CAF housing allowance (APL): new eligibility criteria

Since July 1st 2026, new eligibility criteria for CAF housing benefits apply to non-European students.

Which international students are eligible to apply, or continue to receive, the CAF housing allowance (APL)?

You are eligible for CAF housing allowance (APL) if you meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • You are a national of a country in the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland.
  • You are enrolled on a work-based learning programme ("formation en alternance") and have a "contrat d’apprentissage" or "contrat de professionnalisation".
  • You are currently working, or have recently worked1, in France.
  • You hold a "student" residence certificate for Algerian nationals1.
  • You hold a "Recherche d’Emploi ou Création d’Entreprise" (RECE) residence permit or "APS Jeunes diplômés" residence permit1.
  • You hold a "Bénéficiaire de la protection subsidiaire" residence permit, or have obtained the Refugee status, or hold an APS "Protection temporaire".
  • You receive a scholarship based on social criteria paid by the CROUS2 or a regional grant for the health and social care sectors1.
1 Good to know
These conditions may change, further details are awaited from the Caisse Nationale des Allocations Familiales.
2 Good to know
To be eligible for a CROUS scholarship based on social criteria as a non-European student, you must, amongst other things, have been living in France for at least two years, and your father, mother, legal guardian or a person with delegated parental authority must have been registered for tax purposes in France for at least two years.

The CAF will be updating beneficiaries’ files over the coming weeks.
We encourage you to pay close attention to any communications that may be sent by the CAF in the coming days and weeks, and to respond as soon as possible to any requests from the CAF.

If you believe you meet one of the new eligibility criteria, but your entitlement to housing benefit has been suspended or discontinued, please contact your local CAF office and provide any supporting documents proving that you do indeed meet the new criteria (employment contract, payslip, scholarship certificate).

Need help?

Please be aware that the university’s services remain available to provide you with information and support in case of any difficulties.
If you need information about financial aid available to international students or about student jobs, you can check the relevant sections on the UGA International website.
 
Published on  July 7, 2026
Updated on  July 7, 2026