As of July 28, 2025, around 4 million public high school and Youth and Adult Education (EJA) students across Brazil will begin receiving up to R$9,200 from the Pé-de-Meia program, a federal government initiative managed by Caixa Econômica Federal. Aimed at young people aged 14 to 24 registered in the Single Registry (CadÚnico) with a per capita family income of up to half the minimum wage, the program offers financial incentives to promote school retention and combat dropout rates. Payments, staggered by month of birth, will be deposited into automatic digital accounts, accessible via the Caixa Tem app. The action, established by Law No. 14,818/2024, combines monthly and annual installments, conditioned on 80% school attendance and approval, seeking to reduce inequalities and encourage access to higher education.
The program stands out for its structure that combines immediate financial support with long-term savings, helping young people to cover expenses such as transportation, school supplies and preparatory courses. The initiative is already having a positive impact on education, with reports of an increase in school attendance and a reduction in dropout rates in vulnerable regions. IBGE data shows that around 480,000 young people drop out of high school annually, and Pé-de-Meia seeks to reverse this scenario.
- Objective: Reduce school dropout rates and promote educational inclusion.
- Audience: Students aged 14 to 24 in high school or EJA, registered in CadÚnico.
- Management: Caixa Econômica Federal, with automatic deposits into digital accounts.
- Tools: Caixa Tem and Student Journey applications for monitoring. li>
Financial incentive structure
Pe-de-Meia was designed to offer continuous support during high school, with benefits that encourage enrollment, attendance, completion and participation in the National High School Exam (Enem). Each incentive has specific criteria, such as a minimum attendance of 80% in classes and annual approval. The amounts are automatically deposited into digital accounts managed by Caixa, accessible via the Caixa Tem app, which allows withdrawals, transfers and consultations in real time.
Payments follow a staggered calendar by month of birth, ensuring organization and efficiency. The Enrollment Incentive, of R$200, is paid annually between March 31st and April 7th. The Attendance Incentive, of R$1,800 per year, is divided into nine installments of R$200, from April to February of the following year. The Completion Incentive, of R$1,000 per academic year, forms savings released after graduation. The Enem Incentive, also worth R$ 200, benefits 3rd year students who participate in both days of the exam.
- Enrollment Incentive: R$200 per year to confirm enrollment.
- Attendance Incentive: R$1,800 per year, in nine installments of R$200.
- Incentive-Completion: R$1,000 per academic year, withdrawn after graduation.
- Enem incentive: R$ 200 for participation in Enem.
- Accumulated total: Up to R$9,200 throughout high school.
For EJA students, the incentives areThey are adapted, with four semester installments of R$225, totaling R$900 per semester, in addition to enrollment and completion benefits. The structure encourages school retention and financial planning, with part of the resources allocated to long-term savings.
Eligibility and requirements
Young people aged 14 to 24 enrolled in public secondary education or aged 19 to 24 in EJA can participate in the Nesting Fund, as long as they are registered in CadÚnico with a per capita family income of up to half the minimum wage. Membership is automatic, without the need for manual registration, but requires a regular CPF and active enrollment in a public school. The minimum school attendance of 80% is monitored monthly by the education departments, which send the data to the Ministry of Education (MEC) for cross-referencing with CadÚnico.
Minors under 18 need authorization from their legal guardian to operate their account at Caixa Tem, ensuring security in the management of resources. Failure for two consecutive years or dropping out of school for more than two years may lead to dismissal from the program. Schools play a crucial role in sending accurate information about enrollment and attendance, avoiding payment blocks.
- Criteria: Registration in CadÚnico, income up to half the minimum wage, attendance of 80%.
- Age: 14to 24 years old (high school) or 19 to 24 years old (EJA).
- Membership: Automatic, with regularized CPF.
- Monitoring: Schools send attendance data to the MEC.
Digital tools and transparency
Pe-de-Meia’s management uses technology to ensure transparency and easy access to beneficiaries. The Caixa Tem app allows you to check balances, carry out transactions and check deposits in real time. Student Journey, developed by MEC, offers detailed information on attendance, status of benefits and any pending issues, accessible with CPF and Gov.br login.
For underage students, the legal guardian must authorize account movement, promoting digital inclusion and security. The MEC also provides the Contact Us channel (0800-616161) for support, while education departments provide guidance on data regularization. Data integration between the MEC, CadÚnico and education networks ensures that benefits reach those eligible efficiently.
- Caixa Tem: Consultation of balances and financial movements.
- Student Journey: Monitoring attendance and benefit status.
- Contact Us: Support via telephone 0800-616161.
- Education departments: Assistance in regularizing registrations.
Education results
Pe-de-Meia has transformed the educational reality in Brazil, especially in regions of greater vulnerability. Data from the MEC indicate that, in 2024, school dropout rates fell by 15% in the regions served, with a 25% increase in attendance in some schools, mainly in the Northeast. The initiative also increased participation in Enem by 18%, connecting more young people to higher education via programs such as Sisu, Prouni and Fies.
Students like Renzo Renato Cosmo, from the Paulo Freire Secondary Education Center, in the Federal District, report that the resources allow them to cover expenses such as transportation and materials, in addition to planning future investments, such as purchasing a motorcycle to help their family. School directors see greater student engagement, with pass rates reaching up to 90% in some units, exceeding the national average.
- School dropout: 15% reduction in regions served.
- Attendance: Increase of up to 25% in schools in the Northeast.
- Enem: 18% growth in participation.
- Approval: Up to 90% in benefiting schools.
Financing and sustainability
The program is financed by the School Retention Incentive Fund (Fipem), created by Law No. 14,818/2024, with contributions of R$6 billion in 2024 and another R$6 billion in 2025, totaling R$12.5 billion. The resources, coming from the Social Fund and the Operations Guarantee Fund, ensure the continuity of the initiative, which will benefit around 4 million students in 2025, with an annual budget of R$13 billion.
The efficient management of the program is reinforced by the crossing of data between the MEC and CadÚnico, ensuring that the benefits reach eligible young people. In 2024, adjustments following audits by the Federal Audit Court (TCU) released blocked resources, strengthening transparency. Partnerships, such as the one with influencer Nath Finance, promote financial education, with videos that have reached 2 million views, teaching young people how to manage resources.
- Fipem: Fund with R$12.5 billion for the program.
- Budget 2025: R$13 billion for 4 million beneficiaries.
- Transparency: Data crossing between MEC and CadÚnico.
- Financial education: Partnership with Nath Finance reaches 2 million views.
Expansion for undergraduate degrees
In 2025, Pé-de-Meia was expanded with Pé-de-Meia Licenciatura, aimed at university students taking undergraduate courses in public institutions. Students benefiting from the program in high school, registered with CadÚnico, can receive R$1,050 monthly, with R$700 for immediate use and R$350 in savings, accessible after entering the public education network. The modality aims to strengthen teacher training, with the forecast of including 100 thousand new beneficiaries, especially in rural areas and urban peripheries.
The initiative reinforces the continuity of financial support, supporting young people from high school to higher education. The goal is to improve the quality of basic education, encouraging teacher training in a sector andstrategic for the country.
- Licensing Savings Degree: R$1,050 per month for university students.
- Structure: R$700 for immediate use, R$350 in savings.
- Target: 100 thousand new beneficiaries in 2025.
- Focus: Teacher training for basic education.
Implementation history
Pe-de-Meia was conceived in 2023 as a response to high school dropout rates, with an official launch in 2024. The initiative evolved from previous programs, such as Bolsa Escola and Bolsa Família, focusing exclusively on secondary education. In 2024, the program reached 3.9 million students, covering 54% of the 7 million enrolled in public secondary education. The expansion to EJA and the creation of the Pe-de-Meia Licenciatura in 2025 mark advances in educational inclusion.
The initiative has established itself as a pillar of Brazilian education, with concrete results in reducing dropouts and increasing attendance and approval. The goal for 2026 is to reach 5 million beneficiaries, with a focus on new 1st year students and regions of greatest vulnerability.
- Planning: Started in 2023, launched in 2024.
- Reach: 3.9 million students in 2024, 54% of public secondary education.
- Expansion: Inclusion of EJA and Pe-de-Meia Degree in 2025.
- Target 2026: 5 million beneficiaries.
Testimonials and local impact
Students and educators highlight the impact of Pé-de-Meia on the school routine. Gustavo Henry, from the Federal District, plans to use the resources for training courses, while Salete Guerra, a pedagogical advisor, observes greater financial autonomy among students. Schools like Centro Educacional 01 da Estrutural report an increase in engagement, with students more motivated to stay in school.
In the Northeast, which accounts for 40% of beneficiaries, directors report a 20% increase in approval rates. The program also stimulates the local economy, with the funds being used for transportation, school materials and additional courses, such as languages and IT.
- Gustavo Henry: Uses resources for training courses.
- Salete Guerra: Observes students’ financial autonomy.
- Northeast: 40% of beneficiaries, with a 20% increase in approval.
- Local economy: Resources drive spending on education and transportation.