Thank you, Father, for the ping! According to their web site: We Are Not Accepting Applications.
The Fraser Family Foundation's Mater Ecclesiae grant program is closed and will remain closed to new applicants. The grant program has been transfered to the Mater Ecclesiae Fund for Vocations. When the MEFV's St. Joseph Student Debt Relief Grant Program is accepting applications. Please see the MEFV's website for details.
Please continue to pray for the success of the new MEFV. Fiat Dei voluntas.
That’s unfortunate that they can’t afford to take on new applicants; but all the more incentive to pray that souls will help them with the needed funds. I know the couple that started the Foundation and it is a labor of love (they get nothing for the work they do, that is, on the temporal plane—but feel they are rewarded most amply for their work in seeing young men and women respond to their call). So a prayer for the success of their mission. God bless...
Unlike the Knights of Columbus who help with donations and out of pocket expenses, the Mater Ecclesiae literally takes over the seminarian, sister or brothers debt--they can enter formation without any concern. The Foundation is obviously limited to how many loans it can take on. I'm hopeful that some big benefactors will donate to them so that they can help many more than 100. Let us pray...
Some of our men have tried the Laboure Foundation, but it is a lot of work--people have to donate to the Laboure Foundation in the candidates name which means the candidate has to write lots of begging letters and thank you letters and if enough money isn't being donated in their name they have to write more letters still (our experience is that this method is unnerving and a great distraction for the brother in formation).
At any rate, the article clearly shows that the need is there and that there are groups like the Knights of Columbus and Mater Ecclesiae Fund for Vocations out there to help.