As Semana Santa approaches, families across Mexico are gearing up for the important financial support provided by the government through programs like the Becas Benito Juárez and the Beca Rita Cetina Gutiérrez. These social programs are crucial for millions of families, offering essential economic assistance to students from basic education to higher education. However, this year, the payment schedule has been adjusted due to the holiday celebrations, causing some confusion among beneficiaries.
The Banco del Bienestar has announced that payments for the March-April 2025 period will occur from April 1 to April 28, 2025. However, there will be no deposits made on Thursday, April 17, and Friday, April 18, due to the observance of Jueves Santo (Holy Thursday) and Viernes Santo (Holy Friday). During these days, banks will not operate, as confirmed by the Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores (CNBV), which has declared these dates as non-business days.
To clarify the new payment schedule, beneficiaries are advised to check their eligibility based on the initial letter of their last name:
- Letters P and Q: Monday, April 21, 2025
- Letter R: Tuesday, April 22, and Wednesday, April 23, 2025
- Letter S: Thursday, April 24, 2025
- Letters T, U, V: Friday, April 25, 2025
- Letters W, X, Y, Z: Monday, April 28, 2025
The payments will be directly deposited into the beneficiaries' Tarjeta del Bienestar, ensuring that no intermediaries are involved in the process.
In terms of financial support, the amounts vary depending on the educational level of the students. For those in educación media superior (high school), the amount is set at $1,900 pesos bimonthly. Students enrolled in higher education programs, such as Jóvenes Escribiendo el Futuro, will receive a more substantial support of $5,800 pesos bimonthly. Additionally, the Beca Rita Cetina, aimed at students in basic education, provides $1,900 pesos per family, with an extra $700 pesos for each additional secondary student.
It is crucial to note that these financial aids are distributed bimonthly throughout the academic year. However, there will be no payments made in July and August due to the summer vacation period. The primary aim of these scholarships is to prevent school dropouts and to guarantee the right to education for students in vulnerable situations.
Many families in Tamaulipas, in particular, are anxiously awaiting these payments. Since the beginning of April, deposits for the Beca Benito Juárez have been staggered according to the alphabetical order of beneficiaries' last names. As the holiday approaches, there has been a noticeable increase in anxiety among families, especially those who have yet to receive their payments.
Despite the temporary suspension of payments on April 17 and 18, beneficiaries are encouraged to remain patient. Payments will resume on Monday, April 21, and continue according to the established alphabetical order. The Beca Rita Cetina Gutiérrez will also follow the same payment schedule, with deposits occurring from April 21 to April 25, 2025, starting with beneficiaries whose last names begin with P and Q.
Interestingly, in states like Veracruz and Durango, a double payment will be administered in April due to upcoming elections, a measure not applicable in Tamaulipas. This decision aims to ensure that beneficiaries do not miss their financial support during the election period.
In summary, while the Semana Santa holiday has led to temporary changes in the payment schedule for the Becas Benito Juárez and Beca Rita Cetina, beneficiaries can rest assured that payments will resume promptly after the holiday. Those eligible should check their payment dates based on their last name initials and prepare to receive their much-needed financial support.
As the government continues to emphasize the importance of education, these scholarships remain a vital tool for supporting students facing economic hardships. The financial assistance provided through these programs not only helps families manage educational expenses but also plays a significant role in promoting educational equity and preventing school dropouts.
Beneficiaries are reminded to stay informed through official channels to avoid misinformation and ensure they receive their payments on time. The Secretaría del Bienestar and the Coordinación Nacional de Becas para el Bienestar encourage all recipients to verify their payment status online, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.
