On May 7, 2025, the Ministry of Education (MEC) initiated payments for the Pé-de-Meia Licenciaturas program, designed to encourage the formation of new teachers in Brazil. The first payment benefitted 4,050 scholarship recipients enrolled in in-person undergraduate courses, distributing over R$ 7.2 million in resources.
Students who already have accounts with Banco do Brasil began receiving their scholarships immediately, while approximately 2,800 students without a financial relationship with the bank will have their funds deposited starting May 8, 2025. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to attract students to teaching careers by offering substantial financial support.
The Pé-de-Meia Licenciaturas program, which translates to "Penny for Licensure," is a key component of the "Mais Professores para o Brasil" (More Teachers for Brazil) initiative launched by the MEC in January 2025. This program aims to enhance the quality of teacher training and increase the number of qualified educators in the country.
To qualify for the Pé-de-Meia Licenciaturas scholarship, students must be enrolled in approved in-person undergraduate courses and have achieved a minimum score of 650 on the Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (Enem) in 2024. The program is also open to those who gained admission through the Unified Selection System (Sisu), the University for All Program (Prouni), or the Student Financing Fund (Fies).
Each approved student receives a monthly scholarship of R$ 1,050, with R$ 700 available for immediate withdrawal and R$ 350 deposited into a savings account. This payment will be made until the fifth business day of each month, through an automatically created account at Banco do Brasil. To activate their accounts, students must download the Banco do Brasil app, enter their CPF number, update their registration details, and submit a photo of their identification along with a selfie. For minors, the activation must occur in person at a bank branch with a legal guardian.
The MEC has made available up to 12,000 scholarships for the Pé-de-Meia Licenciaturas program in 2025, with the aim of supporting students throughout their undergraduate studies. The accumulated savings from the scholarship can only be accessed after graduation, provided that the graduate enters the public basic education network within five years of completing their degree.
For students who did not complete their registration in time, there will be a second call for applications, with registrations open until December 19, 2025. Those accepted in this round will begin receiving payments at the start of the academic semester. The MEC emphasizes that if students are eligible for retroactive payments, they will be processed accordingly.
The overarching goal of the Mais Professores para o Brasil program is to recognize the critical role of teachers in the educational process and to strengthen their training and appreciation. In addition to the Pé-de-Meia Licenciaturas, the program includes initiatives such as the More Teachers Scholarship, the National Teacher Exam, a Training Portal, and partnerships with public banks and other ministries to enhance teacher support.
By implementing these initiatives, the MEC hopes to attract new talent into the teaching profession while simultaneously improving the quality of education in Brazilian public schools. The program aims to reach 2.3 million teachers across the country, providing them with resources and ongoing professional development opportunities.
As the first payments roll out, students and educational institutions alike are optimistic about the impact of the Pé-de-Meia Licenciaturas program on the future of education in Brazil. With a robust framework in place, the MEC is set to make significant strides in addressing the teacher shortage and enhancing the overall quality of education in the nation.
