Dec. 1 through Jan. 31 is the annual enrollment period for international students, the france.fr website states. First-year students must apply to the institution of their choice through the Admission Post Bac portal. If you've taken classes elsewhere, you must file a request for preliminary admission through your local French embassy's culture and cooperation service. This rule affects students from 33 countries, including the United States.
Non-European Union students need passports and visas to enter France. To get a visa, you must apply online through Campus France, which the government created in 2005 to assist international students. The French government offers four types of student visas that are typically available for three to six months. EU students don't need visas and may apply directly to the institution of their choice, "The Local" indicates.
Non-EU students must register with local immigration authorities within 30 days of their arrival, according to "The Local." A medical exam is also required to validate your visa, which also serves as proof of residency during your first year of study. A residency permit is also required for students who take competitive exams or stay beyond six months. In both cases, the permit expires after a year, but is renewable.
Many institutions offer bilingual courses or teach in English, which helps if your French fluency is shaky. However, language proficiency is required for students taking degree programs in French, "The Local" states. Depending on the course, you must obtain a B2 intermediate or C1 advanced certificate from the Diplome d'Etudes en Langue and Diplome Approfondi de Langue Francaise, respectively.
French law requires foreign students to show they have adequate resources to exist without working. A good estimate is 1,700 euros per month -- nearly $2,300 -- which includes costs that you'll absorb after your arrival, such as enrollment fees. To cut costs, watch for discounts on things such as public transit. "The Local" also recommends scanning French embassy and consulate websites -- or Campus France's search engine -- for scholarships.
Wherever you go, remember that French campuses offer few amenities. Waiting lists are common at institutions like the University of Paris' Nanterre campus, where 23 students share three showers, three toilets and a small kitchen, "The New York Times" reported in May 2008. According to "The Local," you can also try specialized dorms for international students. Places are limited, however, and you must typically apply a year in advance.