---
title: "IFARHU Confirms Second PASE-U Payment for High School Students"
date: 2026-09-11
author: "Panama Daily News"
url: https://panamadaily.news/2026/09/11/ifarhu-confirms-second-pase-u-payment-for-high-school-students/
categories:
  - "News"
---

# IFARHU Confirms Second PASE-U Payment for High School Students

Panama’s Institute for the Training and Use of Human Resources (IFARHU) has announced that the second PASE-U payment for secondary school students will be credited through the Mastercard debit card issued by the Caja de Ahorros, one of the country’s leading state-owned savings banks. The announcement confirms the payment method for thousands of families awaiting the next installment of the student aid program.

## What Happened

According to the information released by IFARHU, the second PASE-U payment will not be delivered in cash or through traditional bank transfers to personal accounts. Instead, the funds will be accredited directly to the Mastercard debit card provided through the Caja de Ahorros, the same mechanism used in previous disbursements of the program.

The debit card system allows beneficiaries — in this case, secondary school students enrolled in the program — to access their funds through withdrawals, purchases, and other card-based transactions. By centralizing the payment on a single card, IFARHU aims to streamline the distribution process and reduce the logistical challenges associated with other payment methods.

## Background

The PASE-U program is a government scholarship and economic support initiative administered by IFARHU, designed to help students stay in school by providing financial assistance to families. The program covers students at different educational levels, including secondary school students, who receive their payments in installments throughout the academic year rather than in a single lump sum.

IFARHU is the Panamanian state institution responsible for managing scholarships, fellowships, and training programs. It regularly coordinates with state financial institutions such as the Caja de Ahorros to distribute benefits to beneficiaries across the country.

The use of debit cards for social program payments has become a common practice in Panama, as it provides a traceable and secure channel for distributing state funds. Beneficiaries typically activate their cards at Caja de Ahorros branches and can then check balances and make transactions at ATMs and point-of-sale terminals nationwide.

## What This Means for Panama

For secondary school students and their families, the confirmation of the payment method brings clarity on how the second installment will be received. Those already enrolled in the program and holding an active Mastercard debit card from the Caja de Ahorros can expect the funds to be credited directly to that card, without the need for additional paperwork.

Students and parents should verify that their cards are active and that their personal information is up to date with IFARHU to avoid delays. Where issues arise — such as lost cards, incorrect registration data, or questions about payment amounts — IFARHU and the Caja de Ahorros are the official channels for resolution.

The continued rollout of the PASE-U payments also underscores the government’s ongoing investment in education support programs, which play an important role in helping low- and middle-income households cover school-related costs. Future announcements from IFARHU regarding exact payment dates and any additional requirements should be followed through official institutional channels to avoid misinformation.

This story was originally reported by [Telemetro](https://www.telemetro.com/nacionales/segundo-pago-del-pase-u-cuanto-recibiran-los-estudiantes-secundaria-n6091409).