It helps many families cope with back-to-school expenses. In 2024, the Allocation de rentrée scolaire will be paid to over 3 million families on modest incomes, representing around 5 million children aged 6 to 18.
This aid, paid by the family allowance funds (CAF) or the Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA), will be paid on August 20, 2024 in mainland France and most overseas departments. On Reunion Island and Mayotte, however, payment will be made on August 6, as the new school year starts on August 26.
This means-tested allowance is modulated according to the child's age and your income. This year, the ARS amounts to 416.40 euros for children aged 6 to 10, 439.38 euros for children aged 11 to 14, and 454.60 euros for teenagers aged 15 to 18.
This back-to-school allowance is for families with children aged between 6 and 18 who are in school, apprenticeship or specialized care. It also applies to children under 6 already enrolled in first grade, whose school certificates must be sent to the CAF. This aid is paid to low-income families.
To be eligible for the back-to-school allowance (ARS) for the start of the 2024 school year, the resources taken into account are those for 2022. This allowance is paid directly by the Caisses d'allocations familiales (Caf) or by the Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA) for those covered by the agricultural system. It is possible to receive the allowance for several consecutive years, as the family situation is reassessed annually.
Resource ceilings vary according to the number of dependent children:
Note that if your household's resources slightly exceed these ceilings, you may be eligible for a differential back-to-school allowance, which is also calculated on the basis of your income. To check your eligibility, contact your Caf or MSA.
If you have never taken this step and your child is under 16, you need to declare your family and housing benefits situation on the CAF website in Mes démarches. If the child is aged between 6 and 15, and the family is already receiving benefits, you don't need to do anything and payment is automatic. However, for children aged 16 to 18, parents must make a sworn statement to the effect that the child is still in school or apprenticeship at the start of the 2024 academic year.
