Inflation will not only benefit workers and high-income earners. The government announced Thursday several measures for students, as well as those with low incomes.
The Council of Ministers ended, and the members of government presented the new “purchasing force” package and amending finance bill. Sylvie Retailleau (Minister of Higher Education), announced that the one-euro meal would be extended to scholarship students and students in precarious circumstances. This will continue for the entire next academic year.
In response to the current health crisis, President Emmanuel Macron announced the introduction of one-euro meals at university restaurants in early 2021. This social rate was to be kept for the academic year by the government, but it would only be for students in scholarship programs and those who are not in a financially stable position.
Sylvie Retailleau also announced that scholarships based on social criteria will be revalued at the beginning of each school year. The minister stated that it is a “major increase” to “take the full measure of inflation”. This “is added to the 3.3% valuations which were made during the previous five-year period”.
According to Thursday’s draft amendment budget ( PLFR ), this measure will be combined with the 4% revaluation social benefits. It will cost 34 million euros in 2022, and 85 million euros for the entire academic year. The scholarships were awarded over a period of 10 months and ranged in amount from 1,042 euros (step 1) to 5,736 euro (step 7).
The government also announced that precarious students will be eligible for the 100 euro back-to school aid, which was made available to low-income families. This will apply to scholarship students who meet social criteria and those who receive annual aid from Crous or APL (Personalised Housing Aid) beneficiaries who don’t live with their parents.
Minister welcomed, stating that “of the 2.7 million students there will be 1.5million students, which is to say more then half, who will have the opportunity to benefit from one of several measures at the beginning of the 2022 schoolyear.” She also stated that university registration fees and rents for university residences in Crous will remain frozen until the beginning of the school year.
