MANAGEMENT OF THE NATIONAL STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AT THE FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL FROM THE STUDENT'S POINT
Professional and Technological Education. Student Assistance. Permanence and success. Pnaes.
The research is linked to the Stricto Sensu Graduate Program – Professional Master's in Professional and Technological Education (ProfEPT), thru the Associated Institution, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS) - Porto Alegre Campus, Research Line Organization and Memories of Pedagogical Spaces in Professional and Technological Education (EPT), Macroproject 6 - Organization of pedagogical spaces of EPT. The study addresses the National Student Assistance Program (Pnaes), which has been developed within the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific, and Technological Education since its approval in 2010. The aforementioned Program has a multiplicity of management, while in the context of IFRS, it is regulated thru the Student Assistance Policy. Therefore, the applied research is characterized by a qualitative approach and aims to analyze the implications and contributions of Pnaes for the retention and success of students who receive student aid and its relationship with the configuration of the Program's management. Methodologically, it is anchored in bibliographic research techniques, document analysis, and field research. The IFRS was chosen as the field, specifically the Alvorada, Caxias do Sul, and Sertão campuses. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 students who receive student assistance from Pnaes, which were recorded and transcribed. Thru content analysis and the listed categories, this study demonstrated the implications of Pnaes in the students' lives, based on the use of student aid resources for paying bus fares, as well as for buying snacks, in achieving the goal of retention. It was also noted that, in addition to the assistance, the receipt of teaching, research, and extension scholarships is fundamental for the material permanence of these students. Furthermore, other demands were highlighted, which allow for a glimpse into student life and, consequently, an understanding of aspects that involve the management of student assistance at IFRS, and also the institution as a whole. As a result, an Educational Welcome and Orientation Event was developed for incoming students, with the purpose of disseminating institutional policies and familiarizing them with the school. This action aims to create conditions for student retention.