Merit Scholarship: How La Seyne-sur-Mer Rewards Its High School Graduates

Each year, a handful of high school students earn their baccalauréat with the highest distinction. In La Seyne-sur-Mer, in the Var department, the municipality has chosen to concretely reward this achievement with a merit scholarship paid to every graduate who earns “Très bien” (highest) honors. The 2026 ceremony has just honored thirty-eight young residents of La Seyne.

An Award Born From the Young People's Own Initiative

A notable fact: this program did not come from above. It was proposed by the Youth Municipal Council of La Seyne-sur-Mer, then adopted by the city council back in 2024. In practice, every graduate from La Seyne who earns “Très bien” honors on the baccalauréat — whether in a general, technological, or vocational track — receives a 150 euro gift voucher. The city states two goals: recognizing the work put in during the final year of high school and encouraging young people to keep pursuing this level of excellence, regardless of the track they chose.

38 Honorees Recognized in the Presence of the Mayor

The ceremony was held on Friday, August 28, 2026, in the city council chamber at La Seyne-sur-Mer's city hall. Mayor Dorian Munoz personally presented the awards to the 38 honorees from the June 2026 session, joined by Sarah Chereau, deputy mayor for school affairs, and Dominique Génin, city councilor delegate for youth. Three La Seyne students honored in the international “Message from Students to G7 Heads of State and Government” competition were also recognized on this occasion, as the city chose to combine these two end-of-school-year highlights.

What Comes After the Baccalauréat? Guidance, Studies, Housing

For these new graduates, earning the distinction is only one step: they still need to choose a path for further education, sometimes far from home. Those still undecided can turn to career guidance support to refine their plans before applying to higher education. Others will head toward more technical paths: our article on a Qualiopi-certified training program in artificial intelligence (Qualiopi being the French quality certification for training providers) illustrates the diversity of paths available after the baccalauréat, well beyond preparatory classes or traditional university. And for honorees who will have to leave La Seyne-sur-Mer to continue their studies, the question of student housing comes up quickly: it's best to start the process as soon as the school year begins, to avoid a last-minute scramble.

A Local Program, Complementing Regional Aid

This municipal scholarship adds to broader programs, such as the regional merit scholarship offered by the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Sud Region, which likewise targets the most deserving graduates at the regional level. The overlap of these municipal and regional aid programs reflects a broader trend: more and more local governments are seeking to retain and support their young graduates rather than leaving this recognition solely to national programs or schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can Receive La Seyne-sur-Mer's Merit Scholarship?

Any young resident of La Seyne-sur-Mer who earned “Très bien” (highest) honors on the 2026 baccalauréat, regardless of track: general, technological, or vocational.

What Is the Amount of This Scholarship?

It takes the form of a 150 euro gift voucher per honoree, presented at an official ceremony attended by the mayor and the elected officials in charge of youth and school affairs.

Where Does This Initiative Come From?

It was proposed by La Seyne-sur-Mer's Youth Municipal Council and adopted by the city council in 2024, before its first actual implementation.

Sources

• City of La Seyne-sur-Mer
• Presse Agence
• Région Sud — Regional Merit Scholarship

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence. Editorial policy