The Ministry of Education (MEC) has launched a public consultation on regulations forthe National Student Assistance Policy (Pnaes), which was recently established byLaw No. 14,914/2024.

The initiative aims to gather input from society to develop national guidelines that reflect the country’s diversity and address the real needs of students at federal universities and institutions within the Federal Network for Professional, Scientific, and Technological Education.

The PNAES regulations aim to strengthen policies that ensure students' access to, retention in, and completion of higher education, especially those in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability.  

The consultation will be available through December 21 onthe Brasil Participativo portal, where students, families, education professionals, civil society organizations, and social movements can submit suggestions regarding general aspects of the PNAES.

What is student assistance?

Established in July 2024, theNational Student Assistance Policy (Pnaes)aims to expand access to and ensure student retention at federal universities and institutes, fulfilling the Brazilian government’s commitment to building a public, free, high-quality, more inclusive, and equitable education system.   

Implemented by the Secretariat of Higher Education (Sesu) and the Secretariat of Professional and Technological Education (Setec) of the Ministry of Education (MEC), Pnaes consists of 11 programs that organize and systematize initiatives already carried out by federal educational institutions, with the aim of strengthening student support and addressing dropout rates.    

The objectives of PNAES include democratizing access to federal public education; minimizing social and regional inequalities; reducing retention and dropout rates; and improving students’ academic performance and social inclusion.

Implemented subject to the availability of budgetary resources, the policy may be extended to students in on-campus master’s and doctoral programs, as well as to students at free public higher education institutions in the states, the Federal District, and municipalities, through agreements.  

Source: MEC Media Relations Office

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