On March 12, 2025, beneficiaries of the Beca Rita Cetina Gutiérrez scholarship are set to receive their first financial support aimed at assisting secondary school students across Mexico. This initiative, launched by President Claudia Sheinbaum, aims to bolster the educational experiences of families and encourage student retention.
During the presidential press conference on March 10, Julio León, the Coordinator of Scholarships for Wellbeing, confirmed the details of the distribution. "La presidenta nos ha indicado que los beneficiarios que obtuvieron su tarjeta en febrero recibirán el primer suministro este miércoles 12 de marzo, correspondiente al primer bimestre del año," León stated, confirming the government's commitment to providing timely support.
The Beca Rita Cetina scholarship allocates at least 1,900 pesos for the January-February bimester. Families with secondary school students registered under the program can receive additional amounts—700 pesos for each secondary school student, meaning those with two such students could see deposits totaling 2,600 pesos or more.
Payment will occur via the Banco del Bienestar cards distributed to qualified families, with the first payments reaching accounts directly starting March 12, 2025. It’s important for beneficiaries to check their account balances before making any withdrawals or purchases to avoid inconvenience.
León highlighted the distribution rate, noting approximately 750,000 cards have already been issued, part of the estimated 2.9 million cards planned to support the initiative. "Ya se han entregado, de la meta de 2.9 millones de tarjetas, llevamos un avance de 750 mil tarjetas entregadas," León explained, signaling the government's substantial progress toward achieving their goals.
Beneficiaries who receive their cards during March are advised to wait until April for their subsequent payment, with exact dates still pending confirmation. The scholarships are aimed primarily at secondary school students for now, though there are plans to extend benefits to primary and preschool students later on.
Families need to be aware of the requirements to qualify for the Beca Rita Cetina scholarship. To be eligible, they must have at least one child enrolled in public secondary education and not be receiving another scholarship from any government agency for the same purpose.
Parents, guardians, and tutors, who have yet to register their children, have until March 31 to complete the registration process during the bank card distribution assemblies. It's estimated around 50,000 guardians have not yet managed to fulfill this requirement, leaving them at risk of missing out on this much-needed assistance.
Ensuring continued access to the scholarship will depend on maintaining updated information within the system and ensuring students remain enrolled. The Beca Rita Cetina is currently provided solely for the current school year, and families have up to one year to withdraw funds before they are reallocated by the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP).
Payment of the scholarship will be issued over five bimesters, excluding the months of July and August. Each family may receive funding for up to 30 months, allowing for substantial long-term financial aid as students progress through their education.
This program is particularly significant as it highlights the government's efforts to prioritize educational assistance for families with limited resources. By ensuring support reaches eligible families, the initiative seeks to reduce dropout rates and increase student success within the educational system.
Future announcements are anticipated as the government prepares to extend registration opportunities for eligible recipients, ensuring those who have not yet benefited can access the Beca Rita Cetina scholarship. Exact dates and eligibility criteria will be confirmed pending the government's final arrangements.
Overall, the rollout of the Beca Rita Cetina Gutiérrez payments is seen as progress for educational support. It demonstrates commitment from the government led by President Sheinbaum to invest in the future of Mexico's youth, providing families with the necessary resources to pursue educational goals and ambitions.