The French government is considering introducing annual registration fees for non-scholarship students in BTS programs and preparatory classes for grandes écoles (CPGE), according to a draft finance bill (PLF) obtained by AFP. Under the proposal, students in BTS programs would pay 178 euros annually, while those in CPGE would pay 270 euros. The government describes these fees as "modest" and justifies them by pointing out that these programs are currently the only ones in higher education that are entirely free, calling this "a singularity." However, students receiving scholarships, children of the Nation and Republic, and those with refugee or asylum seeker status will not be charged. Currently, students in preparatory classes are required to enroll in a university bachelor's degree program from the start of the academic year. This requirement forces them to pay university enrollment fees and the CVEC, a student life and campus contribution of 105 euros for the 2026-2027 academic year. This means that the total cost for preparatory class students is currently around 285 euros, but it could rise to 555 euros under the proposed changes. The government argues that the current free access to BTS and CPGE programs applies uniformly, without considering students' financial situations, unlike the university registration fee system, which does take individual circumstances into account. It also claims that students in BTS and CPGE programs represent a higher average annual cost compared to other fields. For example, the average annual cost is estimated at 19,000 euros for CPGE, 17,000 euros for BTS, and 12,500 euros for university. The number of students in preparatory classes has grown significantly, from about 40,000 in the 1980 academic year to nearly 87,000 in 2024, while there are 217,000 students in BTS programs. The PLF states that the registration fees will be adjusted annually to follow inflation. However, the bill is expected to face a difficult parliamentary journey due to the government's lack of a majority in the National Assembly. The proposed measure has drawn criticism from various quarters. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a candidate for La France insoumise, called the plan "absurd and irresponsible" and accused the government of provoking student unrest. He argued that the timing of the proposal, during a period of youth mobilization, exacerbates social inequality in education.