"These scholarship students can't afford idleness during summer break; their sustenance hinges upon work."
For many university students in France, the summer months can be a challenging time financially. Léa, a 24-year-old master's student, is one such individual who finds herself in a difficult situation. Léa receives a scholarship at level 5, amounting to 521.50 euros per month, but her expenses during July and August are not covered by this aid.
Léa's situation is different from Olympe's, a 23-year-old political science student at the University of Lille. Olympe, who is a scholarship recipient at level 7 and receives the maximum amount of 633.50 euros per month, also faces financial difficulties during the summer months.
Both students have to contend with increased living costs during the summer. Most of their expenses are related to daily living costs, rent, and bills, which continue to fall during the summer months. However, food distributions become less frequent, and university restaurants that offer meals for 1 euro often close their doors during the summer, leaving students like Léa and Olympe to find alternative ways to make ends meet.
Daily living costs such as transportation subscriptions, outings, and additional expenses also increase during the summer months. For Léa, who has had to support her relatives despite her low income, these additional costs can be particularly burdensome. Olympe, who has been estranged from his family since he was 18, also faces these challenges alone.
Fortunately, there are several solutions for students who find that their CROUS scholarships do not cover living expenses during the summer months. Working during the summer is one option, with many students taking on seasonal employment or internships related to their field of study. These jobs not only provide income but also offer valuable work experience.
Another solution is to apply for additional scholarships or grants. Although most scholarships focus on the academic year, there are program-specific or university-specific grants available, as well as scholarships offered by external organizations and program providers.
Students might also be eligible for government-backed student loans or financial aid extensions, which can help cover enrollment fees or living costs. CROUS also provides housing assistance, but outside the academic year, students can explore other housing financial aids or government subsidies for young people or students in need.
Some universities and local authorities offer emergency funds or financial aid to students struggling outside scholarship periods. In summary, working during summer, applying for supplementary scholarships or loans, and utilizing alternative housing or social aid programs are the main solutions available to French university students to cover living expenses in the summer months not covered by CROUS scholarships.
Despite these solutions, both Léa and Olympe express feelings of uncertainty and anxiety during the summer months due to financial concerns. They, along with many other students, must plan carefully and seek out all available resources to ensure they can meet their living expenses during the summer months.
[1] CROUS [2] Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale, de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche [3] Campus France
- To address her financial difficulties during the summer, Léa is considering working part-time to supplement her income, aside from applying for additional scholarships or grants.
- Aware of the increased expenses during the summer, Olympe is considering enrolling in online education courses for personal-growth and learning, focusing on personal-finance and budgeting, as part of his goal-setting for the future.
- Both Léa and Olympe are encouraged to explore options such as government-backed student loans, financial aid extensions, or emergency funds offered by their universities and local authorities.
- It's essential for students like Léa and Olympe to familiarize themselves with organizations like CROUS, Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale, de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche, and Campus France, as they offer valuable resources in resolving issues with personal-finance and living expenses.
