The Mexican government is accelerating its efforts with the launch of the Beca Rita Cetina, a new support program aimed at secondary school students. In 2025, each family will receive a bimonthly payment of 1,900 pesos for each enrolled student, plus an additional 700 pesos for each extra child. For instance, families with two students registered can expect to receive 2,600 pesos every two months, providing much-needed relief for school expenses.
Payments for the Beca Rita Cetina are made directly to Banco Bienestar cards, which were distributed between February 5 and March 31, 2025, during school assemblies. Parents or guardians had to attend these events to collect and activate their cards, which are essential for accessing the financial support aimed at keeping students in school.
On April 4, 2025, students benefiting from the Beca Rita Cetina will receive their payments for the March-April bimester. This support is specifically directed at students enrolled in public secondary schools. The payments are organized according to the first letter of the beneficiary's last name, and today, those whose surnames begin with the letter "C" will receive their financial support.
According to Julio León, the National Coordinator of Scholarships for Welfare, some beneficiaries will receive a double payment this month. This means that in addition to the March-April payment, those with one student enrolled will receive a total of 3,800 pesos as the payment for May-June will be advanced. However, this special benefit is exclusively available for students in the states of Veracruz and Durango due to upcoming local elections in June, which necessitate the suspension of social program distributions in those areas.
The Beca Rita Cetina program aims to alleviate the economic burden on families and ensure that no student drops out of school due to financial difficulties. The economic assistance consists of a bimonthly payment of 1,900 pesos for each beneficiary family, with an additional 700 pesos for each additional child attending public secondary school.
Students must have a Banco del Bienestar card, where the corresponding scholarship amount will be deposited. This card can also be used for purchases at participating stores and supermarkets, as well as for paying utility bills such as water and electricity.
The payment process is organized alphabetically based on the first letter of the students' last names. The schedule for the March-April bimester payments is as follows:
- Letter A: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
- Letter B: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
- Letter C: Thursday, April 3, 2025, and Friday, April 4, 2025
- Letters D, E, F: Monday, April 7, 2025
- Letter G: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, and Wednesday, April 9, 2025
- Letters H, I, J, K: Thursday, April 10, 2025
- Letter L: Friday, April 11, 2025
- Letter M: Monday, April 14, 2025, and Tuesday, April 15, 2025
- Letters N, Ñ, O: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
- Letters P, Q: Monday, April 21, 2025
- Letter R: Tuesday, April 22, 2025, and Wednesday, April 23, 2025
- Letter S: Thursday, April 24, 2025
- Letters T, U, V: Friday, April 25, 2025
- Letters W, X, Y, Z: Monday, April 28, 2025
It's crucial for beneficiaries to be aware of their scheduled payment dates to ensure they receive their financial support on time. If any beneficiary does not receive their payment as expected, they should first verify the status of their Banco Bienestar card. If the payment still does not appear, they can check their balance through the Banco Bienestar app, at ATMs, or by calling the National Scholarship Coordination's helpline.
The Beca Rita Cetina is named after Rita Rosaura Cetina Gutiérrez, a prominent feminist teacher and writer from Yucatán who fought for women's access to education in Mexico during the 19th century. Cetina founded the Scientific and Literary Society of Mérida and promoted gender equity and intellectual development. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of women and advocates for education and human rights.
As the Beca Rita Cetina program continues to roll out, it reaffirms the Mexican government's commitment to education and the well-being of families across the country. With financial assistance in place, the hope is that students will remain in school and continue to pursue their educational goals without the looming threat of financial hardship.
Today, April 4, marks an important day for many families as they receive this crucial support. Parents are encouraged to prepare for the deposit and ensure they have their Banco Bienestar cards ready to access the funds that will make a significant difference in their children's education.
