You must pay the CVEC if you are:

• enrolled in initial training at a public or private higher education institution

• alternating with an apprenticeship contract
• beneficiary of a scholarship from a foreign government (BGE) or a private structure (e.g., a foundation).

You are exempt (you do not pay) from the CVEC if you are:

• scholarship recipient based on social criteria (BCS) or beneficiary of specific annual aid .
  These scholarships are managed by the CROUS (Regional Centre for University and School Services)
• refugee
• beneficiary of subsidiary protection
• asylum seeker with the right to remain in France
• French government scholarship recipient (BGF)
• recipient of a regional scholarship for paramedical, health and social training.

Please note that some students are not subject to the CVEC and do not pay it. They do not need to take any action or provide any documentation to their higher education institution.

These are the registered students:

• in secondary schools ( high schools , family and rural homes ), for example for the following diplomas:
• • in BTS (advanced technician's certificate)
  • in DMA (diploma in arts and crafts)
  • in an accounting course at a secondary school
• alternating with a professional training contract
• in continuing education (i.e., if the training is paid for by a company or by an Opco )
• on an international exchange in France with programs like Erasmus+ , if the student does not pay tuition fees in France
• to obtain an HDR (habilitation to supervise research).

To pay the CVEC or request an exemption , you must first create an account on the website MesServices.etudiant.gouv.fr .

• Click on "Register" in the top right corner
• Next, complete your personal information: family situation, gender, surname, first name, your country, department and place of birth…
• Write down your INE number (National Student Identification Number)
• Click on "I don't have an INE" if you do not have an INE number and you come from abroad or if you are enrolled in an institution not affiliated with the National Education system.

• Check the "Sent" box
• Click on "Next" and "Confirm".

At the end of your registration, you will receive an email with a verification code (6 letters) to enter in your registration form.

To request an exemption, start by preparing and scanning your documents according to your situation:

Refugee

• Resident card (10 years) with the mention "Refugee" valid for up to 3 months after the expiry date of the card
• Certificate of favourable decision or receipt of application for residence permit with mention "recognized refugee" valid until the expiry date mentioned on the document.

Beneficiary of subsidiary protection

• Multi-year residence permit (4 years) valid for up to 3 months after the expiry date of the permit
• Certificate of favourable decision or receipt of application for residence permit with the mention "admitted to the benefit of subsidiary protection", valid until the expiry date mentioned on the document.

Asylum seeker

• Certificate of extension of processing of asylum application to be downloaded from ANEF (Étrangers en France) or if you do not have one a sworn statement.

Read: the Refugees.info fact sheet " Scanning a document "

You must apply for your CVEC exemption before your registration in higher education from June 1st for the academic year beginning on September 1st.

You need to log in to your MesServices.etudiants.gouv.fr account :

• Go to the website cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr
• Click on "Request an exemption"
• Then click on "Log in with MesServices.etudiants.gouv.fr "

• Enter your personal information (email, password)
• Check the box "I'm not a robot"
• Click on "Next".
• Send your supporting documents electronically (see previous step)
• Download your payment receipt in PDF format.

You can pay the CVEC online or in cash before your registration in higher education from June 1st for the academic year beginning on September 1st.

If you pay online (the fastest solution)

• Go to the website cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr
• Write down the city where you will study
• Pay with your bank card
• Enter your bank card information
• Download your CVEC payment certificate.

If you pay in cash (without a bank card)

• Go to the website cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr
• Write down the city where you will study
• Download a payment notice (document with a code)
• Download the FDJ app, scan the QR code on the payment notice. The app will generate a new QR code.
• Go to an authorized FDJ Nirio point of sale (for example: a post office or tobacconist…)
• Give your payment notice and pay 105 euros in cash.

You must present your CVEC payment certificate to your higher education institution at the time of registration. Without this certificate, you cannot complete your registration.

Online registration

If the registration procedure in your higher education institution is done online, you must write the certificate number (CVEC code).

Registration on site

If the registration procedure is done on site, you must present your certificate (on smartphone or printed, depending on the establishments) when registering.

If you have lost your CVEC payment certificate, don't worry!

It remains available in your personal space on the website cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr.

You can download it at any time, even several months after payment or the exemption request.

You can request a refund before May 31st of the current year on the website cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr if:

• You have already paid the CVEC
• You are entitled to an exemption (refugee, beneficiary of subsidiary protection, asylum seeker with the right to remain in France)
• You are a CROUS scholarship recipient (scholarship based on social criteria , specific annual aid)
• You are a recipient of a regional scholarship for paramedical, healthcare and social work training.
• You are a recipient of a French government scholarship (BGF)
• You are enrolled in a course that does not require payment of the CVEC (for example: BTS …)

You must provide copies of supporting documents depending on your situation (CVEC payment certificates, current year school certificate, professionalization certificate, etc.).