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$2 million in Sallie Mae Fund scholarships available for low income and minority students

Applications available for '05–'06 academic year

RESTON, Va., Jan. 18, 2005—The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, announced today that it will award more than $2 million in college-access scholarships for the 2005–2006 academic year. The scholarships target under-served populations in an effort to increase access to higher education. Applications are now available online at www.salliemaefund.org.

The Sallie Mae Fund's scholarship programs for minority and under-served students include:

  • 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. Application deadline: April 15.
  • 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. Application deadline: May 31.
  • 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 for African-American students with demonstrated financial need. Application deadline: April 15.
  • 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. Application deadline: Open.

In addition, The Sallie Mae Fund awards scholarships to future college students at each of its nationwide "Paying for College" workshops. In 2004, more than 30,000 people attended some 150 workshops across the United States as part of The Sallie Mae Fund's Paying for College tour. Approximately $170,000 in scholarships was awarded to future college students who attended the workshops.

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.

To access applications for The Sallie Mae Fund's scholarship programs, please visit www.salliemaefund.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 visitwww.salliemaefund.org.