Student life

Here is some information to know in order to prepare as well as possible for the start of the school year at the Cnac and the arrival in Châlons-en-Champagne.

Student life information (printable version)  (135 Ko)

Visa application form 

Foreign students must apply for a visa as soon as they become aware of their admission to the CNAC as this can be a lengthy process. It is advisable to arrive in France as soon as possible in order to complete all the administrative procedures and find accommodation. More information on visa applications can be found here.

Cost of living

The figures provided below are approximate. They are based on the practices and experiences of former students in order to give an idea of the minimum necessary to successfully undertake a full course of study.

Accommodation and accommodation support

The Cnac does not have student accommodation. The majority of students choose to share a flat. They organise themselves and exchange vacant apartments. You should expect to pay between 250 € and 500 € / month to rent your accommodation in this manner.

In addition, a restricted area for caravans is offered by private individuals.

It is possible to receive housing benefits (APL or ALS). To do so, you must apply to the local Family allowance office at Caisse d'allocations familiales (CAF), 2 rue la Rochefoucauld Liancourt in Châlons-en-Champagne. https://www.caf.fr/

To help find accommodation, we recommend that students contact the following local estate agents and social landlords:
Renaissance Immobilière Châlonnaise (RIC) Tel. +33 (0)3 26 68 37 11
55, boulevard Hippolyte Faure
51005 Châlons-en-Champagne Cedex

Châlons en Champagne Habitat Tel. +33 (0)3 26 68 68 68
7, Cours d'Ormesson - 51008 Châlons-en-Champagne

Plurial Novilia Tel. +33 (0)3 26 70 18 23
5, quai Barbat - 51000 Châlons-en-Champagne

Catering at the CROUS

The Cnac provides lunch for every student from Monday to Friday during term time. Lunch is served at the Crous University Restaurant, 2 rue Saint-Dominique in Châlons-en-Champagne, between 11.30am and 1.30pm.
The university restaurant is also accessible in the evening (meals to be paid for by each student: €3.25).

Transport

We recommend bicycles for getting around easily in the city.Bicycles can be rented for 3, 10 or 12 months at the SITAC.
To make an appointment call: Allô Sitac Tel. +33 (0)3 26 69 59 00.

Studying in France

In order to help students integrate more quickly, the Cnac provides a French course for first year students. An evaluation takes place at the beginning of the school year to assess each student's language skills. 
The DELF (French Language Studies Diploma) exam can be taken by any student who has attended the French language course. The CNAC pays half of the exam registration fee.

Student grants

Students are entitled to two types of grants, based on social criteria:

Scholarship based on social criteria relating to the student social file (DSE)
Students may apply for scholarships at the Crous de Reims website: click here: http://www.crous-reims.fr/bourse..
The application must be filed before taking the Cnac entrance exam (before the end of April), using the DSE online, which allows you to make 4 different applications to 4 different academies. Each student may submit only one application, even if he/she is a candidate for admission to several institutions or if he/she requests several types of financial aid, regardless of the academy. 

Scholarship not covered by the DSE (National Fund for Emergency Aid, FNAU)
This personalised financial assistance can be requested by students in difficulty from the European Economic Area who are in the following situation:
- family separation from their parents, 
- established independence (under conditions),
- mature student going back into education beyond the age limit for receiving a higher education grant based on social criteria.

The student must justify his own tax declaration, without alimony from his parents, a lease contract in his name and regular work having earned him 3000 € over the 12 months preceding the request.

There are two types of emergency aid available depending on your situation: 
occasional financial aid for students who encounter serious financial difficulties at a certain point in time, 
annual financial aid for students who encounter on-going financial difficulties and who do not receive a grant based on social criteria.

Request for information by email: dve@crous-reims.fr
Detailed information on grants: http://www.crous-reims.fr/bourse/

If you are experiencing difficulties, please contact: 

La Maison des étudiants Tel: 03 26 26 32 14
13, rue Saint Dominique 
51000 Châlons en Champagne 

Through their experience and knowledge gleaned from meeting students of all nationalities there are people who can help you in the following areas:
- Search for accommodation,
- Award of scholarships and grants,
- Health,
- Registration with a mutual insurance company,
- Catering- Arranging an appointment with the social worker (T +33 (0)3.26.50.52.96),
- Job search.

Food Aid

La Croix rouge française 03.26.68.08.16
45 bis avenue du Général de Gaulle - Espace Gabriel Rigot 51000 CHALONS EN CHAMPAGNE
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm

Les restaurants du cœur
57 faubourg Saint Antoine 51000 CHAMPAGNE CHALONS