Barely have the last baccalaureate exams been completed when future students must make their final choice among the courses that have accepted their application on Parcoursup. We must also ask ourselves how to finance these future studies since a student budget over a university year amounts, on average, to €13,500 according to the Federation of General Student Associations. The opportunity for banking establishments to attract new customers by offering very aggressive promotional offers such as zero-interest loans (PTZ). Crédit Mutuel, CIC, Banque Populaire, Société Générale, Banque Postale, Caisse d’Épargne…
The back-to-school offers are generally attractive, but it is advisable to carefully compare the offers and seek advice from student or consumer associations before committing. Amount, duration, application fees, loan conditions, start date for repayments, withdrawal period… Everything counts.
Firstly, the PTZ or zero interest loan for students does not mean free. For example, Caisse d’Épargne Grand Est Europe offers a student loan of €25,000 over 84 months – 7 years – at a fixed annual borrowing rate of 0%. Better still, the application fees are free but you have to pay for credit insurance, i.e. €567 or €6.75 per month. You should also ask to open a current account in the bank, with at least one bank card.
A state-guaranteed student loan
A student loan guaranteed by the State also allows any student under the age of 28 registered in an establishment in France to prepare for a competitive examination or a French higher education diploma, of French nationality or that of a Member State ( on condition of residing in France continuously for at least 2 years) to borrow up to €20,000 without resource conditions.
Another advantage: it is possible to start repayments once your studies have been completed. Once you have received your pre-eligibility certificate (via the Token Bpifrance digital platform), you will simply need to contact one of the partner banks of this system (Crédit Mutuel, CIC, Banque Postale, Banque Populaire, Caisse savings, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole).
