How to receive unemployment benefits as a student?

Have you just finished your apprenticeship or student job and want to enroll in a new training program? But you want to ensure you have an income to get through your school year without worry, so you’re asking the question: can you receive unemployment benefits as a student?

Student life is expensive, and if you have worked enough, the Back-to-Work Allowance (ARE) is a right that can truly help you.

What are the conditions to receive unemployment benefits as a student?

The heart of the matter is eligibility. For a student, receiving unemployment benefits (ARE) is only possible if you meet two main types of conditions: the general conditions for unemployment insurance and the specific conditions related to your student status.

Having worked enough: The required professional activity

To be entitled to ARE, you must have contributed to the unemployment insurance system. In short, you must have worked for a certain period before losing your job involuntarily (end of a fixed-term contract (CDD), mutual agreement termination, dismissal, etc.).

The key criterion for receiving the allowance is having worked at least 130 days or 910 hours (about 6 months) within the last 24 months preceding the end of your last work contract.

💡 Good to know: These work periods can be continuous or discontinuous and can be accumulated over several contracts (CDD, CDI, apprenticeship, temp assignments, student jobs…). The salaries received are used as the basis for calculating the amount of the allowance. If you were in an apprenticeship (learning or professionalization contract), this experience also counts towards opening your rights!

Being genuinely available for employment and job seeking

And this is where your student status is closely examined!

Don’t forget that the main condition for receiving ARE is to be a job seeker who is actively looking for work and is immediately available.

France Travail (the French employment agency) must ensure that your studies do not prevent you from accepting a job. For this, two criteria are essential:

1. Schedule Compatibility: Your classes must not exceed 40 hours per week. If you choose to do a distance learning program, the availability issue is often resolved.
2. Commitment to Active Search: You must commit to searching for a job constantly and prove that your studies are compatible with holding a part-time or occasional job, or even a full-time job if your schedule allows.

💡 Tip: To maximize your chances of receiving your benefits, highlight any flexibility in your schedule (evening classes, distance learning option, etc.) and emphasize your commitment to finding employment.

Procedures and registration with France Travail: The step-by-step guide

If you want to ensure you receive your unemployment benefits, it is crucial to follow the correct procedure for your registration with France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi). Don’t worry, it’s simpler than it looks!

The ideal time to register

The best time to register with France Travail as a student is the day after your last work contract ends.

You have a 12-month period to register and submit your application for benefits. Don’t wait too long, as ARE payments only begin from your effective registration date!

The online registration process

The process is done entirely on the France Travail website. Here are the steps:

Guide: Registering with France Travail to receive ARE:

1. Step 1: Create your personal account Go to the website and click on “M’inscrire, me réinscrire” (Register/Re-register). Fill in your personal details (civil status, address, Social Security number, etc.). Create your username and password.
2. Step 2: Declare your situation Indicate your professional situation and the reason for your contract ending (involuntary job loss). Specify your student status and the program you are following (this is the time to prove that your studies are compatible with a job search).
3. Step 3: Upload documents Transmit all the necessary documents (see section 2.3).
4. Step 4: The interview with an advisor Once your registration is saved, you will be summoned for an interview with an advisor. This is the time to discuss your professional project, your job search, and your student situation. The advisor is the one who will definitively validate your rights.

What documents are needed to register with France Travail?

To ensure your file is processed quickly and you can benefit from your rights without a hitch, prepare these documents in advance:

• Valid identity card or residence permit (if you are not an EU citizen).
• Your “Carte Vitale” (health insurance card) or Social Security certificate.
• A bank account details slip (RIB) in your name.
• “Attestation(s) employeur Pôle Emploi” (employer certificates, provided by your former employers, essential for calculating ARE).
• Your latest pay slips for your periods of activity.
• Proof of enrollment (“Certificat de scolarité”) for the current year or the detailed schedule of your training program to prove your availability.

Combining studies and unemployment benefits: Managing your amount and situation

Once you have confirmation from France Travail, you will start to receive your unemployment benefits. But what happens if you are taking classes or find a small job at the same time?

Calculation and unemployment simulation for students

The amount of your Back-to-Work Allowance (ARE) is calculated by France Travail based on your previous salaries (the Daily Reference Wage or SJR).

The ARE corresponds to the higher of these two amounts:

• 40.4% of your SJR + a fixed part (approx. €12.95 per day in 2024).
• 57% of your SJR.

💡 Good to know: The minimum ARE amount is approximately €31.59 per day. To get an accurate estimate before you register, you can run an unemployment simulation for students directly on the France Travail website. Although the simulation is not contractual, it will give you a reliable idea of the amount you can expect to receive.

Can you work while studying and still receive unemployment benefits?

Yes! This is known as “reduced activity” (activité réduite). France Travail encourages recipients to resume professional activity, even if it’s partial.

You have the possibility to combine your unemployment benefits with the income from a new student job or a part-time contract, provided that:

• Your new gross salary does not exceed 70% of your old daily reference wage (SJR).
• You declare your new salary each month when updating your professional situation with France Travail.

The amount of your ARE will be adjusted based on your income for that month.

Resuming studies and receiving benefits (AREF)

If you are already receiving ARE benefits and you wish to resume your studies as part of a training program that improves your employability, you may be eligible for the Back-to-Work Training Allowance (AREF).

To be eligible for AREF:

• You must be receiving ARE at the time you start the training.
• The training must be validated by France Travail and included in your Personalized Access to Employment Project (PPAE).
• The training program must be at least 40 hours long.

What other aid can be combined with unemployment benefits?: Optimizing your resources

As a young student or job seeker, there are other financial aids that you can potentially combine with ARE to optimize your student life or fund your student accommodation.

• Housing Assistance (APL): The “Allocation Personnalisée au Logement” (APL), paid by the CAF, is often compatible.
• CROUS Means-Tested Scholarships: WARNING! Combining ARE with a CROUS means-tested scholarship is impossible. As soon as you receive ARE, you are considered a job seeker and you lose your student scholarship status for CROUS.
• “Prime d’Activité” (Activity Bonus): This may be compatible if you have a professional activity and your income (wages + adjusted ARE) is modest. You will need to run a simulation on the CAF website.
• Aid from Local Authorities: Many regions or municipalities offer specific aid for young people or for financing certain training programs. Inquire at your local “Mission Locale” or regional office.