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The Sallie Mae Fund to award $2.5 million in scholarships in 2004

Applications now available at www.thesalliemaefund.org

Reston, Va., Jan. 15, 2004—For the second straight year, The Sallie Mae Fund plans to award more than $2.5 million in scholarships to help enroll students in college through its community-based initiative, Project Access. Project Access targets under-served populations to increase access to higher education by addressing three key barriers—awareness of financial aid, academic performance and financial need. This scholarship campaign is part of the Project's three-year, $15 million initiative.

The Sallie Mae Fund continues to help increase access to higher education for a diverse generation of Americans through its support of the following scholarship programs for ethnic minority and under-served students:

  • The Sallie Mae Fund First in My Family ® Scholarship Program: The Sallie Mae Fund developed the First in My Family program in partnership with the Hispanic College Fund, to offer scholarships to Hispanic-American students who are first in their family to attend college. Selected students receive scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000.
  • The Sallie Mae Fund Unmet Need Scholarship Program: The Unmet Need Scholarship Program is intended to help financial aid officers meet the needs of full-time undergraduate students whose financial aid packages fall short by $1,000 or more. Open to families with a combined income of less than $30,000, Unmet Need scholarships provide a "last dollar" resource when no other funds are available.
  • The Sallie Mae Fund American Dream Scholarship Program: Developed in partnership with the United Negro College Fund, the American Dream program offers scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 to African-American students with demonstrated financial need.
  • The Sallie Mae 911 Education Fund: Created in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the 911 Education Fund provides scholarship dollars to children of those who were killed or permanently disabled in the attacks.

In addition, The Sallie Mae Fund awards one $1,000 scholarship to a future college student at each of its nationwide "Paying for College" workshops. This year, The Fund will bring this free, informational workshop series to an estimated 136 communities.

To be eligible for The Sallie Mae Fund Scholarship Programs, students must be accepted and enrolled at a Title IV eligible, accredited postsecondary two- or four-year college or university, vocational, or technical school in the United States or Puerto Rico and meet program-specific eligibility requirements. For a complete listing of 2004 scholarship applications, criteria and deadlines, please visit www.thesalliemaefund.org.

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.