To receive financial aid, it is essential that you take action early! Find information as early as possible, during the year prior to your arrival in France.
The Eiffel Excellence Programme
Managed by Egide, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' excellence scholarships were designed to attract future decision-makers from abroad to complete part of their higher education in France, whether in private or public establishments, in three priority areas, including engineering sciences. In addition, the programme was intended to encourage students from seldom represented emerging countries to apply (Asia and Latin America, in particular). The application for an Eiffel excellence scholarship is available for download in electronic format only. Eiffel scholarship recipients are given a monthly stipend of €1,180 until they earn the diploma for which the scholarship was granted (source: www.egide.asso.fr). For more information.
French Government Scholarships
The French government grants scholarships via the cultural and cooperation offices in the French Embassies of the original country. It is important to note, however, that the number of scholarships granted to undergraduates is low, as priority is given to students likely to enter post-graduate studies. The only criterion is the applicant's merit, as demonstrated in his university studies.
Other Scholarships for Future Scientists
Students in scientific post-graduate programmes can apply for ADEME scholarships (French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management, www.ademe.fr) for duration of three years at most. Students writing their thesis in the fields of computer sciences or automatics, meanwhile, may receive doctoral scholarships from INRIA (French National Institute for Research in Computer Sciences or Automatics, www.inria.fr), for a two- to three-year period. Lastly, post-graduate students enrolled in universities may apply for AUF scholarships (University Agency for the French Language, www.auf.org), designed to allow them to take part in training that does not exist in their country of origin for ten months at most.
Where to find information
Egide's Web site provides a list of scholarships and financial aid sources for students who wish to come study in France: www.egide.asso.fr.
You can also check the CNOUS Web site (National Centre for University and School Funds), at: www.cnous.fr.
Tip: don't overlook these other avenues
The scholarships offered by international institutions and non-governmental organisations are listed in a guide published by UNESCO: www.unesco.org. Lastly, don't forget to look at the scholarships granted by your country of origin.
Note: to supplement your income, you can hold a student job.