The 2025 Rita Cetina Scholarship program has officially kicked off with the distribution of cash support for students from low-income families across Mexico. This initiative, part of the government's strategy to bolster education, is particularly focused on preventing school dropouts by providing financial resources to families with students enrolled in public schools.
Beginning on February 5, 2025, and running until March 28 of the same year, the scholarship program aims to assist students of secondary schools by offering direct financial aid. Families will receive 1,900 pesos bimonthly for each eligible secondary student, and households with multiple students can expect additional support of 700 pesos for each extra child enrolled.
Registration for the Rita Cetina Scholarship kicked off on October 14, 2024, with informational assemblies held at secondary institutions. During the online registration phase, which lasted from November 11 to December 18, 2024, parents or guardians were able to create accounts on the official scholarship website, becaritacetina.gob.mx, thereby signing up their children for this economically impactful program.
According to the Secretary of Welfare, the program targets approximately 5.7 million students this academic year alone. The cards will be issued through assemblies organized at the respective schools, ensuring the distribution reaches the families directly as they learn when and where to collect the financial aid.
Julio León, the coordinator for national welfare scholarships, shared insights on the card distribution process. "Parents need to check the schedule for their school using the 'Buscador de Escuelas.' This tool helps locate the precise date and time when the cards will be handed out to families," he explained.
For parents who missed the online registration, the good news is they can still sign up during the card distribtion assemblies, ensuring no family is left behind. Ensuring families have everything they need, they will also need to provide certain documents during the collection of the cards, including official IDs, proof of address, and copies of each child’s CURP and act of birth.
It’s important for families to be informed about the required documents. For parents or guardians: they must bring identification along with CURP documentation, whereas for students, copies of their act of birth and CURP are necessary. The Secretaria de Educación Pública (SEP) has indicated they will continue to support families throughout this process.
Another helpful aspect of this initiative is its commitment to transparency. The government has made it clear which schools and assemblies will be handling the distribution through social media and official government communications.
Should any issues occur during the collection period, such as needing to reschedule, families can contact the nearest State Auxiliary Office to set new arrangements without losing their beneficiary status.
Historically, the Rita Cetina Scholarship pays homage to Rita Cetina Gutiérrez, who significantly contributed to women's education and rights in Mexico during the 19th century. Her efforts laid the groundwork for female empowerment through education, making this scholarship not just about financial aid, but also fostering the spirit of educational growth within the community.
With the initial payments set for distribution later this month, students need to be prepared to access their funds efficiently. The authorities recommend downloading the Banco del Bienestar application, where users can easily manage their accounts once their cards are activated. A simple set up steps ensures families can keep tabs on their balances and deposits.
The Rita Cetina Scholarship is not merely financial support—it symbolizes the commitment of the Mexican government to invest in the future of its youth by prioritizing education. Keeping up with the distribution process allows families to utilize these funds effectively for their children's educational needs, from purchasing uniforms and supplies to covering transportation costs.
Given the imminent deadlines and procedures, all families involved are encouraged to stay connected with their schools and utilize digital resources for updates on assembly dates and payment timelines to maximize the benefits of this program.