Nearly three million French families are set to receive the 2026 allocation de rentrée scolaire (ARS), a back-to-school grant paid by the Caisse d'Allocations Familiales (CAF), with payments beginning this month ahead of the September 1 school start date.
French families will spend an average of 488 euros on back-to-school costs this year, an increase of 79 euros compared with last year, according to a CSA/Cofidis barometer published on Monday, August 3.
Who qualifies
Eligibility is based on a household's 2024 tax return. Income thresholds are 28,956 euros for one child, 35,638 euros for two children, 42,320 euros for three children, and 49,002 euros for four children. Each additional child raises the threshold by 6,682 euros.
How much families will get
The grant amount depends on the child's age. According to the Ministry of National Education, the 2026 payment is 426.87 euros per child aged 6 to 10, rising to 450.41 euros for children aged 11 to 14 and 466.02 euros for those aged 15 to 18.
Payment dates
The grant will be paid starting August 4, 2026, in Mayotte and Reunion. Eligible households in mainland France, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Martinique will have to wait until August 18, 2026.
What families need to do
The Ministry of National Education said that for children who will be between 6 and 15 years old on December 31 following the start of the school year, benefit recipients who qualify do not need to take any action, since the grant is paid automatically. For children older than 16, families must declare to the CAF that the child is still enrolled in school or in an apprenticeship at the start of the year in order to receive the grant. An online form is available for those who are not already benefit recipients. The ARS is paid directly by the CAF or by the Mutualité Sociale Agricole (MSA).
