Tuition fee exemptions in France: what to know when applying for 2027
Planning to study in France also means working out a realistic budget. Tuition fee exemptions are therefore one of the areas we monitor closely.
A decree dated 19 May 2026 changed the rules for granting fee exemptions at public institutions under the French Ministry of Higher Education. It took effect on 21 May. The Ministry published a detailed FAQ on 2 September 2026.
What has changed?
Institutions can grant full or partial exemptions at a student’s request, based on their personal circumstances, particularly their financial resources.
The new framework sets a cap on individual exemptions within each relevant student category:
- 30% for 2026–2027;
- 25% for 2027–2028;
- 20% from the start of the 2028 academic year.
These percentages refer to the maximum number of students who can receive an individual exemption within the relevant category. They are not fee discount rates. Statutory exemptions and earlier exemptions protected by transitional provisions are excluded from these caps.
What happens to students who already have an exemption?
Transitional provisions apply to students who received an exemption for 2025–2026, and to those granted an exemption for 2026–2027 before 21 May 2026.
Protection under the previous rules depends on continuing the corresponding programme at the same institution until the end of the relevant study cycle. A new applicant’s situation may therefore differ from that of a student already enrolled.
Does an admission offer include a fee exemption?
No. The Ministry explicitly states that an admission notification received through Études en France does not, by itself, grant a fee exemption.
When researching programmes, we therefore recommend checking fees and exemption conditions alongside admission requirements. The application procedure, supporting documents and deadlines should be confirmed with the institution.
Planning your budget for 2027
The decree does not directly change tuition fee amounts. It changes the conditions under which exemptions can be granted. This article therefore does not give a definitive fee amount for 2027–2028.
At Kleoséa, we follow these developments through official sources and explain their implications to students and families, helping them prepare their study plans with up-to-date information.
Sources: French Ministry of Higher Education FAQ, published on 2 September 2026; Decree No. 2026-385 of 19 May 2026.