Scholarship Amount & Living Cost Reality 2027
What each Campus France scholarship actually pays, what living in France actually costs, and whether the maths adds up. Spoiler: it depends heavily on where you live.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
1 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
Scholarship comparison
Monthly stipends across the major scholarships for study in France. Eiffel rates are those in force since January 2026. Excellence-Major pays €280 or €860 depending on family income (AEFE rates for students selected since 2023). The BGF figure is typical only; each embassy sets its own.
Budget calculator
Pick a city and a scholarship to see whether the stipend covers a typical student budget.
| Rent | €750 |
| Food | €300 |
| Transport | €75 |
| Misc | €150 |
| Total monthly cost | €1,275 |
| Scholarship stipend | €1,200 |
| Monthly balance | €-75 |
Typical monthly figures. Paris: rent €750, food €300, transport €75, misc €150. Lyon: €500, €250, €65, €120. Toulouse: €450, €230, €55, €110. Bordeaux: €500, €240, €60, €115.
Beyond the stipend
| Benefit | Eiffel | BGF | Major |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition exemption | Yes (public institutions) | Yes | Yes |
| Return airfare | Yes | Varies | No |
| Health insurance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Housing help | Partial | No | No |
| Cultural activities | Yes | No | No |
See the living costs guide for city-by-city budgets in detail.