Higher education in France is already made cheap for international students. However, there are still scholarships made available for those who cannot afford it and to attract students from other countries. Here, I have compiled a list of undergraduate scholarships in France for international students to assist with the cost of their tuition.
Although rare there are undergraduate scholarships in France for international students and applying for them would go a long way to assist you with the cost of studying in France. It could cut the cost of your tuition by half and you could apply for as many as you qualify. This blog post aims to bring these undergraduate scholarships in France for international students closer to those who may need them.
France is a hub for international students and an excellent choice for international students who want to earn business and management degrees. The country is not only famous for its cuisine, wines, Michelin Star restaurants, museums, fashion, and world-class footballers but it is equally well known for its top-ranking institutions offering quality education at an affordable price.
If you wish to study abroad you may want to consider France as it offers a welcoming atmosphere where you will find interesting and diverse cultures which should put you at ease and help you settle in comfortably. Also, there are a myriad of scholarship opportunities for you to apply for to make your education in France cheaper and unlike scholarships in Canada for international students, scholarships in France for international students are not very competitive.
Public universities in France are free for its citizens and permanent residents. It is also free for citizens and permanent residents from the EU and EEA regions but it is not the same for international students from non-EU/EEA regions like the US, Canada, Africa, etc. as they need to pay higher tuition fees.
Before you start getting discouraged, the French Government as well as universities in France offer scholarships to support the financial cost of higher education for international students from non-EU/EEA regions. The scholarships are also provided as a way of attracting students from all corners of the globe to come earn a degree in France. In return, the country will gain more recognition for its quality academics, and world-class degrees, and as a destination hub for international students.
The scholarships are typically made available for bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees but you will find more master’s and Ph.D. scholarships for international students in France. Scholarships for bachelor’s degrees are rare but they do exist and that is the main focus of this article. Just because it is hard to find doesn’t deny their existence and since it would put you through some troubles looking for them, I have compiled them here for you.
Table of Contents
Undergraduate Scholarships in France for International Students
The following are undergraduate scholarships in France for international students:
- Emile Boutmy Scholarship
- Chalhoub Scholarship
- The French-American Foundation (FAF) Scholarship
- The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program
- The Genevieve McMillan-Reba Stewart Foundation Scholarship
- Institut Polytechnique De Paris Scholarships and Financial Aid
1. Emile Boutmy Scholarship
Emile Boutmy Scholarship is one of the undergraduate scholarships in France for international students offered by Sciences Po, a prestigious research university in Paris, France. It is a fully-funded scholarship that covers tuition and living expenses for students who are not from EU/EEA countries. The scholarship is set up to attract the brightest international students who wish to study at Sciences Po.
To be eligible for the Emily Boutmy Scholarship, you must be a first-time applicant admitted into an undergraduate program at Sciences Po. The scholarship is awarded based on merit to top students whose profiles match the admission priorities of Sciences Po and individual course requirements. Selected applicants will receive a tuition grant ranging from €3,900 to €14,210 per year for the three years of the undergraduate program.
2. Chalhoub Scholarship
The Chalhoub Scholarship is made available and funded by the Chalhoub Group, a leading luxury retail company based in Paris. The scholarship is a fully-funded type and is provided to international students who wish to pursue an undergraduate or master’s degree program at one of the renowned higher institutions in France like Sciences Po or the Ecole Normale Superieure.
Typical fully-funded scholarships cover tuition and cost of living but the Chalhoub Scholarship covers all of these including providing a stipend for travel and research. It is a competitive scholarship with a rigorous application process but it can be easy for you if you meet all the requirements and have your application materials and documents ready to go. It is only for international students from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Qatar, Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Oman, Egypt, and Jordan.
3. The French-American Foundation (FAF) Scholarship
The FAF is a non-profit organization that promotes cultural and educational exchange between France and the US. The French-American Foundation Scholarship is like a partnership between France and the United States. The scholarship covers tuition, travel costs, and living expenses for up to 1 year of study for US citizens who wish to study for a degree program in France whether at the undergraduate or graduate level.
To be eligible, you must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA, be proficient in French, and submit an essay, your transcript, and letters of recommendation. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview with the FAF selection committee.
4. The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program was established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to attract the brightest students from non-EU/EEA regions to study in France and have their education paid for. If you wish to pursue an undergraduate degree program in France, you should consider applying for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program as it can be a great option for you.
To be eligible, you must be a citizen of a country outside the EU and be accepted into a bachelor’s degree program at any university in France. You must be under 30 years old at the time of application. The application materials include a CV, academic transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. Selected applicants will be invited to an interview with the scholarship committee which will determine the final selection.
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is worth €11,000 per year for the duration of your studies. This money can be used to cover your tuition fees, as well as your living expenses while you’re in France. The scholarship is not renewable, but you can apply for it again if you decide to pursue a master’s degree in France after completing your bachelor’s degree. It’s a great way to finance your studies, and it can help you focus on your studies without worrying about finances.
5. The Genevieve McMillan-Reba Stewart Foundation Scholarship
Here is another amazing scholarship opportunity for students who wish to study in an undergraduate degree program in France. The Genevieve McMillan-Reba Stewart Foundation was established in 2005 but in 2010 partnered with the Sciences Po American Foundation to offer merit-based scholarships to African students from sub-Saharan African countries to study in France’s higher institutions.
The scholarship is awarded based on academic excellence and social criteria. Additionally, candidates must have completed their high school education in a sub-Saharan African country and been accepted to Sciences Po’s undergraduate Europe-Africa program. Successful candidates will receive a scholarship covering the full Sciences Po tuition fees every year, for the duration of their undergraduate degree program. An additional grant may also be given to cover living expenses.
6. Institut Polytechnique De Paris Scholarships and Financial Aid
Ecole Polytechnique admits students from all over the world into the Bachelor of Science degree program irrespective of their financial situation because the institution provides different types of scholarships and financial aid to students who are admitted with honors. This financial aid is awarded based on merit or need and one of its merit-based scholarships for undergraduate international students is the Excellence Scholarship.
The Excellent Scholarship awards €4,000 per year to successful candidates with excellent academic performance, record, or achievement. It would help if you were admitted into the Bachelor of Science at Ecole Polytechnique to be eligible for the award.
Conclusion
Undergraduate scholarships in France for international students are few but there are way more for masters and PhD students. However, the six listed here can go a long way to ease the cost of your studies in France and I have made sure to only select the ones offered annually. You may also write to or contact your preferred institution concerning undergraduate scholarships, if there are any, they will let you know.
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