The numbers
The law reserves at least 50% of the places at federal universities and institutes for students who went to public school. Within that half are places based on income (up to 1 minimum wage per family member) and places for Black, brown, Indigenous and quilombola people (from communities founded by people who escaped slavery) and people with disabilities. Since 2024, applicants first compete for the general places and only use the quota if their score falls short.
Source: Agência Senado, Law 14.723 of 2023