Financial Assistance

🎓 Financial Assistance Program & Volunteering program for  French Classes

The Alliance Française of San Francisco is committed to making French language learning accessible to everyone.
Our Financial Assistance Program, based on the San Francisco  Area Median Income AMI model, provides need-based support to eligible students for one group class session or one week of summer camps or a full year of kids of teens classes.

Through our Volunteering Option,  community members can receive support to participate in our French classes and cultural activities.

💡 Program Purpose

This program is designed to assist students, families, and adults who are passionate about learning French but may face financial challenges that prevent them from enrolling in classes.
We only have a limited number of financial assistance available per session, and we reserve the right to elect which class (es) we will prioritize for enrollment with financial assistance.  
We recognize community engagement as valuable way to contribute to our mission.

🧾 Eligibility Requirements

To apply for financial assistance, applicants must:

1. Reside in the San Francisco Bay Area.
   
2. Provide a copy of their previous year’s tax return to verify financial need (please black out the SSN). 
3. Household revenue must be under 90% of the AMI. Check the AMI here : https://www.sf.gov/find-your-area-median-income-ami-level
4. Complete the Financial Assistance Application Form (available online or at the front desk).
5. Take the Free placement test on our website, unless applying for a beginner 1 class or having taking classes with us within the last 2 years . 
6. Submit a short motivation letter explaining their interest in French and the reason for applying.

To apply for our volunteering program, applicants must : 

1. Be available at least 4h per week during business hours (Monday -Friday 9:30-4:30)
2. Reside in the Bay Area and willing to come onsite to our location once a week. All our volunteering opportunities are onsite. 

I want to apply for the volunteering program I want to apply for the volunteering program

🎟️ Scope of the Assistance

• The assistance applies to group classes only (not private lessons, exams, membership, books or workshops). It's a partial subsidy of the tuition fees. 
• Financial support is granted for one session at a time. 
• Students may reapply for a future session only if they:
  
  • Attended at least 85% of the classes (I.E at least 7 out of 8 classes) in the previous session, and
    
  • Completed all required activities on the Moodle platform for classes with Moodle access or finished all assigned homework for the other classes, demonstrating their dedication to their French studies.

  
  

  
  

📅 Application Process & Deadlines

• Application period: Opens one month before the start of each new session, and closes 3 weeks before the start of the new session.
  
• Response time: Applicants will be notified within two weeks of the application deadline, so one week before the beginning of the session. 

📤 How to Apply for the Financial Assistance

1. Take the free placement test. Unless you  are applying to a beginner 1 class or have taken classes with us within the last 2 years. 
2. Fill the Financial Assistance Application Form.
3. Attach your tax return from the previous year (first page only, SSN blacked out or hidden)

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Number of household members on your tax return (spouse or partner, dependants)

Do you have a specific class/ classes  in mind if not please enter your availability for classes? 

Supporting document First page of last year's Federal Tax return, SSN blacked out or hidden .

Your motivation letter to take French classes with us 

Today's Date

Signature

Sign Here

Clear

Send

🤝 Our Commitment

At the Alliance Française of San Francisco, we believe that learning French opens doors to culture, community, and connection.
Through this program, we aim to support dedicated students who share this passion and commitment.