France has directed its public universities to apply higher tuition rates for non‑EU students starting with the 2026–27 academic year, according to an ICEF Monitor report. The measure is part of a broader government push to differentiate fees between EU and non‑EU nationals; it will change the financial planning of many students who had counted on low public university tuition to study in France.
The change matters for students in Jordan and the wider Middle East because France has been a popular, relatively affordable destination for Arabic‑speaking applicants seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees. For many prospective students, the announced rise could add several thousand euros per year to study costs, making previously viable options less affordable and increasing the need for scholarships, exemptions, or alternative destinations.
Immediate practical steps for affected students: 1) Contact any French university that has issued an offer to request a written confirmation of tuition for 2026–27 and whether your admission or scholarship locks in previous rates; 2) Check Campus France timelines and your visa appointment — for September intakes many administrative deadlines are imminent or already passed; 3) Apply urgently for university, national, and external scholarships (including university waivers, Eiffel scholarships for graduate study, Erasmus Mundus, or country‑specific funds). Also consider alternative offers — Germany currently lists multiple fully funded scholarships and programs that may not require IELTS, while the UK remains an option albeit usually at higher fees.
Budget planning must now include higher tuition, living costs, and contingency funds for delayed visa appointments. If you have an offer but cannot meet the new fees, ask the university about fee waivers, assistantships, or phased payment plans. For students still preparing applications, broaden your list to include programs with later deadlines or rolling admissions and strengthen scholarship applications. Note that deadlines for many European scholarships and DAAD programs fall months before September; check each program's official deadline immediately.
Shatnawi for College Admissions and Academic Consultations (شطناوي للخدمات الجامعية والاستشارات الاكاديمية) can help Jordanian students verify offers, search scholarship options, and prepare updated financial plans or alternative applications. For guidance on Campus France procedures, scholarship searches in Germany and the UK, or quick budget assessments, contact Shatnawi. For immediate assistance WhatsApp +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com.