Fies debt can be written off with the provision of public services

Debts

Proposal was approved on a non-terminative basis in a Senate committee

The Senate Education Committee approved, this Tuesday (12), a proposal that provides for the possibility of students with debts from the Student Financing Fund (Fies) to pay off part of their debts by providing public service. Approved on a non-terminative basis, the matter now goes to the Economic Affairs Committee (CAE) for evaluation.

Presented by senator Dorinha Seabra (União-TO), the suggestion is an alternative to the original proposal of Bill (PL) 3652/2023, which proposed the full forgiveness of debts of students included in the program

In the substitute text, the senator included the possibility for debtors to reduce their debts by participating in public service support programs in the areas of health, education, social assistance, among others.

The approved text establishes that, for each working week, with a workload of at least 20 hours, students with debts with Fies will be entitled to a benefit deduction, in addition to having transportation and food expenses reimbursed.

“In my vote, and in the text of the substitute, it is assured that this analysis will be carried out. And there is even a compensation rule; that social workers, teachers and nurses, for example, can provide a certain number of hours of services to public institutions”, explained rapporteur Dorinha Seabra (União-TO), highlighting the need for Fies beneficiaries to refund the amounts received in order to not compromise the continuity of the program.

“FIES is an important program not only for expanding access [ao ensino superior], but of financing. And therefore, obviously, he has to have resources [disponíveis] to continue this funding. We know that it is the payment made by those who obtained the financing that keeps the program running”, explained the senator, defending a case-by-case analysis to, when possible, “establish the consideration for the service”.

For the president of the Education Commission, senator Flávio Arns (PSB-PR), the proposed counterpart to replace unrestricted debt forgiveness has an additional advantage: promoting the entry of recent graduates into their professions. “It’s good for the person who graduates and is looking for alternative work to support themselves,” said Arns.

Indigenous

The members of the collegiate also approved the proposal that includes indigenous women in public policies to combat violence and promote health and education. Authored by the Chamber of Deputies, Bill 2975/2023 amends Decree 2848/1940 (Penal Code) and laws 11340/2006 (Maria da Penha); 8080/1990 (Organic Health Law) and 9394/1996 (Education Guidelines and Bases Law). Non-terminative, the project is now being analyzed by the Social Affairs Committee.

“The PL under examination determines that the specific conditions and needs of indigenous women must be considered in the formulation and implementation of public policies and in order to comply with the respective guidelines”, concludes the approved report. “The measure is the right one, as it will allow the enrichment of the inclusive perspective in the formulation of actions to combat domestic and family violence against women, including those most pertinent to the educational segment.”

If the project is also approved by the Social Affairs Committee and the Senate Plenary, the fact that a crime is committed against an indigenous person will be considered an aggravating factor. Furthermore, the development of public policies will have to take into account the particularities and needs of indigenous women, who will have a guaranteed space in the definition and execution of indigenous education programs.

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Caixa and BB begin renegotiating Fies debts this Tuesday