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

The Sallie Mae Fund goes to bat for students in the D.C. Metro area

Every home run hit by the Washington Nationals will net a college scholarship

RESTON, Va., July 18, 2005—Every home run or grand slam hit by the Washington Nationals will now help a student attend college, thanks to The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae.

The Sallie Mae Fund will donate $750 for each home run hit at home or on the road by the Nationals to the Home Runs for College Scholarships Fund, and $5,000 for every grand slam hit by the team at home or on the road.

"The Sallie Mae Fund is committed to helping more students realize their college dreams," said Kathleen deLaski, president, The Sallie Mae Fund. "By combining the excitement of a new baseball team with the tremendous opportunities in a college education, we hope to inspire young people throughout the D.C. metro area."

"The Washington Nationals are very pleased to become The Sallie Mae Fund's professional sports team sponsorship during our inaugural season," said Tony Tavares, team president, The Washington Nationals. "We applaud The Fund's initiative to donate dollars for every home run our team hits to inspire youngsters throughout the D.C. area to attend college."

The Sallie Mae Fund Home Runs for College Scholarships Program will award $2,000 scholarships to financially needy college students who are D.C. area residents, and who have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

The Sallie Mae Fund Home Runs for College Scholarships, The Sallie Mae Fund's $28 million grant in 2004 to expand charter school facilities, and numerous other charitable initiatives are designed to improve educational opportunities for Washington, D.C. public school students.

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.