EN
The article focuses on key changes currently taking place in the financing of French universities - level, structure and mechanisms of allocating funds flowing from the state budget. Conducted analysis is based on existing data (Eurostat). The article starts with the analysis of existing data in the field of demography, the number of universities and students. Then, the evolution of the higher education financing system is described. The next section focuses on presenting the higher education sector's goals, analysis of main incomes of universities and identification of the currently used public funds distribution mechanisms and ways of their allocation. A further part of the study focuses on issues related to supporting programs for students, their families and tuition fees. The article ends with presenting the areas of university activities that are evaluated by special government agencies appointed to address issues mentioned above.