Social and financial support for students
The University of Montpellier is committed to supporting all its students, particularly those facing social or financial difficulties. Learn about the resources available to support you throughout your studies.
The University’s Social and Family Economics Advisor (CESF) works closely with the CROUS social services department to support the student community. They can assist you with administrative procedures and refer you to resources tailored to your needs. Several types of one-time financial aid are available: the University of Montpellier’s Solidarity and Student Initiative Development Fund (FSDIE), the CROUS’s Specific One-Time Assistance (ASAP), the Annual Allowance (ASAA), and more.
For any inquiries regarding financial aid or housing, the CROUS remains your sole point of contact.
Programs offered by the UM
The Social FSDIE
The Social FSDIE is a program offered by the University of Montpellier designed to provide one-time financial assistance to students facing severe financial hardship or living in precarious circumstances.
Funded in part by the CVEC (Student and Campus Contribution), this program is implemented in partnership with the CROUS. Financial aid is awarded, subject to eligibility requirements, following an interview with the CROUS social services department and a review of the application by a committee. It is designed to assist students in the following areas:
- Food-related expenses,
- Housing-related expenses,
- Travel related to an internship or study abroad program (in France or abroad),
- Healthcare costs,
- Tuition fees (excluding the purchase of computer equipment).
The Family and Social Economics Advisor (CESF)
You can contact the UM’s social and family life counselor (CESF) by email:
- if you are not eligible for financial aid from the CROUS;
- if you are facing an emergency;
- If you don't hear back from the CROUS, the CESF is still here to help.
The UM's CESF primarily serves the following groups:
- students enrolled in a university diploma program;
- doctoral researchers not doctoral researchers a contract with the University of Montpellier;
- students over the age of 35;
- Continuing Education students.
Distribution of food and hygiene products
Once a week, the UM’s Student Union (BVE), in partnership with the Linkee association, offers free food distributions to students facing financial hardship. These distributions are held on a rotating basis, every other week, at the Françoise Barré-Sinoussi Student Center on the Triolet campus and at the Aimé Schoenig Student Center on the Richter campus.
- For more information, please contact the BVE.
- Registration and food distribution schedule.
Occasionally, hygiene products, funded by the Occitanie region, are also provided during these food distributions.
Menstrual insecurity: RelaX
As part of the effort to combat period poverty, the University of Montpellier has launched the RelaX solidarity initiative. This program allows anyone to drop off menstrual products for female students in designated collection bags. These RelaX bags are available in all academic departments of the university, as well as in the Richter and Triolet student centers, at the (S)pace, and in the university libraries of Sciences, Richter, and Pharmacy.
Loans of computers and small equipment; funding for Microsoft 365 licenses
The University of Montpellier’s libraries offer laptops for loan throughout the academic year to help you continue your studies under optimal conditions. This service is available exclusively to students upon presentation of a student ID card at the front desk of the library of your choice. Laptops are available at the Richter, Triolet, UPM, and Pharmacy university libraries, as well as at the Béziers IUT, the Nîmes IUT, and the Nîmes Medicine University Library. Learn more
In addition, libraries also offer short-term loans of small items useful for everyday life, such as headphones, USB drives, HDMI cables, and more. Learn more
In addition, the University covers the cost of the Microsoft 365 license, which is available free of charge to all UM students.
Student job
Universities have the option of hiring students for various roles, such as welcoming new students, assisting students with disabilities, tutoring, or supporting library staff. These contracts have a maximum duration of 12 months, with limited working hours during the academic year to allow students to continue their studies.
The CROUS: An Essential Partner
The Crous de Montpellier offers a wide range of services to make your student life easier:
Social support
A network of social service assistants is available to assist you at your campus ( SCMPPS offices and at(S)pace on the Triolet campus in Montpellier) to help resolve your personal, family, or financial issues. Whether or not you receive a scholarship, you can schedule an appointment with the social service assistants by email using this online form.
Housing
The CROUS is the sole point of contact for CROUS housing applications. It offers housing solutions tailored to your needs and budget.
Learn more
Catering
Students can take advantage of affordable dining options on campus, with meals priced at €1 for scholarship recipients and €3.30 for non-scholarship recipients in university cafeterias and restaurants (Resto’U).
In addition, students facing financial hardship—even those who do not receive scholarships—may also be eligible for the €1 option following an assessment of their situation by the Crous.
Learn more
Other financial assistance
The CROUS is the sole point of contact for scholarship applications. Need-based scholarships are financial aid grants awarded by the CROUS under certain conditions.
Learn more
As a student, you may be eligible for various forms of financial aid depending on your circumstances, including specific grants, housing assistance, and travel grants…
Learn more
Students with disabilities
Students with disabilities can apply for financial aid and housing through the “Student Social File,” with no age limit. You receive 4 additional points to help you qualify for need-based financial aid. University dining halls and certain residence halls are accessible, and adapted housing is available upon request.
