How to pay the student life contribution (CVEC) in France

What it is

The CVEC (contribution de vie étudiante et de campus) is a yearly contribution that students in French higher education pay before they enrol. It funds student life on campus: health services, sport, culture. For 2026-2027 it's €105.

Your school or university can't finish your enrolment without the CVEC certificate.

Do you have to pay it?

Yes if you're enrolling in initial higher education in France (university, grande école, most higher-education schools), whatever your nationality.

You don't pay (you still get a certificate) if you're:

• a holder of a French social-criteria grant (bourse sur critères sociaux);
• a recognised refugee, under subsidiary protection, or an asylum seeker.

It doesn't apply to:

• exchange students in France who don't pay French registration fees (for example Erasmus students);
• continuing education and apprenticeships;
• BTS courses in a lycée.

Before you start

You'll need:

• An email address to create your account.
• A bank card, or cash to pay at a post office.
• The name of your school or university and your programme.

Steps

1. Go to cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr and create an account (or sign in with your existing student account).
2. Pay the €105 by card online, or choose to pay in cash at a post office. If you're exempt, follow the exemption steps instead: grant holders are usually recognised automatically.
3. Download your CVEC certificate (attestation d'acquittement).
4. Give the certificate to your school or university when you enrol.

Cost

€105 for 2026-2027, once a year, unless you're exempt.

Common pitfalls

• Enrolling first. Pay the CVEC before your administrative enrolment, or it will be blocked.
• Paying when you're exempt. Grant holders and refugees shouldn't pay; if you paid by mistake, you can ask for a refund within the set dates on the CVEC website.
• Paying twice in one year. One CVEC covers the whole academic year, even if you're enrolled in two programmes.

When to ask a helper

Ask someone who enrolled at your school recently: they'll know when to pay and what else enrolment asked for.