The Ministry of Education (MEC) has officially announced the enrollment period for the Sistema de Seleção Unificada (Sisu) for 2025, providing millions of Brazilian students with the opportunity to enter public universities nationwide. The registration process is set to take place exclusively online from January 17 to January 21, 2025, via the Portal Único de Acesso ao Ensino Superior.
To be eligible for Sisu, candidates must have completed their high school education and participated in the 2024 Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (Enem), achieving non-zero scores on the writing section. Importantly, individuals who participated as 'treineiros', meaning they took the test solely for self-assessment before finishing their secondary education, are not permitted to enroll.
This year marks a significant change for Sisu, as it will only feature one round of applications rather than the previous two-per-year format. This adjustment is aimed at promoting fairer access to available slots throughout both semesters of the 2025 academic year. Per the new rules, registered candidates will compete for spots based on their Enem scores, but they cannot select the semester of their enrollment; their classification will determine if they start classes sooner or later.
According to MEC, the results of the selection process will be released on January 26, 2025, and successful candidates must enroll between January 27 and January 31, 2025. Students not selected in the first round will have the opportunity to express interest in the waiting list from January 26 to January 31, 2025 also via the Portal.
One of the aims of the Sisu program is to make higher education more accessible, particularly for students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. The distribution of available spaces will account for the most recent data from the 2022 census conducted by IBGE, ensuring inclusivity for those from low-income households, with disabilities, as well as Black, mixed-race, Indigenous, and Quilombola backgrounds.
MEC has emphasized the importance of following these criteria to guarantee equitable opportunities for access to the educational benefits the program fosters. "The distribution of reserved spots will take proportions of students from public schools, which is part of our comprehensive approach to educational equity," stated the Ministry.
Prospective candidates are encouraged to stay informed and prepare thoroughly for the upcoming Enem. Updates and detailed guidelines can be found on the official MEC site, enabling students to navigate this pivotal moment comfortably as they pursue their higher education goals.
The Sisu program continues to stand as one of Brazil's primary gateways to public higher education, aiding countless students every year to realize their academic aspirations. With only one registration period every year, careful planning and timely action will be integral for students hoping to secure their places.
