Bourses Scolaires

Bourses Scolaires is a need-based tuition assistance program administered by the French government for French families residing abroad whose children are registered with the Consulate. This program can cover close to the full tuition based on demonstrated financial need. This program enhances EB’s socio-economic diversity and promotes the enrollment of additional French native speakers, hence benefitting all students.
New and returning families must apply each year to be eligible for aid the following school year. The deadline to submit completed applications for the French Bourses Scolaires for 2025-2026 school year has not yet been announced but we expect that it will be mid-February (2025), as in the past.

Families living outside the Bay Area should contact Antoine Portales, aportales@eb.org (Please write ““Bourses / your last name" in the title of your email). Please make sure to contact Antoine Portales well in advance. 

Note that to be able to apply your child must be registered with the French Consulate and must be at least 3 years old by December 31 of the year in which the student will enroll (for 2025-26 your child must be 3 years old by December 31, 2025).

Please keep in mind that the timing of Bourses Scolaires is different from the timing of the EB’s admission decision. You must submit a Bourses Scolaires application to the consulate by the consulate's deadline. Do not wait for EB’s admission decision to apply for Bourses Scolaires.

Follow the four steps below to complete an application for Bourses Scolaires at EB. Check the consulate's website for the latest information.

List of 4 items.

  • 1. FILL OUT APPLICATION AND GATHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

    The 2025-26 application form and list of supporting documents has not yet been provided.  The following are the 2024-25 forms for information only (the tax return, W2 etc requested will be for 2024):
    Note that many supporting documents are required, including completed 2024 tax returns (1040 and 540). All Bourses Scolaires applicants should begin preparing their applications in advance of the deadline.

  • 2. APPLICATION REVIEW BY EB

    The consulate requires that all Bourses Scolaires applications be reviewed by an EB employee for completeness and accuracy prior to the submission deadline. These meetings take place during the months of January and February.
     
    Prospective families and new Bourses Scolaires applicants: Schedule your appointment with Director of Finance, Antoine Portales, by emailing him at aportales@eb.org. Make sure to write “Bourses / your last name" in the subject line of your email and please propose a few times and dates.
     
    Current families: You will need schedule a Zoom appointment to review your Bourses Scolaires application. The link to schedule an appointment can be found in your Parent Portal dashboard. If you need assistance making an appointment please email bookkeeper@eb.org.

  • 3. MEETING AT THE FRENCH CONSULATE

    All new applicants need to meet with an agent of the French Consulate.  We do not have information as to whether families who reapply will need to meet with an agent of the French Consulate. We will have more information on that process as we get closer to the deadline.

  • 4. REVIEW BY THE COMMISSIONS DES BOURSES

    Final decisions are communicated in June or July by the Consulate. If the timing of the final decision has the potential to create issues for a new applicant, please get in touch with Antoine Portales, aportales@eb.org.

BOURSES SCOLAIRES RESOURCES:

Contact EB's Director of Business and Finance, Antoine Portales at aportales@eb.org
Contact the persons in charge of Bourses Scolaires at the French Consulate Françoise Ouapeu and Eva Villanueva at bourses-scolaires.san-francisco-cslt@diplomatie.gouv.fr

Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley

Elementary School Campus

All Are Welcome! (Anti-Discriminatory Policy)

Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley does not exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject any individual to discrimination on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or religion. This policy applies to all programs, services, and facilities, including applications, admissions, and employment.