The Rita Cetina Scholarship, launched by the Government of Mexico, is set to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in public secondary schools starting February 5, 2025. The initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens for families, ensuring students can continue their education.
According to reports, the first payments of 1,900 pesos will be distributed to over 5.7 million eligible families through welfare cards issued to students. For each additional child enrolled in secondary education, families will receive 700 pesos extra, allowing households with multiple children to benefit significantly.
The payment rollout will begin with the distribution of the welfare cards from February 5 and will continue until March 28, 2025. This staggered approach allows families to receive the cards at their respective schools, where parents or guardians must present required documentation, including official identification and proof of residence.
Many families are eager to know when they can expect the actual financial deposits. For now, it remains uncertain if there will be double payments for January and February, which would be contingent upon the distribution of the welfare cards being completed by the end of March.
“From February 5 to March 28, we will start the delivery of the Bank of Welfare cards. You will soon have the Rita Cetina Scholarship in your hands,” officials from the National Coordination of Scholarships for Wellbeing Benito Juárez (CNBB) stated earlier this week.
Those who secure the scholarship must meet several requirements during the enrollment process, including having their CURP documentation ready and ensuring their children are currently enrolled at public secondary institutions for the 2024–2025 academic year.
Originally, this scholarship program also aims to extend its benefits to students of primary and preschool levels, with implementation planned to occur gradually. Currently, the focus is primarily on secondary school students, reflecting the government's commitment to preventing school dropouts during this transitional phase of education.
Speaking at recent forums, Secretary of Education Mario Delgado emphasized the importance of the scholarship, stating, “This initiative is pivotal, not only for reducing dropout rates among secondary students but also to empower families holistically.”
The CNBB is tasked with managing this scholarship rollout. Prior to the official launch, pilot programs have taken shape across several states, including Querétaro, Veracruz, Chiapas, and others to streamline the process.
Interestingly, as of today, some students from selected states have already received their cards after participating in pilot programs, leading to questions about why not all eligible families are experiencing the same accessibility.
Looking forward, parents and guardians are advised to stay tuned to updates via official channels to keep abreast of any news related to payment schedules and any adjustments to the enrollment process.
“We encourage families to remain vigilant and to frequently check official platforms for the latest information on the Rita Cetina Scholarship,” said Julio León, the CNBB coordinator.
Overall, the Rita Cetina Scholarship reflects the Mexican government's initiative to facilitate education for all students, ensuring financial aid becomes readily accessible for educational pursuits.
While the promise of this financial assistance is encouraging, the coming days will reveal how smoothly the process of card distribution and subsequent payments will function for the families reliant on this support to sustain their children's education.