Sallie Mae® Expands Graduate Loan Options For Medical and Dental Students

New Offerings Expand Access to Responsible Financing and Flexible Repayment Options

Company Increases Scholarship Opportunities For Graduate Students

NEWARK, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM) today announced new and expanded graduate loan options for medical and dental students, supporting students from the first year of school through the transition into clinical practice. The enhanced offerings expand credit eligibility for qualified students and provide responsible financing with competitive interest rates, no origination or application fees, and flexible repayment options that reflect the longer training timelines and financial considerations of advanced health care education.

Medical and dental students face rigorous, multiyear training paths. Sallie Mae’s expanded graduate loan options are designed to support that journey, allowing students to cover up to 100% of school‑certified costs, including tuition, supplies, and living expenses, and helping ease financial pressure during school and residency while providing a clearer, more manageable transition into repayment.

Designed Around the Needs of Medical and Dental Students

Sallie Mae’s expanded graduate loan options include:

• Flexible in-school repayment options for medical and dental students, with the ability to defer payments, make interest‑only payments, or pay a fixed amount each month while enrolled and during the grace period.
• Industry‑first extended grace period allowing eligible medical students up to 96 months before full payments begin, with no principal and interest payments. This includes a 48‑month medical school grace period and up to 48 months of additional deferment during the student’s residency. Eligible dental students receive a 12‑month grace period after graduation, along with up to 48 months of deferment during residency.
• Ability to prequalify with no impact on credit scores, allowing students to check eligibility and get an estimated rate.
• Dedicated graduate and professional student support teams experienced in medical and dental education timelines.
• 100% U.S.-based loan servicing, providing end‑to‑end support from application through repayment.

“The federal student loan landscape is evolving and graduate students are looking for a trusted, reliable partner who understands their unique needs and can help them responsibly fund their education,” said Patrick Freeman, Senior Vice President, Sallie Mae. “As the market leader in private student lending with a proven track record of customer success, we are well positioned to help even more students access and complete their graduate school programs.”

How Sallie Mae Supports Student Success Beyond Student Loans

Beyond responsible graduate school financing, Sallie Mae offers free tools and scholarship resources through Sallie to help students plan for and manage the cost of advanced education, including:

• The $5,000 Grad School No Essay Scholarship, awarded quarterly through a short application that students can complete in minutes.
• Scholly Scholarships, which helps students find and apply for scholarships aligned with their background and goals, including nearly 1,600 scholarships for graduate students.
• The Bridging the Dream Scholarship for Graduate Students, offered through The Sallie Mae Fund in partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which has awarded $500,000 to graduate students since 2021.

In addition to supporting medical and dental students, Sallie Mae offers a full suite of graduate loan products. To learn more about Sallie Mae’s medical and dental school loan options, visit SallieMae.com.

Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM) believes education and life-long learning, in all forms, help people achieve great things. As the leader in private student lending, we provide financing and know-how to support access to college and offer products and resources to help customers make new goals and experiences, beyond college, happen. Learn more at SallieMae.com. Commonly known as Sallie Mae, SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.

Category: Corporate and Financial