What is the “Student and Campus Life Contribution” (CVEC)?

With a few exceptions, before enrolling at a French higher education establishment, you will need to provide evidence that you have settled the Contribution à la Vie Étudiante et de Campus (CVEC) tax. How? Why? Read on to find out all you need to know about the CVEC.

What is the “Student and Campus Life Contribution” (CVEC)?

The CVEC is a mandatory contribution for students enrolled for a post-secondary course at a higher education establishment (universities,business schools, engineering schools, schools of art and applied arts, etc.) in France. It is collected by the Crous (Centre régional des œuvresuniversitaires et scolaires) and its amount is €92 for the 2021/2022academic year.

Some students are not liable to pay the CVEC and are therefore not required to provide proof of payment at the start of the school year. They are the following:

• secondary school students working towards a BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur), DMA (Diplôme des Métiers d’Arts) or an accounting qualification;
• people in continuing education;
• international students in the Erasmus exchange programme or on a study stay in France as part of an agreement between two establishments.

Others are exempted from payment and are released from the CVEC by exemption. They are the following:

• students receiving a  (grants based on social criteria from the Crous; regional grants for paramedicine, health and social courses; grants from the French government) or specific annual allowances;
• foreign students with refugee status, recipients of subsidiary protection and asylum seekers authorised to remain on French territory;
• work-study students with a professionalisation contract.

Continuing education

If you are the holder of a grant from a foreign government or a recipient of financial assistance from a private organisation, such as a foundation, you are not exempted from the CVEC. It is important to note that if you are on a work-study placement under an apprenticeship contract, then you are liable to pay the CVEC, unlike students under a professionalisation contract.

What is the CVEC for?

According to the French ORE law of 2018 on the “guidance and success of students” (Orientation et Réussite des Etudiants), as well as the decree on contributions, the CVEC should enable the following:

• pursue development of university health centres, deploy the Student Health Representatives (ERS) initiative and strengthen the action of university health services;
• fund social action in establishments and Crous centres;

• support projects led by student associations, as well as sporting, artistic and cultural activities;
• improve the welcome given to students on campuses.

At IPAG Business School, for example, CVEC funds have been used and distributed through student associations, the school’s grants, financial assistance for students facing difficulties, and the psychological support system set up during the lockdown, among other things.

CVEC platform

How to pay the CVEC?

The CVEC must be paid before your administrative enrolment in a higher education establishment. Do not wait for the enrolmentdeadline for the course you have chosen before beginning the process.

Settlement via payment

If you are paying by bank card, settlement of the CVEC can only be done on the French government’s secure platform. If you would prefer to pay in cash, you must go to a French post office (La Poste) and pay the amount of the CVEC via the Eficash system (La Poste charges a €5 transaction fee).

Settlement via exemption

If you are exempt from payment (see above), the platform detects this automatically via your French student number or ‘INE’ (Identifiant National Élève). You can download your proof of settlement in just a few clicks. Should the system fail to detect your eligibility for exemption, there is a dedicated area where you can provide all the necessary documentary evidence.

How to receive your proof of settlement for the CVEC?

There are several possible scenarios:

• You are exempt: you can download your proof of settlement on the CVEC platform.
• You are paying by card: it is available immediately after payment.
• You are paying by cash: you will receive an email within two days to notify you that the proof of settlement is available to download.

How to get a refund for the CVEC?

If there is a change in your situation, and you become eligible for exemption after the start of the academic year, you can request a refund of the CVEC by logging on to the dedicated platform and providing your evidence. Generally speaking, the refund window is open from mid-September until the end of May.

CVEC platform

How to receive your proof of settlement for the CVEC?

There are several possible scenarios:

• You are exempt: you can download your proof of settlement on the CVEC platform.
• You are paying by card: it is available immediately after payment.
• You are paying by cash: you will receive an email within two days to notify you that the proof of settlement is available to download.

How to get a refund for the CVEC?

If there is a change in your situation and you become eligible for exemption after the start of the academic year, you can request a refund of the CVEC by logging on to the dedicated platform and providing your evidence. Generally speaking, the refund window is open from mid-September until the end of May.