Fall 2007 Access Report
The Sallie Mae Fund awards $2.5 million in college scholarships to 1,000 students
As the oldest of four brothers, Steve Doby (second from right), a 2007 recipient of the American Dream Scholarship, knows his college experience is creating a positive example for his younger siblings.
More than 1,000 students are closer to achieving their college dreams this fall, thanks to The Sallie Mae Fund’s $2.5 million in scholarships.
These awards are part of The Fund’s efforts to increase access to higher education for lower-income and minority students by addressing three common barriers — awareness of financial aid, academic performance, and financial need. Since 2001, The Sallie Mae Fund has awarded more than $10 million in scholarships to specifically address financial need among promising young students.
“Meeting the cost of college can be an overwhelming and daunting task for many young people and their families,” says Kathleen deLaski, president, The Sallie Mae Fund. “The Sallie Mae Fund’s scholarship programs make a difference for these individuals, bridging the financing gap and enabling them to achieve their college goals.”
This year, 14,346 completed applications — an increase over the prior year — were submitted by college-bound students across the country.
Alaina Wood, a junior at Grambling State University, is a 2007 American Dream Scholarship recipient. Receiving the award from The Sallie Mae Fund has been instrumental in helping her fund a college education, she says. "Having to pay for college out of pocket, I know how hard it is for my mother, who is a single parent to me and my brother," Alaina says. "The scholarship from The Sallie Mae Fund helps a lot."
"Going to college is fulfilling both my dreams and my mother's," Alaina adds. "Since I was a little girl, my mother instilled in me the importance of education. My goals are set high and while my plans may change, one thing is for sure, I have no intention of giving up."
Changes ahead
By the year 2015, enrollment in degree-granting institutions is expected to increase to nearly 20 million. Of that increase, approximately 80% is projected to come from minority populations with greater financial need. To address these challenges, The Sallie Mae Fund provides scholarships through a number of programs, including:
“First in My Family” Scholarship: The Sallie Mae Fund developed the First in My Family program in partnership with the Hispanic College Fund in 2001. This year, 153 Hispanic-American students who were the first in their family to attend college received scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000.
“Unmet Need” Scholarship: Open to families with a combined income of less than $30,000, the Unmet Need Scholarship provides a “last-dollar” resource when no other funds are available. This year, The Sallie Mae Fund awarded more than $1 million to help 335 students bridge the financial need gap.
“American Dream” Scholarship: The American Dream program was developed in partnership with the United Negro College Fund and offers scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 to African-American students with demonstrated financial need. This year, 185 African-American students received $500,000 in scholarships.
The Sallie Mae 911 Education Fund: Developed in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, this fund provides scholarship dollars to children of those who were killed or permanently disabled in the attacks. This fund also provides grants that enable spouses of those who were killed or deemed permanently disabled in the attacks to pay off their Sallie Mae education loans. This year, The Fund will provide scholarships of $2,500 to 20 students.
Imagine America Promise: This program extends a renewal scholarship to existing career college students who received the Imagine America scholarship to continue their pursuit of postsecondary career education. This year, 35 career college students received $1,000 scholarships with The Fund’s support.
"Writers of Passage" Scholarship: In partnership with the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, the "Writers of Passage" Scholarship program serves to underscore the importance of writing skills in the college-admissions process, which is particularly relevant in light of relatively new writing requirements for the SAT. The program involves an essay competition that awards winning students from a Historically Black College or University or a predominantly black college with a $5,000 college scholarship. In addition, universities of scholarship recipients receive a $20,000 grant from The Sallie Mae Fund. This year, nearly 100 students applied for "Writers of Passage" scholarships.
Community College Transfer Scholarships: Offered in collaboration with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, this program provides last-dollar scholarships to Latino students transferring from a community college to an approved, accredited higher education institution. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $2,500.
In addition, The Sallie Mae Fund awards scholarships ranging from $250 to $1,000 to future college students at each of its nationwide Paying for College workshops. To date, nearly $46,500 has been distributed to 48 students since the beginning of the year. Scholarship renewals and Sallie Mae Family scholarships account for the remainder of the awards.
“As the oldest son and brother of four younger siblings, I know that it is imperative to set a positive example for them by doing the right things,” says Steve A. Doby, a sophomore at Morgan State University and a 2007 American Dream Scholarship recipient. “I am working hard in school; I want to make a difference in life, and I want to have the opportunity to learn all that I can in order to take advantage of whatever life has to offer.”
Applications for The Sallie Mae Fund’s 2008 scholarship programs will be available in mid-January.
