Up to $300,000 Available to Help 30 High School Seniors Access Higher Education

The Sallie Mae Fund is now accepting applications for the 2026–27 Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors.

The Sallie Mae Fund’s Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors, administered by Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), provides 30 high school students up to $10,000 each to help pay for higher education. Applicants must be Pell-Grant eligible high school seniors planning to attend an accredited two‑ or four‑year college or an eligible certificate or technical program.

“Deciding what comes after high school is one of the most important financial and personal decisions students will make,” said Nic Jafarieh, Executive Vice President, Sallie Mae. “Through our Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program, we’re investing in students’ success and helping make higher education more accessible and affordable.”

“We believe talent should never be limited by financial circumstance,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, President and CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund. “Together with The Sallie Mae Fund, we’re helping high school seniors across the country access the resources they need to pursue higher education and take the next step toward a brighter future.”

The Sallie Mae Fund has awarded nearly $5 million in scholarships helping more than 1,300 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 higher education, including Scholly Scholarships, a monthly $2,000 No Essay Scholarship, a quarterly $5,000 Grad School No Essay Scholarship, and Scholly Easy Apply.

The application window for the Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors is open through April 24, 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

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“Through our Bridging the Dream Scholarship program, we’re investing in students’ success and helping make higher education more accessible and affordable." - Nic Jafarieh, Executive Vice President, Sallie Mae