The CVE Crous number (or CVEC number) is a unique identifier generated when paying the Student Life and Campus Contribution. Without this reference, no higher education institution completes an administrative registration. Here, we detail the technical points that classic guides overlook.
Creating a CVEC account without an INE number: the procedure for foreign students and those resuming studies
The MesServicesÉtudiant portal normally requires the entry of an INE number to create an account. International first-time students, candidates resuming studies after a long break, or French nationals studying abroad may not always have one.
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The account creation form includes a checkbox “I do not have an INE.” By selecting it, a temporary INE is automatically generated by the system. This temporary identifier is sufficient to pay the CVEC and obtain the certificate containing the CVEC number, valid for registration at the institution.
We recommend keeping a screenshot of the assigned temporary INE. Some institutions request this number during the manual verification of the file, and knowing where to find the CVE Crous number saves time in case of an administrative dispute with the student services.
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Once the final registration is completed, the institution assigns a permanent INE that replaces the temporary one in the Crous databases. The CVEC number, however, remains the same for the entire academic year.
CVEC cash payment via the Nirio network: an unknown option
Payment by credit card remains the most common method on the portal cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr. Families without a French credit card (or whose foreign card is refused) have a concrete alternative.
The CVEC portal allows you to select the cash payment option at the time of payment. The system then generates a payment voucher to present at a Nirio point, which is a tobacco shop or a newsstand affiliated with the network in France.
The processing time is longer than a card payment: you should allow one to two business days after payment at the point of sale for the CVEC certificate to become downloadable on the student account. Anticipating this step before the registration deadline avoids administrative blockage.
Case of Crous scholarship holders
Students holding a social criteria scholarship from Crous are exempt from paying the CVEC. The process remains mandatory: you must log in to the portal, and the scholarship status is automatically verified. The exemption certificate, which contains the CVEC number, is generated without payment.
If the scholarship status is not yet validated at the time of login (conditional notification pending, for example), the portal may request payment. In this case, a refund is possible once the scholarship is confirmed.
National unique number of Crous for CVEC issues
Since April 1, 2025, a national unique phone number, 09 72 59 65 65, centralizes all requests related to Crous services: scholarships, housing, social services, and CVEC. This number replaces the old scattered academic standards.
This channel covers the following situations:
- CVEC certificate not found after payment, often related to a synchronization delay between the payment portal and the student account
- Error in entering the CVEC number in the institution’s registration file, requiring verification on the Crous side
- Difficulty logging into the MesServicesÉtudiant portal (forgotten password, account blocked after several attempts)
- Request for reimbursement for a scholarship student who paid the CVEC before confirmation of their scholarship
The number is operational across the entire Crous network in France. Parents can also call on behalf of their child, provided they give the student’s name, first name, and date of birth.
Finding your CVEC certificate and the associated number
The CVEC certificate remains accessible year-round on the portal cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr after logging in with MesServicesÉtudiant credentials. The CVEC number appears at the top of the PDF document, in the form of an alphanumeric sequence.
Verification by the institution
Higher education institutions have dedicated access to verify the validity of a CVEC number. Submitting a falsified certificate or an incorrect number blocks registration and may lead to cancellation of the file.
In the case of transferring institutions during the academic year, the CVEC number remains valid without new payment. The original certificate is sufficient, regardless of the destination institution, as long as the academic year is the same.
Lost certificate or inaccessible account
In the event of total inability to access the portal (lost email address, deleted account), the relevant Crous can issue a duplicate. The national number 09 72 59 65 65 directs you to the right contact. Having an ID and proof of registration or application expedites processing.
The CVEC number is not just a minor administrative detail: it is the key that conditions the completion of any registration in higher education in France. Keeping your certificate accessible, knowing the recourse in case of loss, and anticipating payment deadlines (especially in cash) are the three reflexes that prevent a blockage at the start of the academic year.