Unofficial student guide — not affiliated with EPITA. Always check official sources.

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CAF housing aid (APL)

CAF can pay part of your rent, but since July 2026 most non-EU students on a study visa can only get it with a social-criteria scholarship. Check the simulator before you count on it.

Housing

Verified

Being verified:Eligibility. EPITA's slide lists three groups: EU students (your name must be on the lease), students who work, and holders of a social-criteria scholarship. CAF's own news item says that from 1 July 2026 non-EU students with a study visa or permit get housing aid only with a social-criteria scholarship, unless they fall in an exception such as working or apprenticeship. The slide's line on working students is unclear. Use the CAF simulator or ask CAF.

Before you start

CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) is the French body that pays family and housing benefits. For students, the useful one is housing aid (APL or similar).

Do not plan your budget around it until CAF confirms. Rules for non-EU students changed on 1 July 2026. Per CAF’s news item, new applications from that date by non-EU students with a study visa or permit need a social-criteria scholarship (for example from Crous, via the Dossier Social Étudiant), unless an exception applies. EU students are not affected by this change.

EPITA’s slide also says your name must be on the housing contract.

Documents

EPITA’s slide lists these:

  • A copy of your passport.
  • A copy of your visa.
  • Your VLS-TS validation (the attestation from the visa guide).
  • Your birth certificate with a French translation.
  • A rental agreement or an attestation de loyer (a rent certificate from the landlord).
  • A French RIB.

CAF’s own page also asks for a valid email address and your landlord’s contact details.

Steps

  1. Complete your visa validation and open a bank account first.
  2. Use the simulator on caf.fr to see whether you are eligible and how much you might get.
  3. If the result is positive, apply on caf.fr with your documents.
  4. Track the file in your CAF account or the CAF app.

Timing

Aid usually starts the month after the one in which you move in and apply. CAF gives an example: apply in September, your right opens in October and the first payment arrives in November. So apply promptly after you have your lease.

Common problems

  • Lease not in your name. EPITA’s slide says the name must be on the contract. Ask your landlord how to handle this.
  • No French RIB yet. See the bank guide.
  • Not eligible. If the simulator says no, do not pay anyone to “help”. Ask Welcome Services ([email protected]), which handles housing questions.

Costs

Applying is free.

Common questions

Can I get CAF housing aid?

It depends. From 1 July 2026, CAF says non-EU students with a study visa or permit need a social-criteria scholarship, unless an exception applies. EPITA’s slide also says your name must be on the housing contract. Use the simulator on caf.fr before you rely on it.

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