The Erasmus + scholarship: how to benefit from it?

A Comprehensive Guide to Financing Your European Academic Adventure

Embarking on a European educational journey is a dream for many, and Erasmus+ serves as the key to transforming this dream into reality. This guide unravels the complexities of Erasmus+ financial aid, offering insights into eligibility, grant amounts, and supplementary assistance to empower aspiring scholars.

Eligibility Criteria: Who Qualifies for Erasmus+ Financial Aid?

Erasmus+ scholarships target students engaged in university exchanges or internships within European Union countries. The eligibility criteria revolve around the nature of the endeavor:

1. University Exchange Eligibility:
   • Study in a foreign European country.
   • Enroll in a higher education establishment with the Erasmus Charter.
   • Engage in a 3 to 12-month inter-establishment exchange, gaining equivalencies upon return.
2. Internship Eligibility:
   • Work in a European company.
   • Undertake a 2 to 12-month internship as part of higher studies in an Erasmus+ charter-aligned institution.

Meeting these conditions initiates the application process, requiring contact with the institution’s international relations department.

Understanding Erasmus+ Grant Amounts: Tailored Financial Support

Erasmus+ grants are not one-size-fits-all; they vary based on the project and destination. Monthly scholarship amounts are influenced by the project type and the country of study or internship. Nordic countries and those with a higher cost of living generally offer larger grants. The final scholarship amount also depends on the management policies of the student’s institution in France.

Grant Amounts per Project and Destination:

• Studies:
  • Austria, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Liechtenstein, Ireland, Italy: €200 to €300.
  • Other EU countries, Turkey, and Macedonia: €150 to €250.
• Internship:
  • Austria, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Liechtenstein, Ireland, Italy: €350 to €450.
  • Other EU countries, Turkey, and Macedonia: €300 to €400.

Duration of Erasmus+ Scholarship:

Erasmus+ grants can be awarded for up to 12 months per university cycle. Students progressing through a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate can potentially receive aid for a cumulative duration of 36 months. Alternatively, students can utilize the grant during a 6-month study exchange and another 6-month internship within Europe.

Calculating Potential Erasmus+ Aid: A Theoretical Perspective:

• Studies (LMD – 3 Cycles):
  • Austria, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Liechtenstein, Ireland, Italy: €7,200 to €10,800.
  • Other EU countries, Turkey, and Macedonia: €5,400 to €9,000.
• Internship (LMD – 3 Cycles):
  • Austria, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Liechtenstein, Ireland, Italy: €12,300 to €16,200.
  • Other EU countries, Turkey, and Macedonia: €10,800 to €14,400.

Supplementary Financial Assistance: Beyond Erasmus+ Grants:

While Erasmus+ grants are valuable, supplementary assistance is available for eligible students:

1. International Mobility Assistance:
   • Additional €400 per month (2021) for exchange-related expenses.
2. Scholarship Based on Social Criteria:
   • Maintained during studies abroad, ranging from €1,032 to €6,815 per year (€114 to €567 per month in 2021).
3. Merit-Based Aid:
   • Additional €900 over 3 academic years for socially-based scholarship recipients with exceptional Baccalaureate grades.
4. Regional Aid:
   • Offered by French regions based on region-defined criteria.
5. Student Job:
   • European students can work throughout Europe without restrictions during their studies.
6. Student Loan:
   • An option for those unable to finance their Erasmus stay independently.

How to Apply for Erasmus+ Scholarships: The Application Process:

The international relations department of the student’s institution manages Erasmus+ scholarships. The application is part of the Erasmus program registration, ensuring systematic allocation for all participating students. A bank identity statement is required for necessary payments, which typically occur 1 to 3 months after the commencement of the semester abroad.

Additional Financial Advantages of Erasmus+: A Fee Advantage:

One significant benefit of the Erasmus+ program is the exemption from registration fees at host country universities. French students pay fees at their home institution, enjoying lower registration fees.

Examples of Annual University Fees (2021):

• France: €170 (Bachelor’s) to €380 (PhD).
• The Netherlands: €1,040 to €2,083.
• Spain: €750 to €2,500.
• Germany: €150 to €900 (Administrative fees).
• Ireland: €3,000 (Student contribution).

This fee advantage is more applicable to students at French universities and might not extend to Grande Écoles and specialized institutes with higher fees.

In conclusion, Erasmus+ grants significantly alleviate the financial burden of studying or interning abroad, but they are supplementary to the overall budget. Exploring additional financial aids, part-time work opportunities, and judicious budget management are essential elements of crafting a successful Erasmus+ experience.