Ministério of Payments, which include R$1,000 for final approval and R$200 for participation in Enem 2025, began on February 26, 2026, Brazilian local time.
The amounts are intended for students who have had their completion confirmed by public education networks. The transfer calendar continues until March 5, 2026, organized according to the beneficiaries’ month of birth.
This initiative is part of an effort to reduce school dropout among low-income young people. The program, established by federal law, aims to promote retention in secondary education through financial incentives.
The payment process depends on two main steps sent by education networks: approval information and confirmation of completion. Somente after this validation, the system releases the resources to the student accounts.
Payment schedule details
Deposits occur in a staggered manner to avoid overloading the banking system. Estudantes born in January and February receive access on February 26th, while those born in March and April have access on February 27th.
For May and June, payment is scheduled for March 2nd, and July and August follow on March 3rd. Setembro and October receive on March 4th, with November and December closing the cycle on March 5th.
This organization allows everyone who is eligible to access funds without significant delays. Education networks have until June to complete pending data submissions.
Program eligibility criteria
Beneficiaries must be enrolled in public schools and registered with Cadastro Único for social programs. Além In addition, minimum attendance and annual approval are requirements for regular incentives.
For the completion portion, final confirmation from the network is essential before transfer. Estudantes of Educação of Jovens and Adultos are also covered, with adaptations to the schedule.
Options for managing the resources received
The deposited amounts go to specific savings accounts created by Caixa Econômica Federal. Students can choose to keep resources in social savings or direct them to investments in Tesouro Direto.
This flexibility allows young people to plan to use the money for future educational expenses. The withdrawal of the completion installment is only released after the effective completion of high school.
Adaptations to the networks’ academic calendar
Ministério of Educação adjusted the 2026 schedule to align with the different calendars of state and municipal networks. Essa measure ensures that students from regions with long school years are not disadvantaged.
Recent ordinances establish additional dates for transfers, such as between June and July for pending approvals. Redes with extended semesters can submit data until August in some cases.
For Educação of Jovens and Adultos, payments for the first semester occur in August, and for the second in February of the following year. Essas adaptations aim to include all public education formats.
Monitoring updates is recommended through the program’s official portal. Estudantes with incomplete data must check with the school for necessary corrections.
Impact of the program on school retention
Pé-de-Meia has served thousands of students since its implementation, with annual payments totaling up to R$3,000 per student throughout high school. Attendance incentives, paid in nine installments of R$200, complement the final bonuses.
MEC data indicate a reduction in the school dropout rate in participating states. Integration with Cadastro Único makes it easier to identify low-income families eligible for the benefit.
Students who participate in Enem receive an extra R$200 only if they attend both test days. Essa condition encourages preparation for the national exam.
The program covers education networks throughout the national territory, including Distrito Federal. Municípios and states collaborate in sending information to speed up payments.
Confirmation process and data submission
Education networks upload information to a dedicated MEC platform. The first step involves annual approval, followed by confirmation of completion for graduates.
This double check ensures the accuracy of the data and avoids errors in transfers. Estudantes can check their situation on the “Consulta Pé-de-Meia” page for real-time updates.
Total amounts and incentive structure
Over the three years of high school, students can accumulate R$3,000 in attendance and approval incentives. The completion installment adds R$1,000, and the Enem bonus adds R$200 for completers.
These amounts are deposited in individual accounts, with specific rules for withdrawal and investment. The objective is to promote social mobility through continuing education.
Guidance for outstanding students
If payment does not occur on the initial date, there is no need for immediate action on the part of the student. Networks update data continuously, and later transfers cover delayed confirmations.
Students still in progress maintain the accumulated amounts until completion. The recommendation is to monitor the portal and keep data updated on Cadastro Único.
Program expansion to 2026
For the 2026 academic year, the calendar includes enrollment installments in April and monthly attendance thereafter. The dates range from April 27th to February 1st, 2027 for the nine installments.
This structure maintains the focus on school regularity. Ajustes to Educação of Jovens and Adultos include cycle-aligned semi-annual payments.
The MEC published an ordinance defining these dates, adapting them to the varied regional schedules. Estudantes new to the program must confirm registration via school.
Additional benefits and social integration
The program integrates with other educational policies, such as Bolsa Família, to expand its reach. Famílias with per capita income of up to half the minimum wage are prioritized.
The resources help with expenses such as school supplies and transportation. Estudos indicate that financial incentives reduce inequality in access to higher education.
Procedures for updating data
Students must update information at school and on Cadastro Único by March 2 for initial eligibility. Correções avoid delays in subsequent deposits.
The program portal offers tools for checking status. Equipes schoolchildren assist in the registration and confirmation process.
Complete schedule for incentives
The 2026 calendar provides for frequency payments in:
- April 27th to May 4th for the first installment;
- May 25 to June 1 for Monday;
- June 29 to July 6 for the third;
- August 24-31 for Wednesday;
- September 21-28 for Thursday;
- October 19-26 for Friday;
- November 23-30 for the seventh;
- December 21-28 for the octave;
- January 25 to February 1, 2027 for the ninth.
These dates guarantee regular distribution of resources. Para completions, additional dates cover late approvals.