Powering Confidence:

Environmental, Social, and Governance Report

Sallie Mae’s ESG Report

Our Approach to ESG 

Our ESG approach is grounded in our mission and where we can make the most impact: powering confidence in students and families on their unique higher education journey.

Supporting Higher Education Access and Completion

In 2022, through our ongoing partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund, our charitable arm, The Sallie Mae Fund, awarded $1 million in scholarships to help underserved and underrepresented students access and complete higher education.

Learn more about The Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program

“My plight of growing up in a socioeconomically disadvantaged home sparked my interest in higher education to better my environment. I am a first-generation college student who relies heavily on the generous giving of scholarship donors such as Sallie Mae to be able to continue the pursuit of my educational goals.”

Denerick Simpson, Savannah State University, Master of Public Administration, Bridging the Dream Graduate recipient

“The Bridging the Dream Scholarship means a lot to me now that I am in college. This scholarship has given me the opportunity to begin a new journey in life and to further achieve the goals I have set for myself.”

Jahni Glover, North Carolina A&T State University, Studying Biology, Pre-Medicine, Bridging the Dream High School recipient

Advancing Social Justice and Giving Back to Communities 

Giving back to communities where we operate and our team members live, work, and serve is core to our mission.

The Sallie Mae Fund provided $385,000 in grants to advance social justice and remove barriers to higher education access and completion.

The Company also provided $71 million in new investments to support low -  and - moderate income housing in Utah (home to Sallie Mae Bank), and an additional $371,000 in scholarships and grants to Utah students through the Community Reinvestment Act.

In 2022, our team members spent more than 1,900 hours volunteering and donated more than $69,000 to various nonprofit organizations through our matching gift program. 

Supporting Our Workforce

Through a culture that drives our mission, we’re creating and sustaining a workplace where our team members feel empowered and supported.

Provided more than 12,000 hours of primary parental leave and nearly 5,000 hours of secondary parental leave to team members in 2022.

Recognized as one of the 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces by The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

Offered more than $250,000 in tuition reimbursement to Sallie Mae employees.

Offered up to $50,000 in financial assistance to children of Sallie Mae employees through our Family Scholarship Program.

“This scholarship has allowed my son the opportunity to attend his dream college for the last four years. I’m beyond grateful to Sallie Mae for supporting his higher education journey to achieve his aspired career.”

Maureen Fagen, son is recipient of Sallie Mae’s Family Scholarship Program

Reducing Our Environmental Impact 

Our team of facility experts actively monitors and manages our environmental impact. We explore ways to reduce our energy use and our emissions, design and retrofit our office spaces with more sustainable materials, and minimize the amount of waste generated in our offices.

In 2022, we completed our first comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory which provides an understanding of our baseline footprint and opportunities to reduce impacts in the future.

We also signed a zero-waste agreement with our waste management and recycling provider, highlighting our dedication to sustainable practices.

Powering Responsible and Ethical Corporate Governance

We set high standards and expectations for the ethical conduct of our leadership, team members, and our business.

Sallie Mae’s governance framework is formed by our overarching code of conduct, corporate governance policies, Board committee charters, certificate of incorporation, and bylaws. We have continued to build and maintain a diverse and effective Board of Directors.

Our Board of Directors is comprised of 33% women and has been recognized by 50/50 Women on Boards with a 3+ Board rating for its diversity.

“I’m consistently impressed and feel fortunate to be surrounded by such an amazing and diverse group of Directors. Together with the company’s Executive Leadership team we’re charting a course for Sallie Mae that’s squarely aligned to the company’s mission while upholding responsible, ethical, and diverse governance.”

Carter Franke, Chair of Sallie Mae’s Board of Directors

Have any thoughts or comments about our ESG report?

Please email ESG@SallieMae.com