Sciences Po Paris Tuition Fees, Scholarships and Financial Aid Guide 2026

Sciences Po Paris Financial Aid Philosophy

Sciences Po Paris operates under a foundational principle that distinguishes it from most elite institutions globally: financial difficulties should never be an obstacle to the academic success of talented students. This commitment is not merely aspirational — it is backed by more than €15.5 million of Sciences Po’s own funds dedicated annually to scholarships and financial aid, creating one of the most comprehensive support systems in French and European higher education.

The institution describes its financial aid policy as ambitious and forward-thinking, unlike any other in the French higher education system. The numbers support this claim: 36% of Sciences Po students were exempted from tuition fees in 2024-25, and the institution has committed to increasing its intake of scholarship students to 30% of each incoming class. These figures reflect a genuine institutional investment in socioeconomic diversity rather than token gestures.

For prospective students, understanding Sciences Po’s financial aid landscape is essential because the institution offers multiple overlapping support mechanisms — sliding scale tuition, full exemptions, the Emile Boutmy scholarship, CROUS top-up grants, partner scholarships, mobility grants, and emergency funds. Navigating these options effectively can reduce the cost of a Sciences Po education dramatically, and in many cases to zero. Students comparing European study costs should also review our guide to the RWTH Aachen MSc Computer Science programme, which offers tuition-free study in Germany.

Tuition Fee Structure for EEA Residents

Since 2005, Sciences Po has calculated tuition fees for all students whose fiscal residence is in the European Economic Area (EEA) on the basis of a sliding scale that varies according to household income. Since 2021, this sliding scale offers completely individualised tuition fees — meaning no two families pay exactly the same amount unless their financial circumstances are identical.

For the 2026-27 academic year, undergraduate tuition ranges from €0 to €14,900 per year, while graduate (master’s) tuition ranges from €0 to €20,640 per year. The critical threshold to understand is that families with a combined annual income below approximately €42,000 (benchmark: a couple with two children) qualify for €0 tuition fees. The maximum tuition fee applies only when annual household income reaches €285,000 or above.

Average tuition fees for French and European students in 2024-25 provide useful context: €5,740 for undergraduate studies and €7,275 for graduate studies. These averages demonstrate that most EEA students pay substantially less than the published maximums, making Sciences Po significantly more affordable than headline figures suggest.

Tuition Fees for Non-European Students

Students whose fiscal residence is outside the European Economic Area face a different fee structure: flat-rate tuition of €14,900 per year for undergraduate programmes and €20,640 per year for master’s programmes. Unlike EEA residents, non-European students do not benefit from the sliding scale calculation regardless of their household income level.

However, this flat rate does not represent the final cost for many non-European students. The Emile Boutmy Scholarship, partner scholarships, and other financial aid mechanisms can significantly reduce or entirely eliminate tuition costs. Sciences Po’s explicit commitment to welcoming students from diverse economic backgrounds extends to its international cohort, with dedicated funding streams designed specifically for non-EEA applicants.

Prospective non-European students should approach the fee structure as a starting point rather than a fixed cost. The application process for financial aid is integrated into the admissions application itself, meaning students can simultaneously apply for admission and for scholarship consideration without separate procedures or additional administrative burden.

How Sciences Po Calculates Your Tuition Fees

The Sciences Po tuition fee calculation for EEA residents follows a transparent three-step methodology designed to produce genuinely individualised fees. Understanding this process is essential for prospective students and their families to estimate costs accurately before committing to the application.

Step one determines total household income. Sciences Po considers the total household income of the student’s fiscal residence, regardless of the type or origin of income — whether earned domestically or abroad. All allowances, benefits, and income received by the household are included, calculated before any deduction of tax allowances. The income figure used comes from the calendar year two years prior to the current academic year (N-2), providing a stable reference point that accommodates annual income variations.

Step two calculates household units using a straightforward formula: one unit for each person contributing to the household and 0.5 units for each person dependent on the household, regardless of their age. This unit-based approach ensures that larger families with equivalent incomes pay less than smaller households, reflecting the economic reality that household size directly impacts disposable income per family member.

Step three divides total household income by the number of units to produce the income-per-unit figure that determines placement on the sliding scale. Students can obtain an estimate of their tuition fees through the Sciences Po student site under the Calculate tuition fees section, available for both first-time enrolment and re-enrolment on undergraduate, master’s, and preparatory class programmes. This transparency tool allows families to plan financially before submitting an application.

CROUS Scholarship and Sciences Po Top-Up Grant

The CROUS (Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires) scholarship is a needs-based grant allocated by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. It is available to French students under the age of 28 and to European students who have studied in France for more than one year. What makes Sciences Po’s approach to CROUS scholars exceptional is the substantial institutional top-up that accompanies the government grant.

Sciences Po awards all CROUS scholarship recipients three benefits: complete tuition fee exemption, a top-up grant equivalent to 75% of the sum allocated by the CROUS, and priority consideration for student housing. The top-up mechanism is particularly powerful — for every €1,000 allocated by the state, Sciences Po contributes an additional €750 from its own funds. This combined package significantly exceeds what CROUS scholars receive at most other French institutions.

Non-French European students can qualify for the CROUS scholarship if they meet specific criteria: holding a full-time or part-time job in France during the reference year, having a parent who earned income in France during that period, or proving continuous residence in France for more than one year as of September 1. These pathways open CROUS eligibility to a broader European population than many prospective students realise.

The financial impact of the combined CROUS-Sciences Po package can be transformative. A CROUS scholar at the highest grant level receives both the government allocation and Sciences Po’s 75% top-up, plus zero tuition fees and priority housing access — effectively making a Sciences Po education not only free but partially funded through living cost support. For students comparing financial aid across European institutions, our guide to KIT International Programs details another institution with competitive aid structures.

The Emile Boutmy Scholarship for International Students

Named after Sciences Po’s founder, the Emile Boutmy Scholarship represents the institution’s flagship merit-based award for international students. The scholarship’s scale is impressive: more than 250 students from over 72 countries are awarded Emile Boutmy Scholarships each year, making it one of the most significant university-funded international scholarship programmes in Europe.

Eligibility is restricted to students who have never previously lived in France, come from a country outside the European Economic Area, have a non-European fiscal residence, and have already been accepted onto a degree programme at Sciences Po. The scholarship is awarded based on academic excellence and alignment with the specific profile requirements of each course — it is not allocated automatically and requires a dedicated application through the corresponding section of the Sciences Po admissions form.

Scholarship amounts vary by level: bachelor’s students receive either €9,500 per year or full exemption of tuition fees, depending on the level of attribution. Master’s students can receive up to €18,500 per year — a sum that not only covers tuition but, in many cases, contributes significantly to living expenses in Paris. The scholarship is renewed each year for the duration of the programme, except in cases of repeating a year or changing programmes.

The Emile Boutmy’s dual-tier structure at the undergraduate level is worth noting. Some recipients receive a direct financial grant of €9,500 annually, while others receive a full tuition fee waiver. The specific award level depends on the assessment of each application, and the distinction can have practical implications for students whose living cost calculations depend on whether the scholarship is cash-based or fee-based.

Partner Scholarships and External Funding

Beyond the Emile Boutmy Scholarship, Sciences Po offers nearly 80 additional scholarships through partnerships with public and private sector organisations. These partner scholarships are available to French, European, and non-European students, creating a diverse funding ecosystem that complements the institution’s own financial aid mechanisms.

Notable partner scholarships include the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, which targets students from sub-Saharan Africa, the Eiffel Scholarship funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chalhoub Scholarship for students from the Middle East and North Africa, and funding from the China Scholarship Council (CSC). Each scholarship carries its own eligibility criteria based on academic excellence, socioeconomic background, and selected course of study.

Partner scholarships take various forms: some provide full or partial tuition fee exemptions, while others include grants to cover living costs. The diversity of these programmes means that students from virtually any background and region can identify at least one relevant funding opportunity. Sciences Po maintains updated details on all partner scholarships on its website, and prospective students are strongly encouraged to review the full catalogue early in their application timeline.

The institutional architecture of having 80+ distinct scholarships alongside the Emile Boutmy programme creates layered opportunities. Students who narrowly miss the Emile Boutmy may qualify for a partner scholarship, and in some cases, different forms of aid can be combined to create comprehensive financial packages. For students exploring alternative European paths, our University of Warwick postgraduate guide covers UK financial support options.

Mobility Grants and Emergency Financial Support

Sciences Po’s financial aid extends beyond tuition to address the specific costs associated with international mobility and unexpected financial hardship. Mobility grants are available to all students and are designed to help offset the costs of the third year abroad — a distinctive feature of Sciences Po’s undergraduate programme that involves studying or interning in another country.

Mobility grant allocation is determined by two factors: household income and the cost of living in the student’s host country. This dual-criteria approach ensures that students heading to expensive cities like London, New York, or Tokyo receive proportionally more support than those in lower-cost destinations, reflecting the actual financial burden rather than applying a one-size-fits-all amount.

Emergency hardship funds represent the safety net of Sciences Po’s financial support system. These funds are available to students facing unforeseen financial difficulties — family crises, sudden income loss, health emergencies, or other unexpected events that threaten their ability to continue their studies. Notably, even non-scholarship students whose household income falls below €14,000 and who already pay €0 tuition fees may access emergency support, ensuring that the most financially vulnerable students have a lifeline beyond fee waivers.

The existence of these emergency mechanisms reflects Sciences Po’s understanding that financial stability is not static. A student who enters the institution on solid financial footing may face changed circumstances — parental unemployment, divorce, illness, or bereavement — and the institution’s commitment is to respond to these changes rather than leaving students to manage crises alone.

Student Services and Day-to-Day Support

Sciences Po’s financial support extends into practical, day-to-day assistance that addresses the real administrative challenges international and domestic students face when building a life in Paris. The Student Services Center provides structured support across several critical areas that can significantly reduce hidden costs and administrative stress.

For newly arrived students, the institution assists with opening a bank account, accessing the French healthcare system, obtaining transport cards, and applying for housing grants from CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) — the French governmental agency that provides housing subsidies. These CAF grants can reduce monthly rent by €100-200 or more, making a material difference in students’ monthly budgets.

Non-European students benefit from a dedicated visa and residence permit service that assists with both initial applications and renewals. Given the complexity and frequent changes in French immigration procedures, this institutional support can prevent costly delays, missed deadlines, and the administrative errors that can jeopardize a student’s legal status in France.

Healthcare support includes on-site medical services at all Sciences Po campuses, with infirmaries, general practitioners, and psychological support and counselling available. The institution also assists with health-related administrative procedures and helps students find external medical professionals when needed. With more than 700 students with disabilities welcomed at Sciences Po, individualized support spans from entrance exams through to professional integration, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to accessibility.

Tuition Fee Exemptions and Special Circumstances

Beyond the sliding scale and scholarship-based fee waivers, Sciences Po provides additional mechanisms for students whose circumstances change during their studies or who face specific challenges. Understanding these provisions is important for both current and prospective students planning their financial strategy across the full duration of a Sciences Po programme.

Full tuition fee exemptions apply categorically to three groups: students receiving scholarships on the basis of financial need, students with disabilities, and students with political refugee status. These exemptions are unconditional within their categories — a refugee student, for example, pays no tuition regardless of any other financial consideration.

Partial tuition fee exemptions are available when family circumstances change during a student’s enrolment. Qualifying events include unemployment of a parent, retirement, divorce, death of a parent, or serious illness affecting a family member. These partial exemptions are assessed on a case-by-case basis, allowing Sciences Po to respond to individual situations rather than applying rigid rules that may not reflect complex real-world circumstances.

The institution’s approach to changed circumstances deserves particular attention from prospective students. Unlike institutions that assess financial need only at the point of admission, Sciences Po’s system is designed to be responsive throughout the student journey. This means that a student whose family experiences a financial shock in their second or third year can seek adjusted fees and additional support without waiting for the next academic cycle — a provision that provides genuine financial security in an uncertain world. For students researching broader European education funding options, the Sciences Po admissions portal provides the most current details on all available support mechanisms.