MCERF closed out the FEE grant application process for 2006 in April. As of April 17, the deadline for all grant applications under the program, the foundation had received requests for six Chapter of Excellence Grants, seven Emerging Chapter Grants, and 38 Student Internship Grants, a record number of requests for that category.

The FEE program, which is in its third year, provides grants to MCAA student chapters to promote their growth and activities and to MCAA members that hire student interns. The Chapter of Excellence Grants are for those MCAA student chapters that are thriving and growing, but need extra funds for a special project. The Emerging Chapter Grants are for new or struggling chapters that need financial help to become more established and stable. The Student Internship Grants are for any MCAA member, including manufacturers and suppliers, and are designed to encourage new student internship opportunities. Experience has shown that students who work in our industry tend to want to pursue careers in our industry following graduation from college.

The Career Development Committee, which administers the MCERF FEE program, will consider all grant requests at its meeting next month in Cleveland, OH. Grant notification letters will be sent to all applicants by mid-June.

For more information about FEE or the MCAA student chapter program, click here or contact Ann Mattheis at amattheis@mcaa.org.