Top 10 Moving Grants for students: The complete guide

Between finding boxes, renting a van, and paying the security deposit, the bill for a move can quickly rise and weigh heavily on a young student’s budget. To help you breathe easier, remember that choosing fully furnished and equipped student residences can significantly reduce your initial installation costs.

Fortunately, there are moving grants for students to support you financially during your relocation. Whether it is a moving grant from the CAF, a specific €1,000 aid, or regional schemes, many resources are available to facilitate your move.

In this article, we will review all the available options so you can move into your new residence serenely without emptying your bank account. A successful move always starts with the right information!

What are the 10 moving financial aids for students to know?

To help you see more clearly, we have listed the most effective schemes. Whether you are a scholarship holder, an apprentice, or an international student, there is bound to be an option for you among these aids.

1. The Parcoursup Mobility Aid (€500 Grant)

This aid is paid by the State to support high school graduates who must leave the family home and change educational districts (académies). It covers initial costs like buying small appliances or the first month’s rent.

• Who is it for: Future scholarship-holding students entering their first year of higher education.
• Platform: Go to messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr to apply.
• Essential documents: Certificate of administrative registration, high school scholarship certificate, bank details (RIB), and proof of parents’ address.
• When to apply: As soon as your choice is definitively validated.

2. The Mobili-Jeune Aid for Apprentices

Distributed by Action Logement, the Mobili-Jeune aid is a subsidy that covers part of your rent. It is valuable because it frees up budget every month to offset the cost of your installation and home insurance.

• Who is it for: Apprentices (apprenticeship or professionalization contracts) under 30 in a private sector company.
• Platform: Go to Mobili-Jeune – Action Logement.
• Essential documents: Apprenticeship contract, lease agreement, latest pay slip, and RIB.
• When to apply: Up to 6 months after the start of your training.

3. The CAF Moving Premium

The CAF moving aid is a reimbursement of expenses incurred. It is paid by the Caisse d’Allocations Familiales to support growing households that need to find larger housing.

• Who is it for: Families (or student parents) with at least 3 dependent children.
• Platform: Go to Caf Website.
• Essential documents: Paid invoices from the mover or vehicle rental, family record book (livret de famille), and RIB.
• When to apply: Within 6 months of moving in.

4. The Master’s Mobility Aid

Paid by the Crous network, this €1,000 aid is a real boost for your move. It is designed to encourage the geographical mobility of Bachelor’s graduates toward a Master’s degree.

• Who is it for: Scholarship students enrolled in Master 1 in a different region from their Bachelor’s.
• Platform: Go to messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr.
• Essential documents: Bachelor’s degree certificate, Master 1 registration certificate, and scholarship notification.
• When to apply: As soon as you complete your administrative registration.

5. Merit Aid for High School Graduates

This is a scholarship supplement paid by the CROUS. The amount is €900 per year. It rewards academic excellence and helps fund your insurance or daily living expenses.

• Who is it for: Scholarship-holding graduates who obtained the “Très Bien” (Summa Cum Laude) mention.
• Platform: Integrated into the Dossier Social Étudiant (DSE).
• Essential documents: Baccalaureate transcript and scholarship notification.
• When to apply: Automatic via the DSE. It’s a merit aid that simplifies life!

6. The Housing Solidarity Fund (FSL)

The FSL is a departmental aid of last resort. It can grant interest-free loans or subsidies to pay the security deposit or utility opening fees.

• Who is it for: People in precarious situations, including isolated young students.
• Platform: Contact the Departmental Council or a social worker.
• Essential documents: Proof of resources (social criteria), mover’s quotes, and lease.
• When to apply: Before moving in. The FSL is all about solidarity.

7. The Visale Guarantee by Action Logement

This is not a check, but a free bond. Action Logement acts as your guarantor, avoiding the need to ask your parents or pay for an expensive bank guarantee.

• Who is it for: All students aged 18 to 30, regardless of resources.
• Platform: Go to Visale.fr.
• Essential documents: ID and proof of student status.
• When to apply: Before signing your lease agreement.

8. AILE (Installation Aid for Students)

Paid by the City of Paris, this flat-rate allowance of €900 helps with the purchase of furniture or IT equipment when arriving in the capital.

• Who is it for: Scholarship holders living in the private sector in Paris.
• Platform: For all information, go to the AILE Paris website.
• Essential documents: Copy of the lease, scholarship notification, and proof of address.
• When to apply: After signing the lease.

9. Regional Housing Passes

Some regions offer an installation “Pass” or aid. This is the case for Occitanie or Hauts-de-France, which help finance the deposit or housing through loans.

• Who is it for: Young residents of the concerned region.
• Platform: Your Regional Council website.
• Essential documents: School certificate, proof of address, and RIB.
• When to apply: During the academic year.

10. The €1,000 “Mon Job, Mon Logement” Aid

Although sometimes suspended depending on budgets, this aid from Action Logement is intended to bring young people closer to their workplace.

• Who is it for: Young employees or apprentices earning less than 1.5 times the SMIC (minimum wage).
• Platform: Go to Action Logement.
• Essential documents: Employment contract, new lease, and RIB.
• When to apply: Within 3 months of signing the contract.

💡 Tip: To benefit from these aids, anticipation is key. The total cumulative amount can sometimes reach over €1,500, which is a complete game-changer!

Practical tips for students moving house

Moving is an art! According to an IFOP study, moving is considered the third source of stress for French people. So, take a breath, we are here to help you manage it like a pro. To succeed in your move without a hitch, follow these steps:

1. Anticipate administrative tasks: As soon as you have your address, notify the CAF for your APL, take out a home insurance policy, and transfer your subscriptions.
2. Sort your belongings: The fewer boxes you have, the cheaper the transport.
3. Ask for help: Nothing beats a team of motivated friends.
4. Check the walk-through inventory (état des lieux): Be meticulous to get your deposit back without problems later.

For example, at UXCO Student, we facilitate your arrival. Our apartments are already furnished, which significantly reduces the volume of your move. This is ideal, even for an international student arriving with just one suitcase!

💡 Hack: For your boxes, check supermarkets in the evening; they often give them away for free.

How to apply for moving aid effectively?

The process can seem intimidating, but if you are organized, everything will go well. Here are the steps to help you prepare your moving aid application:

• Step 1: List all the aids you are eligible for based on your criteria (scholarship, apprenticeship).
• Step 2: Prepare your digital “administrative kit” (PDFs).
• Step 3: Create your accounts on the necessary platforms as early as possible.
• Step 4: Fill out the forms carefully.
• Step 5: Regularly follow up on your applications.

💡 Good to know: If you are an international student or on international mobility, you are also entitled to certain aids like the APL, provided you have a valid residence permit. A successful international experience starts with stable housing!

In summary, moving aid for a student is an accessible reality. Whether you are looking for a financial boost or help from the FSL, don’t forget to check the deadlines and mandatory insurance contracts. Happy moving!