Scholarships and grants

As a student at the Conservatoire, you can benefit from various forms of aid to help support your studies or projects. No application will be processed without registration at the Conservatoire.

State grants

Crous social grant (Centre régional des œuvres universitaires et scolaires)

Crous social grants are mainly awarded to French students, but they also cover :

Students who are nationals of a European Union or European Economic Area country and have been living in France for at least 1 year
Students (from outside the European Union) who have been living in France for at least 2 years and hold a temporary residence permit or a resident's permit, and whose tax household - parent or legal guardian - has been located in France for at least 2 years.

To apply, fill in a student social file online: www.crous-paris.fr

The main criterion for calculating the grant is based on the tax assessment from previous years (the distance between the school and the place of residence is also taken into account).

Student social file guide

This grant entitles you to exemption from tuition fees.

Notice of tax assessment (from the taxpayer's household) :

In France, everyone must declare their income through a tax return. This is compulsory, even if you don't have to pay any tax (one out of every two tax returns results in 0€ tax or a refund). As soon as your parents no longer declare you as part of their tax household, you must file a tax return yourself. Having your own tax return can help you obtain a Crous scholarship.
However, please note that the Crous requires tax returns for the year preceding your scholarship application.

For foreign students, if you have been living in France for more than 6 months, it is also compulsory to apply, even if you are financially supported by your parents or if you are not taxable. You must wait two tax years before applying for a Crous grant.

For your first declaration, you must first request the creation of your tax number: https://www.impots.gouv.fr/portail/contacts?778

FNAUAC scholarship

The Fonds national d'aide d'urgence annuelle culture (FNAUAC) provides annual emergency assistance to students who are in permanent financial difficulty, as certified by the head of their school and the social services of the Centres régionaux des œuvres universitaires et scolaires (Crous), but who are not eligible for a grant based on social criteria because they do not meet at least one of the conditions imposed by the regulations.

To be eligible for annual emergency assistance, students must be under 35 years of age on October¹ of the year of higher education for which assistance is requested. This limited assistance is reserved exclusively for students in special, critical situations.

Annual emergency assistance cannot be combined with a grant based on social criteria (Crous grant). The amount of annual emergency aid offered is equivalent to a rate of social grants, and this aid is counted as a grant entitlement.
There are two FNAUAC scholarship campaigns a year: one in November and the second in February.

French government scholarships

French government scholarships for students are mainly awarded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They are mainly aimed at post-graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Applicants are selected on academic rather than social criteria.

To find out about scholarships available in your country, contact the Cooperation and Cultural Action Department of the French Embassy in your country. Applications must be made in September/October of the year preceding your departure.
You'll also find a complete list of scholarships classified by country on this site:
https://www.campusfrance.org/fr/bourses-etudiants-etrangers

Student Housing Assistance (A.I.L.E)

To help students with Crous grants who are unable to gain access to a social student residence and need to find an apartment in the private sector, the City of Paris offers AILE, a lump-sum grant of €900. This benefit is designed to help students meet the costs inherent in moving in, such as the purchase of household appliances, furniture, etc.
Further information: http://www.paris.fr/aile

Private assistance

The Conservatoire's private grants are awarded by sponsors. These are individuals, private organizations (foundations, companies) or institutions wishing to support students at the Conservatoire de Paris, in addition to the assistance provided by parents or other organizations.

Which grants?

Study grants

If you're experiencing difficulties, these grants can help finance some of the day-to-day living expenses you'll need to pursue your studies, during the school year (September to June): help with rent, miscellaneous expenses, food, medical expenses, etc.

Project grants

These can help finance a project that is essential to your studies or your professional integration.
Grants support the following main activities:

Instrument purchase and maintenance grants
Grants for other projects (creation, dissemination, residencies, etc.)
Mobility grants (internships, master classes, competitions, international mobility, etc.)
Loan of quartet instruments (violins, violas, cellos)

Emergency grants

These are intended to provide you with one-off help to cope with life's accidents.
Grant amounts vary according to your situation, the type of grant and the resources available. Private grants are only possible thanks to the generosity of donors who are passionate about music and dance, and who want to give everyone the same opportunities for access and success in their studies at the Conservatoire.
That's why, when you apply for a private grant, you agree to sign the Charter of Commitment for Private Grant Recipients.

How do I apply?

To apply for a grant, you need to fill in an application form on your Digital Working Environment (heading "Aides Privées"), using the same access codes you were given when you registered.

Download the 2024-2025 Scholarships and Private Assistance Guide

INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPS

The International Excellence Scholarships are funded by the Meyer Foundation and the L’Or du Rhin Foundation.
They are intended for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, and Switzerland who wish to pursue a Bachelor's or Master's degree at the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris, in instrumental disciplines (early, classical, contemporary, jazz), vocal studies, orchestral conducting, or composition.
Awarded on the basis of excellence, the scholarships also take financial need into account.
The CNSMDP can award up to 2 scholarships per year.

Application procedure :

Send the filled in application form and the required documents to the following email address: afleith@cnsmdp.fr

Application form to download

Deadline : May 18, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (French time)

Required documents :

All documents must be translated into French or English.

Motivation letter (translated)
CV (translated)
1 or 2 video recordings
Reference letter (original and translation)
Proof of financial resources (income tax notice or equivalent) (translated, with amounts converted into euros €)
Copy of passport
Proof of sufficient proficiency in French or English to carry out an interview with the selection committee

Scholarship amount :

The total amount of a scholarship is €10,000 per year, paid in two instalments (subject to attendance and academic excellence). The scholarship contributes to your study and living expenses in Paris.

Eligibility Criteria:

You are not a national of the EEA, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland (and you do not hold a second European nationality).
You have passed the 2025–2026 entrance exam to the CNSMDP for a Bachelor's or Master's degree in one of the following disciplines: instrumental (early, classical, contemporary, jazz), vocal, orchestral conducting, or composition.
You have never studied as an officially enrolled student at a higher education institution in France.
Students who have previously studied at CNSMDP as part of an exchange program are eligible to apply.

Selection Procedure:

Preselection: Applications are reviewed by the selection committee, composed of the Director of the CNSMDP, the Director of Music Studies, the Heads of the relevant departments, the Head of Fundraising, and the Officer for Private Aid.
First round: Friday, May 23 (between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.) – 15-minute interview with the selection committee (online possible)
Second round (date to be determined): 15-minute interview with the sponsors (online)

Final Decision: Before July 11, 2025