The Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC) has officially announced the rules and payment calendar for the "Pé-de-meia" program for 2025. This program is aimed at providing financial assistance to high school students, with the dual objective of combating school dropout rates and promoting equitable access to both higher education and the job market.
The first financial incentive, designated for enrollment, amounts to R$ 200 and will be disbursed between March 31 and April 7, 2025. Following this, students will receive the attendance incentive, totaling R$ 1,600, which will be paid out over nine separate installments. The payment schedule is as follows:
Payment Calendar:
- 1st installment: April 23-30
- 2nd installment: May 26-June 2
- 3rd installment: June 23-30
- 4th installment: July 21-28
- 5th installment: September 22-29
- 6th installment: October 20-27
- 7th installment: November 25-December 2
- 8th installment: December 22-30
- 9th installment: February 2-9, 2026
Additional to these payments, there is also the conclusion incentive, which is paid once the student successfully passes and takes the "Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio" (ENEM). This benefit amounts to R$ 1,200 and will be distributed from February 26 to March 5, 2026.
The program also extends benefits to students enrolled in the Youth and Adult Education (EJA) program. They are eligible for financial support amounting to R$ 900, disbursed over four payments:
- 1st payment: April 23-30
- 2nd payment: May 26-June 2
- 3rd payment: June 23-30
- 4th payment: July 21-28
What is Pé-de-meia?
Pé-de-meia is a financial aid initiative launched by the Federal Government of Brazil, established back in 2024, aimed at preventing high school dropout rates. Through this program, eligible students—those from low-income households aged 14 to 24 years, registered with CadÚnico—receive various payments to incentivize their educational pursuit.
Eligibility criteria includes having:
- Completed CPF registration
- Registered with CadÚnico, the government tool for gathering data on vulnerable populations
- Enrolled at the beginning of the academic year
- Maintained at least 80% school attendance
- Participated in the Basic Education Assessment System (Saeb)
Eligible students will receive R$ 200 upon enrollment at the start of the academic year, R$ 1,800 distributed over nine installments during the year, R$ 1,000 as a bonus for passing the year, and R$ 200 for taking the ENEM on completion of high school. To qualify for bonuses, students must not have failed any of their subjects and are required to take the ENEM during their final year of high school.
Successful candidates from the Pé-de-meia program who completed high school and sat for the ENEM will now be able to claim their R$ 1,200 bonuses. These payments conclude their financial support for the final school year, amounting to R$ 3,200.
Students who have yet to claim their R$ 1,000 bonus for passing must contact their school principal or relevant education authority as per the Ministry of Education's guidelines. The Ministry noted some students might not have received their bonuses because their educational institution did not submit their passing data to the MEC yet.
This extensive support aims to create opportunities for young individuals, ensuring educational retention and promoting pathways to higher learning and fruitful employment.