Studying on a sandwich course often means juggling two cities: the school and the company.
This can quickly lead to significant costs, particularly when it comes to accommodation. For work-linked students who have to pay two rents, it's essential to think ahead, explore the aid available and choose suitable accommodation solutions.
Here's a practical guide to optimising your organisation while limiting your expenses.
Understanding the issues involved in double accommodation during a work-linked placement
When your work-study programme takes place in two cities far apart, the question of accommodation becomes central.
It's not always possible to commute every day between your place of training and your company. Many work-linked students are therefore forced to rent a second home to be closer to their place of work. This potentially means paying two rents, two times the rental charges, two internet subscriptions and two home insurance policies.
Faced with this situation, good student accommodation management and rigorous organisation are essential to avoid jeopardising your budget.
Housing assistance and financial support schemes
Fortunately, there are a number of housing grants available to help sandwich course students with the costs of living in two different places.
Firstly, the APL or ALS (housing benefit), paid by the CAF, can significantly reduce the cost of rent. You can carry out a simulation on their website to find out how much aid is available. Work-linked students can also take advantage of the Mobili-Jeune scheme offered by Action Logement, which can cover up to €100 a month in rent.
Another valuable resource is the Visale guarantee, which acts as a guarantor for the landlord and makes it easier to rent a property without a deposit.
It's also a good idea to consider a mobility lease, a form of short-term furnished rental contract that is particularly suitable for students on work placements or sandwich courses. These solutions enable you to manage your accommodation budget more effectively while complying with rental requirements.
Housing solutions to keep costs down
To avoid having to pay two full rents, it's important to explore flexible student accommodation solutions that are adapted to the constraints of a sandwich course. Alternating flatsharing allows two students to share accommodation according to their respective timetables, thereby reducing the cost of rent. Young workers' hostels and student residences also offer temporary accommodation at moderate rates.
Short-term furnished lets are a particularly good option. Whether through platforms such as Airbnb or through temporary residences, they offer great flexibility when accommodation is only needed for a few days a week or for a few months.
FAC-HABITAT, for example, offers fully furnished, comfortable accommodation for periods of 1 week to 3 months. These short-term rental options allow you to adapt to the constraints of internships, exams or one-off assignments, while keeping your accommodation budget under control. Available in well-located student residences, this accommodation includes useful services (laundry, coworking, shared garden) and offers the flexibility you need without a long-term commitment.
Optimising the management of two homes
If you still have to maintain two homes, there are a few strategies you can use to cut costs. Firstly, consider subletting, if authorised by your landlord. This allows you to make the most of your property when it's unoccupied. Secondly, limit the amount of furniture and personal belongings in each flat to make it easier to move around and limit installation costs.
It's also essential to organise the logistics between your two homes: energy subscriptions, insurance, mail, transport, etc. By informing your training centre and your company of your situation, you could benefit from a modified timetable, or practical advice on how best to combine your work-study placement with your daily life.
