Student accommodation after Parcoursup: Choose coliving!
Your Parcoursup choices have been validated! Congratulations!
The time has come to find your student accommodation before starting your higher education year. The student housing market becomes tight in July-August as the start of term approaches. The Parcoursup acceptance period has also just taken place. But don’t worry: while this phase is seen as a headache, know that your search is far from being mission impossible. Student accommodation supply is becoming scarce, admittedly, but it’s not non-existent. Quite the opposite!
To make a good start to this period marking the beginning of your project and your move towards independence, you need to choose your future accommodation wisely. Studio flat, house share, CROUS accommodation: in France, numerous types of housing exist for this crucial choice. Not to mention coliving: a modern alternative to traditional student accommodation perfectly suited to recent graduates in training. We’ll tell you more!
CROUS, studio, house share: the different options
CROUS: the main student accommodation offer
The first student accommodation option, CROUS residences are highly sought after by a very large number of future students. The demand for CROUS university accommodation is such that the number of applicants is much higher than the available rooms, creating strong tension in the market. They show as full as soon as they’re released. And yet, although affordable and allowing significant savings, this type of public student accommodation doesn’t satisfy the majority of demands. Small space, poor conditions, basic accommodation: the reality of CROUS residences isn’t to everyone’s taste.
The admission process to CROUS is also complex and selective. To multiply your chances, you’ll need to prepare your application carefully but above all, check that your social criteria correspond to those determined by the Student Social File (DSE). CROUS student accommodation allocation takes into account:
- Grant level (Parcoursup grant students are prioritised)
- Distance from home to higher education institution
- Family situation
- First student accommodation application
Other available alternatives
Faced with CROUS admission difficulties, several accommodation solutions are available to you:
- Traditional rental. Studio or flat, this solution offers privacy and proximity to university campuses and schools. However, beware of agency fees and managing relationships with the landlord, especially if it’s your first time living away from your family.
- Traditional house share. Perfect for starting your independence phase, house sharing allows you to meet new people. Split rent allows significant savings, but living in a house share involves complex administrative management and possible tensions between tenants.
- Private student residences. Similar to CROUS, they offer more services to facilitate your move-in: security, cleaning and catering in a secure environment. They are more expensive and additional fees may still apply.
- Coliving. This developing hybrid accommodation choice perfectly addresses student mobility challenges. It offers fully furnished shared accommodation with communal spaces, private areas and privacy. But not only!
Coliving by Colivys: your turnkey solution
A solution adapted to students
Coliving stands out through its unique advantages. When you arrive in a new city, it can be difficult to establish yourself. Whether financially or socially, moving isn’t easy, particularly for international students.
With coliving, you’re guaranteed to start this new adventure with peace of mind. Mobility, flexibility, social life: the advantages are numerous and save you precious time. And peace of mind too!
At Colivys, all our room offers include:
- A prime location: in the city centre, close to higher education institutions and especially public transport so your daily life is as pleasant as possible.
- All-inclusive rent: complete furnishing, utility provisions, internet and home insurance are already included. You make significant savings as you have nothing extra to pay.
- Unbeatable flexibility: you only need one month’s notice which facilitates your mobility and allows you to be free to move when and how you want.
- A community in a secure environment: with coliving, you’ll build relationships with other tenants. Guaranteed networking and mutual support, with personalised assistance to facilitate your move-in!
Simplified booking and administrative procedures
The Parcoursup adventure is sometimes difficult. A mountain of choices to make, various documents to provide and headaches at the end. At Colivys, we didn’t want this obstacle course to continue with endless procedures.
Our entire booking process is digitalised to save you time. You have access to all our listings on our platform. Each room has its virtual tour and photos to immerse you in the space from anywhere in the world.
Like the tour? Create your account on our platform, check that the room is available, indicate your stay dates (flexible according to your start date) and choose your service package. With secure payment, that’s all you need to settle when booking.
You then need to compile your rental file and you’re done! A guarantor? At Colivys, it’s not mandatory to have one, but if you wish, you just need to fill in their information.
Comparison of coliving with other housing options
While CROUS residences and flatshares may appeal to students for their lower cost, they often come with limitations in terms of accessibility, comfort, or day-to-day management. Coliving stands out as a modern, hassle-free, and secure solution for students: controlled budget, enhanced social life, and maximum flexibility.
| Criteria | CROUS residence | Studio rental | Traditional shared accommodation | Private student residence | Coliving by Colivys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affordable price | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Availability & Ease of access | ❌ | ❌ | Depends on the property | ❌ Limited spots | ✅ Wide offering, fast booking |
| Comfortable living space | ❌ | ✅ | Depends on the property | ✅ | ✅ Fully furnished |
| Simple admin procedures | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Long process | ✅ 100% digital |
| Social life | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ Active community |
| Flexibility (lease duration) | ❌ | Varies | Varies | ❌ | ✅ 1-month notice |
| Central location | ❌ Near campus only | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ City center & campus |
| All charges included | Partially | ❌ | ❌ | Depends on residence | ✅ All-inclusive |
| Eligible for housing aid (APL) | ✅ | Varies depending on agreement | Varies depending on agreement | ✅ | ✅ |
| Personalized support | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Dedicated assistance |
This is exactly what convinced Rowan, a British student who came to study in France. After applying for CROUS housing with no success, he turned to Colivys and chose coliving for its convenience and flexibility.
“As an international student in Paris, I had previously been required to deal with different agents/organisations (e.g., CROUS), which presented me with several issues such as long administrative processing times, poor communication and a lack of interest in the wellbeing of me as a tenant. As part of my course, I ended up with a last-minute internship which required me to move […]. When it became clear that CROUS would not be able to process my request in a timely manner, I reached out to Colivys […]. I stayed at the property for 6 months, during which the company […] helped me to sort out some issues that arose with an APL application and ensured that appropriate services were dispatched if any problems occurred in the apartment itself.”
Optimise your budget with coliving
APL, ALS: financial aid for students
To make student life simpler, the French State has made financial aid available to young people based on social criteria:
- APL: Personalised Housing Assistance is intended for students who rent state-approved accommodation. This applies to university residences and certain private accommodation like our colivings. The amount varies according to your rent, your resources, the accommodation location and your family situation.
- ALF: Family Housing Allowance concerns students with dependents (children, family, parents, etc.) or who have been married for less than 5 years. This type of aid is rarer.
- ALS: Social Housing Allowance is granted to students who cannot benefit from APL and ALF. It’s generally granted for non-approved accommodation.
At Colivys, all our rooms are eligible for APL. Depending on the amount you can receive, it will allow you to make significant savings. To find out everything, consult the CAF website. Bear in mind that processing time may be extended during the university term period, so submit your application in advance.
Additional aid can also be allocated to students depending on their situation. This includes housing solidarity funds (which cover unpaid rent and security deposits), VISALE guarantee or MOBILI-JEUNE assistance.
Master your finances with Colivys
Beyond financial aid, Colivys helps you master your overall budget. Why? Because, unlike traditional solutions where you have to account for numerous hidden costs (furnishing, internet, insurance), our all-inclusive formula allows you to plan your expenses in advance and avoid nasty surprises at the end of the month.
An approach particularly appreciated by students and their families who want to plan their budget so that this new year is synonymous with happiness. By choosing Colivys, you’re investing in a living space that respects your student budget while maximising your chances of success in your studies!
At Colivys, we offer much more than just a place to live. Our teams are there to provide you with personalised support at every stage of your stay, from booking to departure. Everything you need to facilitate your move-in and meet all your needs!
