APL for international students: The complete guide to a successful application

Personalized Housing Assistance (APL) is not a benefit reserved exclusively for French citizens. It is available to all tenants with modest incomes, including international profiles. At Colonies, we detail the full procedure for receiving your APL international student benefits with total peace of mind.

How do APL and CAF work?

The Caisse d'Allocations Familiales (CAF) is a public body present throughout France. Its mission? To support people in precarious situations (low-income tenants, unemployed families) in meeting their essential needs. It manages various social benefits such as the RSA, Activity Bonus, and Personalized Housing Assistance (APL).

As an international student, you have every right to apply for this financial support. However, as administrative procedures can be complex, we have summarized the entire process for you, from building your file to the first payment of your APL international student grant.

Requirements for applying for APL as an international student

To be eligible, you must meet several criteria. The first concerns your financial resources and those of your household. The amount of aid is calculated based on your rent and your declared income. It is highly recommended to use a simulator before starting the process to estimate your future APL international student allowance.

The second requirement is to hold a rental contract. Be careful, however: not all housing is state-subsidized (conventionné). To open your rights, the property must belong to one of these categories:

• University residences (CROUS);

• Hostels for young workers;

• Social housing (HLM);

• Subsidized private residences.

Finally, to validate your APL international student status, you must occupy this housing as your primary residence for at least 8 months during the calendar year.

The specific situation of flatsharing

If you live in a flatshare (colocation), each occupant must submit their own application. If one of your flatmates fails to apply, it can influence the calculation of your eligibility and the amount received.

How to apply for APL?

The application for an APL international student grant is done exclusively online, on the official CAF portal. You will find a summary of the necessary information and an accurate simulator. If this is your first application, you must register as a "non-beneficiary" (non-allocataire). You will then receive a personal code to finalize your digital file. Please note that the application can only be validated after the official signature of your lease.

Documents to provide

To build a strong APL international student file, prepare the following documents:

• A bank identity statement (RIB) from a French bank account;

• Your signed lease agreement mentioning the landlord's contact details;

• A rent certificate (attestation de loyer) completed by your landlord;

• Proof of income for the last two years (if applicable);

• An identity document (passport, ID card, or birth certificate extract);

• For EU citizens: proof of school enrollment and European Health Insurance Card;

• For non-EU citizens: a valid residence permit (titre de séjour) for the training year;

• Your certificate of affiliation to the student social security system.

How long does it take to get?

Processing times vary depending on the workload of your local CAF office. However, even if the review of your file takes time, your rights are retroactive: you will receive back payments owed since the date your application was validated. Generally, the APL international student grant is paid directly to the landlord (tiers-payant), who then deducts the amount from your rent, preventing you from having to advance the full total.

APL for international students: our final tips

Imperatively check that your future housing is decent and subsidized. Anticipate your APL international student application as soon as your lease is signed. If you have not yet received your final residence permit, start the procedure anyway and complete your file once the document is received. This habit will save you precious time in receiving your financial aid.