The Ministry of Education (MEC) and the National Institute of Educational Studies and Research Anísio Teixeira (Inep) have announced an extension for requesting exemption from the registration fee for the 2025 Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (Enem). Candidates now have until May 2, 2025, to submit their applications. This extension also applies to those who wish to justify their absence from the 2024 Enem, a necessary step for those who were granted an exemption last year but did not attend the exam.
Both the exemption requests and the submission of justifications must be completed through the Participant's Page, using a Gov.br login. The results of these requests will be published on May 12, 2025, allowing candidates to know if they qualify for the fee waiver.
Eligibility for the exemption is granted to several categories of candidates, including:
- Students currently enrolled in the last year of high school in public schools for 2025.
- Individuals who completed their entire high school education in public schools or as full scholarship students in private institutions.
- Those registered in the Cadastro Único for Social Programs (CadÚnico) with a family income of up to three minimum wages or a per capita income of half a minimum wage.
- Participants of the Pé-de-Meia program.
For candidates who do not receive the exemption, there is an opportunity to appeal between May 12 and May 16, 2025. The results of these appeals will be announced on May 22, 2025. Should candidates still be ineligible for the exemption, they will need to pay the registration fee of R$ 85.
The new schedule for the exemption requests and absence justifications is as follows:
- Request for exemption and justification for absence: April 14 to May 2, 2025
- Result of exemption requests and justifications: May 12, 2025
- Appeal period: May 12 to May 16, 2025
- Result of appeals: May 22, 2025
Even with an exemption confirmed, students must still register for the Enem within the period that will be announced by the MEC in the near future. This is a crucial step, as the registration process is separate from the exemption request.
The Enem, established in 1998 during the presidency of Fernando Henrique Cardoso, serves as a key assessment tool for evaluating the educational performance of students upon completing their basic education. Over the years, it has evolved into the primary gateway for higher education in Brazil, facilitating access through the Unified Selection System (Sisu) and initiatives like the University for All Program (Prouni).
Public and private educational institutions utilize Enem scores to select students, with the results often serving as a critical factor in various admission processes. Additionally, these scores can be leveraged for accessing government aid programs, such as the Student Financing Fund (Fies).
Furthermore, the individual results from the Enem can also be used in selection processes at Portuguese institutions that have agreements with Inep to accept Enem scores, thereby providing Brazilian students with an easier pathway to study in Portugal.
For those interested in applying for the exemption or justifying their absence, it is essential to understand the requirements clearly. The Social Identification Number (NIS) is a critical component of the application process, as it verifies the candidate's participation in social benefit programs. Candidates can find their NIS by accessing the CadÚnico website or app using their Gov.br account.
Documentation required for justifying absence includes a range of acceptable proofs, such as:
- Police reports for traffic accidents or theft.
- Medical certificates for emergencies or hospitalizations.
- Proof of participation in school activities or significant life events, such as marriage.
- Documents confirming family bereavement.
As the deadline approaches, candidates are encouraged to prepare their applications carefully to ensure they meet all requirements. The Enem remains a pivotal moment in the academic journey of many Brazilian students, influencing their future educational opportunities significantly.
The MEC and Inep are committed to facilitating access to education through initiatives like these, and the extension of the exemption request deadline is a reflection of their ongoing efforts to support students from diverse backgrounds.
