The article describes one of the poorly studied directions of the activity of various foreign organizations during the years of 1921-1923 in the Volga region - to the "European Student Relief" activity. It began its work in 1920 as a part of the World Student Christian Federation. The article is based on the documents of the central and local archives, many of which are introduced in scientific turnover for the first time. As a result, the author come to the conclusion that the assistance of the "European Student Relief" had social aims, developed in several directions (organization of canteens, delivery of clothes and books) and rendered a significant assistance to the starving students not only in Kazan but also in other Russian cities.