Conditions, amount, procedures... Everything you need to know about the 2025 back-to-school allowance, paid this Tuesday

The start of the 2025 school year is already upon us, and with it, the famous shopping spree for school supplies . As every year, the back-to-school allowance (ARS) , awarded subject to means-tested conditions, will soften the bill for many families.

This aid is used, for example, to finance equipment, new clothing, canteen costs, or extracurricular activities. It is paid by the CAF (Family Allowance Fund) or the MSA (Mutualité Sociale Agricole). Nearly three million families benefit from it.

Payment is imminent for the majority of French people, as it is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in mainland France as well as in the departments of Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Martinique. Payment was made on August 5 in Mayotte and Réunion.

Parents who have at least one child in school aged 6 to 18, whether a schoolchild, student, or apprentice. The ARS is awarded based on the number of children and household resources two years prior, i.e., for the year 2023.

The income ceiling is €28,444 for households with one child, €35,008 for two, €41,572 for three, €48,136 for four, and €6,564 for each additional child. Don't panic if you're just over these ceilings; "you may be paid a differential allowance calculated based on your income," reports the website service-public.fr.

In 2025, the amount of the ARS is €423.48 per student aged 6 to 10, €446.85 for 11-14 year olds and €462.33 for 15-18 year olds. Last year, these amounts ranged from €416.40 to €454.60. In Mayotte, it depends on the level of education: €425.60 per student in primary school, €449.09 in middle school and €464.65 in high school.

For families already receiving benefits with children who will be between 6 and 15 years old on December 31, 2025, "you do not need to do anything; the ARS is paid to you automatically," says service-public.fr. However, be careful, "if your child is enrolled in CP (primary school) when they are not yet 6 years old, you must send your CAF (family allowance fund) a school certificate," the website specifies.

For children between the ages of 16 and 18, they must declare that they are still in school in the "My Account" section of the CAF website or app. Households that are not yet receiving benefits must first create an account on the CAF website and complete a form to return to declare their family situation.