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The Sallie Mae Fund's Scholarship Programs

Addressing financial need through scholarships is one of the key elements of The Sallie Mae Fund's efforts. Since 2001, The Sallie Mae Fund has awarded $12.7 million in scholarships to help more than 5,000 students enroll in college.

List of recipients are available through the links below.

First in My Family Scholarship In partnership with the Hispanic College Fund — scholarships range from $500 to $5,000. Learn more >>

American Dream Scholarship In partnership with the United Negro College Fund — scholarships range from $500 to $5,000. Learn more >>

Unmet Need Scholarship Open to families with a combined income of $30,000 or less — scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,800. Learn more >>

Writers of Passage Scholarship In partnership with NAFEO — includes a $5,000 scholarship and a $20,000 grant to the school. Learn more >>

Community College Transfer Scholarship In partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund — scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,500. Learn more >>

The Sallie Mae 911 Education Fund Created in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks — scholarships of up to $2,500 to children of those killed or permanently disabled in the attacks. Learn more >>

 

Scholarship Winner Quotes

“No one in my family was able to further his or her education past high school, and I feel very proud for having achieved that…I feel fortunate to be chosen for this award and wish to extend my gratitude to this program. You have taken a big burden of worry away from my family.”
Andrea Solano, freshman
Notre Dame University, South Bend, Ind.

“This money will help with my tuition and make it possible for me to continue my education. I hope to give back to the community that has given me so much throughout my lifetime and this scholarship gives me the ability to do that…This is one of the most meaningful awards I have won and I look forward to receiving more like this.”
Darryl Auguste, sophomore
Yale University, New Haven, Conn.

“…Just knowing there are people out there that care about the education of Latinos in the United States makes me want to worker harder, and use my accomplishments as a ‘thank you.’ Many of us sometimes are stopped or discouraged from continuing school because of economic problems, but foundations like this are what makes the future of tomorrow brighter.”
Gabriela Perez, sophomore
DePaul University, Chicago, Ill.

“…Once again in my life, you and people like you are giving me the chance and the key to new opportunities and new doors for a higher level of education. My family and I cannot begin to describe how grateful we are. I thank you for your confidence and willingness to help me achieve my goals and for making my dream of attending a four-year university come true.”
Citali Perez-Jimenez, junior
University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.

“…Because of your generosity, my bill at the University of Illinois will be $11 a semester! Once again thank you from the bottom of my heart for this scholarship, and for selecting me amongst the thousands that applied. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you for allowing me to study into a higher education and helping me pursue my dreams of becoming a physician.”
Regina Mendez, freshman
University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, Ill.

“…It hasn’t been easy these two years, but with the help of organizations like yours who make dreams come true, students like myself can pave our way to a higher education that will bring success to our lives and families.”
Tanya Castillo, junior
University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Ill.

“…Due to various socioeconomic factors, accessing higher education has been challenging, however, with the support from my family and The Sallie Mae Fund First in My Family Scholarship award, I am able to devote full attention to becoming a good nurse.”
Armando Reyes, junior
University of Colorado, Health Sciences Center, Boulder, Colo.

“You have truly been one more big reason for us to get inspired to continue to achieve small things that someday, god willing, will help us arrive at that place where we should all strive to arrive at—to be able to help others achieve their dreams.”
Ashley Dalmau, freshman
University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind.

“I would like to thank The Sallie Mae Fund for this donation and investing in my education. This award expresses your belief in me and what I can accomplish; your trust encourages me to keep striving. This award will help me pay for tuition and books, and it will allow me to allocate more time toward school.”
Carlos Ayala, senior
University of Washington–Seattle Campus, Seattle, Wash.

“…Thanks to your generous contributions, my chances of succeeding have greatly increased by giving me the opportunity to focus entirely on school instead of going to school and working full time trying to pay for it.”
Fernando Hernandez, freshman
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M.

“I'd like to thank you for making this scholarship available to those of us who come from families who have never been to college and are, therefore, very proud to be the first to represent our families in this way. It is a great thing that I am able to represent my family in a way that was not possible for past generations, although they would have hoped it would be for future generations.”
Gabriel White, sophomore
University of Colorado at Denver, Denver, Colo.