In partnership with Thurgood Marshall College fund, Sallie Mae aims to provide scholarships whose aim is to promote accessibility of higher education and completion of post-secondary programs, among underserved communities and minority students. It has been a month since George Floyd’s death, which has stirred up the focus on the state of inequalities among all people of color and especially African Americans. The state of inequalities goes far to include higher education programs, where underserved communities and minority students face significant challenges that hinder their class attendance and the completion of their higher education programs.
To break down those obstacles, The Sallie Mae Fund, the charitable arm of Sallie Mae, will donate $4.5 million in grants and scholarships in the next three years to promote higher education accessibility and achievement among the underserved communities. Besides, the Sallie Mae fund will help support academic programs that promote diversity, equality, inclusion, and social justice.
Jon Witter, Chief Executive Officer, Sallie Mae, said,” discrimination, systemic racism and oppression of African Americans, and entire communities of color has been in practice for so long. Acknowledging that inequalities exist can never be enough. We need to listen and act accordingly”. “As a company whose foundation is on education, we see how education creates opportunities, advances us, and opens doors. However, such opportunities and doors should be accessible to all who seek higher education. Therefore, we are committed to make it a reality by helping in the creation of a just and equal society.” In partnership with Thurgood Marshall College fund, Sallie Mae Fund will launch programs that will provide $3 million in scholarship for the next three years in support of the underserved communities and minority students access to higher education and completion of post-secondary education. Harry L. Williams, president, and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which represents 47 member-schools, said,” we are pleased with Sallie Mae’s step up to help our state’s underserved students. During these uncertain and difficult moments, we congratulate Sallie Mae for their commitment to social justice, equality, and education.”
The Sallie Mae Fund will donate $1.5 million over the next three years to promote educational plans that increase diversity, equality, inclusion, and social justice. This year, a total of $125,000 each will go to the National Urban League, Point Foundation to support the LGBTQ+ community and Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. In the same year, The Sallie Mae Fund will support the “Know Your Rights Camp” established by Colin Kaepernick by donating a $125,000 grant to its nonprofit backer, the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
Witter continued, “Sallie Mae does not allow any discrimination or racism. I aim to make Sallie Mae the fairest and most inclusive workplace in the state. There is much we can do to make a difference in our communities, and what we do will define us. This journey will not be a moment but a movement. “Last week, the Sallie Mae team marked the 10th of June a holiday so that they could make a reflection its importance.
For more information on the same, visit www.SallieMae.com.
Sallie Mae (NASDAQ: SLM): Believes life-long learning and education help people accomplish great things. As the front-runner in private student lending, we offer financial support, know-how to support access to college and offer products and significant resources to help customers make new objectives and skills outside the college. You can see more at SallieMae.com. Commonly referred to as Sallie Mae, SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not funded by or agencies of the United States of America.
The Sallie Mae Fund, the charitable arm of Sallie Mae, expands extensively for the active development of youth, supports employee volunteerism and communities, works to open doors to higher education. since 2014 the fund has granted almost $3.5 million in donations to native nonprofit organizations
