Key Facts
- ✓ Starting September 2026, ENS Paris-Saclay will provide financial allocations to all students admitted based on their academic files.
- ✓ Previously, these stipends were exclusively reserved for students entering through preparatory class programs.
- ✓ The policy change represents a fundamental shift in how the institution distributes financial support to its student body.
- ✓ This universal allocation system will apply to all future admissions cycles beginning with the 2026 academic year.
- ✓ The change eliminates the previous two-tier system that favored students from preparatory schools over file-based admissions.
A New Era for Student Funding
ENS Paris-Saclay is preparing to implement a groundbreaking financial support policy that will fundamentally alter how students are compensated. Beginning with the academic year starting in September 2026, the institution will extend stipends to all students admitted on the basis of their academic files.
This policy shift marks the end of a long-standing system where financial allocations were exclusively reserved for students entering through the competitive preparatory class pathway. The change represents a significant step toward democratizing access to financial support within one of France's most prestigious higher education institutions.
The Policy Shift Explained
The new system will apply to all students admitted to ENS Paris-Saclay starting in September 2026. Under the previous framework, financial allocations were strictly limited to students who had completed preparatory classes, creating a two-tier system of support.
The upcoming change ensures that file-based admissions will now receive the same financial consideration as their preparatory school counterparts. This represents a complete reversal of the institution's previous funding philosophy.
Key aspects of the new policy include:
- Universal eligibility for all admitted students
- Implementation starting September 2026
- Removal of preparatory class requirement
- Equal financial support structure
Historical Context
The previous system at ENS Paris-Saclay created a distinct divide between student populations. Students admitted through preparatory classes automatically received financial allocations, while those admitted directly based on their academic files did not.
This two-tier approach had been in place for an extended period, creating what many viewed as an inequitable distribution of resources. The new policy effectively levels the playing field for all admitted students regardless of their educational pathway.
The change addresses long-standing concerns about fairness and equal opportunity within the institution's support system.
Impact on Student Population
The extension of financial allocations to all admitted students will significantly affect the institution's student body composition. Previously excluded students will now receive the same support as their peers from preparatory classes.
This policy change is expected to:
- Reduce financial barriers for file-based admissions
- Create more equitable conditions across student populations
- Attract a broader range of applicants to the institution
- Align financial support with academic merit rather than educational background
The universal allocation system will provide consistent financial support regardless of how students gain admission to the institution.
Implementation Timeline
The policy will take effect with the September 2026 academic year. This provides a clear timeline for prospective students planning their applications to ENS Paris-Saclay.
Students admitted for the 2026 intake will be the first cohort to benefit from the universal allocation system. The change applies specifically to those admitted based on their academic files rather than through preparatory class pathways.
The implementation represents a carefully planned transition that will affect all future admissions cycles starting from the specified date.
Looking Forward
The September 2026 implementation marks a definitive shift toward more inclusive financial support at ENS Paris-Saclay. By extending stipends to all admitted students, the institution is addressing long-standing disparities in its funding model.
This policy change positions ENS Paris-Saclay as a leader in equitable student support within the French higher education landscape. The universal allocation system will likely influence how other institutions approach student financial aid in the future.
