Social support and assistance

If you encounter financial, personal or family difficulties during your stay, a number of support and assistance organizations are on hand to help you overcome them.

CROUS Social Service

The aim of CROUS ('Centre régional des œuvres universitaires et scolaires') is to improve the living and working conditions of students on a daily basis.

In both Grenoble and Valence, CROUS runs a Social Service dedicated to students in order to help them with any financial, social, mental health or other difficulties they may face.
Its social workers are on hand to support them and help them find the appropriate solutions.
More information about the CROUS social support

Making an appointment

2025 - Start of the new academic year
In Grenoble, during September and October 2025, the CROUS social service is organizing group information sessions led by social workers: the “Meet us” sessions.
Visit the CROUS Grenoble Alpes website to register and know more about the Meet us sessions
In Valence, until the end of October 2025, CROUS social workers will be available on a regular basis at the Maison de l'étudiant, with no appointments.
Visit the Campus UGA Valence Drôme Ardèche website to find out the dates of these sessions
Specific support funds for students
Your establishment may have a specific support fund to help you if you are in difficulties.
Visit the UGA student portal (in French) to find out more

Municipal social services

Most large French towns and cities have a municipal center for social action (‘Centre Communal d’Action Sociale’ - CCAS), where social workers help people in difficulties – usually by appointment – by giving them advice, support and assistance.
These social services are reserved for the inhabitants of the town or city concerned.

In Grenoble

The CCAS is composed of several Local Solidarity Services (‘Services Locaux de Solidarité’ - SLS).
Your SLS depends on your address.
To find out which SLS to contact, start a search after entering your address at the top right of this page of the Isère department website.
You can also find the list of the different SLS in Grenoble on the Grenoble city council's website

In Valence

The CCAS collaborates closely with many local associations and institutions.
If you require information or advice, or wish to make an appointment, contact the CCAS of Valence.
Visit Valence city council's website to find the contacts

Other cities

If you live in Isère (38), you will find a list of all Local Solidarity Services (SLS) on the Isère department website.

If you live outside Isère, or to obtain more information about the CCAS in your town or municipality of residence, find out about existing schemes or make an appointment, please contact your local council or town hall.
 
University employees: Staff Social Service
If you are a doctoral student or a researcher employed by the university, please visit the intranet of your institution to find contacts and know more about the social support possibilities.
Consult the staff intranet of your host institution
Published on  January 8, 2021
Updated on September 22, 2025