20 Scholarships That Cover Tuition Fees in France

Let’s tackle the biggest worry for any student dreaming of studying abroad: the cost. France, with its world-class universities and prestigious specialized schools, can seem financially out of reach. But what if you could find a scholarship that didn’t just give you a small stipend, but actually covered your tuition fees?

The good news is that these scholarships exist. France is remarkably generous in its mission to attract international talent, and numerous programs are designed to lift the financial burden of tuition right off your shoulders. We’ve compiled a list of twenty such scholarships to get you started on your journey.

The Prestigious National Awards

These are the heavy-hitters, the scholarships funded by the French government that are known for their comprehensive coverage.

1. The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program: Run by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, this is the gold standard. It primarily targets Master’s and PhD students and is famous for covering tuition, providing a monthly living allowance, and even paying for your airfare and health insurance. You must be nominated by your chosen French university, so your first job is to impress them with your application.
2. French Government Scholarships (BGF): Administered through French Embassies worldwide, these scholarships vary by country but often include a significant tuition fee waiver. The key is to check the specific offer from the French Embassy in your home country.

The Power of Erasmus+

While not exclusively French, this European Union program is a cornerstone for funding studies in Europe, including France.

3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMDs): This is a top-tier option. You study in at least two different European countries, and the consortium of universities awards full scholarships that cover your participation costs (including tuition), travel, and a living allowance. Many of these programs are coordinated by French institutions.

Scholarships from Elite French Institutions

Many of France’s top universities and grandes écoles use their own scholarships to attract the best international students.

4. Sciences Po Emile-Boutmy Scholarship: Designed specifically for non-EU students excelling in their undergraduate or master’s programs, this scholarship can cover a significant portion of, or even the entirety of, tuition fees.
5. HEC Paris Scholarships: For their MBA and Master in Management programs, HEC Paris offers a range of need-based and merit-based scholarships that can cover up to 100% of tuition fees.
6. ESSEC Business School Scholarships: ESSEC provides numerous scholarships for its international students, many of which are directly applied to reduce tuition fees for programs like the Global BBA and Master in Management.
7. Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarships: This scholarship offers a grant of €10,000 per year to cover tuition and living costs for international students enrolled in its master’s programs.
8. ENS de Lyon Ampere Scholarships of Excellence: This scholarship provides €1,000 per month for two years and also covers tuition fees for international students admitted to one of its master’s programs.
9. EDHEC Business School Scholarships: Offers a variety of merit-based awards for its programs, which can cover up to 50% of tuition fees.
10. EMLYON Business School Scholarships: Provides merit-based scholarships for international applicants that can significantly reduce the tuition fee for their master’s programs.
11. INSA Lyon Scholarships for International Students: This network of engineering schools offers scholarships that can cover tuition and provide a monthly stipend for selected international students.

Regional and Specialized Opportunities

Looking beyond the big names can reveal some hidden gems with fantastic funding.

12. The American University of Paris (AUP) Scholarships: AUP offers its own merit-based and need-based scholarships for international students, which are directly deducted from tuition costs.
13. Grenoble INP Foundation Scholarships: For future engineers, this foundation awards scholarships to international master’s students that cover tuition fees and include a living allowance.
14. Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT) Scholarships: This group of top engineering schools provides scholarships for its master’s programs that cover a substantial part of the tuition fees.
15. Scholarships from Regional Councils (e.g., Île-de-France): Many French regional councils offer scholarships to international students studying within their territory. These often include a tuition fee waiver. A quick search for the region you’re interested in is essential.
16. The Charpak Scholarship Program (for Indian students): This program, run by the French Embassy in India, includes the Charpak Master’s Program which covers tuition fees up to €5000, a monthly living allowance, and student visa fee waivers.
17. Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) Scholarships: For students focused on climate change and sustainability, this government initiative offers scholarships that cover tuition and living expenses at the Master’s and PhD level.
18. Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA): For students from specific countries where civil society is under threat, this award provides full funding for master’s studies, including full tuition, at selected partner universities, which include French institutions.
19. The Fontainebleau Schools Scholarships (INSEAD): INSEAD, one of the world’s leading business schools with a campus in France, offers a range of scholarships for its MBA program that can cover 50% or more of the tuition fees.
20. Université de Lyon Scholarships: The University of Lyon consortium offers specific scholarships for international master’s and PhD students, which include tuition fee waivers.

Your Roadmap to a Tuition-Free Education in France

Seeing a long list is one thing; knowing what to do next is another. Your success hinges on a proactive approach.

Start by identifying your academic level and field. Then, cross-reference that with the scholarships on this list. Your next stop should be the official website of each scholarship that fits your profile. Bookmark them. Note the deadlines—they are often almost a year in advance.

Remember, for many of the most prestigious awards, your first point of contact is the French university itself. A compelling application to a program is your ticket to being nominated for scholarships like the Eiffel.

A tuition-free education in France is not a fantasy. It’s a goal achieved by thousands of international students each year through preparation, persistence, and the strategic use of opportunities like these. Your journey begins with that first click of research.

Your Path to an Affordable French Education

As you can see, the landscape of financial support for international students in France is both vast and surprisingly generous. The notion that a world-class education in Europe has to come with a staggering price tag is simply outdated. From the government’s flagship Eiffel Scholarship to the dedicated funding from elite business schools and engineering institutes, the opportunities are very real.

The key takeaway here is that these scholarships are not hidden secrets; they are publicly available and actively awarded to students who demonstrate merit, passion, and a clear vision for their future. The common thread running through nearly all of them is the importance of a stellar application to your chosen academic program. Your first and most crucial task is to craft an application that makes a French university not only want to admit you but also feel compelled to champion your cause for funding.

Your Scholarship Questions, Answered

It’s completely normal to have questions about securing a scholarship. Here are clear answers to some of the most common concerns.

If a scholarship covers my tuition, will I still need money for living costs?

This is a crucial question. It depends entirely on the scholarship. A “full-ride” scholarship, like the Eiffel Excellence Program, typically includes a monthly living stipend on top of the tuition waiver. However, many other scholarships only cover the tuition fees. In that case, you will need to budget for rent, food, transportation, and health insurance separately. Always read the scholarship details carefully to see what is included.

Are these scholarships only for top-ranked students with perfect grades?

While academic excellence is a significant factor for most of these awards, it’s rarely the only factor. Selection committees are often looking for well-rounded candidates. A compelling personal statement, strong letters of recommendation, relevant extracurricular activities, and clear career goals can be just as important as a flawless transcript. Don’t count yourself out if your grades are very good but not perfect.

What is the difference between a tuition waiver and a scholarship that “covers” tuition?

This is a subtle but important distinction. A tuition waiver is exactly what it sounds like: the university simply waives the fee, so you don’t have to pay it. A scholarship that covers tuition usually means the funding organization pays the money directly to the university on your behalf. For you, the student, the financial result is the same—your tuition is paid. The difference is mostly administrative.

I was accepted to a university but didn’t get a scholarship. Can I apply again next year?

In many cases, yes, you can. This is especially true for university-specific scholarships. If you are already enrolled in a multi-year program (like a two-year Master’s), you may be eligible to apply for scholarships for your second year. It also shows determination to re-apply for a national scholarship like Eiffel, especially if you can demonstrate improved grades or new achievements.

Is it worth applying for scholarships with smaller award values?

Absolutely. Even a scholarship that covers only a portion of your tuition significantly reduces your financial burden. Furthermore, winning a smaller, competitive scholarship looks excellent on your CV and can strengthen your future applications for other, larger funding opportunities. Every bit helps, and every award adds to your academic profile.