About the Company
Sallie Mae’s mission is to power confidence as students begin their unique journeys. As an education solutions company, we support students as they navigate to, through and immediately after higher education. Through The Sallie Mae Fund, our mission-aligned philanthropic efforts remove barriers to college access, close affordability gaps and help more students complete their higher education.
Click here to learn more.
Scholarship Overview:
The Sallie Mae Fund, in partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund, is proud to offer financial assistance to outstanding students attending an accredited postsecondary level institution. Fifty (50) students completing a two-year, four-year or trade/vocational certificate/certification program will be selected to receive a gap scholarship of $2,500 for the 2026-2027 academic year. Selected students must be in good academic standing but at risk of not returning to or graduating/completing due to an outstanding financial need, and/or emergency situation that leads to a financial aid crisis.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with a valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551
- Enrolled full-time or part-time at an accredited postsecondary institution or continuous education program
- Two-year schools
- Four-year schools
- Vocational/technical certificate/certification program
- Be an undergraduate senior or graduate student who will complete their degree or program by the end of the spring 2027 semester (can be either fall 2026 or spring 2027)
- Current cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher
-
How to Apply:
All applicants must:
Create a two-minute video responding to the following:
- Tell us about your current financial situation. Why is it important that you receive this funding?
Application Dates:
This application opens June 1, 2026, and closes December 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time) or until funds are exhausted.