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

Sallie Mae executives kick off National Science Olympiad, award medals

BLOOMINGTON, Ind., May 22, 2006—Executives from Sallie Mae, the nation's leading provider of education funding, helped kick off the 23rd annual National Science Olympiad in Bloomington, Ind., this weekend. The competition brings the best and brightest young science minds together to compete in teams every year.

In her remarks at the opening ceremony, June McCormack, Executive Vice President at Sallie Mae, said that the company's mission is closely tied to the interest of emerging scientists. "Sallie Mae is committed to providing students with the resources to pursue their education dreams," McCormack said. "We have a long history in Indiana–sponsorship of this prestigious tournament is a sign of our support for the local community."

McCormack and Senior Vice President Dennis Wentworth also helped honor medal winners during award ceremonies at the tournament. Additionally, The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, hosted a Paying for College workshop for competitors to provide information and resources about college preparation. A $500 college scholarship was awarded to one workshop participant.

In order to compete at the National Science Olympiad, students must first qualify at the local, regional and state level. During the first two days of the tournament, students and their families participated in lab demonstrations, lectures and tours of Indiana University's facilities. On the final day, teams competed in 36 separate events which encourage student learning through hands–on, applied science projects covering all scientific disciplines. The competition attracts nearly 2,500 students from across the country.

Sallie Mae and The Sallie Mae Fund have collectively provided more than $5 million in philanthropic giving to higher education access and other initiatives in Indiana in the past five years.

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.