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Students at a Paying for College Bus Tour stop, Reading, PA

The Sallie Mae Fund partners with the Self Reliance Foundation to raise awareness about college among Hispanic families

Spanish-language education radio programs to air on the Hispanic Radio Network, free materials available via toll-free number.

RESTON, Va., March 27, 2003—The Sallie Mae Fund today announced its partnership with the Self Reliance Foundation to air Spanish-language education radio programs on the Hispanic Radio Network to help increase the number of Hispanics going to college by raising awareness in the community that college is accessible and affordable.

The partnership focuses on a series of Spanish-language education radio programs designed to educate listeners about how to plan and prepare for college—from the benefits of continuing an education beyond high school, to the affordability of college through various types of financial aid. Beginning March 31, 2003 and running through April 11, 2003, fourteen Spanish-language public interest educational radio messages will air nationwide on over 150 Hispanic Radio Network-affiliated radio stations during the "Camino al Exito/The Road to Success" program.

"The Sallie Mae Fund is committed to opening the doors of educational opportunity as widely as possible," said Susan Porter, managing director of community relations at Sallie Mae. "Through this partnership, we hope to help bridge the information gap in the Hispanic community by offering programs on planning and paying for college to the families who need it the most." Although Hispanics are now the largest minority in the United States, only 12% earn college degrees, compared with 26 percent of the general population.

In conjunction with the radio messages, information about planning and paying for college will be available in English and Spanish. Those interested in either seeking further information or receiving a free guide on planning and paying for college can call The Sallie Mae Fund's toll-free information line, 866-858-7166.

"Raising awareness in the Hispanic community that college is an important and affordable option is critical," said Maite Arce, director of outreach services of the Self Reliance Foundation. "We applaud The Sallie Mae Fund for its commitment to this issue."

The partnership is part of The Sallie Mae Fund's new community-based initiative 'Project Access' which is designed to improve access to higher education in minority and low-income communities. The Self Reliance Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to empower minorities by disseminating practical information and facilitating access to community based services. The Self Reliance Foundation works with the Hispanic Radio Network to link families to direct service providers in their own community.

For more information, contact:
Christine Glunz
202-969-8026

Karina Flores
202-661-8095

The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, achieves its mission—to increase access to a post–secondary education for America's students—by supporting programs and initiatives that help open doors to higher education, prepare families for their investment, and bridge the gap when no one else can. For more information visit www.salliemaefund.org.