{"id":91103,"date":"2026-07-03T03:28:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T02:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/?p=91103"},"modified":"2026-08-04T06:40:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T05:40:27","slug":"cvec-france-student-campus-contribution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/blog\/cvec-france-student-campus-contribution\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the CVEC (Contribution de Vie \u00c9tudiante et de Campus) and do you need to pay it?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re planning to study in France, whether at a university, a grande \u00e9cole, or another higher education institution, you&#8217;ll encounter the <strong>CVEC<\/strong>: the <em><strong>Contribution de Vie \u00c9tudiante et de Campus<\/strong><\/em>, or Student and Campus Life Contribution. It is a mandatory step in your enrollment process, and you cannot register at your institution without it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide covers exactly what the CVEC is, who pays it, who is exempt, how to pay it, and what happens to the money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The CVEC costs \u20ac105 for the 2025\/26 and 2026\/27 academic years<\/strong> and must be completed before you can register at a French higher education institution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It applies to all students enrolled in an initial training program (formation initiale)<\/strong> at a French higher education institution, regardless of nationality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Four categories of students are exempt from paying<\/strong> but still need to obtain a free attestation through the same online process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Some students are not subject to the CVEC at all<\/strong> (BTS, DMA, accounting programs in lyc\u00e9es, continuing education students, and exchange students) and do not need to take any action.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Payment can be made online<\/strong> at <a href=\"https:\/\/cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"798\" height=\"436\" src=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-1.png\" alt=\"CVEC france\" class=\"wp-image-91111\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-1.png 798w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-1-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-1-768x420.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the CVEC?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The CVEC is a mandatory annual contribution that every student enrolled in initial higher education in France must settle before registering at their institution.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CVEC was introduced in March 2018 as part of the law on &#8220;Student Orientation and Success&#8221; (<em>Loi ORE<\/em>). Its purpose is to improve student services in the areas of social support, health, culture, sport, and campus life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The contribution is collected by the <a href=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/blog\/crous-france-student-services-guide\/\">CROUS<\/a> (Centre R\u00e9gional des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires), the French national student welfare network. It is entirely separate from other requirements such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/blog\/how-the-french-healthcare-system-works\/\">French medical insurance system<\/a> (<em>S\u00e9curit\u00e9 Sociale<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who is required to pay the CVEC?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The CVEC applies to French and foreign students enrolling in a degree program in a public or private institution of higher education in France.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Students enrolling in classes preparing for admission to a <a href=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/blog\/grandes-ecoles\/\">Grande \u00c9cole<\/a> (<em>classe pr\u00e9paratoire aux grandes \u00e9coles<\/em>, CPGE)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students in dual degree programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students in apprenticeship contracts (which fall under initial education)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are enrolling in multiple programs in the same academic year, you only pay the CVEC once, for your first enrollment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who is NOT subject to the CVEC?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Certain categories of students are not subject to the CVEC at all and do not need to take any action or provide any attestation to their institution.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the official government guidelines, the following students are fully exempt from the process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Students enrolled in technical certificate programs (<em>Brevet de Technicien Sup\u00e9rieur<\/em>, BTS), undergraduate art degree programs (<em>Dipl\u00f4me des M\u00e9tiers d&#8217;Art<\/em>, DMA), and postsecondary accounting programs offered in a secondary school (<em>Lyc\u00e9e<\/em>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students in continuing education programs paid for by an employer (including professional qualification contracts)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exchange students in France as part of an agreement between their home institution abroad and a host institution in France (such as Erasmus+ programmes)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you fall into one of these categories, you do not need to visit the CVEC website or submit anything to your institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who is exempt from paying the CVEC but still needs an attestation?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Some students are exempt from paying the \u20ac105 fee but are still required to go through the CVEC process and obtain a free attestation to present at enrollment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The four categories exempt from payment are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>CROUS scholarship holders<\/strong>: Students receiving need-based scholarships managed by CROUS, students receiving French government scholarships, and students financed by one of France&#8217;s regions for paramedical, health, and social programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Refugee students<\/strong>: Students who have been officially recognized as refugees in France<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Students with subsidiary protection<\/strong>: Students who have been granted subsidiary protection by the French state<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Asylum seekers with the right to remain<\/strong>: Students registered as asylum seekers who legally have the right to stay in France<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The following are specifically <strong>NOT<\/strong> exempt from the fee:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Students receiving foreign government scholarships<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students receiving grants from private organizations, such as a foundation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How much does the CVEC cost?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The CVEC is \u20ac105 for the 2025\/26 and 2026\/27 academic years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fee is assessed once per academic year. If you enroll in more than one program in the same year, you pay only once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How do you pay the CVEC?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The CVEC can be paid online.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You must first create an account on the<a href=\"https:\/\/messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> student services portal<\/a> before going to the <a href=\"https:\/\/cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CVEC website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What do you do with your CVEC attestation?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>You must present your attestation to your school at the time of enrollment.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you are enrolling online, you will typically be asked to enter your attestation number directly into the registration system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you are enrolling in person, you must bring your attestation, either on your smartphone or printed, depending on your institution&#8217;s requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This applies whether you paid the fee or received an exemption. Both result in the same attestation document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"486\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/how_cvec_is_used_fr.png\" alt=\"CVEC france\" class=\"wp-image-91105\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/how_cvec_is_used_fr.png 486w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/how_cvec_is_used_fr-182x300.png 182w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 486px) 100vw, 486px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr\/<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What does the CVEC fund?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The CVEC finances student support services across five areas: social support, health, culture, sport, and student initiatives and campus welcome.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to <a href=\"https:\/\/cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2023 survey data from the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research<\/a>, the funds are distributed as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Welcome and campus integration<\/strong>: 25%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Health<\/strong>: 21%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sport<\/strong>: 17%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Social support<\/strong>: 14%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Culture<\/strong>: 13%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Student initiatives<\/strong>: 10%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In practical terms, this means the CVEC funds things like on-campus health centres, prevention programmes around contraception and STI screening, social assistant teams, student associations, concerts, exhibitions, cultural workshops, and year-round sports activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.etudiant.gouv.fr\/fr\/cvec-une-contribution-pour-de-multiples-actions-3077\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more about student services funded through the CVEC<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you want to learn more about student life in France, visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/blog\/\">Go! Go! France blog<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re planning to study in France, whether at a university, a grande \u00e9cole, or another higher education institution, you&#8217;ll encounter the CVEC: the Contribution de Vie \u00c9tudiante et de Campus, or Student and Campus Life Contribution. It is a mandatory step in your enrollment process, and you cannot register at your institution without it. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123,"featured_media":91115,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1235],"tags":[1498],"class_list":["post-91103","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-life","tag-life-in-france"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/123"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=91103"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91103\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":91231,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91103\/revisions\/91231"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91103"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=91103"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=91103"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}