CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) is the French family allowance agency that provides housing benefit to eligible students. This benefit, called APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement) or ALS (Allocation de Logement Sociale), can reduce your rent by EUR 100 to EUR 250 per month and is well worth applying for.

Who is eligible: to receive CAF housing benefit in France, you need to be enrolled at a French higher education institution, renting accommodation that is not provided by your university free of charge, and your accommodation must meet specific size and habitability criteria. As an international student on a long-stay student visa, you are generally eligible if your housing meets the criteria.

How to apply: create an account on the CAF website (caf.fr) and submit your dossier online. You will need your French bank account details (RIB), your tenancy agreement (bail), your landlord's details, your student enrolment certificate, and information about your income (which for most first-year students is zero or minimal). The application is in French; use a translation tool if needed.

CAF takes time to process. Expect two to four months from application to receiving your first payment. CAF does not backpay quickly so apply as soon as you sign your lease. Do not wait until after you move in to start the process.

Payments go directly to your French bank account. Some landlords opt into a system where CAF pays them directly, deducting from your rent. Confirm this arrangement with your landlord.

One common issue: international students sometimes submit incorrect income information thinking French income only applies. In reality, CAF may consider worldwide income declared in France for scholarship purposes. Read the instructions carefully or ask your university's international student office for guidance.