Student support
Find all the support available to students here.
The Solidarity Cooperative
The members of the Solidarity Cooperative operate across various aspects of daily life to improve student living conditions. Covering food security, material aid, access to rights, culture, sports, leisure, mobility, housing, and the fight against social isolation, these stakeholders (associations, administrative services, and local authorities) are mobilized to support and guide students throughout their university life.
Accessing food aid
The "AGORAé" association is a solidarity grocery store and a community hub offering assistance to students in difficulty.
- Current projects: The AGORAé solidarity grocery store, located on the Orsay campus in Building 237, allows students to purchase products at 90% less than supermarket prices and offers free or low-cost workshops and events.
- Contact : contact@agorae-paris-saclay.fr
- More practical information can be found on the Food Aid page
- Becoming a beneficiary of the AGORAé solidarity grocery store : Go to the following link: https://agorae-paris-saclay.fr/index.php/devenir-beneficiaire/. Grocery store opening hours vary from week to week depending on volunteer availability. You can find the opening hours on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agorae.paris.saclay/
- Want to get involved and make a difference? Join our team as a volunteer or board member! Contact us now at contact@agorae-paris-saclay.fr! We welcome all motivated students, with or without experience, ready to invest themselves in the fight against student precariousness. Come and enjoy an enriching and supportive experience!
The association "COP1 Solidarités Étudiantes" is dedicated to fighting student precariousness by organizing various actions including food aid and free weekly cultural activities and outings.
- Current projects : Cop1 holds food distributions in Palaiseau on Wednesdays at the CROUS Jean d'Ormesson residence (registration required). Practical information can be found on the Food Aid page.
- Contact : saclay@cop1.fr
- More information : To attend the next food distribution, check the association's social media for details.
You can also follow the association on social media:
The association "Secours populaire 91" assists students in precarious situations at Université Paris-Saclay by providing weekly food distributions, as well as guidance and support in accessing their rights.
- Current projects: Weekly distribution every Thursday at the Orsay IUT. Practical information can be found on the Food Aid page.
- Contact: etudiant.saclay@spf91.org
- More information: To register for the assistance provided by Secours Populaire, you must bring supporting documents regarding your situation. A contribution of one euro will be requested.
You can also follow the association on social media:
- Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/secourspopessonne/
- Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/secourspopessonne/
The association "Les Restos du Cœur de l’Essonne" assists students in precarious situations at Université Paris-Saclay by providing weekly food parcels and clothing, supporting them in their job search, and guiding them through administrative procedures with the CPAM of Essonne.
- Current projects: Weekly distribution. Practical information can be found on the Food Aid page.
- Contact: ad91.universiteorsay@restosducoeur.org
- More information: To register for the assistance provided by Les Restos du Cœur, you must bring supporting documents regarding your situation.
The association "On remplit le frigo" helps students in precarious situations by providing food parcels and hygiene kits.
- Current projects: Weekly distribution on Saturdays. Practical information can be found on the Food Aid page.
- Contact: contact@onremplitlefrigo.fr
- More information: Feel free to visit the association's website: https://www.onremplitlefrigo.fr/
You can also follow the association on social media:
The association "Ordre de Malte" operates a solidarity food truck, offering free hot and cold snacks to students in precarious situations at Université Paris-Saclay.
- Current projects: Weekly snacks. Practical information can be found on the Food Aid page.
- Contact: c.kheloufi@ordredemaltefrance.org
- More information: The ODM is looking for student volunteers. If you would like to get involved and support students across the various campuses in Orsay Vallée, Sceaux, and Cachan, please contact Ms. Kheloufi for more information: c.kheloufi@ordredemaltefrance.org
Connect and build community
The association "1CABASPOUR1ETUDIANT" aims to fight against student food insecurity and social isolation.
- Current projects: The association's goal is to connect a student with a sponsor who commits for one academic year to regularly buy groceries and build social ties with the student (invitations, meetings, moral support, etc.). This sponsorship is open to students between 18 and 26 years old who live away from home for their studies and face difficulties eating regularly and healthily.
- Contact: ophelie@1cabaspour1etudiant.com
- More information: If you wish to benefit from a sponsorship, feel free to visit the following page to become a beneficiary: https://1cabaspour1etudiant.fr/etudiant/
You can also follow the association on social media:
The association "Les Amis du Campus" promotes cultural exchange and friendly gatherings between students and local residents. it is especially intended for international or isolated students wishing to build connections and share moments of interaction.
Getting involved locally (culture, leisure, forums...)
The City of Orsay organizes activities throughout the year for students, focusing on mobility assistance, student employment (hosting two job dating events per year), leisure and culture, health, and student associations.
- Contact : relations.exterieures@mairie-orsay.fr
- More information: Feel free to visit the City of Orsay website at https://www.mairie-orsay.fr/a-tout-age/les-etudiants to access all the services and actions offered to students.
- Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/OrsayNotreVille/
- Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/orsaynotreville/
The Paris-Saclay Urban Community funds various initiatives as part of its agreement with Université Paris-Saclay, signed in November 2023 (e.g., "Cordées de la réussite" mentoring programs, menstrual precariousness support, etc.). It is also a founding member of the Université Paris-Saclay Foundation.
The community participates in or organizes events for students, such as the Welcome Festival and Welcome Day, and provides support to associations like the "Festival de l’Interfilières."
It is also committed to student professional integration by organizing job dating events, hosting interns, work-study students (alternants), and young people in civic service, participating in Student Entrepreneurship Day, supporting the "My Apprenticeship in 180s" competition...
Do you have a project, a desire to get involved within the urban community, or a suggestion on any topic?
- Contact: mathilde.gourraud@paris-saclay.com
The Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture - Jacques Tati Social Center is a popular education association. It serves as a community hub and welcoming space open to everyone, offering workshops, clubs, and activities accessible to all ages and backgrounds. It leverages its cultural programming and tools—including cinema, live performance, and mediation—to build social ties and promote community living.
- Current Projects: The MJC-CS Jacques Tati works in partnership with the associations "On remplit le frigo" and "AGORAé Paris-Saclay" to implement solidarity-based initiatives. It also encourages debate, social gatherings, and discovery.
- Contact: mediation@mjctati.fr / animation@mjctati.fr
- More Information: For further details, you can visit the MJC-CS Jacques Tati website at https://www.mjctati.fr/ or contact them by phone at 01 69 82 60 00.
The association CATON (Cap vers l’Accès de Tous aux Outils Numériques / Towards Access for All to Digital Tools) collaborates on the implementation of the 2024-2027 roadmap for digital inclusion in the Paris-Saclay urban area.
- Current projects: Development of the collaborative digital platform. Wednesday, April 15, 2026: presentation of the platform, developed by three students from CentraleSupélec, which aims to become a common tool for referral partners.
- Program and registration (mandatory to participate in this day) : Programme et inscription (obligatoire pour participer à cette journée)
- Contact : asso.caton@gmail.com
- More information: Co-constructing shared tools and systems with local stakeholders to facilitate access for everyone to evolving digital practices, particularly by guiding people in difficulty toward appropriate support. Students, who represent both potential actors and beneficiaries of these digital support services, were given special attention during the preparation of the 2024-2027 roadmap for digital inclusion in the Paris-Saclay urban area. Its implementation will involve them; see "Our current projects" above and our website: https://asso-caton.org/index.php/accueil/
The meeting on November 7, 2025 aimed to present a new approach to the fight against "illectronism" (digital illiteracy) and to launch initial actions. The City of Orsay and its partners highlighted their digital inclusion initiatives while emphasizing the need to reach out to the most isolated populations. The "Relais Aiguilleur" (Referral Switchboard) system proposes to support field workers in better identifying and guiding these individuals. Several local initiatives were showcased, and concrete actions are underway to structure a network of relays and train stakeholders.
These are emergency shelters (CHU) and emergency housing for asylum seekers (HUDA) that welcome student interns and volunteers from Université Paris-Saclay:
- Cross-functional projects currently in development: shared meals organized with teams from the Ordre de Malte and Agorae.
- CHU (Building 236/236 bis): The primary missions of the Emergency Housing Centers (CHU) are to provide shelter, social diagnosis, and access to food and hygiene services. They are characterized by unconditional acceptance. The population currently hosted at the Bures-sur-Yvette CHU is mixed; the facility currently houses families as well as single individuals (both men and women).
- HUDA (Building 237): The Emergency Housing for Asylum Seekers (HUDA) in Bures-sur-Yvette welcomes households referred by the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII). Its goal is to guarantee the full exercise of their right to asylum by providing access to Material Reception Conditions (CMA), which include:
- A housing solution.
- Administrative, social, and legal support related to the asylum process, until relocation to other appropriate systems.
Staying Informed and Getting Support
The Crous de Versailles social service contributes to improving the living and working conditions of students facing social, financial, family, or psychological difficulties.
- Current Projects: Social workers from the Crous de Versailles provide individual or collective support for students in precarious situations.
- Book an Appointment: https://mesrdv.etudiant.gouv.fr/fr
- More Information: Visit the website https://www.messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr/envole/ to access all services offered to students.
The CAF of Essonne is a private organization with a public service mission. it is responsible for paying legal benefits—such as housing assistance (APL) and activity bonuses—and developing social family initiatives within the territory.
- Current Projects: The CAF 91 assists with procedures on Caf.fr and monitors beneficiary files starting from the beginning of the academic year.
- Service Locations: GATE, Polytech Paris-Saclay, and the Welcome Desk at the University of Évry.
- More Information: For details on the services offered, visit the CAF 91 website: https://www.caf.fr/allocataires/caf-de-l-essonne/offre-de-service/vous-etes-etudiants
You can meet with the CAF of Essonne, which holds office hours once a month at Building 311 (Department of Student Life and Equal Opportunities):
For doctoral researchers, appointments are available at Sciences Accueil:
The CPAM is a departmental organization that applies the rules of the general Social Security health insurance scheme. It assists you in several ways: reimbursing medical expenses (consultations, medicine, hospitalization), paying allowances for sick leave or maternity leave, and managing workplace accidents. It also provides health prevention advice.
Actions to facilitate student access to rights and care:
- Office hours held by an Assurance Maladie service advisor.
- Presence at distribution points for Restos du Cœur 91, Secours Populaire 91, and COP1.
- Training for volunteers at Restos du Cœur.
- Participation in the GATE, Welcome Day, and Newcomers' Welcome Festival.
A CPAM 91 advisor is available once a month at Building 311 (Department of Student Life and Equal Opportunities):
- In-person: https://www.smartagenda.fr/pro/accueilinternational-paris-saclay/rendez-vous/?affrdv&tkaction=15260--36511-dd3c59faeb763
- Video call: https://www.smartagenda.fr/pro/accueilinternational-paris-saclay/rendez-vous/?affrdv&tkaction=15299--84997-ca2968fede3e8
For doctoral researchers, appointments are available at Sciences Accueil:
Sport and Mobility
The Sport Planète thrift store offers sports clothing and equipment at solidarity prices (less than €5), as well as equipment for loan (cleats, track spikes, kimonos, etc.). It operates through donations collected during events or from clubs, schools, and companies. Open to all students and staff of Université Paris-Saclay, the thrift store is located at the PROTO. Opening hours and a preview of available items are shared on the association's social media.
- Contact: friperiesportorsay@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friperie_sport_orsay/
Promoting access to cycling for everyone
- The Vélo-Égaux program supports individuals facing financial difficulties in learning how to ride a bike and obtaining their own bicycle. By facilitating daily commutes, it contributes to inclusion, autonomy, and the fight against precariousness.
- Services: Learning to cycle (city riding, highway code workshop, introduction to mechanics, practical advice)
- Free second-hand bike
- Eligibility criteria: Must be a scholarship student or beneficiary of APL, CSS, RSA, ADA, or belong to a tax household with an RFR (Reference Tax Income) of less than €28,657 for one person...
- More information: https://www.veloegaux.fr/inscription/
The "Roulons Solidaire" solidarity garage offers repair, co-repair, rental, and sales of bicycles for scholarship students or those in precarious situations in Essonne.
- Contact:
- Campus universitaire Vallée Paris-Saclay – Avenue Jean Perrin, Bât. 309B, 91400 Orsay
- 07 66 57 25 63
- aci.orsay@aapise.fr
- Indicative prices: Co-repair €21/h, repair €45/h (+ parts), rental €8 to €11/day (€300 deposit). Access is provided via referral from a social worker or a CROUS social worker.
Support for Students with Disabilities
"100% Handinamique" for an inclusive student community (Disability)
- Current projects: For students with disabilities: individual mentoring, peer volunteering, scholarships, employment support (coaching, internships, recruitment forums, etc.), peer-to-peer networking among young adults with disabilities, and advocacy for an inclusive society. For secondary school students with disabilities: collective student tutoring, campus immersion days. For students and their associations: disability awareness and training (label, certificate).
More information: Feel free to visit the association's website: https://www.handinamique.org/
You can also follow the student disability mutual aid unit on social media:
The association "Tremplin Handicap" supports every student with a disability in the success of their academic career and professional integration.
- Current projects: It guides and supports students in their academic and professional projects, notably by organizing collective workshops.
- Contact: contact@tremplin-handicap.fr
- More information: Feel free to visit the association's website: http://www.tremplin-handicap.fr/
You can also follow the association on social media: