The landscape
Why students and schools choose Sallie Mae
In today's competitive marketplace, students and schools have choices. We're pleased that 10 million students and thousands of colleges and universities choose to work with Sallie Mae.
What sets us apart
Responsible guidance
Sallie Mae's approach of encouraging students to make the wisest financing decisions possible is part of what distinguishes us in the marketplace. We advocate a unique 1-2-3 approach to paying for college: scholarships and grants first; federal loans second; and private loans third.
Unmatched offerings
We make schools' jobs easier by providing value-added tools, resources, and support, and delivering superior value and service to their students and families. From our debt management programs to our online recruitment and retention tools, Sallie Mae offers more than anyone in the industry.
Proven success
As a leader in the private sector, Sallie Mae has a proven track record of providing our customers with the most efficient and cost-effective solutions available. Sallie Mae has reduced the cost of federal loan programs by millions of dollars by working with other lenders to reduce default rates from 22% in 1990 to 4.5% in 2003. This combination of managing debt while remaining sensitive to the borrower experience has saved taxpayers millions of dollars.
Voices
“As part of the Direct Lending program, we were not receiving the service and support we needed to help us best serve our students. Our primary concern as a smaller institution is that we might be overlooked because of our size and that’s not true with FFELP.
Since switching to Sallie Mae and FFELP, we now receive the products and services we need for both the school and, most importantly, our students. Our students are now receiving better service and better borrower benefits.
The commitment by Sallie Mae and especially the team that supports Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) has proved to be the best partnership that Philander Smith College has embarked upon as it relates to the students and financial aid. Sallie Mae is committed to working with Philander to offer solutions before problems arise.”
David Page
Director of Financial Aid
Philander Smith College
Little Rock, Arkansas