The Beca Rita Cetina stands out as one of Mexico’s most promising educational support initiatives, launched in October 2024 by President Claudia Sheinbaum to aid public secondary school students nationwide. The program has swiftly gained traction, with a reported 5 million students registering for its benefits, which include economic support of 1,900 pesos bimonthly delivered via the Banco del Bienestar card, a unique and non-transferable payment instrument.
As of March 17, 2025, over one million of these cards have been distributed, a milestone detailed in various official communications by Mario Delgado Carrillo, the head of the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP). At a recent conference, he highlighted the efforts to ensure that students awaiting their cards have easy access to information regarding delivery dates and locations.
The SEP has introduced a user-friendly search engine that allows students to enter their school’s Clave de Centro de Trabajo (CCT) code to find out when and where they can pick up their cards. This accessibility measure is critical for families, ensuring they can plan their visits without unnecessary delays.
According to the official guidelines, parents or guardians must present several documents to collect the card. These include an official identification (original and a copy), a copy of the student's birth certificate, the CURP (a unique civil registration number), and proof of address not older than six months. Additionally, students need to provide a copy of their birth certificate and CURP.
From March 18 to March 20, 2025, various schools across Mexico, especially in states like Chihuahua and Tamaulipas, will facilitate the distribution of the Banco del Bienestar cards. For instance, schools like Secundaria Técnica 56 and Secundaria Técnica 30 in Cd. Juárez will begin the distribution process on March 18 at 08:00 hours.
The subsequent days will see similar distributions in different regions, including multiple sessions in Mexico City, where schools such as Secundaria México and Secundaria Sr. Dn. Venustiano Carranza will be key delivery points. Each location has scheduled time slots to manage the expected foot traffic efficiently.
The government has also implemented provisions for students who arrive at their schools but face issues related to registration. Assemblies during these distribution events will provide information and assistance, allowing those who missed online registration opportunities to register on-site.
Moreover, eligibility for the Beca Rita Cetina extends to those in vulnerable situations. The financial support not only helps students but also families, where additional allowances are given for households with multiple children enrolled in secondary education, accumulating an extra 700 pesos per additional child on top of the standard support.
Consequently, for students who received their cards in February, the first financial disbursement was deposited on March 12, 2025. However, students collecting their cards in March can expect their initial payment to be disbursed by April 2025, with an estimated processing time of about a month post-delivery.
The initiative has drawn positive attention as part of a broader strategy to support education in Mexico. By relieving some of the financial burdens faced by families, the Beca Rita Cetina program represents an essential lifeline for many households striving to ensure their children have access to quality education.
Students and families looking for more detailed information regarding this financial aid program can find additional resources on the official government website, where comprehensive lists of participating schools and delivery schedules have been made available. This valuable support initiative underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for Mexico's youth, ensuring that financial constraints do not stand in the way of their academic success.
