The Pé-de-Meia Licenciaturas program, initiated by Brazil's Ministry of Education (MEC), aims to support new teachers by offering scholarships to students enrolled in undergraduate education courses. For those accepted through the Sistema de Seleção Unificada (Sisu), ProUni, or Fies and who meet the criteria, the enrollment period for the scholarship program is now open, running until March 30, 2025.
Eligible candidates must have achieved at least 650 points on the 2024 Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (Enem). To apply for the scholarship, students are required to register their curriculum on the Plataforma Freire, managed by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes) within the MEC.
With this program, the government intends to encourage greater participation and persistence among students pursuing teaching degrees. The financial incentive provided through this initiative includes monthly scholarships of R$ 1,050 throughout the student’s undergraduate studies, effectively easing their financial burden during their academic careers.
A significant communication effort will follow the initial registration phase, as the MEC plans to directly contact eligible students through emails, text messages, and notifications via the government application. This proactive approach aims to remind students of their responsibilities, including the registration of their curriculum and the need to complete their enrollment at their selected higher education institutions.
For students enrolled at the Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), various courses including Pedagogy, Mathematics, and Physics are included under the program. The school has confirmed 69 students across these specific tracks as participants eligible for the Pé-de-Meia Licenciaturas initiative. “We received the list of students from UFJF who registered via Sisu and are qualified for the Pé-de-Meia scholarship,” stated Katiuscia Antunes, UFJF’s Pró-Reitora de Graduação. “Now, Capes has opened the pre-registration phase for these candidates to record their information and apply for the scholarships.”
Once enrolled, students will receive R$ 700 monthly directly to them, with additional R$ 350 deposited as savings to be withdrawn later under certain conditions. Graduates must enter public teaching roles within five years after course completion to access these saved funds. This mechanism is part of the government’s strategic support to maintain quality teaching standards within Brazil’s educational framework.
The deadline for the release of preliminary results is set for April 4, 2025, followed by a resource period from April 5 to 9. The final list of scholars will be made available on April 14, just before disbursement begins on May 1. With up to 12,000 scholarships available, the program is part of broader legislative efforts under the Mais Professores for Brazil initiative, which emphasizes strengthening teacher training and professional development.
The Pé-de-Meia Licenciaturas program not only reflects the government’s commitment to educational enhancement but also serves as a significant step toward alleviating the financial challenges faced by many aspiring teachers. By facilitating access to higher education for future educators, the initiative addresses pressing national needs for quality teaching personnel.
Yet, students interested in applying must remain diligent and proactive throughout this process, ensuring they meet all requirements and adhere to deadlines set forth by the MEC. This program not only promises financial assistance but also aims to build the foundation for competent educators who will shape the future of Brazil’s education system.