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Form S-8

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 24, 2012

Registration No. 333-

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

SLM CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware

300 Continental Drive

Newark, Delaware 19713

52-2013874

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

(Address of Principal Executive Offices Including Zip Code)

SLM CORPORATION 2012 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

SLM CORPORATION AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

(Full Title of the Plan)

Laurent C. Lutz

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

SLM Corporation

300 Continental Drive

Newark, Delaware 19713

(Name and Address of Agent For Service)

(302) 283-8000

(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



Title of Securities to be Registered	Amount to be Registered⁽¹⁾	Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price	Amount of Registration Fee
Common Stock, $0.20 par value per share	20,000,000 shares⁽²⁾	$13.11⁽²⁾	$262,200,000.00⁽²⁾	$30,048.12*
Common Stock, $0.20 par value per share	6,000,000 shares⁽³⁾	$13.11⁽³⁾	$78,660,000.00⁽³⁾	$9,014.44*

(1)

Pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), there is also being registered such additional shares of Common Stock that become available under the foregoing plans in connection with changes in the number of outstanding Common Stock because of events such as recapitalizations, stock dividends, stock splits and reverse stock splits, and any other securities with respect to which the outstanding shares are converted or exchanged.

(2)

Relates to Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The maximum offering price per share is estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. The registration fee has been calculated in accordance with Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act based upon the average high and low prices for the Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on May 21, 2012, which was $13.11.

(3)

Relates to Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the SLM Corporation Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The maximum offering price per share is estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. The registration fee has been calculated in accordance with Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act based upon the average high and low prices for the Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on May 21, 2012, which was $13.11.

INTRODUCTION

This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is filed by SLM Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Registrant” or the “Company”), relating to: (a) 20,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.20 per share (the “Common Stock”), to be issued under the SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan; and (b) 6,000,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued under the SLM Corporation Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

The document(s) containing the plan information required by Item 1 of Form S-8 and the statement of availability of registrant information and any other information required by Item 2 of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In accordance with Rule 428 and the requirements of Part I of Form S-8, such documents are not being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. The Company shall maintain a file of such documents in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.

Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The following documents previously filed with the Commission are hereby incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:

The Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed February 27, 2012;

The Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, filed on May 4, 2012;

The Registrant’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 11, 2012, January 26, 2012, January 27, 2012, February 28, 2012, March 2, 2012, March 30, 2012 and May 7, 2012; and

The description of the Common Stock set forth under the caption “Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered” in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated August 7, 1997, as amended on July 27, 1999, together with any amendment or report filed with the Commission for the purpose of updating such description.

All reports and other documents that the Registrant files with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment indicating that the Company has sold all of the securities offered under this Registration Statement or that deregisters the distribution of all such securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement from the date that the Company files such report or document. Any statement contained in this Registration Statement or any report or document incorporated into this Registration Statement by reference, however, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in a subsequently dated report or document that is also considered part of this Registration Statement, or in any amendment to this Registration Statement, modifies or supersedes such prior statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

Item 4.

Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 5.

Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the Common Stock registered hereby have been passed upon for the Registrant by Laurent Lutz, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Registrant. Mr. Lutz is employed by the Registrant and is eligible to participate from time to time in the 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Item 6.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), the Registrant’s certificate of incorporation provides that none of the Registrant’s directors will be personally liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Any repeal or modification of the Registrant’s certificate of incorporation by the Registrant’s stockholders will not adversely affect any right of a director existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

Under Section 145 of the DGCL, a corporation has the power to indemnify directors and officers under certain prescribed circumstances and subject to certain limitations against certain costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, to which any of them is a party by reason of being a director or officer of the corporation if it is determined that the director or officer acted in accordance with the applicable standard of conduct set forth in such statutory provision. Article VIII of the Registrant’s By-laws provides that the Registrant will indemnify any person who was or is party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Registrant, or is or was a director or officer of the Registrant serving at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity, against certain liabilities, costs and expenses. Article VIII of the

Registrant’s By-laws also provides for the advancement of expenses to an indemnified party upon receipt of an undertaking by the party to repay those amounts if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Registrant. Any repeal or modification of the provisions of Article VIII of the Registrant’s By-laws will be prospective only and will not in any way adversely affect any right of a director or officer in effect at the time with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

The Registrant has also entered into indemnification agreements (the “Indemnification Agreements”) with its independent directors (individually, an “Indemnitee”). The Indemnification Agreements, among other things, provide for the maximum indemnity permitted for directors under Section 145 of the DGCL and the Registrant’s By-laws, as well as additional procedural protections. The Indemnification Agreements require the Registrant to indemnify the relevant Indemnitee against liability that may arise by reason of his or her status or service as director of the Registrant if the Indemnitee acted in good faith, for a purpose which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Registrant, and in the case of a criminal proceeding, in addition, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The Indemnification Agreements require the Registrant to advance any expenses incurred by the relevant Indemnitee as a result of any proceeding against him or her, so long as the Indemnitee provides an undertaking that the Indemnitee will repay the advances to the extent that it ultimately is determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Registrant, the expenses have not been paid for under any insurance policy, the underlying claim giving rise to the expenses is not for violation of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act of 1934, and the claim was not initiated by the Indemnitee.

The Company maintains a director and officer insurance policy which insures the directors and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, within certain limits and subject to certain limitations, against certain expenses in connection with the defense of actions, suits or proceedings, and certain liabilities that might be imposed as a result of such actions, suits or proceedings in which they are parties by reason of being or having been directors or officers.

Item 7.

Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

Item 8.

Exhibits.


Exhibit No.		Description

4.1		Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-159447) filed on May 22, 2009)

4.2		Certificate of Designation of 7.25% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2008)

4.3		By-Laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 21, 2011)

4.4		SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan

4.5		SLM Corporation Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan

5.1		Opinion of Laurent C. Lutz, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel of SLM Corporation

23.1		Consent of Laurent C. Lutz, Esq. (contained in Exhibit 5.1)

23.2		Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

24.1		Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement)

Item 9.

Undertakings.

1. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (1)(a)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement;

(b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and

(c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

2. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

[SIGNATURES ON THE NEXT PAGE]

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing this Registration Statement on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Newark, State of Delaware, on this 24^th day of May, 2012.


SLM CORPORATION

By:		/s/ Albert L. Lord
Name: Albert L. Lord Title: Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each of the directors and/or officers of the Registrant whose signature appears below hereby appoints Laurent C. Lutz, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, and Carol Rakatansky, Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary, and each of them (with full power to act alone) severally as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign his or her name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities stated below, and to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement as appropriate, it being understood that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, shall have full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, and that each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms that all said attorneys-in-fact as agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.


Name and Signature	Title	Date

/s/ Albert L. Lord Albert L. Lord	Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Vice Chairman and Director	May 24, 2012

/s/ Jonathan C. Clark Jonathan C. Clark	Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) and Executive Vice President	May 24, 2012

/s/ Anthony P. Terracciano Anthony P. Terracciano	Chairman of the Board of Directors	May 24, 2012

/s/ Ann Torre Bates Ann Torre Bates	Director	May 24, 2012

/s/ William M. Diefenderfer, III William M. Diefenderfer, III	Director	May 24, 2012



/s/ Diane Suitt Gilleland Diane Suitt Gilleland	Director	May 24, 2012

/s/ Earl A. Goode Earl A. Goode	Director	May 24, 2012

/s/ Ronald F. Hunt Ronald F. Hunt	Director	May 24, 2012

/s/ Barry A. Munitz Barry A. Munitz	Director	May 24, 2012

/s/ Howard H. Newman Howard H. Newman	Director	May 24, 2012

/s/ A. Alexander Porter, Jr. A. Alexander Porter, Jr.	Director	May 24, 2012

/s/ Frank C. Puleo Frank C. Puleo	Director	May 24, 2012

/s/ Wolfgang Schoellkopf Wolfgang Schoellkopf	Director	May 24, 2012

/s/ Steven L. Shapiro Steven L. Shapiro	Director	May 24, 2012

/s/ J. Terry Strange J. Terry Strange	Director	May 24, 2012

/s/ Barry L. Williams Barry L. Williams	Director	May 24, 2012

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.		Description

4.1		Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-159447) filed on May 22, 2009)

4.2		Certificate of Designation of 7.25% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2008)

4.3		By-Laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 21, 2011)

4.4		SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan

4.5		SLM Corporation Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan

5.1		Opinion of Laurent C. Lutz, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel of SLM Corporation

23.1		Consent of Laurent C. Lutz, Esq. (contained in Exhibit 5.1)

23.2		Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

24.1		Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement)

Exhibit 4.4

EXHIBIT 4.4

SLM CORPORATION

2012 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

SLM CORPORATION

2012 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

Table of Contents


		Page
1.	Plan		3
2.	Objectives		3
3.	Definitions		3
4.	Eligibility		6
5.	Common Stock Available for Awards		6
6.	Administration		7
7.	Delegation of Authority		7
8.	Employee Awards		8
9.	Director Awards		10
10.	Award Payment; Dividends and Dividend Equivalents		10
11.	Option Exercise		11
12.	Taxes		11
13.	Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Termination		11
14.	Assignability		12
15.	Adjustments		12
16.	Restrictions		12
17.	Unfunded Plan		13
18.	Code Section 409A		13
19.	Awards to Foreign Nationals and Employees Outside the United States		13
20.	Governing Law		14
21.	Right to Continued Service or Employment		14
22.	Usage		14
23.	Headings		14
24.	Effectiveness		14

SLM CORPORATION

2012 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Plan

SLM Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), established this SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (this “Plan”), effective as of May 24, 2012 (the “Effective Date”) This Plan shall continue in effect for a term of 10 years after the Effective Date unless sooner terminated by action of the Board of Directors of the Company.

2. Objectives

This Plan is designed to attract and retain employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined herein), to attract and retain qualified non-employee directors of the Company, to encourage the sense of proprietorship of such employees and directors and to stimulate the active interest of such persons in the development and financial success of the Company and its Subsidiaries. These objectives are to be accomplished by making Awards under this Plan and thereby providing Participants (as defined herein) with a proprietary interest in the growth and performance of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

3. Definitions

As used herein, the terms set forth below shall have the following respective meanings:

“Authorized Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or the senior human resources officer of the Company (or any other senior officer of the Company to whom any of such individuals shall delegate the authority to execute any Award Agreement).

“Award” means the grant of any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Award, or Cash Award, any of which may be structured as a Performance Award, whether granted singly, in combination or in tandem, to a Participant pursuant to such applicable terms, conditions, and limitations as the Committee may establish in accordance with the objectives of this Plan.

“Award Agreement” means the document (in written or electronic form) communicating the terms, conditions and limitations applicable to an Award. The Committee may, in its discretion, require that the Participant execute such Award Agreement, or may provide for procedures through which Award Agreements are made available but not executed. Any Participant who is granted an Award and who does not affirmatively reject the applicable Award Agreement shall be deemed to have accepted the terms of Award as embodied in the Award Agreement.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Cash Award” means an Award denominated in cash.

“Change in Control” means an occurrence of any of the following events: (a) an acquisition (other than directly from the Company) of any voting securities of the Company (the “Voting Securities”) by any “person or group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than an employee benefit plan of the Company, immediately after which such person or group has “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities; or (b) the consummation of (i) a merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Company, unless the Company resulting from such merger, consolidation or reorganization (the “Surviving Company”) shall adopt or assume this Plan and a Participant’s Awards under the Plan and either (A) the stockholders of the Company immediately before such merger, consolidation or reorganization own, directly or indirectly immediately following such merger, consolidation or reorganization, at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the combined voting power of the Surviving Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership immediately before such merger, consolidation or reorganization, or (B) at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Company were directors of the Company immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such merger, consolidation or reorganization, or (ii) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

“Committee” means the Compensation and Personnel Committee of the Board, and any successor committee thereto or such other committee of the Board as may be designated by the Board to administer this Plan in whole or in part including any subcommittee of the Board as designated by the Board.

“Common Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $0.20 per share, of the Company.

“Company” means SLM Corporation, a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.

“Covered Employee” means any Employee who is or may be a “covered employee,” as defined in Code Section 162(m).

“Director” means an individual serving as a member of the Board who is not an Employee and an individual who has agreed to become a director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and actually becomes such a director following such date of agreement.

“Director Award” means the grant of any Award (other than an Incentive Stock Option), whether granted singly, in combination, or in tandem, to a Participant who is a Director pursuant to such applicable terms, conditions, and limitations established by the Board.

“Disability” means (1) if the Participant is an Employee, a disability that entitles the Employee to benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan, as may be in effect from time to time, as determined by the plan administrator of the long-term disability plan or (2) if the Participant is a Director, a disability whereby the Director is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Award is subject to Code Section 409A, the definition of Disability shall conform to the requirements of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(4)(i).

“Dividend Equivalents” means, in the case of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Units, an amount equal to all dividends and other distributions (or the economic equivalent thereof) that are payable to stockholders of record during the Restriction Period or performance period, as applicable, on a like number of shares of Common Stock that are subject to the Award.

“Employee” means an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and an individual who has agreed to become an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and actually becomes such an employee following such date of agreement.

“Employee Award” means the grant of any Award, whether granted singly, in combination, or in tandem, to an Employee pursuant to such applicable terms, conditions, and limitations established by the Committee.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

“Exercise Price” means the price at which a Participant may exercise his right to receive cash or Common Stock, as applicable, under the terms of an Award.

“Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock means, as of a particular date, (1) if shares of Common Stock are listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sales price per share of Common Stock on the consolidated transaction reporting system for the principal national securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock are listed on that date, or, if there shall have been no such sale so reported on that date, on the last preceding date on which such a sale was so reported, (2) if the Common Stock is not so listed, the average of the closing bid and asked price on that date, or, if there are no quotations available for such date, on the last preceding date on which such quotations shall be

available, as reported by an inter-dealer quotation system, (3) if shares of Common Stock are not publicly traded, the most recent value determined by an independent appraiser appointed by the Committee for such purpose, or (4) if none of the above are applicable, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined in good faith by the Committee.

“Grant Date” means the date an Award is granted to a Participant pursuant to this Plan.

“Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is intended to comply with the requirements set forth in Code Section 422.

“Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not intended to comply with the requirements set forth in Code Section 422.

“Option” means a right to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock at a specified Exercise Price, which is either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

“Participant” means an Employee or Director to whom an Award has been made under this Plan.

“Performance Award” means an Award made pursuant to this Plan to a Participant which is subject to the attainment of one or more Performance Goals.

“Performance Goal” means one or more standards established by the Committee to determine in whole or in part whether a Performance Award shall be earned.

“Performance Unit” means a unit evidencing the right to receive in specified circumstances an amount of cash or one share of Common Stock or equivalent value in cash, the value of which at the time it is settled is determined as a function of the extent to which established performance criteria have been satisfied.

“Performance Unit Award” means an Award in the form of Performance Units.

“Qualified Performance Awards” has the meaning set forth in Paragraph 8(a)(vii)(B).

“Restricted Stock” means a share of Common Stock that is restricted or subject to forfeiture provisions.

“Restricted Stock Award” means an Award in the form of Restricted Stock.

“Restricted Stock Unit” means a unit evidencing the right to receive in specified circumstances one share of Common Stock or equivalent value in cash that is restricted or subject to forfeiture provisions.

“Restricted Stock Unit Award” means an Award in the form of Restricted Stock Units.

“Restriction Period” means a period of time beginning as of the date upon which a Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award is made pursuant to this Plan and ending as of the date upon which such Award is no longer restricted or subject to forfeiture provisions.

“Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right to receive a payment, in cash or Common Stock, equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Common Stock on the date the right is exercised over a specified Exercise Price.

“Stock Award” means an Award in the form of shares of Common Stock, including a Restricted Stock Award, and a Restricted Stock Unit Award or Performance Unit Award that may be settled in shares of Common Stock, and excluding Options and SARs.

“Stock-Based Award Limitations” has the meaning set forth in Paragraph 5.

“Subsidiary” means (1) in the case of a corporation, any corporation of which the Company directly or indirectly owns shares representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the shares of all classes or series of capital stock of such corporation which have the right to vote generally on matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of such corporation, and (2) in the case of a partnership or other business entity not organized as a corporation, any such business entity of which the Company directly or indirectly owns 50% or more of the voting, capital or profits interests (whether in the form of partnership interests, membership interests or otherwise).

4. Eligibility

(a) Employees. All Employees are eligible for Employee Awards under this Plan, provided, however, that if the Committee makes an Employee Award to an individual whom it expects to become an Employee following the Grant Date of such Award, such Award shall be subject to (among other terms and conditions) the individual actually becoming an Employee.

(b) Directors. All Directors are eligible for Director Awards under this Plan, provided, however, that if the Board makes a Director Award to an individual whom it expects to become a Director following the Grant Date of such Award, such Award shall be subject to (among other terms and conditions) the individual actually becoming a Director.

The Committee (or the Board, in the case of Director Awards) shall determine the type or types of Awards to be made under this Plan and shall designate from time to time the Employees or Directors who are to be granted Awards under this Plan.

5. Common Stock Available for Awards

Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 15 hereof, there shall be available for Awards under this Plan granted wholly or partly in Common Stock (including rights or Options that may be exercised for or settled in Common Stock) an aggregate of 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Maximum Share Limit”), all of which shall be available for Incentive Stock Options. Each Stock Award granted under this Plan shall be counted against the Maximum Share Limit as one share of Common Stock; each Option and SAR shall be counted against the Maximum Share Limit as one share of Common Stock.

Awards settled in cash shall not reduce the Maximum Share Limit under the Plan. If an Award expires or is terminated, cancelled or forfeited, the shares of Common Stock associated with the expired, terminated, cancelled or forfeited Awards shall again be available for Awards under the Plan, and the Maximum Share Limit shall be increased by the same amount as such shares were counted against the Maximum Share Limit (i.e., increased by one share of Common Stock, if a Stock Award, and one share of Common Stock, if an Option or SAR). The following shares of Common Stock shall not become available again for issuance under the Plan:

(a) Shares of Common Stock that have been retained or withheld by the Company in payment or satisfaction of the Exercise Price, purchase price or tax withholding obligation of an Award; and

(b) Shares of Common Stock that have been delivered (either actually or by attestation) to the Company in payment or satisfaction of the Exercise Price, purchase price or tax withholding obligation of an Award.

The Board and the appropriate officers of the Company shall from time to time take whatever actions are necessary to file any required documents with governmental authorities, stock exchanges and transaction reporting systems to ensure that shares of Common Stock are available for issuance pursuant to Awards.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, the following limitations shall apply to any Awards made hereunder:

(a) No Employee may be granted during any calendar year Awards exercisable, covering or relating to more than 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Stock-Based Award Limitation”); and

(b) No Employee may be granted during any calendar year (1) Cash Awards or (2) Restricted Stock Unit Awards or Performance Unit Awards that may be settled solely in cash, having a value determined on the Grant Date in excess of $5,000,000.

6. Administration

(a) Authority of the Committee. Except as otherwise provided in this Plan with respect to actions or determinations by the Board, this Plan shall be administered by the Committee; provided, however, that (i) any and all members of the Committee shall satisfy any independence requirements prescribed by any stock exchange on which the Company lists its Common Stock; (ii) Awards may be granted to individuals who are subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act only if the Committee is comprised solely of two or more “Non-Employee Directors” as defined in Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 16b-3 (as amended from time to time, and any successor rule, regulation or statute fulfilling the same or similar function); and (iii) any Award intended to qualify for the “performance-based compensation” exception under Code Section 162(m) shall be granted only if the Committee is comprised solely of two or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Code Section l62(m) and regulations pursuant thereto. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Committee shall have full and exclusive power and authority to administer this Plan and to take all actions that are specifically contemplated hereby or are necessary or appropriate in connection with the administration hereof. The Committee shall also have full and exclusive power to interpret this Plan and to adopt such rules, regulations and guidelines for carrying out this Plan as it may deem necessary or proper, all of which powers shall be exercised in the best interests of the Company and in keeping with the objectives of this Plan. Subject to Paragraph 6(c) hereof, the Committee may, in its discretion, (x) provide for the extension of the exercisability of an Award, or (y) in the event of death, Disability, retirement or Change in Control, accelerate the vesting or exercisability of an Award, eliminate or make less restrictive any restrictions contained in an Award, waive any restriction or other provision of this Plan or an Award or otherwise amend or modify an Award in any manner that is, in either case, (1) not adverse to the Participant to whom such Award was granted, (2) consented to by such Participant or (3) authorized by Paragraph 15(c) hereof; provided, however, that no such action shall permit the term of any Option to be greater than 10 years from its Grant Date. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan or in any Award Agreement in the manner and to the extent the Committee deems necessary or desirable to further this Plan’s purposes. Any decision of the Committee in the interpretation and administration of this Plan shall lie within its sole and absolute discretion and shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties concerned. The Board shall have the same powers as the Committee with respect to Director Awards.

(b) Indemnity. No member of the Board or the Committee or officer of the Company to whom the Committee has delegated authority in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 7 of this Plan shall be liable for anything done or omitted to be done by him, by any member of the Board or the Committee or by any officer of the Company in connection with the performance of any duties under this Plan, except for his own willful misconduct or as expressly provided by statute.

(c) Prohibition on Repricing of Awards. Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 15 hereof, the terms of outstanding Award Agreements may not be amended without the approval of the Company’s stockholders so as to (i) reduce the Exercise Price of any outstanding Options or SARs or (ii) cancel any outstanding Options or SARs in exchange for cash or other Awards, or Options or SARs with an Exercise Price that is less than the Exercise Price of the original Options or SARs.

7. Delegation of Authority

The Committee may delegate any of its authority to grant Awards to Employees who are not subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, subject to Paragraph 6(a) above, to the Board or to any other committee of the Board, provided such delegation is made in writing and specifically sets forth such delegated authority. The Committee may also delegate to an Authorized Officer authority to execute on behalf of the Company any Award Agreement. The Committee and the Board, as applicable, may engage or authorize the engagement of a third party administrator to carry out administrative functions under this Plan. Any such delegation hereunder shall only be made to the extent permitted by applicable law.

8. Employee Awards

(a) The Committee shall determine the type or types of Employee Awards to be made under this Plan and shall designate from time to time the Employees who are to be the recipients of such Awards. Each Award shall be embodied in an Award Agreement, which shall contain such terms, conditions and limitations as shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and, if required by the Committee, shall be signed by the Participant to whom the Award is granted and by an Authorized Officer for and on behalf of the Company. Awards may consist of those listed in this Paragraph 8(a) hereof and may be granted singly, in combination or in tandem. Awards may also be made in combination or in tandem with, in replacement of, or as alternatives to, grants or rights under this Plan or any other plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including the plan of any acquired entity; provided, however, that, except as contemplated in Paragraph 15 hereof, no Option or SAR may be issued in exchange for the cancellation of an Option or SAR with a higher Exercise Price nor may the Exercise Price of any Option or SAR be reduced. All or part of an Award may be subject to conditions established by the Committee. Upon the termination of employment by a Participant who is an Employee, any unexercised, unvested or unpaid Awards shall be treated as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement or in any other written agreement the Company has entered into with the Participant.

Except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph 8(a), any Stock Award that (a) is not a Performance Award shall have a minimum Restriction Period of three years from the date of grant or (b) is a Performance Award shall have a minimum performance period of one year from the date of grant; provided, however, that (1) the Committee may provide for earlier vesting upon an Employee’s termination of employment by reason of death, Disability or Change in Control and (2) vesting of a Stock Award may occur incrementally over the three-year Restriction Period or one-year minimum performance period, as applicable. The foregoing notwithstanding, 5% of the total number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under this Plan shall not be subject to the minimum Restriction Period or performance period, as applicable, described in the preceding sentence.

(i) Options. An Employee Award may be in the form of an Option. An Option awarded pursuant to this Plan may consist of either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option. The price at which shares of Common Stock may be purchased upon the exercise of an Option shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Grant Date. The term of an Option shall not exceed 10 years from the Grant Date. Options may not include provisions that “reload” the Option upon exercise. Subject to the foregoing provisions, the terms, conditions and limitations applicable to any Option, including, but not limited to, the term of any Option and the date or dates upon which the Option becomes vested and exercisable, shall be determined by the Committee.

(ii) Stock Appreciation Rights. An Employee Award may be in the form of an SAR. The Exercise Price for an SAR shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Grant Date. The holder of a tandem SAR may elect to exercise either the Option or the SAR, but not both. The exercise period for an SAR shall extend no more than 10 years after the Grant Date. SARs may not include provisions that “reload” the SAR upon exercise. Subject to the foregoing provisions, the terms, conditions, and limitations applicable to any SAR, including, but not limited to, the term of any SAR and the date or dates upon which the SAR becomes vested and exercisable, shall be determined by the Committee.

(iii) Stock Awards. An Employee Award may be in the form of a Stock Award. The terms, conditions and limitations applicable to any Stock Award, including, but not limited to, vesting or other restrictions, shall be determined by the Committee, and subject to the minimum Restriction Period and performance period requirements and any other applicable requirements described in this Paragraph 8(a) hereof.

(iv) Restricted Stock Unit Awards. An Employee Award may be in the form of a Restricted Stock Unit Award. The terms, conditions and limitations applicable to a Restricted Stock Unit Award, including, but not limited to, the Restriction Period and the right to receive Dividend Equivalents, if any, shall be determined by the Committee. Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may settle Restricted Stock Units in the form of cash or in shares of Common Stock (or in a combination thereof) equal to the value of the

vested Restricted Stock Units; provided, however, that a Restricted Stock Unit Award that may be settled all or in part in shares of Common Stock shall be subject to the minimum Restriction Period and performance period requirements and any other applicable requirements described in this Paragraph 8(a) hereof.

(v) Performance Unit Awards. An Employee Award may be in the form of a Performance Unit Award. Each Performance Unit shall have an initial value that is established by the Committee on the Grant Date. Subject to the terms of this Plan, after the applicable performance period has ended, the Participant shall be entitled to receive settlement of the value and number of Performance Units earned by the Participant over the performance period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved. Settlement of earned Performance Units shall be as determined by the Committee and as evidenced in an Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may settle earned Performance Units in the form of cash or in shares of Common Stock (or in a combination thereof) equal to the value of the earned Performance Units as soon as practicable after the end of the performance period and following the Committee’s determination of actual performance against the performance measures and related goals established by the Committee; provided, however, that a Performance Unit Award that may be settled all or in part in shares of Common Stock shall be subject to the minimum Restriction Period and performance period requirements and any other applicable requirements described in this Paragraph 8(a) hereof. The terms, conditions and limitations applicable to a Performance Unit Award, including, but not limited to, the Restriction Period and the right to Dividend Equivalents, if any, shall be determined by the Committee.

(vi) Cash Awards. An Employee Award may be in the form of a Cash Award. The terms, conditions and limitations applicable to a Cash Award, including, but not limited to, vesting or other restrictions, shall be determined by the Committee.

(b) Performance Awards. Without limiting the type or number of Awards that may be made under the other provisions of this Plan, any Employee Award granted under this Plan may be structured as a Performance Award. The terms, conditions and limitations applicable to an Award that is a Performance Award shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall set Performance Goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the value and/or amount of Performance Awards that will be paid out to the Participant and/or the portion of an Award that may be exercised.

(i) Nonqualified Performance Awards. Performance Awards granted to Employees that are not intended to qualify as qualified performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m) shall be based on achievement of such Performance Goals and be subject to such terms, conditions and restrictions as the Committee or its delegate shall determine.

(ii) Qualified Performance Awards. Performance Awards granted to Employees under this Plan that are intended to qualify as qualified performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m) shall be paid, vested or otherwise deliverable solely on account of the attainment of one or more pre-established, objective Performance Goals established by the Committee prior to the earlier to occur of (1) 90 days after the commencement of the period of service to which the Performance Goal relates and (2) the lapse of 25% of the period of service (as scheduled in good faith at the time the goal is established), and in any event while the outcome is substantially uncertain. A Performance Goal is objective if a third party having knowledge of the relevant facts could determine whether the goal is met. One or more of such goals may apply to the Employee, one or more business units, divisions or sectors of the Company, or the Company as a whole, and if so desired by the Committee, by comparison with a peer group of companies. A Performance Goal shall include one or more of the following: (a) cash flow (including operating cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on capital, or cash flow per share), (b) core cash earnings per share (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), (c) return measures (including return on assets, capital, equity, or sales), (d) total stockholder return, (e) productivity ratios, (f) expense targets or ratios, (g) revenue, (h) core cash income or net income, (i) core cash operating income or net operating income, (j) operating profit or net operating profit, (k) gross or operating margin, (l) return on operating revenue, (m) market share, (n) loan volume, (o) overhead or other expense reduction,

(p) charge-off levels, (q) deposit growth, (r) margins, (s) operating efficiency, (t) economic value added, (u) customer or employee satisfaction, (v) debt reduction, (w) capital targets, (x) consummation of acquisitions, dispositions, projects or other specific events or transactions, (y) liquidity, (z) capital adequacy, (aa) ratio of nonperforming to performing assets, (bb) ratio of common equity to total assets, or (cc) regulatory compliance metrics.

Unless otherwise stated, such a Performance Goal need not be based upon an increase or positive result under a particular business criterion and could include, for example, maintaining the status quo or limiting economic losses (measured, in each case, by reference to specific business criteria). In interpreting Plan provisions applicable to Qualified Performance Awards, it is the intent of this Plan to conform with the standards of Code Section 162(m) and Treasury Regulation § 1.162-27(e)(2)(i), as to grants to Covered Employees and the Committee in establishing such goals and interpreting this Plan shall be guided by such provisions. Prior to the payment of any compensation based on the achievement of Performance Goals applicable to Qualified Performance Awards, the Committee must certify in writing that applicable Performance Goals and any of the material terms thereof were, in fact, satisfied. For this purpose, approved minutes of the Committee meeting in which the certification is made shall be treated as such written certification. Subject to the foregoing provisions, the terms, conditions and limitations applicable to any Qualified Performance Awards made pursuant to this Plan shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee may provide in any such Performance Award that any evaluation of performance may include or exclude certain events that occur during a Performance Period including but not limited to: (i) amortization, depreciation or impairment of tangible or intangible assets, (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs or reductions in force or early retirement programs, (v) any extraordinary non-recurring items that may be defined in an objective and non-discretionary manner under or by reference to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, accounting standards or other applicable accounting standards in effect from time to time and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, (vi) the sale of investments or non-core assets; (vii) discontinued operations, categories or segments; (viii) investments, acquisitions or dispositions; (ix) political, legal and other business interruptions (such as due to war, insurrection, riot, terrorism, confiscation, expropriation, nationalization, deprivation, seizure, and regulatory requirements); (x) natural catastrophes; (xi) currency fluctuations; (xii) stock based compensation expense; (xiii) early retirement of debt; (xiv) conversion of convertible debt securities; and (xv) termination of real estate leases.

(iii) Adjustment of Performance Awards. Awards that are intended to qualify as Performance Awards may not be adjusted upward. The Committee may retain the discretion to adjust such Performance Awards downward, either on a formula or discretionary basis or any combination, as the Committee determines.

9. Director Awards

The Board has the sole authority to grant Director Awards from time to time in accordance with this Paragraph 9. Director Awards may consist of the forms of Award described in Paragraph 8, with the exception of Incentive Stock Options, may be granted singly, in combination, or in tandem and shall be granted subject to such terms and conditions as specified in Paragraph 8. Each Director Award may, in the discretion of the Board, be embodied in an Award Agreement, which shall contain such terms, conditions, and limitations as shall be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion.

10. Award Payment; Dividends and Dividend Equivalents

(a) General. Payment of Awards may be made in the form of cash or Common Stock, or a combination thereof, and may include such restrictions as the Committee (or the Board, in the case of Director Awards) shall determine, including, but not limited to, in the case of Common Stock, restrictions on transfer and forfeiture provisions. For a Restricted Stock Award, the certificates evidencing the shares of such Restricted Stock (to the extent that such shares

are so evidenced) shall contain appropriate legends and restrictions that describe the terms and conditions of the restrictions applicable thereto. For a Restricted Stock Unit Award that may be settled in shares of Common Stock, the shares of Common Stock that may be issued at the end of the Restriction Period shall be evidenced by book entry registration or in such other manner as the Committee may determine.

(b) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Dividends and/or Dividend Equivalents shall not be made part of any Options or SARs. Rights to (1) dividends will be extended to and made part of any Restricted Stock Award and (2) Dividend Equivalents may be extended to and made part of any Restricted Stock Unit Award and Performance Unit Award, subject in each case to such terms, conditions and restrictions as the Committee may establish; provided, however, that any such dividends or Dividend Equivalents paid with respect to unvested Stock Awards, including Stock Awards subject to Performance Goals shall be subject to the same restrictions and/or Performance Goals as applicable, as the underlying Stock Award.

11. Option Exercise

The Exercise Price shall be paid in full at the time of exercise in cash or, if permitted by the Committee and elected by the Participant, the Participant may purchase such shares by means of the Company withholding shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable on exercise of the Award or tendering Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise, or any combination thereof. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine acceptable methods for Participants to tender Common Stock or other Awards. The Committee may provide for procedures to permit the exercise or purchase of such Awards by use of the proceeds to be received from the sale of Common Stock issuable pursuant to an Award (including cashless exercise procedures approved by the Committee involving a broker or dealer approved by the Committee). The Committee may adopt additional rules and procedures regarding the exercise of Options from time to time, provided that such rules and procedures are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Paragraph 11.

12. Taxes

The Company shall have the right to deduct applicable taxes from any Award payment and withhold, at the time of delivery or vesting of cash or shares of Common Stock under this Plan, an appropriate amount of cash or number of shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof for payment of required withholding taxes or to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for withholding of such taxes; provided, however, that the number of shares of Common Stock withheld for payment of required withholding taxes must equal no more than the required minimum withholding taxes. The Committee may also permit withholding to be satisfied by the transfer to the Company of shares of Common Stock theretofore owned by the holder of the Award with respect to which withholding is required. If shares of Common Stock are used to satisfy tax withholding, such shares shall be valued based on the Fair Market Value when the tax withholding is required to be made.

13. Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Termination

The Board may amend, modify, suspend or terminate this Plan (and the Committee may amend an Award Agreement) for the purpose of meeting or addressing any changes in legal requirements or for any other purpose permitted by law, except that (1) no amendment or alteration that would adversely affect the rights of any Participant under any Award previously granted to such Participant shall be made without the consent of such Participant and (2) no amendment or alteration shall be effective prior to its approval by the stockholders of the Company to the extent stockholder approval is otherwise required by applicable legal requirements or the requirements of the securities exchange on which the Company’s stock is listed, including any amendment that expands the types of Awards available under this Plan, materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards under this Plan, materially expands the classes of persons eligible for Awards under this Plan, materially extends the term of this Plan, materially changes the method of determining the Exercise Price of Options, deletes or limits any provisions of this Plan that prohibit the repricing of Options or SARs, or decreases any minimum vesting requirements for any Stock Award.

14. Assignability

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee (or the Board in the case of Director Awards) and expressly provided for in an Award Agreement, no Award or any other benefit under this Plan shall be assignable or otherwise transferable except (1) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or (2) pursuant to a domestic relations order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction that is not contrary to the terms and conditions of this Plan or applicable Award and in a form acceptable to the Committee. The Committee may prescribe and include in applicable Award Agreements other restrictions on transfer. Any attempted assignment of an Award or any other benefit under this Plan in violation of this Paragraph 14 shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Award may be transferred for value or consideration.

15. Adjustments

(a) The existence of outstanding Awards shall not affect in any manner the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations or other changes in the capital stock of the Company or its business or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock (whether or not such issue is prior to, on a parity with or junior to the Common Stock) or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding of any kind, whether or not of a character similar to that of the acts or proceedings enumerated above.

(b) In the event of any subdivision or consolidation of outstanding shares of Common Stock, declaration of a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or other stock split, then (1) the number of shares of Common Stock reserved under this Plan, (2) the number of shares of Common Stock covered by outstanding Awards in the form of Common Stock or units denominated in Common Stock, (3) the Exercise Price or other price in respect of such Awards, (4) the Stock-Based Award Limitations, and (5) the appropriate Fair Market Value and other price determinations for such Awards shall each be proportionately adjusted by the Committee as appropriate to reflect such transaction. In the event of any other recapitalization or capital reorganization of the Company, any consolidation or merger of the Company with another corporation or entity, the adoption by the Company of any plan of exchange affecting the Common Stock or any distribution to holders of Common Stock of securities or property (other than normal cash dividends or dividends payable in Common Stock), the Committee shall make appropriate adjustments to (i) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock covered by Awards in the form of Common Stock or units denominated in Common Stock, (ii) the Exercise Price or other price in respect of such Awards, (iii) the appropriate Fair Market Value and other price determinations for such Awards, and (iv) the Stock-Based Award Limitations to reflect such transaction; provided that such adjustments shall only be such as are necessary to maintain the proportionate interest of the holders of the Awards and preserve, without increasing, the value of such Awards.

(c) In the event of a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation, reorganization or liquidation, the Committee may make such adjustments to Awards or other provisions for the disposition of Awards as it deems equitable, and shall be authorized, in its discretion, (1) to provide for the substitution of a new Award or other arrangement (which, if applicable, may be exercisable for such property or stock as the Committee determines) for an Award or the assumption of the Award, regardless of whether in a transaction to which Code Section 424(a) applies, (2) to provide, prior to the transaction, for the acceleration of the vesting and exercisability of, or lapse of restrictions with respect to, the Award and, if the transaction is a cash merger, provide for the termination of any portion of the Award that remains unexercised at the time of such transaction, or (3) to cancel any such Awards and to deliver to the Participants cash in an amount that the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion is equal to the fair market value of such Awards on the date of such event, which in the case of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be the excess of the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on such date over the Exercise Price of such Award.

(d) No adjustment or substitution pursuant to this Paragraph 15 shall be made in a manner that results in noncompliance with the requirements of Code Section 409A, to the extent applicable.

16. Restrictions

No Common Stock or other form of payment shall be issued with respect to any Award unless the Company shall be satisfied based on the advice of its counsel that such issuance will be in compliance with applicable federal and state

securities laws. Certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock delivered under this Plan (to the extent that such shares are so evidenced) may be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange or transaction reporting system upon which the Common Stock is then listed or to which it is admitted for quotation and any applicable federal or state securities law. The Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed upon such certificates (if any) to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

17. Unfunded Plan

This Plan is unfunded. Although bookkeeping accounts may be established with respect to Participants who are entitled to cash, Common Stock or rights thereto under this Plan, any such accounts shall be used merely as a bookkeeping convenience. The Company shall not be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by cash, Common Stock or rights thereto, nor shall this Plan be construed as providing for such segregation, nor shall the Company, the Board or the Committee be deemed to be a trustee of any cash, Common Stock or rights thereto to be granted under this Plan. Any liability or obligation of the Company to any Participant with respect to an Award of cash, Common Stock or rights thereto under this Plan shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations that may be created by this Plan and any Award Agreement, and no such liability or obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge or other encumbrance on any property of the Company. None of the Company, the Board or the Committee shall be required to give any security or bond for the performance of any obligation that may be created by this Plan. With respect to this Plan and any Awards granted hereunder, Participants are general and unsecured creditors of the Company and have no rights or claims except as otherwise provided in this Plan or any applicable Award Agreement.

18. Code Section 409A

(a) Awards made under this Plan are intended to comply with or be exempt from Code Section 409A, and ambiguous provisions hereof, if any, shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent. No payment, benefit or consideration shall be substituted for an Award if such action would result in the imposition of taxes under Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, if any Plan provision or Award under this Plan would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Code Section 409A, that Plan provision or Award shall be reformed, to the extent permissible under Code Section 409A, to avoid imposition of the additional tax, and no such action shall be deemed to adversely affect the Participant’s rights to an Award.

(b) Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, each Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Unit Award or Cash Award (or portion thereof if the Award is subject to a vesting schedule) shall be settled no later than the 15th day of the third month after the end of the first calendar year in which the Award (or such portion thereof) is no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Code Section 409A. If the Committee determines that a Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Unit Award or Cash Award is intended to be subject to Code Section 409A, the applicable Award Agreement shall include terms that are designed to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A.

(c) If the Participant is identified by the Company as a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) on the date on which the Participant has a “separation from service” (other than due to death) within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h), any Award payable or settled on account of a separation from service that is deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A shall be paid or settled on the earliest of (1) the first business day following the expiration of six months from the Participant’s separation from service, (2) the date of the Participant’s death, or (3) such earlier date as complies with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

19. Awards to Foreign Nationals and Employees Outside the United States

The Committee may, without amending this Plan, (1) establish special rules applicable to Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals, are employed or otherwise providing services outside the United States, or both, including rules that differ from those set forth in this Plan, and (2) grant Awards to such Participants in accordance with those rules.

20. Governing Law

This Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto, to the extent not otherwise governed by mandatory provisions of the Code or the securities laws of the United States, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

21. Right to Continued Service or Employment

Nothing in this Plan or an Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to terminate any Participant’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or its Subsidiaries at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the capacity in which he is employed or otherwise serves the Company or its Subsidiaries.

22. Usage

Words used in this Plan in the singular shall include the plural and in the plural the singular, and the gender of words used shall be construed to include whichever may be appropriate under any particular circumstances of the masculine, feminine or neuter genders.

23. Headings

The headings in this Plan are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Plan.

24. Effectiveness

This Plan, as approved by the Board on March 30, 2012, shall be effective as of the Effective Date. This Plan shall continue in effect for a term of 10 years commencing on the Effective Date, unless earlier terminated by action of the Board.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the adoption of this Plan is expressly conditioned upon the approval by the holders of a majority of shares of Common Stock present, or represented, and entitled to vote at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders on or before May 24, 2012. If the stockholders of the Company should fail to so approve this Plan on or before such date, (i) this Plan shall not be of any force or effect and (ii) any grants of Awards hereunder shall be null and void.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SLM Corporation has caused this Plan to be executed by its duly authorized officer, effective as provided herein.

SLM CORPORATION


		By:
		Title:
		Date:

Exhibit 4.5

EXHIBIT 4.5

SALLIE MAE

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

Amended and Restated as of May 24, 2012

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Sallie Mae Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) is to motivate employees of SLM Corporation (the “Corporation”) and subsidiaries owned more than 50% by the Corporation or which the Corporation controls (collectively the “Employers”) to achieve corporate goals and to encourage equity ownership in the Corporation in order to increase proprietary interest in the Corporation’s success.

2.	ADMINISTRATION

(a)

The Plan shall be administered by the Sallie Mae Employee Stock Purchase Plan Committee (the “Committee”), which shall be appointed by the Corporation’s Board of Directors. In addition to its duties with respect to the Plan, the Committee shall have full authority, consistent with the Plan, to interpret the Plan, to promulgate such rules and regulations with respect to the Plan as it deems desirable, to delegate its responsibilities hereunder to appropriate persons and to make all other determinations necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Committee shall be binding upon all persons.

(b)

The rights to purchase stock (“Options”) that are granted under this Plan shall constitute non-qualified stock options that are not intended to qualify under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (the “Code”). However, the Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and will be interpreted in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

3.	SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

The stock that may be purchased under the Plan is common stock, $.20 par value, of the Corporation. The aggregate number of shares that may be purchased pursuant to the Plan is Six Million (6,000,000) shares, subject to any adjustment pursuant to Paragraph 4. Such shares may be previously-issued stock reacquired by the Corporation, authorized, but unissued stock, or stock that is purchased on the open market by the Corporation.

If at any time the number of shares to be purchased in an Offering Period, as defined in Paragraph 5(c), causes the total number of shares offered under the Plan to exceed the above stated limit, then the number of shares that may be purchased by each Participant in that Offering Period shall be reduced pro rata.

4.	ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION

If any change is made in, or other events occur with respect to, the Corporation’s stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Option granted under this Plan without receipt of consideration by the Corporation (through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, extraordinary cash dividend, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or other transaction not involving the receipt of consideration by the Corporation, each an “Adjustment Event”), the Plan shall be adjusted in the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3 and the outstanding Options granted under this Plan shall be maintained in the same equivalent economic position with respect to the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of Corporation stock subject to such outstanding Options. The Committee shall be responsible for determining whether an Adjustment Event has occurred for purposes of this Section 4. If an Adjustment Event has occurred, the Committee shall make such adjustments as described herein, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional interests shall be issued under the Plan based on such adjustments. The Committee shall not make any adjustment pursuant to this Section 4 that would cause an Option that is otherwise exempt from Section 409A of the Code to become subject to Section 409A of the Code, or that would cause an Option that is subject to Section 409A of the Code to fail to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

SALLIE MAE

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

Amended and Restated as of May 24, 2012

5.	DEFINITIONS

(a)

Eligible Compensation. The term “Eligible Compensation” shall mean the regular salary and hourly wages (calculated at the regular hourly rate, including payments for sick leave, vacation, paid time-off, holidays, jury duty, bereavement and other paid leaves of absence). In addition commissions paid by an Employer to a Participant during the Offering Period are considered “Eligible Compensation.” “Eligible Compensation” shall not include other forms of compensation such as short-term disability payments, severance payments, incentive compensation, equity compensation and overtime pay.

(b)

Entry Date. The term “Entry Date” shall mean the first day of each Plan Year, except that for eligible employees hired after the first day of any Plan Year and on or prior to July 1^st, the initial “Entry Date” shall mean the first day of the month following their commencement of employment with the Corporation or an Employer.

(c)

Offering Period. The term “Offering Period” shall mean the 12-month period beginning with the first day of each Plan Year, except that for eligible employees hired after the first day of any Plan Year and on or prior to July 1st, the initial “Offering Period” shall mean the period beginning with the first day of the month in which benefits are otherwise effective following their commencement of employment with the Corporation or an Employer and ending on the immediately following January 31st.

(d)

Plan Year. The Plan will follow a twelve month cycle starting each February 1st and ending the next January 31^st.

(e)

Purchase Date. The term “Purchase Date” shall mean the last day of an Offering Period, except if the NASDAQ Stock Market is closed on the last day of an Offering Period, the Purchase Date shall mean the immediately preceding trading day on the NASDAQ Stock Market.

(f)

Participant. The term “Participant” shall mean an eligible employee who elects to participate in the Plan pursuant to Paragraph 9.

6.	ELIGIBILITY

All regular full-time and part-time employees working 24 or more hours per week of the Corporation shall be eligible to participate in the Plan on their Entry Date; provided, however, that such eligible employees complete the enrollment procedures established by the Committee prior to the enrollment deadline for such Entry Date. Notwithstanding the prior sentence, the following individuals shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan:

(a)

any individual whose services are performed for the Employer pursuant to a contract between the Employer and another entity, and whom the Employer treats as a leased employee;

(b)

any individual that the Employer treats as an independent contractor;

(c)

temporary employees;

(d)

members of the Boards of Directors of the Corporation and of the Employers, unless otherwise eligible as described above; and

(e)

International employees.

SALLIE MAE

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

Amended and Restated as of May 24, 2012

7.	PURCHASE PRICE

The Purchase Price per share shall be equal to the fair market value of a share of common stock on the first business day of the Plan Year on which the NASDAQ Stock Market is open, less 15 percent of such fair market value. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or the Committee, the fair market value of a share of common stock on a particular date shall be deemed to be the closing price of a share of common stock as recorded by the NASDAQ Stock Market on such date or, if no closing price has been recorded on such date, on the next day in which a closing price is recorded.

8.	OPTION TO PURCHASE STOCK

Prior to each Entry Date, the Corporation will offer eligible employees the opportunity to elect to participate in the Plan. Each eligible employee who elects to participate will receive an Option to purchase on the Purchase Date the number of full and/or fractional shares of common stock at the Purchase Price.

9.	ENROLLING IN THE PLAN

An eligible employee may elect to participate in the Plan by completing the enrollment procedures established by the Committee before the enrollment deadline announced for each Entry Date.

A Participant shall elect a percentage to be deducted regularly from his or her Eligible Compensation on an after-tax basis provided that the Participant must elect an initial payroll deduction of no less than one percent (1%) and no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of his or her Eligible Compensation, not to exceed $7,500 per Offering Period. Only whole percentages may be elected.

A Participant may elect to change his or her payroll deduction percentage on a biweekly basis, as limited by Paragraph 12.

Unless a Participant changes his or her payroll deduction percentage or ceases participation in the Plan in accordance with Paragraphs 12 and 13, a Participant’s payroll deductions, as limited by Paragraph 10, and his or her initial enrollment elections will continue until the end of the Offering Period. A Participant must complete the enrollment procedures established by the Committee each Offering Period.

10.

DEPOSITS

Pursuant to the enrollment procedures established by the Committee, after-tax payroll contributions to the Plan will be deposited to an interest bearing omnibus account established for the Plan at the Sallie Mae Bank, a related party. No other types of deposits may be made. Accrued interest for the Plan will be based on the money market annual yield rate published in the Wall Street Journal “Bonds, Rates & Yields” section on the 25th of each month.

11.	INDIVIDUAL BALANCES

Individual balances are record kept at Sallie Mae, Inc. by the Committee’s designates. Effective the 1st business day of each month, the accrued Plan interest will be allocated to Participants based on the individual balances on the last business day of the previous month. When applicable, the interest earned by each Participant for the calendar year will be reported on IRS Form 1099-DIV.

SALLIE MAE

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

Amended and Restated as of May 24, 2012

12.	MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTIONS

A Participant must elect an initial payroll deduction of no less than one percent (1%) and no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of his or her Eligible Compensation, not to exceed $7,500 per Offering Period. A Participant may change his or her contribution during the Offering Period, including changing to zero percent. Contributions other than by payroll deductions are not permitted. Only whole percentages are allowed.

13.	WITHDRAWALS FROM THE PLAN

A Participant may make one withdrawal during each Offering Period under the terms and procedures established by the Committee. The withdrawal must be for the total amount of contributions and interest on record at the time the transaction is processed. The funds will be distributed to the employee through their regular payroll check as soon as practicable but no later than thirty (30) days from the date the withdrawal request is submitted. If a Participant receives a withdrawal during an Offering Period, he or she shall no longer participate in the Plan for the remainder of such Offering Period. An eligible employee who has ceased participation in the Plan may enter the Plan for the next Offering Period by following the enrollment procedures established by the Committee, subject to Paragraph 9.

14.	STOCK PURCHASES

In accordance with the applicable procedures established by the Committee, the Corporation shall exercise all Options to Purchase shares which each Participant is entitled to on each Purchase Date. The Corporation shall withhold a sufficient number of shares to cover his or her applicable taxes on any gains, which is the difference between the value of shares purchased at the discount price and the market value of those shares on the purchase date. Taxes in the required amount will be paid to the appropriate government agency(ies).

If the Purchase Price exceeds the fair market value per share on the Purchase Date, no shares will be purchased. The individual balances will be distributed to the Participant’s via payroll.

The common stock purchased on the Purchase Date will be issued and credited to a brokerage account established by the Corporation on behalf of the Participant (the “Stock Account”) as soon as administratively practicable after such Purchase Date. A Participant may sell any or all shares held in his/her Stock Account unless restricted from trading in Corporation Stock at that time.

15.	TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

In the event that a Participant’s employment terminates for any reason including retirement, total and permanent disability, or death, before the applicable Purchase Date, participation in the Plan shall terminate immediately and as soon as practicable and no later than March 15 following the end of the Offering Period in which Participant’s termination of employment occurs, the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary(ies) or estate if no beneficiary is elected will be paid in cash the value of his or her Individual Balance. A Participant who transfers employment between Employers shall not be deemed to have terminated employment for the purposes of this Paragraph.

16.	CHANGE IN CONTROL

In the event of a Change of Control or Change of Control Transaction, all outstanding Options under the Plan shall automatically be exercised immediately prior to the consummation of such Change of Control or Change of Control Transaction by causing all amounts credited to each Participant’s account to be applied to purchase as many shares pursuant

SALLIE MAE

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

Amended and Restated as of May 24, 2012

to the Participant’s Option as possible at the Purchase Price, subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan. The Corporation shall use its best efforts to provide at least ten (10) days’ prior written notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or Change of Control Transaction and Participants shall, following the receipt of such notice, have the right to terminate their outstanding Options prior to the effective date of such Change of Control or Change of Control Transaction.

“Change of Control” shall mean an occurrence of any of the following events: (a) an acquisition (other than directly from the Corporation) of any voting securities of the Corporation (the “Voting Securities”) by any “person or group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than an employee benefit plan of the Corporation, immediately after which such Person has “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding Voting Securities; or (b) the consummation of (i) a merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Corporation, unless the Corporation resulting from such merger, consolidation or reorganization (the “Surviving Corporation”) shall adopt or assume this Plan and a Participant’s Options under the Plan and either (A) the shareholders of the Corporation immediately before such merger, consolidation or reorganization own, directly or indirectly immediately following such merger, consolidation or reorganization, at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the combined voting power of the Surviving Corporation in substantially the same proportion as their ownership immediately before such merger, consolidation or reorganization, or (B) at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation were directors of the Corporation immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such merger, consolidation or reorganization, or (ii) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation. “Change of Control Transaction” shall mean the consummation of any tender offer, offer, exchange offer, solicitation, merger, consolidation, reorganization or other transaction, either of which results in a Change of Control.

17.	ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS

The Board of Directors may, in its sole and absolute discretion, create special Offering Periods for individuals who become eligible employees solely in connection with the acquisition of another company or business by merger, reorganization or purchase of assets and, notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, may provide for special purchase dates for Participants who will cease to be eligible employees solely in connection with the disposition of all or a portion of any Employer or a portion of the Corporation, which Offering Periods and purchase rights granted pursuant thereto shall, notwithstanding anything stated herein, be subject to such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors considers appropriate in the circumstances.

18.	NO TRANSFER OR ASSIGNMENT OF EMPLOYEE’S RIGHTS

Except as specified in Paragraph 17, an employee’s rights under the Plan are his or hers alone and may not be transferred or assigned to, or availed of, by any other person.

19.	BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION

The beneficiary shall be one or more persons designated by the Participant in accordance with the procedures established by the Committee who is entitled to receive amounts contributed and/or earned by the Participant and/or act on behalf of the Participant, pursuant to Paragraph 15.

20.	CLAIMS PROCEDURES

A Participant may appeal a denial of benefits under this Plan by submitting a written statement appealing the decision, normally within 60 days of the denial of the benefit by the Committee. In the written statement, the Participant must state

SALLIE MAE

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

Amended and Restated as of May 24, 2012

reasons why the claim should not have been denied. Also, the written statement should be accompanied by any documents, additional information or comments that might be helpful to the Committee. In this manner, the Committee intends to afford any Participant or beneficiary whose claim for benefits has been denied a reasonable opportunity for a review of the decision. Written appeals must be sent to:

The Employee Stock Purchase Plan Committee

Sallie Mae

300 Continental Drive

Newark, Delaware 19713

The Committee will review a Participant’s appeal and will promptly notify such Participant in writing of the decision. Normally, this decision will be made within 60 days of receipt of the appeal, but this period may be extended to no more than 120 days if special circumstances require additional time. In such a case, the Participant will be notified before the end of the initial 60-day period of the reasons for the extension.

21.	TERMINATION AND AMENDMENTS TO PLAN

The Board may at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or terminate this Plan in whole or in part, including to add or remove subsidiaries of the Corporation, provided, however, that shareholder approval shall be required for any amendment (i) that materially alters the terms of this Plan or (ii) where such approval is required by applicable legal or stock exchange requirements. No amendment or alteration that would adversely affect the rights of any Participant under any Award previously granted to such Participant shall be made without the consent of such Participant. Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed to prevent the Corporation from taking any corporate action which is deemed by the Corporation to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on the Plan or any rights granted under the Plan. No employee, beneficiary or other person or entity shall have any claim against the Corporation as a result of any such action.

22.

INDEMNITY

The Corporation shall, consistent with applicable law, indemnify members of the Committee from any liability, loss or other financial consequence with respect to any act or omission relating to the Plan to the same extent and subject to the same conditions as specified in the indemnity provisions contained in the By-Laws and Regulations of the Corporation.

23.	LIMITATIONS ON SALE OF STOCK PURCHASED UNDER THE PLAN

The Plan is intended to provide common stock for investment and not for resale. The Corporation does not, however, intend to restrict the sale of the stock other than in accordance with the Corporation’s general policies regarding the sale of the Corporation’s stock. The employee assumes the risk of any market fluctuations in the price of such stock.

24.	PAYMENT OF EXPENSES RELATED TO PLAN

The cost, if any, for the delivery of shares to a Participant or commissions upon the sale of stock shall be paid by the Participant using such service. Other expenses associated with the Plan, if any, at the discretion of the Committee, will be allocated as deemed appropriate by the Committee.

25.	OPTIONEES NOT STOCKHOLDERS

Neither the granting of an Option to an employee, nor the deductions from his or her pay shall cause such employee to be a stockholder of the shares covered by an Option until such shares have been purchased by and issued to him or her.

SALLIE MAE

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

Amended and Restated as of May 24, 2012

26.

TAXES

As a condition of the grant and exercise of an Option, a Participant shall make such arrangements as the Corporation may require for the satisfaction of any applicable U.S. federal, state, local or foreign tax, withholding, and any other required deductions or payments that may arise in connection with such Option. The Corporation shall not be required to issue any shares under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.

The Corporation may, to the extent permitted under applicable laws, permit a Participant to satisfy all or part of his or her tax, withholding, or any other required deductions or payments by cashless exercise or by surrendering shares (either directly or by stock attestation) that he or she previously acquired. Any payment of taxes by surrendering shares to the Corporation may be subject to restrictions, including, but not limited to, any restrictions required by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

27.	NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS

Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon any employee any right to continued employment, or interfere with the right of the Corporation or the Employers to terminate his or her employment at any time, for any reason.

28.	EFFECTIVE DATE

This current amendment and restatement is effective May 24, 2012.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SLM Corporation has caused this instrument to be duly executed in its name and on its behalf.

SLM Corporation

By:

Exhibit 5.1

LOGO

SLM CORPORATION

300 CONTINENTAL DRIVE

NEWARK, DE 19713

LAURENT C. LUTZ

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND CORPORATE SECRETARY

(302) 283-4009

EXHIBIT 5.1

May 24, 2012

SLM Corporation Board of Directors

300 Continental Drive

Newark, DE 19713

Re:

Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of SLM Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”). The Corporation is about to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission on a registration statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of l933, as amended, (a) 20,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $.20 per share (“Common Stock”), to be issued under the SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan; and (b) 6,000,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Amended and Restated SLM Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The shares registered (the “Shares”) may be offered and sold under the SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the SLM Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plans”).

As Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, I am familiar with its Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Bylaws, as amended. I have examined the Plans and the Registration Statement.

I have also examined and relied upon such corporate records of the Corporation and other documents and certificates with respect to factual matters as I have deemed necessary to render the opinion expressed herein. With respect to the documents I have reviewed, I have assumed, without independent verification, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, and the conformity with originals of all documents submitted to me as copies. As to any facts material to this opinion that I did not independently establish or verify, I have relied upon statements and representations of other officers and representatives of the Corporation.

Based upon my examination mentioned above, I am of the opinion that all necessary corporate proceedings by the Corporation have been duly taken to authorize the issuance of the Shares pursuant to the Plans and that the Shares being registered pursuant to the Registration Statement, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Plans, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

SLM Corporation Board of Directors

May 24, 2012

Page 2

This letter expresses my opinion as to the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law governing the authorization and issuance of stock, but does not extend to the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of Delaware or any other jurisdiction or to federal securities laws or to other laws.

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not thereby admit that I am within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. This opinion is intended solely for your use in connection with the transactions described above. No other person may rely on this opinion for any other purpose without my prior written consent.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Laurent C. Lutz

Laurent C. Lutz

Exhibit 23.2

EXHIBIT 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated February 27, 2012 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in SLM Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

McLean, VA

May 24, 2012