Every summer, millions of French families wait for the back-to-school allowance (ARS) to help pay for their children's purchases. Notebooks, pens, schoolbags, clothes... the bill can quickly add up. For the 2026 school year, ARS amounts have been increased. Here is everything you need to know about eligibility conditions, amounts, the payment date and the required steps.

What is the back-to-school allowance?

ARS is financial assistance paid by the Family Allowance Fund (CAF) or the Agricultural Social Mutual Fund (MSA) to families with children attending school. It is paid once a year, before the start of the school year, to help parents cover school expenses such as supplies, clothing, sports equipment and various fees.

This scheme has existed for several decades and benefits nearly 3 million families in France every year. It is means-tested, which means that household income must not exceed a set ceiling.

Who can receive ARS in 2026?

Several conditions must be met to receive ARS for the 2026 school year.

Child age requirement

The child must be between 6 and 18 years old. For the 2026 school year, they must therefore have been born between September 16, 2008 and December 31, 2020, inclusive. The allowance is not granted if the child is home-schooled, except through Cned.

School attendance requirement

The child must attend a public or private educational institution or be enrolled with the National Centre for Distance Education (Cned). For young people aged 16 to 18, parents must certify that they are continuing their studies or apprenticeship.

Please note: if your child is an apprentice, ARS may be paid under certain conditions, provided that their earnings do not exceed a specified threshold.

Income requirement

This is the key criterion. Income received in 2024 (net taxable income by category) is used as the reference for the 2026 school year. The ceiling depends on the number of dependent children in the family:

• 1 dependent child: 2024 income below €28,956
• 2 dependent children: 2024 income below €35,638
• 3 or more children: €42,320 + €6,682 for each additional child

Important: if you are only slightly over the ceiling, a gradually reduced differential allowance may be paid. Do not give up before checking your entitlement on caf.fr!

How much is ARS for the 2026 school year?

The government has officially confirmed the ARS amounts for the 2026 school year. They vary according to the child's age on December 31, 2025:

• Ages 6 to 10: €426.87
• Ages 11 to 14: €450.41
• Ages 15 to 18: €466.02

These amounts are stated after deduction of the contribution for the repayment of social debt (CRDS). Compared with 2025, the increase is significant.

For comparison, the 2025 school-year amounts were €393.96 (ages 6–10), €415.43 (ages 11–14) and €430.01 (ages 15–18). The 2026 increase is around 8%, providing meaningful support for low-income families.

When will ARS 2026 be paid?

The official ARS payment date for the 2026 school year has not yet been announced by CAF. Based on previous years, payment is expected in the second half of August 2026.

For reference, here are the payment dates for previous school years:

• 2025 school year: payments from August 19, 2025
• 2024 school year: payments from August 20, 2024

It is reasonable to expect payment during the third week of August 2026. You may also need to allow an additional 1 to 3 business days for your bank to process the payment.

If you submit the school attendance declaration after the official payment date (for 16- to 18-year-olds), payment will be made a few days after your CAF receives the document.

Do you need to take any action to receive ARS?

It depends on your situation.

If you already receive CAF benefits and your child is under 16

No action is required. CAF pays ARS automatically if you have declared your 2024 income to the tax authorities and CAF. Make sure your file is up to date before July 2026.

If your child is between 16 and 18

You must declare that your child will continue their studies or apprenticeship for the 2026 school year. This declaration can be made from mid-July on your CAF or MSA website. Without this step, ARS will not be paid automatically.

If you do not yet receive CAF benefits

You must submit a complete application to your CAF, including a declaration of circumstances and a 2024 income declaration. If your child is under 6 and starting CP, you should also attach a school attendance certificate.

How can you check your eligibility for ARS 2026?

Before preparing an application, check your eligibility using the free tools available:

• The official calculator on caf.fr: fast and reliable, it takes your family circumstances and income into account.
• The service-public.fr website also offers a calculator dedicated to ARS.
• Your online CAF account (My entitlements section) shows whether you qualify for ARS.

Tips for making the most of your back-to-school budget

ARS is valuable support, but it does not always cover all back-to-school expenses. Here are a few additional tips:

• Buy early: school supply prices often rise as the start of the school year approaches. Take advantage of summer sales to make your purchases.
• Reuse supplies from the previous year: pencils, rulers, calculators... many items can be reused from one year to the next.
• Buy second-hand: garage sales and online resale websites can help you find clothing and school equipment at low prices.
• Check local assistance: some municipalities and departments pay additional support on top of ARS. Ask your local town hall for information.
• Use textbook exchanges: in many middle and high schools, lending or student-to-student resale schemes help reduce costs.

In summary

The 2026 back-to-school allowance provides important financial support for low-income families. With increased amounts of up to €466.02 for 15- to 18-year-olds, it helps cover a substantial share of school expenses. If you meet the age, school attendance and income conditions, check your CAF file from July 2026—the payment is expected in the second half of August.