<aside> 🧾 Table of Contents

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Choosing a bank

<aside> ❗ Getting a bank account is critical because:

1. It will allow you to get your Crous security deposit back (more on this later).
2. It will allow you to receive rent aid from the CAF (more on this later).
3. You can avoid international banking fees from your bank back home. </aside>

I like Credit Agricole, and they have a plan for students called the Globe Trotter which costs 2€ monthly. It’s a bargain. Here’s a map of all the Credit Agricole locations at Caen; visit one to setup your account.

Help paying for rent

There’s a system in France called the CAF which plays a lot of social service roles, but important to us is that they will pay some of your rent!

<aside> ❗ Submit your request for rent assistance ASAP!

It may take the government a while to evaluate your request, but you’ll be paid for every full month since you submitted the request. For this reason, it’s important to get started on this as soon as possible!

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Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Set up a bank account (see “Choosing a bank” above)
2. Read about how the CAF assistance works
3. Follow the steps outlined on the above site to request the CAF