Pé-de-Meia program provides financial aid to Brazilian students

The Pé-de-Meia program continues to provide financial support to low-income public high school students in Brazil to encourage school attendance and reduce dropout rates. To remain eligible for benefits through 2027, students must meet specific criteria, including maintaining regular enrollment, meeting minimum attendance requirements, and keeping personal information updated within government databases.

Selection for the program is automatic, as the Ministry of Education cross-references data from educational networks with the Cadastro Único (CadÚnico). Eligible students must be between 14 and 24 years old (or 19 to 24 for Adult and Youth Education), belong to a family registered in CadÚnico with a per capita income of up to half a minimum wage, and possess a regular CPF.

For the September 2026 cycle, the Ministry of Education has scheduled the release of the R$ 200 attendance incentive between September 21 and September 28, 2026. Payments distributed by Caixa Econômica Federal are staggered based on the beneficiary's birth month. To qualify for these monthly payments, students must maintain at least 80% school attendance.