New National Study from Sallie Mae and Gallup Provides Insights into How America Saves for College

Findings to Be Released on May 29 - "529 College Savings Day"

Teleconference Media Preview on May 28, 11 a.m. EDT
--(Business Wire)--
Sallie Mae (NYSE:SLM):

WHAT: A telephone briefing to give media a preview of "How America Saves for College," a new national study of more than 1,200 parents of children under age 18 that will be released on May 29 for "529 College Savings Day." Joe DePaulo, executive vice president, Sallie Mae, the nation`s leading saving-and paying-for-college company, along with Dr. Bill Diggins, lead researcher from Gallup, the nation`s leading research organization, will discuss results to questions such as:
-- How many families are saving for college?
-- How has saving for college been affected by the economy?
-- What priority do parents place on saving for college vs. retirement and other needs?
-- What are the savings differences by income and race/ethnicity?
-- How much of the cost of college do parents expect to contribute?

THE STUDY IS EMBARGOED UNTIL 9 P.M., THURSDAY, MAY 28, AND WILL BE RELEASED ON MAY 29.

WHO: Joe DePaulo, executive vice president, Sallie Mae
Dr. Bill Diggins, strategic consultant and lead researcher, Gallup

WHEN: Thursday, May 28, 2009, 11 a.m. EDT (Telephone Media Preview)
Members of the media may participate in the conference call by dialing (866) 445 - 6658 (conference ID 11670692).
Please RSVP to erica.eriksdotter(at)salliemae.com to receive an embargoed copy of the study. The call will begin with short remarks, followed by a question and answer session about the study.

SLM Corporation (NYSE: SLM), commonly known as Sallie Mae, is the nation`s
leading provider of saving- and paying-for-college programs. Through its
subsidiaries, the company manages $185 billion in education loans and serves 10
million student and parent customers. Through its Upromise affiliates, the
company also manages more than $17 billion in 529 college-savings plans, and is
a major, private source of college funding contributions in America with 10
million members and more than $475 million in member rewards. Sallie Mae and its
subsidiaries offer debt management services as well as business and technical
products to a range of business clients, including higher education
institutions, student loan guarantors and state and federal agencies. More
information is available at www.salliemae.com. SLM Corporation and its
subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.

Gallup has studied human nature and behavior for more than 70 years. Gallup`s
reputation for delivering relevant, timely, and visionary research on what
people around the world think and feel is the cornerstone of the organization.
Gallup employs many of the world's leading scientists in management, economics,
psychology, and sociology, and our consultants assist leaders in identifying and
monitoring behavioral economic indicators worldwide. Gallup consultants also
help organizations boost organic growth by increasing customer engagement and
maximizing employee productivity through measurement tools, coursework, and
strategic advisory services. Gallup's 2,000 professionals deliver services at
client organizations, through the Web, at Gallup University's campuses, and in
40 offices around the world. For more information, go to www.gallup.com.

Sallie Mae
Erica Eriksdotter, 703-984-5628
erica.eriksdotter(at)salliemae.com
or
Gallup
Eric Nielsen, 202-715-3030
eric_nielsen(at)gallup.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009