The Sallie Mae Fund Expands Scholarship Program for Students Pursuing Graduate Degrees

Twenty Scholarships Worth Up to $200,000 Will be Awarded to Students Pursuing Advanced Degrees Through The Bridging the Dream Scholarship for Graduate Students

The Sallie Mae Fund Also Offering Scholarships to Help Undergraduate Students Complete Their Education Through its Completing the Dream Scholarship Program

NEWARK, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Sallie Mae Fund today announced it is expanding its Bridging the Dream Scholarship for Graduate Students. The Sallie Mae Fund is doubling the number of scholarships available, now offering 20 scholarships of up to $10,000 each to help students complete their graduate program across fields including nursing, healthcare, law, and education.

Eligible applicants must be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited graduate or professional degree program, demonstrate financial need, and show a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities. The Bridging the Dream Scholarship for Graduate Students is administered by Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and the application period runs through July 17, 2026.

“Receiving the Bridging the Dream Scholarship has been life-changing,” said Bridging the Dream Scholarship recipient Kendrick Claxton, a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership at Arkansas State University-Beebe. “This support helped me access the resources I need to succeed and focus more on my studies instead of financial stress. It’s not just a scholarship—it’s a bridge to opportunities I might not have had otherwise.”

“As more students pursue graduate education to advance their careers and meet critical workforce needs, access to scholarships becomes even more important,” said Nic Jafarieh, Executive Vice President, Sallie Mae. “Our expanded Bridging the Dream Scholarship for Graduate Students will help more students access advanced education, stay on track, and complete their degrees.”

The Sallie Mae Fund is also offering 50 Completing the Dream Scholarships which provide up to $2,500 to eligible students on track to complete their program during the academic year 2026-2027 at a two- or four-year college, career training, or other post-secondary education program. Since 2021, the program has awarded nearly 1,000 scholarships to help students navigate unplanned expenses and complete their higher education.

“Through our work with The Sallie Mae Fund, we’re expanding access to scholarship opportunities for students who need it most,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, President and CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund. “These scholarship programs provide the support and resources that help students advance their education and support their communities.”

Since 2021, The Sallie Mae Fund has awarded nearly $5 million in scholarships to help students access and complete higher education. In addition to the Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program, Sallie Mae offers free tools and resources to help families plan and pay for college, including Scholly® Scholarship Search, which also provides access to nearly 2,000 scholarships for graduate students.

The application window for the Bridging the Dream Scholarship for Graduate Students and the Completing the Dream Scholarship is open through July 17, 2026. Apply today at 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: Community and Philanthropy