarantor (a close relative), in which case you'll need to provide certain documents (guarantor declaration form, last 3 pay slips, tax notice, ID and proof of address). If you don't have a physical guarantor, don't panic, you can always apply for a visale free of charge (free rental guarantee).

You don't have a physical guarantor, nor can you obtain a visale, but you need a guarantor for your housing search? Access our blog comparing rental housing guarantors for this type of situation. Click on the following button to compare offers and choose your guarantor at competitive rates:

• Once you have submitted your rental file, you will receive an e-mail containing a link that you must follow to sign your file using a security code received by SMS and pay the €100 security deposit. Certain documents will be presented to you before signing, MUST read them before signing!
• After the signature and the security deposit, a number of supporting documents must be submitted: Proof of comprehensive and third-party liability insurance which you can request from your bank or home insurer, the information sheet which will be sent to you by e-mail and your school certificate (which can be submitted later if you don't already have it). To submit, follow the clickable link you received in an e-mail after the deposit and upload your documents. Once your documents have been submitted, they will be processed and confirmed.
• After confirmation, you can contact your residence to collect the keys!

Information on private homes

Si vous souhaitez louer un logement chez un bailleur particulier, vous aurez besoin d’une garantie qui peut être soit un garant physique, une visale (elle est gratuite mais vous aurez besoin du titre de séjour, remonter plus haut pour lire les informations sur la visale) ou un garant locatif qui se portera garant pour votre logement. Vous n’avez pas de garant physique et ni ne pouvez obtenir une visale mais que vous avez besoin d’un garant pour votre recherche de logement ? Accédez à notre blog comparatif sur les meilleurs garants locatifs en France pour les étudiants étrangers. Cliquez sur le bouton suivant pour comparez les offres et choisir votre garant locatif à des tarifs compétitifs :

What is the APL and how do I apply for it?

The APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement) is a social benefit designed to reduce the housing costs of low-income households. It applies to subsidized housing (such as CROUS residences) and aims to reduce the rent for beneficiaries.

1- Required documents

• ID or passport
• Rental contract
• Rental certificate (to be completed by landlord)
• RIB (Relevé d'Identité Bancaire français). Compare and choose the best bank for you and get your RIB by reading our comparative article on banks by following this link : Click here!
• Proof of income. If you are a scholarship holder, submit your scholarship certificate. If not, submit any document that proves you are and will be receiving money.
• Landlord's Siret number (if your landlord is an agency, public body or company). The Siret number can usually be found on your lessor's contract. If it's not there, contact your landlord.
• Information about your assets (savings accounts, real estate, etc.). A real student is poor, he shouldn't have any assets, haha!)

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS (DEPENDING ON YOUR SITUATION)

• Valid residence permit (for foreigners)
• Proof of student status
• Birth certificate translated into French (for foreigners)
• Letter of financial resources or any document that proves that you receive and will receive money.

1- How to apply for APL

To apply for APL as a foreign student :

• Create an account on CAF website as a non-renter. Follow this link:

• Go to the ” request a service Click on “Next” at the bottom of the page and fill in the required information.
• Apply for APL as soon as you move into subsidized housing.

Once you have completed your application online, CAF may ask you to provide additional supporting documents. It is advisable to prepare all these documents in advance to facilitate and speed up the processing of your application.

GOOD LUCK IN YOUR ENDEAVORS!!!

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