France Sets August 18 2026 Date for School Supply Allowance Payment

The French government has announced that the Allocation de rentrée scolaire (ARS) will be deposited into beneficiaries' bank accounts on August 18 2026. The allowance, administered by the Caisse d'Allocations Familiales (CAF) and the Mutualité Sociale Agricole (MSA), aims to help low‑income families cover the cost of school supplies, clothing and equipment for children from primary school through higher education. It supports more than three million children nationwide.

The fixed payment date, announced weeks before the start of the school year, is intended to allow families to plan purchases and avoid last‑minute price spikes or stock shortages. The ARS has been a core element of France’s education equity policy since its creation in 1974.