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

The Sallie Mae Fund launches television program to educate students and families about planning, paying for college.

Free Information Aimed at Increasing Awareness About Financial Aid, College Options.

Reston, Va., April 10, 2003—The Sallie Mae Fund today launched a new educational television program—“Paying for College and What You Should Know”—which will initially air on television stations in seven cities across the country. The television program is designed to educate students and families about how to plan and prepare for college—from the importance of continuing education beyond high school, to the affordability of higher education through various types of financial aid.

“Students and families need to know that college is affordable and accessible,” said Albert L. Lord, Vice Chairman and CEO of Sallie Mae. “The Sallie Mae Fund is committed to opening the doors of educational opportunity as widely as possible. By putting information about financial aid directly into the hands of those who need it most, we hope to help close the financial aid information divide in communities across the country.”

“Paying for College and What You Should Know” is part of Project Access, The Sallie Mae Fund's recently announced three-year, $15 million commitment designed to improve access to higher education by targeting under-served populations with information, resources and scholarship dollars. The thirty-minute program, which is available to television stations across the country, will first air on ABC network-affiliated television stations serving seven U.S. cities, including Washington, DC. The “Paying for College” show will initially air from April 10, 2003 to April 27, 2003. A complete list of airdates, times and stations carrying the program is attached.

In conjunction with the television programs, free information about planning and paying for college is available in English and Spanish. Those interested in receiving a free guide on planning and paying for college can call toll-free 800/625-6108. Public service television announcements in the seven cities will coincide with the program and impart the message that a college education is attainable.

The television show will also be available on The Sallie Mae Fund’s website at www.salliemaefund.org beginning on April 11.

The Sallie Mae Fund is sponsored by Sallie Mae. The Fund achieves its mission—to increase access to a post-secondary education for America's children—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.

“Paying for College and What You Should Know”

Initial Cities and Air Dates

Birmingham, AL WBMA-TV ABC 33
First Airing Friday, April 11th, 8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (CDT)
Encore Airings Sunday, April 13th, 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, April 27th, 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Charleston, SC WCIV-TV ABC 4
First Airing Friday, April 11th, 9:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (EDT)
Encore Airings Sunday, April 13th, 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, April 27th, 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Harrisburg- WHTM-TV ABC 27
Lancaster, PA First Airing Thursday, April 10th, 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (EDT)
Encore Airings Sunday April 13th, 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, April 27th, 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Little Rock, AR KATV-TV ABC 7
First Airing Friday, April 11th, 8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (CDT)
Encore Airings Saturday, April 12th, 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 26th, 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Lynchburg- WSET-TV ABC 13
Roanoke,VA First Airing Friday, April 11th, 9:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (EDT)
Encore Airings Sunday April 13th, 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, April 27th, 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Tulsa, OK KTUL-TV ABC 8
First Airing Friday, April 11th, 8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (CDT)
Encore Airings Sunday, April 13th, 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, April 27th, 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Washington, DC WJLA-TV ABC 7
First Airing Friday, April 11th, 9:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (EDT)
Encore Airings Sunday, April 13th, 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, April 27th, 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Washington, DC Newschannel 8
First Airing Friday, April 11th, 10:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (EDT)
Encore Airings Saturday, April 12th, 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, April 26th, 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

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.