Do I need a visa? How to apply for a student visa?

STUDENT VISAS
1. Do I need a visa ?
Yes except if you are a citizen of Switzerland, Andorra, Vatican, San Marino, Monaco or of the European Economic Area.
American citizens who intend to study in France for less than 90 days do not need a visa. Holders of Permit to re-enter or Refugee Travel Document do need a visa.
2. How to apply for a student visa ?
Applicants for a LONG STAY (more than 90 days) student visa must first register with “Campus France”. _ Please visit www.usa.campusfrance.org
e-mail: campusfrance@ambafrance-us.org for more information.
STEP 1
Register and obtain an “attestation” from Campus France
STEP 2
Once you complied with Campus France requirements, please make an appointment
3. How to make an appointment?
The General Consulate in Washington DC will only accept applications from residents/students of one of the following States : Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia. Residents/students from other States must check what is the relevant Consulate. To know where to apply, click here.
Personal appearance at the Consulate is mandatory. All applicants must first schedule an appointment.
Click here to make an appointment in Washington DC
4. Processing time
Processing time depends on your citizenship. It takes 2 to 3 weeks to receive the approval for your visa. If you are a passport holder of one of the following countries, the process can take up to 2 months :
Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain
Bangladesh Belarus Burma
Burundi Congo DRC Egypt
Guinea Indonesia Iran
Iraq Jordan Kuwait
Lebanon Libya Mali
Morocco Niger Nigeria
North Korea Oman Pakistan
Palestinians Philippines Qatar
Rwanda Saudi Arabia Somalia
Sudan Suriname Syria
Tunisia United Arab Emirates Vietnam
Yemen Zimbabwe
5. Requirements
Processing fees can be paid ONLY by credit card (Visa, Mastercard only).
dowload here the supporting documentation list for LONG STAY VISA (more than 90 days) (pdf)
download here the supporting documentation list for SHORT STAY VISA (less than 90 days)(pdf)
the OFII Form
2 long stay application forms (only one for US citizens) if you wish to study more than 3 months in France OR
2 short stay application forms for alien residents in the US intending to stay in France less than 3 months.
Be aware that the visa section does not make copies. Please provide us with the original and the copy of each each required document.
a self-addressed prepaid EXPRESS MAIL envelope from the US POST OFFICE ONLY Please fill out the mailing label as follows :
  FROM: Your full name Your address
TO: Your full name Your address
6. Important information
The Consulate could request more documents than the one submitted by the applicant. Please be aware that submitting the required documents does not garantee the issuance of the visa.
Our address is 4101 Reservoir Road, NW Washington DC 20007. This information and many others can be found under "general information" section.