All about the 2022 back-to-school allowance

Last June, the FCPE, the first federation of parents of students, called for an increase in the ARS in response to galloping inflation. Politicians are divided. Finally, the year 2022 will see a 4% revaluation of the school premium! What, when, how, what amount: we explain everything...

The back-to-school allowance: quézako?

The back-to-school allowance (ARS) is a financial aid for schooling. It is intended for families with at least one child aged 6 to 18, enrolled in an institution or enrolled in an educational organization (private or public) recognized by the state.

What is the purpose of the back-to-school allowance?

The back-to-school allowance was created in 1974 by the amending finance law to help families finance back-to-school expenses: purchase of Binders and other school supplies, children's clothing costs, registration for extra-curricular activities...

Who can benefit from this back-to-school bonus?

This premium is reserved for parents of schoolchildren born between 16 September 2004 and 31 December 2016 inclusive. The ARS is granted to families on a means-tested basis. Here are the ceilings for this year 2022 (note that the resources taken into account are those of the year 2020):

• €25,370 for 1 child;
• €31,225 for 2 children;
• €37,080 for 3 children;
• 42,935 euros for 4 children.

Good to know :

The back-to-school bonus does not apply to children attending kindergarten, as well as to children over the age of 18 who are still in school.

What are the amounts allocated by the ARS in 2022?

The amount of the back-to-school bonus depends on the age of the children. In 2022, recipients of the back-to-school bonus will receive the following amounts:

• 376.98 euros for a child from 6 to 10 years old (a 5-year-old child attending CP can benefit from it);
• €397.78 for a child aged 11 to 14;
• 411.56 euros for a child from 15 to 18 years old.

More information :

The age taken into account to calculate the amount of the allowance is the age of your child on December 31 of the year of payment.

How to receive the back-to-school allowance?

For children from 6 to 16 years old: no steps need to be taken. The back-to-school allowance is provided automatically by the family allowance funds (CAF) or the agricultural social mutuality (MSA). If your child is over 16 years old, you simply need to declare on the respective sites, CAF and MSA, that your child is still in school.

When is the start of the school year bonus paid?

This year, the ARS will be allocated to families in two instalments. What for? Because the indemnity knows a revaluation. Families will therefore initially receive the assistance without upgrading according to the following schedule:

• Tuesday 2 August 2022 in Mayotte and Reunion;
• Tuesday, August 16, 2022 in the other French departments (in metropolitan France, the West Indies and French Guiana).

The amount of the revaluation (i.e. 4%) will be paid to the beneficiary parents in September 2022 at the same time as the monthly payment of the other benefits.

Any other questions about ars?

For additional information, we recommend that you visit the following sites:

• gouvernement.fr (you will be able to test your eligibility)
• caf.fr
• msa.fr

You will find all the information relating to special cases.

Are you eligible for the back-to-school allowance? Remember to check that you have received the payment on the dates indicated if the allocation of the bonus is automatically dispensed. For special situations, do not forget to take the necessary steps to obtain this allowance!