French association matches struggling students with helpers

Students in difficult economic situations in France can now receive financial help and emotional support from nearby residents to support their studies, in a new charity organisation scheme.

The association Un cabas pour un étudiant (which translates as “a shopping bag for a student”) pairs students with local people who can help them pay for certain higher education living costs, such as food bills.

The association dubs the helpers ‘marraine’ or ‘parrain’ (godmother or godfather), with the role also extending to offering the student extra moral support, mentorship, and companionship. 

It comes at a time where students in several cities are seeing transport and rental costs rise.

Students in difficulty

The association states that 20% of students are living in “severe difficulty” in France, with 30% unable to depend on family for help, and 30% having moved away from their hometown to study. 

More than 600,000 students live “under the poverty threshold”, and one in three skip meals due to lack of money, it says.

To be eligible for the scheme, students must be aged 18 to 26, and live far from their hometown or family due to their studies. They must be in considerable difficulty, such as struggling to pay for healthy food, or feeling socially isolated.

Once paired up, the student’s ‘godparent’ will not only help with food shopping, but is also intended to remain as a mentor or supporter throughout the student’s university career (and even longer, if both parties are happy to continue).

‘He became part of the family’

The association has many testimonials on its website from students and ‘godparents’ who have successfully taken part in the scheme.

For example, Anais said that at Christmas, while away from her own family, she visited her godmother’s family home and helped to decorate a Christmas tree. 

“That really touched me,” she said. “I was able to eat with them, having several family meals. She also took me to activities across Bordeaux, including exhibitions. She took me to restaurants. It was simple, but really heart-warming.”

Lucas, another student in Bordeaux who has successfully taken part, said: “Before I signed up I was in major financial difficulty. I was really struggling to buy food. I already had some funding help, but it wasn't enough.

“I hesitated at first because it meant meeting new people which scared me a bit, but it’s an outstretched hand,” he said. “The people who do it really want to help.”

Rafaella, an Italian ‘godmother’ living in Lyon, discovered the association through a Facebook advert in 2022. Despite some reservations, she signed up and was matched with Joseph, a young student who was struggling to buy healthy food, and was surviving on pasta and potatoes. 

Rafaella helped him buy fruit, vegetables and meat and also worked with him to get him out of his student room more often. Joseph met some of Rafaella’s friends, and they would walk around the city. She also helped him with student work.

“He became part of the family,” she said. “I met his parents too. You could say it really became a friendship.”

Student costs

It comes after national student union UNEF has said that students will face rising costs of up to €800 this year. 

The financial aid available from the school and university centre, le centre régional des œuvres universitaires et scolaires (Crous, the national government body that provides support for 2.8 million students nationwide) has not increased with inflation for some years, staying at the same level since 2022 despite rising prices.