As many young people from Saint-Martin prepare to leave the island to pursue their studies, the CCISM and the Maison de Saint-Martin organized an information meeting on Wednesday, July 15, to present to families the procedures, assistance and programs facilitating their settlement in mainland France.
The parents, deeply focused, filled their notebooks, anxious not to forget anything before their children left. Many admitted to being “very stressed” at the thought of their children going away. These meetings are specifically designed to answer their questions.
Founded in 2014, the Maison de Saint-Martin, the Collectivity's representative office in Paris, supports Saint-Martin residents living in mainland France, particularly students. Essential advice was reiterated to parents: never pay money to reserve accommodation remotely, prepare a complete digital and paper rental application, conduct a thorough inventory of fixtures, and contact a human rights advocate in case of a dispute.
The Student Social File (DSE), essential for applying for a scholarship, CROUS housing (subject to availability), or certain benefits such as €1 meals, was also presented. Submitted before May 31st, it is processed as a priority, but remains accessible after this date. Students receiving scholarships from overseas territories generally have priority for CROUS housing. Mobility assistance is also offered by the local authority: AME for studies in France and AMI for studies abroad.
The Housing Department then presented Visale, Action Logement's free rental guarantee for 18-30 year olds, as well as Loca-Pass, an advance to finance the security deposit. Finally, the government platform "Mon logement étudiant" (My Student Housing), which lists more than 60.000 accommodations, includes a budget simulator and helps identify the assistance best suited to each situation. Still in the testing phase, it does not yet include student housing in Guadeloupe and Martinique. _DR
