The Mater Ecclesiae Fund for Vocations currently operates two grant programs aimed at allowing men and women to begin their formation immediately in spite of any indebtedness due to educational loans. A key criterion for eligibility for both programs is the inability to proceed with formation unless the obstacle of student debt is removed. That is, if you have already begun your formation and will not be prevented from continuing your formation at some point, you are not eligible for a grant.

• We have placed our program to assist men and women desiring to enter religious life under the patronage of St. Joseph as the St. Joseph Student Debt Relief Grant Program. In most cases, St. Joseph grants are issued for the full amount of student debt carried by the applicant at the time of his entry into religious life.

  To apply for a St. Joseph grant, please first read the pages that describe the program. Then go to our application page and follow the instructions you'll find there.

• Our program that helps men who will serve as parish priests is under the patronage of St. John Vianney. The St. John Vianney Student Debt Relief Grant Program is open to men
  • who are seeking to enter the diocesan priesthood, or
  • who desire enter a religious institute whose primary charism is the staffing of parishes for the provision of the sacraments.

  St. John Vianney grants are issued for the amount of student debt carried by the applicant that is in excess of that allowed by the diocese or institute in which he will serve as a priest.

  To apply for a St. John Vianney grant, please first read the pages that describe the program. Then go to our application page and follow the instructions you'll find there.

If you are still discerning where your vocation lies, will need help with student loans, but are not yet ready to apply for a grant, please register here so that we can be informed about upcoming needs.

Confused about which grant program is right for you? See our eligibility page to learn which grant program fits your situation.

A dependable cash flow is critical to the operation of both grant programs due to the resulting commitment to make loan payments for several years. The average grant will have a term of thirteen years and will require an average monthly payment of $250 for the entire period of the grant. If you would like to help us with this long-term commitment, please see our donation page.

To find our more about each grant program, follow these links:
St. Joseph Student Debt Relief Grant Program
St. John Vianney Student Debt Relief Grant Program