Frequently Asked Questions
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Eligibility for the SNEE
Who can apply?
The National Student-Entrepreneur Status is individual. It is granted to the person, not to the project.
YES. Each person submits their own individual application for the National Student-Entrepreneur Status and indicates in the application that they are part of a project team. The applications will thus be processed simultaneously by the Pépite so that all team members receive the same treatment.
YES. The National Student-Entrepreneur Status is available after the baccalauréat to all students or recent high school graduates. It can be obtained at any point during higher education studies, and even after graduation.
YES. Students in work-study or apprenticeship programs are eligible for the National Student-Entrepreneur Status. However, certain benefits granted by the status are not compatible with salaried activity (e.g., internship substitution). Since the student has a work contract, they must inform their employer and academic supervisor about their initiative.
YES. The status is granted to any student who meets the eligibility requirements, without any discrimination based on nationality, age, gender, or disability.
See the circular of June 9, 2021, regarding the National Student Entrepreneur Status.
YES. There are no restrictive measures for PhD students. However, it is advised to check the weekly service obligations related to your doctoral contract, but once the service is completed (from the 1608th hour onward), the PhD student is free to dedicate themselves to another activity. It is important to properly inform your research center and your doctoral school.
YES. The status is open to all project leaders, whether for business creation or takeover.
YES. To obtain the National Student-Entrepreneur Status, you will be required to enroll in the D2E (Student-Entrepreneur Diploma). Enrollment in the D2E is mandatory to obtain the national student-entrepreneur status (see the questions in the D2E section of the FAQ). This status grants access to support services (mentoring and training, in particular) set up by Pépite to facilitate the project’s realization. However, legally the SNEE will not go against the rules of labor law relating to your situation.
NO. National Student Entrepreneur Status can be issued at any age. There is no age limit.
Registration procedures for the National Student-Entrepreneur Status
On the Ministry of Higher Education and Research website, you must click on the link "Obtain the student-entrepreneur status" and fill out the online application form. All instructions on the procedure are detailed there.
Follow these steps:
- Create your account on the platform and confirm its creation via the confirmation email received.
- Complete your application file and submit it: you will receive an email invitation from the Pépite to present your project before the Engagement Committee.
- Present your project before the Engagement Committee: the result of your presentation will be communicated to you by email from the Committee.
Two possible outcomes following the results:
- You are accepted: you will be informed by an email from the Pépite about the terms to start the support.
- The status was not granted: you take into account the Engagement Committee’s feedback received by email to revise your project.
You can renew your application either:
- During the same academic year by updating your file on the platform and requesting Pépite's approval by email for a presentation before a new engagement committee;
- The following academic year by logging in with the same credentials and updating your file.
This sometimes happens. You need to send an email to contact-etudiantentrepreneur@enseignementsup.gouv.fr with the email address you used when creating the account so that a validation link can be resent to you.
NO, Pépites are automatically assigned based on the location of the higher education institution you are enrolled in or your place of residence if you are already a recent graduate.
YES. Applications are open in most Pépites throughout the year, but the dates of the engagement committees vary. It is recommended to register even if applications are closed, so that you can be invited by the Pépite to present your project at the next available engagement committee.
YES, you can reapply for the Student-Entrepreneur Status. You must revise your project taking into account the feedback from the first Engagement Committee and update your file on the platform.
You can renew your application either:
- in the same academic year by updating your file on the platform and requesting approval from the Pépite by email for a presentation before a new Engagement Committee;
- in the following academic year by logging in with the same credentials and updating your file with your login ID.
YES. The procedure allows for the possibility of transferring from one Pépite to another in certain cases. You can submit your request to the Pépite you wish to join, specifying the reasons why you are requesting a file transfer. If they can accommodate you, the requested Pépite will contact your current Pépite to transfer your file.
YES. National Student-Entrepreneur Status can be issued to anyone over the age of 28. There is no age limit.
NO. The National Student-Entrepreneur Status can also be granted to those who have not yet created their company and are in the project launch phase. It is the Pépite engagement committee that reviews the applications and assesses their eligibility.
YES. The National Student-Entrepreneur Status is free. However, registration for the Student-Entrepreneur Diploma (D2E) is fee-based.
Duration of the status
The National Student-Entrepreneur Status is valid for one academic year (September-September).
YES. The status is renewable without a predefined limit, but it is not automatic. The Pépite will review the renewal request based on the project leader's commitment and involvement in the activities offered by the Pépite.
YES. The status is valid for one year only. A new application must be submitted each time you wish to benefit from it for an additional year. This new request is subject to the Pépite’s engagement committee, which reserves the right to reject it if deemed unfounded.
There is no predefined limit. The Pépite, in consultation with the project leader, will assess situations where renewal may be appropriate.
The holder of the National Student-Entrepreneur Status must personally commit to respecting the rules and procedures related to the status, as defined by their Pépite on behalf of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, including:
- informing their mentors about their progress, setbacks, and successes in order to move forward together and allow the advisor to tailor their guidance to the evolving situation;
- doing everything possible to advance or develop their project;
- informing their academic supervisor if they are currently enrolled in a course of study;
- respecting the confidentiality of other Pépite student-entrepreneurs' projects.
If these rules are not respected, the status may be revoked or not renewed.
Benefits of the status
Support for SNEE holders
YES. Pépite welcomes and informs anyone interested in creating or taking over a business, but provides support only to those who hold the National Student-Entrepreneur Status.
Entrepreneurial certification
The Student-Entrepreneur benefits from support by an academic tutor and/or a mentor (business leader, support organization) to guide and advise them throughout the year in the design and development of their project.
Entrepreneurial certification
You have the opportunity to have the skills acquired during this year recognized by obtaining the professional certification "Designing and Developing an Entrepreneurial Project," registered in the Specific Register of Certifications and Qualifications maintained by France Compétences. This certification helps to highlight the work done and the skills gained throughout the year on a résumé.
Internship and the SNEE
YES. Obtaining the Student-Entrepreneur National Status allows the holder to substitute an internship or final year project (PFE) with work on their entrepreneurial project. Regardless of the institution in which the student-entrepreneur is enrolled, this arrangement is applicable everywhere. It is important to validate this approach with both the Pépite and your academic advisor.
NO. When the Pépite has validated that you can substitute your mandatory internship with work on your entrepreneurial project, you are no longer subject to internship regulations since you will not be doing an internship. Therefore, there is no need to establish an agreement. However, at the request of your institution, a pedagogical contract may be proposed, specifying the period devoted to your professional project and the grading methods (in ECTS instead of an internship report).
NO. It is not an exemption but a possibility to substitute the internship with work on your entrepreneurial project. This option, which is by definition not mandatory, is offered to student-entrepreneurs who wish to take it, after approval by their Pépite and the academic supervisor of your program.
NO. No payment or compensation of any kind is provided. Working on your professional project does not grant you any rights to remuneration.
YES, if you are covered by a life accident insurance policy.
NO. Regulations do not allow an intern to be hosted in their own company.
Gap year and SNEE
The National Student-Entrepreneur Status allows access to a gap year. You must apply for it through your institution.
Social rights and SNEE
YES. You can apply for scholarships based on social criteria from the CROUS of the academic district where you study, provided you meet the general eligibility criteria set by the regulations, including preparing a D2E. Information on the allocation procedures for scholarships based on social criteria.
NO. The National Student-Entrepreneur Status does not automatically grant the right to a scholarship. To be eligible for a scholarship, the student entrepreneur must have previously submitted a scholarship application to the CROUS of the academic district where they study, meet the general eligibility criteria set by the regulations, and notably be preparing a D2E.
Student-Entrepreneur Diploma
Who can register for D2E?
The D2E is open to anyone holding at least a baccalaureate (first university diploma) or equivalent, who wishes to carry out an entrepreneurial project of any kind (business takeover, creation of new activities, etc.).
The D2E is accessible from the baccalaureate level up to the doctorate and is open to:
- holders of the SNEE currently studying who wish to deepen their knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship alongside their main course of study;
- graduates who are no longer enrolled in a higher education institution and want to acquire skills useful for their entrepreneurial project;
- individuals in continuing education who want to acquire skills useful for their entrepreneurial project.
NO. To be able to apply for a D2E, you must already have the National Student-Entrepreneur Status. You must apply for it via the national platform.
NO. If you are a student in an initial program, you must register with the Pépite linked to your institution.
YES. If you are a graduate, you have the choice of your Pépite and the D2E registration associated with it.
NO. If you are a student in an initial program, registration in the D2E is optional. It is highly recommended depending on the nature and scope of the entrepreneurial project, especially to protect the student, enable training if needed, and facilitate recognition of prior learning in the initial degree. It is the Pépite’s engagement committee that directs candidates towards the D2E.
YES. If you are a graduate, registration in the D2E is mandatory in order to regain student status
YES. The D2E is open to all project holders regardless of the legal status planned or already established for their structure.
The rules regarding auditor status are defined by each university. Please consult the auditor status policy of the university offering this D2E to know whether access to this Student Entrepreneur university diploma is allowed.
D2E and employees or job seekers
YES. There is no incompatibility between working and re-enrolling in higher education. However, enrollment in the D2E implies that you will devote significant time and energy to developing and executing your entrepreneurial project, and it may be difficult to balance this commitment with another professional activity.
YES. Enrollment in the D2E is open to everyone, provided they meet the essential motivation and coherence criteria needed to carry out an entrepreneurial project. The Pépite engagement committee selects candidates for the D2E.
NO. The D2E can be included in the PPAE (personalized employment return plan), which notably maintains the right to benefits. If the job seeker receives ARE (unemployment benefits), they will instead receive AREF (training-related unemployment benefits).
Contact France Travail to personalize your request.
Article L. 262-4 of the Social Action and Families Code states that pupils, students, and trainees are not eligible for the Active Solidarity Income (RSA). However, it is possible, subject to an exemption granted by the department, to continue receiving RSA while attending the D2E. Please contact your usual RSA advisor for more information.
Duration of D2E
The training is organized over one academic year and its assessment system does not include any resit opportunities.
- For students in the Bordeaux area, the training can begin in November (in person) or in March (online). The training lasts 90 hours.
More info: Diplôme Universitaire Outils Pour Entreprendre – IUT Tech de Co Bordeaux - For students in the La Rochelle area, the training runs from November to March and lasts 66 hours. Classes are held in person on Thursdays and Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Some courses are available in hybrid mode for students who go on internships during the year.
More info: Diplôme d'établissement Étudiant Entrepreneur – La Rochelle UniversitéFor students in the Pau and Côte Basque area, the training begins in March and lasts 75 hours. It can be attended in person or online.
More info: U. Outils pour entreprendre – Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (UPPA)
YES. The student-entrepreneur can request to extend the duration of their D2E training and complete it over 2 years instead of one. The student-entrepreneur may make this request during the year or at the end of it.
This is not a right but a possibility; it is up to the Pépite and the academic advisor to review the request and determine whether to grant the extension. If approved, the student-entrepreneur must renew their Student-Entrepreneur Status and re-enroll in the D2E for the second year.
This extension can only be granted once.
NO. You completed the D2E last year, so you cannot apply for the D2E again.
Cost of the D2E and social rights
Enrollment in the D2E is not free. Its cost is set by the higher education institution offering the program.
For the Bordeaux area, the cost is €390 for a non-scholarship student, €333 for a non-scholarship student with dual enrollment, and €220 for a scholarship student and/or with dual enrollment.
For the La Rochelle area, the cost of the D2E is €0 for scholarship students, €50 for students from La Rochelle University, and €184 for students from another institution or recent graduates.
For the Pau and Basque Coast area, the cost of the D2E is €423 for initial training, €600 for unfunded continuing education, and €810 for funded training.
YES, for the La Rochelle and Pau/Basque Coast areas, provided they request it due to their personal situation and are under 28 years old as of September 1st of the higher education year.
NO. The student social security scheme was discontinued at the start of the 2019–2020 academic year. The annual affiliation process is no longer required, and there are no longer any student contribution fees to pay.
However, you still have the option to choose between a student health insurance provider, your parents’ provider, or any other complementary insurance organization.
Scholarship students are exempt from D2E enrollment fees in the La Rochelle and Pau/Basque Coast areas. In the Bordeaux area, the cost is €220 for scholarship students. For more details, please contact the education department of your enrollment institution.
YES. The D2E falls under the category of diplomas specific to public scientific, cultural, and professional institutions (EPSCP) authorized to award scholarships based on social criteria (see the annual circular from the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation regarding the awarding procedures of higher education scholarships based on social criteria, merit-based aid, and international mobility aid). You must be under 28 years old at the time of your first scholarship application (as of September 1 of the study year). From the age of 28, you must continue your studies to keep receiving the scholarship.
However, no age limit applies to a student with a recognized disability by the Commission for the Rights and Autonomy of Disabled Persons.
YES, provided that you meet the conditions mentioned in the question above and have not consumed the total scholarship entitlements allowed by the regulations.
D2E and internship
YES, provided that the training complies with internship regulations and that the D2E program director authorizes it based on the nature of the internship and the host organization.
D2E and disability situation
YES. You should contact the disability support office of your institution. They will assess your needs and implement various personalized adjustments for your curriculum and/or exams to compensate for your disability.