6 Budget-Friendly Tips For International College Students In Paris

Paris is one of the most popular student destinations. The French Capital is famous for many things, from its iconic Eiffel Tower to its sumptuous cuisine, but its education system is equally attractive. A bright future awaits you if you take up Parisian higher education in a sincere manner. However, pursuing higher education is not just about enrolling yourself in a university or college; there is so much involved that you may want to know for comfortable survival.

In case you are planning to head to Paris in the near future, then you should pay attention to the following budget-friendly tips. These will help you save a ton in the city and give you a more wholesome experience.

1. Grab all the discounts on transportation
   Paris is one of the most expensive cities in Europe and the world. As a student, you will be spending a ton of money into transportation which contributes to the cost of living in Paris immensely. So, the way out of it is to use your student status.

   

   Yes, the city offers many discounts to students in transportation. Avail the 50 percent discount monthly pass for the bus, tram, and metro. There is a considerable range of discounts for using the national railroad system as well.

2. Scholarships, of course.
   I know this is like the first thing most students would look for when seeking higher education abroad. But, it is indispensable to the whole point I intend to make here. You are advised to check out all types of scholarships you can avail of here. For example, there are different types of criteria depending on who is paying the scholarship amount, what the target audience is, what the nationality of the applicant is, and whatnot. Note that government-funded scholarships are filed at the French embassy of your country of residence.
3. Earn extra cash on the side
   A part-time job is a great way to secure an extra amount during education. Most countries allow part-time jobs to their students, domestic or international, subject to rules and regulations.

   

   In France, you are allowed to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours every week. Also, while taking up any part-time job, make sure you run through your university’s guidelines. There may be restrictions imposed on you. So, make sure you are fully aware of your eligibility criteria.

4. Health insurance is a must
   Every French citizen must hold public health insurance. There are also rules for students studying in the country to get insurance done. You should avail health insurance here after which you will get an ID and a social security number that can be of great use to you. Once you have your ID, you can show it to your doctor and you can get back as much as 70 percent of the money spent on your medical visits. Medical costs can be really imposing in Paris so it is advised that you prepare yourself for it in advance.
5. Seek Financial Assistance For Housing
   Rent kills a part of you every time you pay it. Paris is expensive, as I said before, and housing could be a real pain. Even if you fail to get a scholarship, however, you can still seek financial assistance in Paris. There is housing assistance called Aide personnalisée au lodgement  (APL) offered by Caisse des Allocations Familiales (CAF). Apply to CAF once your visa is approved along with the necessary documents such as those reflecting your financial status. You can receive a substantial sum every month if your application is approved.
6. Save on Food
   Student discounts are not restricted to transportation. In fact, in Paris, you can save a lot if you take advantage of food discounts. There are ticket-restaurants here which are essentially vouchers that can be redeemed by students in various cafes and restaurants. These vouchers are even applicable to grocery stores in regards to a specific category of food items. Also, if you are eating out, it is advised that it should be during lunchtime rather than dinnertime. There is a marked difference between meals in these two periods. Another important note, it is not necessary to leave behind a tip.

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