2024 Baccalaureate: Bonuses for Students Who Earn Honors
The 2024 high school graduation exam results have just been released. Students who earned honors are eligible for various forms of financial aid, including merit-based aid for scholarship recipients who earned a “Very Good” grade.
Merit-based aid is a supplement to the need-based scholarship intended for scholarship recipients who earned a “Very Good” grade on their high school diploma and who will be enrolling in a higher education institution at the start of the 2024 academic year. For the 2024–2025 academic year, the total amount of the grant is €900, paid in nine monthly installments of €100 each. Merit-based aid is granted for a maximum of 3 years, provided that the student maintains regular attendance in classes and takes exams. It is withdrawn if the student repeats a year, unless this is due to medical reasons.
To receive merit-based financial aid, students do not need to take any action if they have already submitted a student financial aid application (DSE) and it has been approved. The regional education office sends the list of high school graduates who received a “Very Good” grade directly to the CROUS. If merit-based aid was awarded in 2022–2023 and the student was unable to receive it in 2023–2024 because they were no longer eligible for a need-based grant, they may receive it again in 2024–2025 if they become eligible for a need-based grant once more.
In addition to merit-based aid, high school graduates who have earned honors may be eligible for merit-based scholarships awarded by local governments. The amounts and eligibility requirements vary by municipality, department, and region. Applicants can obtain more information from their local city hall and their departmental or regional council.
Finally, some banks offer bonuses to high school graduates when they open an account or a savings account. The amounts may vary by region and bank. The bonus may exceed €150 for a “Very Good” grade or take the form of gift certificates.
Merit-based aid may be combined with a need-based scholarship, an annual or one-time grant, international mobility aid, and Parcoursup mobility aid. Students can therefore receive multiple forms of financial aid to pursue their higher education.
