The back-to-school allowance (ARS) for 2025 will help around three million low-income families in France with school-related expenses. A new requirement mandates parents to complete a specific form on the CAF website by July 31, 2025, to qualify for the allowance. The ARS amount will increase by 1.7%, and eligibility will be based on 2023 income limits. Families must ensure they submit necessary documentation on time to avoid delays in receiving financial assistance in mid-August.
Understanding the Back-to-School Allowance for 2025
Every year, the back-to-school season poses a significant financial challenge for countless families across France. With expenses for school supplies, clothing, digital tools, and sometimes additional costs like cafeteria fees or extracurricular activities, the total can rise steeply. Thankfully, for many years, the Family Allowance Fund (CAF) and the Agricultural Social Mutuality (MSA) have been providing the back-to-school allowance (ARS) to assist families with lower incomes.
In 2025, this crucial financial support, which aids around three million households with children aged 6 to 18, will once again be distributed in mid-August. However, this year brings a new administrative requirement that may affect numerous recipients. A straightforward form must be completed to qualify for this vital assistance. What are the new criteria? Who is affected? What deadlines should be noted? Read on to ensure you don’t face any unexpected challenges.
New Documentation Requirement for Back-to-School Allowance in 2025
For the 2025 school year, parents with school-aged children, students, or apprentices who are not already receiving benefits will have to complete a specific form available on the CAF website. The ARS will not be automatically granted to families meeting the income thresholds; submitting this document is crucial to access the funds.
This form must be downloaded from the CAF site and submitted either to the CAF or MSA by July 31, 2025. Forgetting to do so could result in a delay of the ARS payment in mid-August, potentially extending for several weeks. Many parents may be unaware of this new requirement and could find themselves without the allowance, necessitating additional steps to rectify the situation. Such an oversight could be particularly burdensome for families with multiple children in school.
To apply for the back-to-school allowance, downloading and completing a declaration form is essential. Navigate to the CAF website, then proceed to ‘My procedures’ > ‘Make a benefit request’ > ‘Personal life’ > ‘Parenting’. Before accessing this form, you must create your personal account. Once logged in, download, print, and complete the document meticulously before sending it to your CAF. Skipping this step means the aid cannot be disbursed, so act promptly to avoid delays!
Families whose child will enter preparatory class (CP) in September 2025 and are applying for the ARS for the first time must also complete a specific form found on caf.fr. The process remains similar: they should visit ‘My procedures’ > ‘Make a benefit request’ > ‘Personal life’ > ‘Parenting’ to provide the necessary documentation. This completed form must be returned to the CAF by July 31, 2025, to guarantee payment in mid-August.
ARS Amounts and Income Limits for 2025
In 2025, the back-to-school allowance will see a 1.7% increase to keep pace with inflation, resulting in the following amounts:
While these amounts represent the highest ever allocated for this allowance, parents must ensure that their teenagers’ school certificates are submitted on time to qualify.
To assess eligibility for the ARS in 2025, your income from 2023 will be considered. According to the Official Journal of December 27, 2024, new income ceilings have been established this year. The income limits are as follows:
The base threshold is set at 21,880 euros, with an additional 6,564 euros for each dependent child in school. This increase aims to assist families whose earnings have not kept pace with inflation, potentially qualifying them for support.