In high school, a child can benefit from several financial aids. The high school social fund is part of this set. The high school social fund allows families to meet certain school expenses. Principle, conditions for obtaining, amount and payment… We tell you everything about this financial aid!
What is the high school social fund (FSL)?
High school social fund: definition
The FSL is financial aid granted to parents who are having difficulty paying their child’s school fees and living expenses, particularly financial difficulties which are a barrier to their continuing their education.
Its aim is to help families cope with a difficult situation, without impacting their children’s education.
Costs covered by the FSL
The high school social fund can be used for various school-related expenses:
- Boarding and half-board.
- School trips and transport.
- Work or sports equipment and clothing.
- Textbooks and school equipment.
- Child medical care (purchase of glasses, hearing aids).
- Etc.
Training assistance
In addition to the expenses below, social fund credits can also be used to finance support in training maintenance systems, when difficulties are an obstacle to continuing studies.
This is particularly applicable to students who have not passed their CAP, technician’s certificate or baccalaureate.
Help not automatic
The implementation of this assistance is not automatic. A request must be made to the head of the establishment.
Once the file is complete and accompanied by the required supporting documents, an allocation committee, chaired by the head of the establishment, examines each request while respecting privacy (obligation of discretion).
The latter studies each case and makes proposals for allocations.
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Who is eligible for the high school social action fund?
Main award criterion for the high school social fund
The main allocation criterion is the daily family quotient. The lower this quotient, the greater the amount of aid.
For example, it goes up to 100% for school supplies and textbooks.
For middle and high schools
To benefit from the social fund, the child must be enrolled in one of the following structures:
- Public or private college or high school (under contract).
- Middle school or high school level class at the National Center for Distance Education (CNED).
- Be educated in an EREA (Regional Adapted Education Establishment).
In some cases, children enrolled in a high school preparatory class can benefit from this aid.
Simple social assistance allowance: conditions, application and amount
How much is the high school social fund?
A variable amount depending on the situation
The amount of the high school social fund is not fixed and varies according to the specific needs of each student and the financial situation of their family.
This is personalized and one-off assistance, the amount of which is determined by the high school’s allocation committee. It can range from a few dozen to several hundred euros.
A direct or indirect payment
The aid allocated by the social fund can be:
- a sum of money paid to the parents (or the legal guardian of the young person);
- a benefit in kind. The social fund then directly covers the expenses.
If the child is a minor, the aid is paid to the parents. If the child is an adult, it can be paid directly to the child.
Family allowances: conditions, ceiling and amount 2024
FSL: how to apply?
The high school social fund application file
The first step is to collect the application file from the school secretariat, which provides a form to be completed by the family.
This form asks for information about family and financial situation, as well as specific expenses for which assistance is requested.
Supporting documents to be provided
The request for high school social funds must be accompanied by supporting documents attesting to the family’s financial difficulties:
- Latest notice of tax or non-taxation.
- Copy of the family record book.
- Most recent statement of family benefits (CAF, MSA, etc.).
- Pay slips or proof of income.
- Proof of special situations (loss of employment, separation, illness, etc.).
- Invoices or quotes for school-related expenses (textbooks, canteen, school trips, etc.).
The high school social fund commission
The head of the establishment, after consulting a special committee which he chairs and on the recommendation of the board of directors, decides whether or not to grant aid.
This commission may include:
- the chief education advisor;
- the assistant manager;
- the social service assistant;
- the nurse;
- one or more student delegates;
- one or more parent representatives;
- possibly other members of the educational community.
Please note that the high school principal must present an overall report on the use of the middle school or high school social fund.
The final decision
The decision of the commission must be justified and notified to the families in writing. It is taken on the basis of the elements provided.
In the event of refusal, parents are invited to contact the school social worker who will tell them about other financial aid to which they are entitled.
Minimum student income: principle, conditions and amount
Can I renew my FSL request?
Renewable financial aid
The high school social fund is often one-off assistance.
However, if the family continues to experience financial difficulties during the year, it is possible to renew the application by re-examining the situation.
Refill an application form
As with the first application, you will need to complete a new application form.
Even if some information may already be known to the high school, it is necessary to specify the new financial difficulties and school expenses affected by this request.
Provide up-to-date supporting documentation
For renewal, it is important to provide updated supporting documents again.
Review of the file by the commission
The file will be examined again by the high school committee.
The decision is made based on the usual criteria: family resources, number of dependent children, and the student’s needs.
Notification of decision
After studying the request, the family will be informed of the decision taken.
If the application is accepted, the aid will be renewed, and the amount allocated will be defined according to the needs expressed.
All financial aid for parents of children with disabilities
What other financial aid is possible for a high school student?
For high school and middle school students, several financial aids exist to reduce the costs associated with schooling and promote equal opportunities.
High school scholarship and college scholarship
The high school scholarship is aid intended for families with modest incomes to help them cover their child’s school fees.
It is granted subject to resource conditions and takes into account family expenses (number of dependent children). It is paid in three installments during the school year.
The college scholarship works on the same principle.
Merit scholarship
In addition to the high school scholarship, the merit scholarship is additional aid intended for students who already benefit from the high school scholarship and who have obtained very good results in the National Brevet Diploma (mention “Good” or “Very good”).
The student must commit to continuing his or her education seriously. This aid can amount to up to 1,000 euros per year.
Back to school allowance
The ARS is aid paid by the Family Allowance Fund (CAF) to families with school-age children aged six to 18.
The amount depends on the child’s age and is paid at the beginning of the school year to help cover back-to-school expenses (supplies, clothing, etc.).
Social fund for the canteen
Some regions offer financial assistance for meals in the high school canteen.
This aid is intended for families in financial difficulty and helps reduce the cost of school meals, or even provide free meals in some cases.
The amount of aid is deducted from the rate owed by the family in payment of expenses.
Erasmus+ scholarship for high school students
As part of the Erasmus+ programme, some vocational high school students can benefit from assistance to complete an internship abroad.
This scholarship helps finance part of the costs of travel and accommodation abroad.
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