TheAllocation de rentrée scolaire (ARS) 2025 provides essential financial support to nearly 3 million French families as they prepare for their children's return to school. Paid out this Tuesday, August 19, this government aid has been increased by 1.7% this year to keep pace with inflation and the rising cost of school supplies. With amounts ranging from €423.48 to €462.33 depending on the child's age, the ARS covers around a third of annual school expenses, which average €1,315 per child. Between essential purchases of school supplies, adapted clothing and ancillary costs such as canteen meals, we explain everything you need to know about this allowance to help you prepare for the start of the new school year.
TheAllocation de rentrée scolaire 2025 was revalued on April 1 by the Ministry of Solidarity to compensate for inflation and the rising cost of school supplies. The official amounts paid depend on your child's age on December 31, 2024:
This rise in prices is explained by the increase in costs according to school level. According to the latest studies by the French Ministry of Education, the average back-to-school cost is €236 for a primary school pupil, €324 for a secondary school pupil and €398 for a high school pupil.
In Mayotte, the amounts are slightly higher: €425.60 for primary school, €449.09 for middle school and €464.65 for high school, with resource ceilings specific to this overseas department.
To receive theAllocation de rentrée scolaire 2025, several conditions must be met, according to official CAF criteria. Your child must have been born between September 16, 2007 and December 31, 2019 inclusive, and be enrolled in a public, private, CNED or apprenticeship school.
Your household income in 2023 must not exceed the ceilings set by government decree:
If your income slightly exceeds these thresholds, you may be eligible for a differential allowance calculated proportionally to your resources.
TheAllocation de rentrée scolaire is paid automatically on the following dates according to the official calendar for all eligible beneficiaries:
Payment is automatic for children aged 6 to 15 if you are already a CAF or MSA recipient. For teenagers aged 16 to 18, you must declare that your child is still at school or learning via your personal online CAF or MSA space.
Contrary to popular belief, according to Service-Public.fr, there are no laws strictly governing the use of the ARS. The CAF recommends its use for "materials, supplies and equipment for schools", but no controls are carried out on purchases made by families.
A recent CNAF study of 2,000 beneficiary families revealed that 98% of them actually use the ARS for school-related expenses:
The allowance can also be used to finance indirect expenses related to your child's schooling:
If you are not yet a CAF or MSA recipient, you need to create your personal space on caf.fr or msa.fr and download the application form in the "Mes démarches" section. Supporting documents include your 2023 tax return, proof of identity and proof of address.
TheAllocation de rentrée scolaire covers around a third of annual school expenses. Families spend an average of €1,315 per child over a full school year, broken down as follows:
According to theofficial CNAF study, without the ARS, 67% of families would still have made these essential purchases, but 41% would have been forced to reduce the quantity or quality of the equipment they acquired for their children.
TheAllocation de rentrée scolaire (back-to-school allowance) remains an essential tool to help French families cope with the rising cost of education. Despite recurring polemics about its use, official studies show that this aid is used massively to promote children's success at school. If you have any further questions about your rights, please contact your local CAF or MSA (depending on your social security system), or visit the official website info.gouv.fr.
