The Beca Universal Rita Gutiérrez has officially kicked off its first payment cycle, providing a much-needed financial boost to secondary school students across Mexico. This program, which aims to alleviate educational costs for families, began distributing a bimonthly support of $1,900 to eligible students who registered in previous months. The initial deposit for March-April started on April 1, 2025, and is set to conclude on April 28, 2025.
However, students and families should note that there will be a brief pause in payments due to the observance of Holy Week. Specifically, the Coordinación Nacional de Becas Benito Juárez has announced that there will be no deposits on Thursday, April 17, and Friday, April 18, 2025, coinciding with Holy Thursday and Good Friday, days when banks are closed. These dates are significant in the Christian calendar, marking the passion and death of Christ, and while they are not official holidays under Mexican labor law, they are widely regarded as days of observance.
According to the official payment schedule from the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP), the payment process is organized by the first letter of the beneficiaries' last names. For the week of April 14 to April 16, 2025, the distribution is as follows: on Monday, April 14, beneficiaries with last names starting with M will receive their payments; on Tuesday, April 15, the same group will receive their funds again; and on Wednesday, April 16, students with last names beginning with N, Ñ, and O will be paid.
After the break for Holy Week, payments will resume on Monday, April 21, 2025, for students whose last names start with P and Q. The continuation of this scholarship program is crucial as it is designed to support families with children enrolled in public secondary schools, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder students from completing their education.
The Beca Rita Cetina Gutiérrez, named after a prominent Yucatecan educator and activist who fought for women's rights to education, aims to benefit approximately 21.4 million students in basic education. However, in its initial phase, which launches in 2025, it will specifically support 5.6 million secondary school students.
This scholarship provides not only a flat amount of $1,900 every two months per family but also an additional $700 for each extra student enrolled in secondary education. This financial assistance is intended to help families manage educational expenses more effectively.
As the program progresses, the federal government encourages beneficiaries to remain vigilant about payment schedules and any adjustments that may arise due to holidays or other factors. The Secretaría del Bienestar has emphasized that all payments are deposited directly onto the beneficiaries' Banco del Bienestar cards, which are personal and non-transferable. These cards can also be used for purchases at various stores and to pay for services like utilities.
Throughout the payment period, beneficiaries are advised to consult official channels for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding their financial support. This proactive approach is essential to ensure that families do not miss out on the assistance available to them.
The Beca Rita Cetina not only alleviates financial burdens but also serves as a testament to the government's commitment to education and support for families in need. As the program unfolds, it is expected to play a pivotal role in keeping students in school and promoting educational attainment across the nation.
In summary, the Beca Universal Rita Gutiérrez is a significant initiative aimed at providing essential financial support to families with secondary school students. With the first payments already underway and a clear schedule laid out for the coming weeks, families can look forward to continued assistance as they navigate the challenges of education.
