SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

              Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) June 15, 2001


                             USA EDUCATION, INC.
                             -------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


DELAWARE                      File No. 001-13251             52-2013874

(State or other               (Commission File              (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of               Number)                       Identification
incorporation)                                              Number)


               11600 Sallie Mae Drive, Reston, Virginia 20153
               -----------------------------------------------
             (Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)


     Registrant's telephone number, including area code:      (703) 810-3000
                                                              ---------------


                                 Not Applicable
                      ------------------------------------
          (former name or former address, if changed since last report)





ITEM 5.       OTHER EVENTS

      On June 15, 2001, USA Education, Inc. consummated the issuance of
$380,000,000 of Senior Notes due June 16, 2004.



ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

      (a)   Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired:

            Not applicable.

      (b)   Pro Form Financial Information:

            Not applicable.

      (c)   Exhibits:

            1.1   Underwriting Agreement, dated June 8, 2001, between USA
                  Education, Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch,
                  Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Credit Suisse First
                  Boston Corporation

            1.2   Pricing Agreement, dated June 8, 2001, between USA Education,
                  Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
                  Smith Incorporated and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation

            4.1   Third Supplemental Indenture, dated June 15, 2001, between USA
                  Education, Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee

            4.2   Form of Global Certificates for $380,000,000 of Senior Notes
                  Due June 16, 2004





                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                       USA Education, INC.



                                       By: /s/ John F. Remondi
                                           ------------------------------
                                           Name:  John F. Remondi
                                           Title: Executive Vice President
                                                  and Chief Financial Officer


Dated:  June 15, 2001





                               USA Education, INC.

                                    Form 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  -------------



EXHIBIT NO.      DESCRIPTION
- -----------      -----------

1.1              Underwriting Agreement, dated June 8, 2001, between USA
                 Education, Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
                 Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Credit Suisse First Boston
                 Corporation

1.2              Pricing Agreement, dated June 8, 2001, between USA Education,
                 Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
                 Smith Incorporated and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation

4.1              Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 15, 2001,
                 between USA Education, Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
                 trustee

4.2              Form of Global Certificates for $380,000,000 of Senior Notes
                 Due June 16, 2004



                               USA EDUCATION, INC.


                                 DEBT SECURITIES

                                 --------------

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                             ----------------------


                                                                  June 8, 2001
Merrill Lynch & Co.
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
   Incorporated
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
   c/o Merrill Lynch & Co.
        Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
         Incorporated
          World Financial Center
          250 Vesey Street
          New York, New York 10281


Ladies and Gentlemen:

      From time to time USA Education, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), proposes to enter into one or more Pricing Agreements (each a
"Pricing Agreement") in the form of Annex I hereto, with such additions and
deletions as the parties thereto may determine, and, subject to the terms and
conditions stated herein and therein, to issue and sell to the firms named in
Schedule I to the applicable Pricing Agreement (such firms constituting the
"Underwriters" with respect to such Pricing Agreement and the securities
specified therein) certain of its debt securities (the "Securities") specified
in Schedule II to such Pricing Agreement (with respect to such Pricing
Agreement, the "Designated Securities").

      The terms and rights of any particular issuance of Designated Securities
shall be as specified in the Pricing Agreement relating thereto and in or
pursuant to the indenture (the "Indenture") identified in such Pricing
Agreement.

      1.   Particular sales of Designated Securities may be made from time to
time to the Underwriters of such Securities, for whom the firms designated as
representatives of the Underwriters of such Securities in the Pricing Agreement
relating thereto will act as representatives (the "Representatives"). The term
"Representatives" also refers to a single firm acting as sole representative of
the Underwriters and to an Underwriter or Underwriters who act without any firm
being designated as its or their representatives. This Underwriting Agreement
shall not be construed as an obligation of the Company to sell any of the
Securities or as an obligation of any of the Underwriters to purchase the
Securities. The obligation of the Company to issue and sell any of the
Securities and the obligation of any of the Underwriters to purchase any of the
Securities shall be evidenced by the Pricing Agreement with respect to the
Designated Securities specified therein. Each Pricing Agreement shall specify
the aggregate principal amount of such Designated Securities, the initial public
offering price of such Designated Securities, the purchase price to the
Underwriters of such Designated Securities, the names of the Underwriters of
such Designated Securities, the names of the Representatives of such
Underwriters and the principal amount of such Designated Securities to be
purchased by each Underwriter and shall set forth the date, time and manner of
delivery of such Designated Securities and payment therefor. The Pricing
Agreement shall also specify (to the extent not set forth in the Indenture and
the registration statement and prospectus with respect thereto) the terms of
such Designated Securities. A Pricing Agreement shall be in the form of an
executed writing (which may be in counterparts), and may be evidenced by an
exchange of telegraphic communications or any other rapid transmission device
designed to produce a written record of communications transmitted. The
obligations of the Underwriters under this Agreement and each Pricing Agreement
shall be several and not joint.

      2.   The Company  represents  and warrants to, and agrees with,  each of
the Underwriters that:

           (a) A registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-46056) (the
      "Initial Registration Statement") in respect of the Securities has been
      filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"); the
      Initial Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto,
      each in the form heretofore delivered or to be delivered to the
      Representatives and, excluding exhibits to the Initial Registration
      Statement, but including all documents incorporated by reference in the
      prospectus contained therein, to the Representatives for each of the other
      Underwriters, have been declared effective by the Commission in such form;
      other than a registration statement, if any, increasing the size of the
      offering (a "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement"), filed pursuant to Rule
      462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), which
      became effective upon filing, no other document with respect to the
      Initial Registration Statement or document incorporated by reference
      therein has heretofore been filed or transmitted for filing with the
      Commission (other than prospectuses filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the
      rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act, each in the form
      heretofore delivered to the Representatives); and no stop order suspending
      the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any
      post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration
      Statement, if any, has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has
      been initiated or threatened by the Commission (any preliminary prospectus
      included in the Initial Registration Statement or filed with the
      Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Act, is hereinafter called a
      "Preliminary Prospectus"; the various parts of the Initial Registration
      Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto and the Rule 462(b)
      Registration Statement, if any, including all exhibits thereto and the
      documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus contained in the
      Initial Registration Statement at the time such part of the Initial
      Registration Statement became effective but excluding Form T-1, each as
      amended at the time such part of the Initial Registration Statement became
      effective or such part of the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any,
      became or hereafter becomes effective, are hereinafter collectively called
      the "Registration Statement"; the prospectus relating to the Securities,
      in the form in which it has most recently been filed, or transmitted for
      filing, with the Commission on or prior to the date of this Agreement,
      being hereinafter called the "Prospectus"; any reference herein to any
      Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and
      include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to the
      applicable form under the Act, as of the date of such Preliminary
      Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be; any reference to any
      amendment or supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus
      shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed after the date
      of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be, under
      the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and
      incorporated by reference in such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as
      the case may be; any reference to any amendment to the Initial
      Registration Statement shall be deemed to refer to and include any annual
      report of the Company filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the
      Exchange Act after the effective date of the Initial Registration
      Statement that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement;
      and any reference to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented shall be
      deemed to refer to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation
      to the applicable Designated Securities in the form in which it is filed
      with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act in accordance
      with Section 5(a) hereof, including any documents incorporated by
      reference therein as of the date of such filing);

           (b) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when
      they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may
      be, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Act or
      the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the
      Commission thereunder, and none of such documents contained an untrue
      statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
      to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
      misleading; and any further documents so filed and incorporated by
      reference in the Prospectus or any further amendment or supplement
      thereto, when such documents become effective or are filed with the
      Commission, as the case may be, will conform in all material respects to
      the requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the
      rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and will not contain an
      untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
      required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
      not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty
      shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and
      in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by an
      Underwriter of Designated Securities through the Representatives expressly
      for use in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such
      Securities;

           (c) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus conform, and any
      further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the
      Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of
      the Act and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust
      Indenture Act") and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder
      and do not and will not, as of the applicable effective date as to the
      Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and as of the applicable
      filing date as to the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto,
      contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
      fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
      therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and
      warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance
      upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the
      Company by an Underwriter of Designated Securities through the
      Representatives expressly for use in the Prospectus as amended or
      supplemented relating to such Securities;

           (d) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained
      since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
      incorporated by reference in the Prospectus any material loss or
      interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other
      calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute
      or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set
      forth or contemplated in the Prospectus; and, since the respective dates
      as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the
      Prospectus, there has not been any change in the capital stock or
      long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (except as
      described in the Pricing Agreement) or any material adverse change, or any
      development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or
      affecting the general affairs, management, financial position,
      stockholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and its
      subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the
      Prospectus;

           (e) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
      a corporation in good standing under the laws Delaware, with power and
      authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its
      business as described in the Prospectus;

           (f) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the
      Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company
      have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and
      non-assessable;

           (g) The Securities have been duly authorized, and, when Designated
      Securities are issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement and the
      Pricing Agreement with respect to such Designated Securities, such
      Designated Securities will have been duly executed, authenticated, issued
      and delivered and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of
      the Company entitled to the benefits provided by the Indenture, which will
      be substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration
      Statement; the Indenture has been duly authorized and duly qualified under
      the Trust Indenture Act and, at the Time of Delivery for such Designated
      Securities (as defined in Section 4 hereof), the Indenture will constitute
      a valid and legally binding instrument, enforceable in accordance with its
      terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency,
      reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or
      affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles; and the
      Indenture conforms, and the Designated Securities will conform, to the
      descriptions thereof contained in the Prospectus as amended or
      supplemented with respect to such Designated Securities;

           (h) The issue and sale of the Securities and the compliance by the
      Company with all of the provisions of the Securities, the Indenture, this
      Agreement and any Pricing Agreement, and the consummation of the
      transactions herein and therein contemplated will not conflict with or
      result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or
      constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
      agreement or other material agreement or instrument to which the Company
      is a party or by which the Company is bound or to which any of the
      property or assets of the Company is subject, nor will such action result
      in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or
      By-laws of the Company or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of
      any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the
      Company or any of its properties; and no consent, approval, authorization,
      order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or
      governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the
      Securities or the consummation by the Company of the transactions
      contemplated by this Agreement or any Pricing Agreement or the Indenture,
      except such as have been, or will have been prior to the Time of Delivery
      (as defined in Section 4 hereof), obtained under the Act and the Trust
      Indenture Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations
      or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky
      laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by
      the Underwriters;

           (i) The statements set forth in the Prospectus as supplemented under
      the caption "Description of Senior Notes", insofar as they purport to
      constitute a summary of the terms of the Securities, and under the caption
      "Underwriting", insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the
      laws and documents referred to therein, are accurate, complete in all
      material respects and fair;

           (j) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation
      of its Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws or in default in the
      performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant
      or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
      agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party
      or by which it or any of its properties may be bound;

           (k) Other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or
      governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its
      subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of
      its subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined adversely to the
      Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate
      have a material adverse effect on the current or future consolidated
      financial position, stockholders' equity or results of operations of the
      Company and its subsidiaries; and, to the best of the Company's knowledge,
      no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental
      authorities or threatened by others;

           (l) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and
      sale of the Securities, will not be an "investment company", as such term
      is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
      "Investment Company Act");

           (m) Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates does business with
      the government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in Cuba
      within the meaning of Section 517.075, Florida Statutes;

           (n) Arthur Anderson LLP, who have certified certain financial
      statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent public
      accountants as required by the Act and the rules and regulations of the
      Commission thereunder.

      3.   Upon the execution of the Pricing Agreement applicable to any
Designated Securities and authorization by the Representatives of the release of
such Designated Securities, the several Underwriters propose to offer such
Designated Securities for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented.

      4.   Designated Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter pursuant to
the Pricing Agreement relating thereto, in the form specified in such Pricing
Agreement, and in such authorized denominations and registered in such names as
the Representatives may request upon at least forty-eight hours' prior notice to
the Company, shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the
Representatives for the account of such Underwriter, against payment by such
Underwriter or on its behalf of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of
Federal (same-day) funds to the account specified by the Company to the
Representatives at least forty-eight hours in advance or at such other place and
time and date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing,
such time and date being herein called the "Time of Delivery" for such
Securities.

      5.   The Company agrees with each of the  Underwriters of any Designated
Securities:

           (a) To prepare the Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation
      to the applicable Designated Securities in a form approved by the
      Representatives and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under
      the Act not later than the Commission's close of business on the second
      business day following the execution and delivery of the Pricing Agreement
      relating to the applicable Designated Securities or, if applicable, such
      earlier time as may be required by Rule 424(b); to make no further
      amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus as
      amended or supplemented after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating
      to such Securities and prior to the Time of Delivery for such Securities
      which shall be disapproved by the Representatives for such Securities
      promptly after reasonable notice thereof; to advise the Representatives
      promptly of any such amendment or supplement after such Time of Delivery
      and furnish the Representatives with copies thereof; to file promptly all
      reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be
      filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c),
      14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act for so long as the delivery of a
      prospectus is required in connection with the offering or sale of such
      Securities, and during such same period to advise the Representatives,
      promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment
      to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any
      supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed with
      the Commission, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of
      any order preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus relating to
      the Securities, of the suspension of the qualification of such Securities
      for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening
      of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the
      Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement
      or Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the
      issuance of any such stop order or of any such order preventing or
      suspending the use of any prospectus relating to the Securities or
      suspending any such qualification, to promptly use its best efforts to
      obtain the withdrawal of such order;

           (b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as the
      Representatives may reasonably request to qualify such Securities for
      offering and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the
      Representatives may request and to comply with such laws so as to permit
      the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as
      long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of such Securities,
      provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be required to
      qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service
      of process in any jurisdiction;

           (c) Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day
      (defined in Section 14 hereof) next succeeding the date of this Agreement
      and from time to time, to furnish the Underwriters with copies of the
      Prospectus in New York City as amended or supplemented in such quantities
      as the Representatives may reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a
      prospectus is required at any time in connection with the offering or sale
      of the Securities and if at such time any event shall have occurred as a
      result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would
      include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
      material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
      light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus
      is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be
      necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus or
      to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in
      the Prospectus in order to comply with the Act, the Exchange Act or the
      Trust Indenture Act, to notify the Representatives and upon their request
      to file such document and to prepare and furnish without charge to each
      Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies as the
      Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an amended
      Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which will correct such
      statement or omission or effect such compliance;

           (d) To make generally available to its securityholders as soon as
      practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the
      effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c)
      under the Act), an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries
      (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and
      the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (including, at the
      option of the Company, Rule 158);

           (e) During the period beginning from the date of the Pricing
      Agreement for such Designated Securities and continuing to and including
      the later of (i) the termination of trading restrictions for such
      Designated Securities, as notified to the Company by the Representatives
      and (ii) the Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities, not to
      offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any debt securities
      of the Company which mature more than one year after such Time of Delivery
      and which are substantially similar to such Designated Securities, without
      the prior written consent of the Representatives; and

           (f) If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Company shall
      file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in
      compliance with Rule 462(b) by 10:00 p.m., Washington, D.C. time, on the
      date of this Agreement, and the Company shall at the time of filing either
      pay to the Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462(b) Registration
      Statement or give irrevocable instructions for the payment of such fee
      pursuant to Rule 111(b) under the Act.

      6.   The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that
the Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees,
disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and accountants in
connection with the registration of the Securities under the Act and all other
expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the
Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and
amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies
thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or producing
any Agreement among Underwriters, this Agreement, any Pricing Agreement, any
Indenture, any Blue Sky and Legal Investment Memoranda, closing documents
(including any compilations thereof) and any other documents in connection with
the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Securities; (iii) all expenses
in connection with the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale
under state securities laws as provided in Section 5(b) hereof, including the
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such
qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky and Legal Investment Surveys;
(iv) any fees charged by securities rating services for rating the Securities;
(v) any filing fees incident to, and the fees and disbursements of counsel for
the Underwriters in connection with, any required review by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. of the terms of the sale of the
Securities; (vi) the cost of preparing the Securities; (vii) the fees and
expenses of any trustee and any agent of any trustee and the fees and
disbursements of counsel for any trustee in connection with any Indenture and
the Securities; and (viii) all other costs and expenses incident to the
performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically
provided for in this Section. It is understood, however, that, except as
provided in this Section, and Sections 8 and 11 hereof, the Underwriters will
pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel,
transfer taxes on resale of any of the Securities by them, and any advertising
expenses connected with any offers they may make.

      7.   The obligations of the Underwriters of any Designated Securities
under the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities shall be
subject, in the discretion of the Representatives, to the condition that all
representations and warranties and other statements of the Company in or
incorporated by reference in the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated
Securities are, at and as of the Time of Delivery for such Designated
Securities, true and correct, the condition that the Company shall have
performed all of its obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the
following additional conditions:

      (a)  The Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation to the
applicable Designated Securities shall have been filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed for such
filing by the rules and regulations under the Act and in accordance with Section
5(a) hereof; if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Rule
462(b) Registration Statement shall have become effective by 10:00 p.m.,
Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement; no stop order suspending
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have
been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or
threatened by the Commission; and all requests for additional information on the
part of the Commission shall have been complied with to the Representatives'
reasonable satisfaction;

      (b)  Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, counsel for the Underwriters, shall
have furnished to the Representatives such written opinion or opinions (a draft
of each such opinion is attached as Annex II(a) hereto), dated the Time of
Delivery for such Designated Securities, with respect to the matters covered in
paragraphs (i), (ii), (iv), (v), (vi), (x), (xii) and (xiii) of subsection (c)
below as well as such other related matters as the Representatives may
reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such papers and
information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such
matters;

      (c)  The general counsel of or other counsel employed by the Company, or
outside counsel for the Company satisfactory to the Representatives shall have
furnished to the Representatives their written opinion (a draft of such opinion
is attached as Annex II(b) hereto), dated the Time of Delivery for such
Designated Securities, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Representatives, to the effect that:

                (i)    The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
           existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
           jurisdiction of its incorporation, with power and authority
           (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business
           as described in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented;

                (ii)   The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth
           in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and all of the issued
           shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly
           authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable;

                (iii)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as
           set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental
           proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
           is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its
           subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined adversely to the
           Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the
           aggregate have a material adverse effect on the current or future
           consolidated financial position, stockholders' equity or results of
           operations of the Company and its subsidiaries; and, to the best of
           such counsel's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or
           contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others;

                (iv)   This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to
           the Designated Securities have been duly authorized, executed and
           delivered by the Company;

                (v)    The Designated Securities have been duly authorized,
           executed, authenticated, issued and delivered and constitute valid
           and legally binding obligations of the Company entitled to the
           benefits provided by the Indenture; and the Designated Securities and
           the Indenture conform to the descriptions thereof in the Prospectus
           as amended or supplemented;

                (vi)   The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and
           delivered by the parties thereto and constitutes a valid and legally
           binding instrument, enforceable in accordance with its terms,
           subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
           and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
           creditors' rights and to general equity principles; and the Indenture
           has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act;

                (vii)  The issue and sale of the Designated Securities being
           delivered at such Time of Delivery and the compliance by the Company
           with all of the provisions of the Designated Securities, the
           Indenture, this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to
           the Designated Securities and the consummation of the transactions
           herein and therein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a
           breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or
           constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
           loan agreement or other material agreement or instrument known to
           such counsel to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a
           party or by which the Company is bound or to which any of the
           property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
           subject, nor will such actions result in any violation of the
           provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the
           Company or any statute or any order, rule or regulation known to such
           counsel of any court or governmental agency or body having
           jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of
           its properties;

                (viii) No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration
           or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or
           body is required for the issue and sale of the Designated Securities
           being delivered at such Time of Delivery or the consummation by the
           Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or such
           Pricing Agreement or the Indenture, except such as have been obtained
           under the Act and the Trust Indenture Act and such consents,
           approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations or qualifications as
           may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection
           with the purchase and distribution of the Designated Securities by
           the Underwriters;

                (ix)   Neither the Company nor any of its material subsidiaries
           is in violation of its By-laws or Certificate of Incorporation or in
           default in the performance or observance of any material obligation,
           agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract,
           indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other instrument
           to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be
           bound;

                (x)    The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the
           caption "Description of Senior Notes", insofar as they purport to
           constitute a summary of the terms of the Designated Securities, and
           under the caption "Underwriting", insofar as they purport to describe
           the provisions of the laws and documents referred to therein,
           constitute a fair summary of such terms, laws and documents;

                (xi)   The Company is not an "investment  company",  as such
           term is defined in the Investment Company Act;

                (xii)  The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus
           as amended or supplemented (other than the financial statements,
           related schedules and other financial information therein, as to
           which such counsel need express no opinion), when they became
           effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be,
           complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of
           the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and
           regulations of the Commission thereunder; and they have no reason to
           believe that any of such documents, when they became effective or
           were so filed, as the case may be, contained, in the case of a
           registration statement which became effective under the Act, an
           untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
           fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
           statements therein not misleading, or, in the case of other documents
           which were filed under the Act or the Exchange Act with the
           Commission, an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
           state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
           therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made
           when such documents were so filed, not misleading; and

                (xiii) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended
           or supplemented, and any further amendments and supplements thereto
           made by the Company prior to the Time of Delivery for the Designated
           Securities (other than the financial statements, related schedules
           and other financial information therein, as to which such counsel
           need express no opinion), comply as to form in all material respects
           with the requirements of the Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the
           rules and regulations thereunder; although such counsel does not
           assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness
           of the statements contained in the Registration Statement or the
           Prospectus, except for those referred to in the opinion in subsection
           (x) of this Section 7(c), such counsel has no reason to believe that,
           as of its effective date, the Registration Statement or any further
           amendment thereto made by the Company prior to the Time of Delivery
           (other than the financial statements and related schedules therein,
           as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contained an untrue
           statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
           required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
           therein not misleading or that, as of its date, the Prospectus as
           amended or supplemented or any further amendment or supplement
           thereto made by the Company prior to the Time of Delivery (other than
           the financial statements and related schedules therein, as to which
           such counsel need express no opinion) contained an untrue statement
           of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to
           make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
           which they were made, not misleading or that, as of the Time of
           Delivery, either the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as
           amended or supplemented or any further amendment or supplement
           thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of Delivery (other
           than the financial statements, related schedules and other financial
           information therein, as to which such counsel need express no
           opinion) contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
           state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in
           the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
           misleading; and such counsel does not know of any amendment to the
           Registration Statement required to be filed or any contracts or other
           documents of a character required to be filed as an exhibit to the
           Registration Statement or required to be incorporated by reference
           into the Prospectus as amended or supplemented or required to be
           described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as amended
           or supplemented which are not filed or incorporated by reference or
           described as required;

      Such counsel may rely on the opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft as
to matters of New York law.

      (d)  On the date of the Pricing Agreement for such Designated Securities
at a time prior to the execution of the Pricing Agreement with respect to such
Designated Securities and at the Time of Delivery for such Designated
Securities, the independent accountants of the Company who have certified the
financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries included or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall have furnished to
the Representatives a letter, dated the date of the Pricing Agreement or the
date of the most recent report filed with the Commission containing financial
statements and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, if the
date of such report is later than such date, and a letter dated such Time of
Delivery, respectively, to the effect set forth in Annex II hereto, and with
respect to such letter dated such Time of Delivery, as to such other matters as
the Representatives may reasonably request and in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Representatives (the executed copy of the letter delivered
prior to the execution of this Agreement is attached as Annex I(a) hereto and a
draft of the form of letter to be delivered on the effective date of any
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement and as of each Time of
Delivery is attached as Annex I(b) hereto);

      (e)  (i) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall have
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as amended prior to the date of the
Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Securities any loss or interference
with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not
covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action,
order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus
as amended prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated
Securities, and (ii) since the respective dates as of which information is given
in the Prospectus as amended prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement relating
to the Designated Securities there shall not have been any change in the capital
stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any change,
or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the general
affairs, management, financial position, stockholders' equity or results of
operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth or
contemplated in the Prospectus as amended prior to the date of the Pricing
Agreement relating to the Designated Securities, the effect of which, in any
such case described in clause (i) or (ii), is in the judgment of the
Representatives so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or
inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the
Designated Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to the Designated Securities;

      (f)  On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
Designated Securities (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating
accorded the Company's debt securities or preferred stock by any "nationally
recognized statistical rating organization", as that term is defined by the
Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act, and (ii) no such
organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or
review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company's
debt securities or preferred stock;

      (g)  On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
Designated Securities there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) a
suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally on the New
York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange"); (ii) a suspension or material limitation
in trading in the Company's securities on the Exchange; (iii) a general
moratorium on commercial banking activities declared by either Federal or New
York State authorities, or a general moratorium on commercial banking activities
in the District of Columbia declared by either Federal or District of Columbia
authorities; or (iv) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the
United States or the declaration by the United States of a national emergency or
war, if the effect of any such event specified in this clause (iv) in the
judgment of the Representatives makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed
with the public offering or the delivery of the Designated Securities on the
terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus as first amended or
supplemented relating to the Designated Securities;

      (h)  The Company shall have complied with the provisions of Section 5(c)
hereof with respect to the furnishing of prospectuses on the Business Day next
succeeding the date of this Agreement; and

      (i)  The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the
Representatives at the Time of Delivery for the Designated Securities a
certificate or certificates of officers of the Company satisfactory to the
Representatives as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the
Company herein at and as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the
Company of all of its obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such
Time of Delivery, as to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (e) of this
Section and as to such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably
request.

      8.   (a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which
such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary
prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will
reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such
action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss,
claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary
Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement,
the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating to
the Securities, or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter
of Designated Securities through the Representatives expressly for use in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such Securities.

      (b)  Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company against
any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may become
subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus
relating to the Securities, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out
of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that
such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission was made in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus
supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any such
amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the
Representatives expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the Company for
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection
with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are
incurred.

      (c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a)
or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party
shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying
party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the
commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall
not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such action shall be brought
against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate
therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other
indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except
with the consent of the indemnified party (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), be counsel to the indemnifying
party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party
of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall
not be liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal
expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently
incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other
than reasonable costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the
written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise
of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or
threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution
may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or
potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or
judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all
liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include any
statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act, by
or on behalf of any indemnified party. The consent in this last sentence shall
not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed and the indemnifying party
agrees that the indemnified party shall in all cases be justified in withholding
consent unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an
unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of
such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to, or an
admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any
indemnified party.

      (d)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable
to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or
(b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received
by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters of the Designated Securities
on the other from the offering of the Designated Securities to which such loss,
claim, damage or liability (or action in respect thereof) relates. If, however,
the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted
by applicable law or if the indemnified party failed to give the notice required
under subsection (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to
such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative
fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters of the Designated
Securities on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which
resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative
benefits received by the Company on the one hand and such Underwriters on the
other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds
from such offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to
the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriters.
The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company on the one hand or such Underwriters on the other and
the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity
to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the
Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if
the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other
method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations
referred to above in this subsection (d). The amount paid or payable by an
indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be
deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action
or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no Underwriter
shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the
total price at which the applicable Designated Securities underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The obligations of the Underwriters
of Designated Securities in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in
proportion to their respective underwriting obligations with respect to such
Securities and not joint.

      (e)  The obligations of the Company under this Section 8 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend,
upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any
Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Underwriters under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which
the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same
terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company and to each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act.

      9.   (a) If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase
the Designated Securities which it has agreed to purchase under the Pricing
Agreement relating to such Designated Securities, the Representatives may in
their discretion arrange for themselves or another party or other parties to
purchase such Designated Securities on the terms contained herein. If within
thirty-six hours after such default by any Underwriter the Representatives do
not arrange for the purchase of such Designated Securities, then the Company
shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six hours within which to
procure another party or other parties satisfactory to the Representatives to
purchase such Designated Securities on such terms. In the event that, within the
respective prescribed period, the Representatives notify the Company that they
have so arranged for the purchase of such Designated Securities, or the Company
notifies the Representatives that it has so arranged for the purchase of such
Designated Securities, the Representatives or the Company shall have the right
to postpone a Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities for a period of
not more than seven days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be
made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees
to file promptly any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or
the Prospectus which in the opinion of the Representatives may thereby be made
necessary. The term "Underwriter" as used in this Agreement shall include any
person substituted under this Section with like effect as if such person had
originally been a party to the Pricing Agreement with respect to such Designated
Securities.

      (b)  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the
Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the
Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the
aggregate principal amount of such Designated Securities which remains
unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of
the Designated Securities, to be purchased at the Time of Delivery, then the
Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to
purchase the principal amount of Designated Securities which such Underwriter
agreed to purchase under the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated
Securities and, in addition, to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to
purchase its pro rata share (based on the principal amount of Designated
Securities which such Underwriter agreed to purchase under such Pricing
Agreement) of the Designated Securities of such defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing herein
shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

      (c)  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the
Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the
Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the
aggregate principal amount of Designated Securities which remains unpurchased
exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of the Designated
Securities, to be purchased at the Time of Delivery, as referred to in
subsection (b) above, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described
in subsection (b) above to require non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase
Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then the
Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities shall thereupon
terminate, without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or
the Company, except for the expenses to be borne by the Company and the
Underwriters as provided in Section 6 hereof and the indemnity and contribution
agreements in Section 8 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting
Underwriter from liability for its default.

      10.  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties
and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth
in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to
this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf
of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter, or the Company,
or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Securities.

      11.  If any Pricing Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9
hereof, the Company shall not then be under any liability to any Underwriter
with respect to the Designated Securities with respect to which such Pricing
Agreement shall have been terminated except as provided in Sections 6 and 8
hereof; but, if for any other reason Designated Securities are not delivered by
or on behalf of the Company as provided herein, the Company will reimburse the
Underwriters through the Representatives for all out-of-pocket expenses approved
in writing by the Representatives, including fees and disbursements of counsel,
reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the purchase,
sale and delivery of such Designated Securities, but the Company shall then be
under no further liability to any Underwriter with respect to such Designated
Securities except as provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof.

      12.  In all dealings hereunder, the Representatives of the Underwriters of
Designated Securities shall act on behalf of each of such Underwriters, and the
parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request,
notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by such
Representatives jointly or by such of the Representatives, if any, as may be
designated for such purpose in the Pricing Agreement.

      All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in
writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile transmission to the address of the Representatives as set forth in the
Pricing Agreement; and if to the Company shall be delivered or sent by facsimile
transmission or registered mail to USA Education, Inc., 11600 Sallie Mae Drive,
Reston, Virginia 20193, facsimile transmission number (703) 810-7586, Attention:
General Counsel's office; provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter
pursuant to Section 8(c) hereof shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in its
Underwriters' Questionnaire, or telex constituting such Questionnaire, which
address will be supplied to the Company by the Representatives upon request. Any
such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt
thereof.

      13.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be binding upon, and
inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters, the Company and, to the extent
provided in Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the officers and directors of the Company
and each person who controls the Company or any Underwriter, and their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no
other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this
Agreement or any such Pricing Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Securities
from any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of
such purchase.

      14.  Time shall be of the  essence of each  Pricing  Agreement.  As used
herein,  "Business  Day"  shall mean any day when the  Commission's  office in
Washington, D.C. is open for business.

      15.  THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH PRICING AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

      16.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement may be executed by any one
or more of the parties hereto and thereto in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

      If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return counterparts to us, one for the Company and for each of the
Representatives plus one for each counsel.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          USA EDUCATION, INC.


                                          By: /s/ John F. Remondi
                                              ---------------------------------
                                              Name:  John F. Remondi
                                              Title: Executive Vice President
                                                     and Chief Financial Officer


Accepted as of the date hereof:

    MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
       INCORPORATED


By: /s/ Scott G. Primrose
    -------------------------------
    Name:   Scott G. Primrose
    Title:  Authorized Signatory


As Representative of the Underwriters




                                                                         ANNEX I

                            FORM OF PRICING AGREEMENT
                            -------------------------


- ----------------,
As Representatives of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto


                                                                   ........,2001

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      USA Education, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes,
subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in the Underwriting
Agreement, dated ______________, 2001 (the "Underwriting Agreement"), between
the Company on the one hand and ________________ on the other hand, to issue and
sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the "Underwriters") the
Securities specified in Schedule II hereto (the "Designated Securities"). Each
of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to
the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein; and
each of the representations and warranties set forth therein shall be deemed to
have been made at and as of the date of this Pricing Agreement, except that each
representation and warranty which refers to the Prospectus in Section 2 of the
Underwriting Agreement shall be deemed to be a representation or warranty as of
the date of the Underwriting Agreement in relation to the Prospectus (as therein
defined), and also a representation and warranty as of the date of this Pricing
Agreement in relation to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to
the Designated Securities which are the subject of this Pricing Agreement. Each
reference to the Representatives herein and in the provisions of the
Underwriting Agreement so incorporated by reference shall be deemed to refer to
you. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Underwriting
Agreement are used herein as therein defined. The Representatives designated to
act on behalf of the Representatives and on behalf of each of the Underwriters
of the Designated Securities pursuant to Section 12 of the Underwriting
Agreement and the address of the Representatives referred to in such Section 12
are set forth at the end of Schedule II hereto.

      An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the
Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Designated Securities, in the
form heretofore delivered to you is now proposed to be filed with the
Commission.

      Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the
Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, the Company agrees to
issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the time and place
and at the purchase price to the Underwriters set forth in Schedule II hereto,
the principal amount of Designated Securities set forth opposite the name of
such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto.

      If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us one for the Company and each of the Representatives plus one for
each counsel counterparts hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by you, on behalf
of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof, including
the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference,
shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters and the
Company. It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of each
of the Underwriters is or will be pursuant to the authority set forth in a form
of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to the
Company for examination upon request, but without warranty on the part of the
Representatives as to the authority of the signers thereof.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          USA EDUCATION, INC.


                                          By:
                                              ---------------------------------
                                              Name:
                                              Title:


Accepted as of the date hereof:

[UNDERWRITER REPRESENTATIVE]


By:
     -----------------------------------------------
           On behalf of each of the Underwriters



                                   SCHEDULE I


                                                               PRINCIPAL
                                                               AMOUNT OF
                                                              DESIGNATED
                                                              SECURITIES
                                                                   TO BE
                            UNDERWRITER                        PURCHASED
                            -----------                        ---------

 ...........................................................  $

 ...........................................................









                                                             ------------
            Total..........................................  $
                                                             ============



                                   SCHEDULE II


TITLE OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:

     [  %] [Floating Rate] [Zero Coupon] [Notes]
     [Debentures] due           ,

AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:
     [$]

PRICE TO PUBLIC:

        % of the principal amount of the Designated Securities, plus accrued
        interest[, if any,] from                to              [and accrued
        amortization[, if any,] from            to              ]

PURCHASE PRICE BY UNDERWRITERS:

           % of the principal amount of the Designated Securities, plus accrued
           interest from           to           [and accrued amortization
           [, if any,] from        to           ]

FORM OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:

     [Definitive form to be made available for checking and packaging at least
     twenty-four hours prior to the Time of Delivery at the office of [The
     Depository Trust Company or its designated custodian] [the
     Representatives]](13)

     [Book-entry only form represented by one or more global securities
     deposited with The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its designated
     custodian, to be made available for checking by the Representatives at
     least twenty-four hours prior to the Time of Delivery at the office of
     DTC.](14)

SPECIFIED FUNDS FOR PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE:

     Federal (same day) funds(15)

TIME OF DELIVERY:

      a.m. (New York City time),                      , 2001

INDENTURE:

     Indenture dated            ,2001         , between the Company
     and                  , as trustee

MATURITY:

INTEREST RATE:

     [   %] [Zero Coupon] [See Floating Rate Provisions]

INTEREST PAYMENT DATES:

     [months and dates, commencing ....................., 2001]

REDEMPTION PROVISIONS:

     [No provisions for redemption]

     [The Designated Securities may be redeemed, otherwise than through the
     sinking fund, in whole or in part at the option of the Company, in the
     amount of [$       ] or an integral multiple thereof,

     [on or after          ,      at the following redemption prices (expressed
     in percentages of principal amount). If [redeemed on or before     ,     %,
     and if] redeemed during the 12-month period beginning            ,


                                         REDEMPTION
                   YEAR                     PRICE
                   ----                     -----


     and thereafter at 100% of their principal amount,
     together in each case with accrued interest to the
     redemption date.]

     [on any interest payment date falling on or
     after                 ,      , at the election
     of the Company, at a redemption price equal to the
     principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest to
     the date of redemption.]]

     [Other possible redemption provisions, such as
     mandatory redemption upon occurrence of certain
     events or redemption for changes in tax law]

     [Restriction on refunding]

SINKING FUND PROVISIONS:

     [No sinking fund provisions]

     [The Designated Securities are entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund to
     retire [$      ] principal amount of Designated Securities on         in
     each of the years through    at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued
     interest[, together with [cumulative] [noncumulative] redemptions at the
     option of the Company to retire an additional [$     ] principal amount of
     Designated Securities in the years      through      at 100% of their
     principal amount plus accrued interest.]

       [If Designated Securities are extendable debt securities, insert--


EXTENDABLE PROVISIONS:

     Designated Securities are repayable on       ,     [insert date and years],
     at the option of the holder, at their principal amount with accrued
     interest. The initial annual interest rate will be    %, and thereafter the
     annual interest rate will be adjusted on       ,     and to a rate not less
     than      % of the effective annual interest rate on U.S. Treasury
     obligations with     -year maturities as of the [insert date 15 days prior
     to maturity date] prior to such [insert maturity date].]

      [If Designated Securities are floating rate debt securities, insert--


FLOATING RATE PROVISIONS:

     Initial annual interest rate will be     % through      [and thereafter
     will be adjusted [monthly] [on each        ,      , and     ] [to an annual
     rate of      % above the average rate for    -year     [month][securities]
     [certificates     of     deposit]     issued     by    and     [insert
     names of banks].] [and the annual interest rate [thereafter] [from
     through       ] will be the interest yield equivalent of the weekly average
     per annum market discount rate for      -month Treasury bills plus     %
     of Interest Differential (the excess, if any, of (i) the then current
     weekly average per annum secondary market yield for    -month certificates
     of deposit over (ii) the then current interest yield equivalent of the
     weekly average per annum market discount rate for   -month Treasury bills);
     [from     and thereafter the rate will be the then current interest yield
     equivalent plus     % of Interest Differential].]


DEFEASANCE PROVISIONS:



CLOSING LOCATION FOR DELIVERY OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:



ADDITIONAL CLOSING CONDITIONS:



NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF REPRESENTATIVES:

   Designated Representatives:

   Address for Notices, etc.:

[OTHER TERMS]:




                                                                        ANNEX II


      Pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Underwriting Agreement, the accountants
shall furnish letters to the Underwriters to the effect that:

           (i)   They are independent certified public accountants with respect
      to the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the Act and the
      applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission;

           (ii)  In their opinion, the financial statements and any
      supplementary financial information and schedules audited (and, if
      applicable, financial forecasts and/or pro forma financial information)
      examined by them and included or incorporated by reference in the
      Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply as to form in all material
      respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act or the
      Exchange Act, as applicable, and the related rules and regulations; and,
      if applicable, they have made a review in accordance with standards
      established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of
      the consolidated interim financial statements, selected financial data,
      pro forma financial information, financial forecasts and/or condensed
      financial statements derived from audited financial statements of the
      Company for the periods specified in such letter, as indicated in their
      reports thereon, copies of which have been [SEPARATELY] furnished to the
      representative or representatives of the Underwriters (the
      "Representatives") such term to include an Underwriter or Underwriters who
      act without any firm being designated as its or their representatives [AND
      ARE ATTACHED TO SUCH LETTERS];

           (iii) They have made a review in accordance with standards
      established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of
      the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated
      balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows included in the
      Prospectus and/or included in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q
      incorporated by reference into the Prospectus as indicated in their
      reports thereon copies of which [HAVE BEEN separately FURNISHED TO THE
      REPRESENTATIVES][ARE ATTACHED TO SUCH LETTERS]; and on the basis of
      specified procedures including inquiries of officials of the Company who
      have responsibility for financial and accounting matters regarding whether
      the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements referred to in
      paragraph (vi)(A)(i) below comply as to form in all material respects with
      the applicable accounting requirements of the [ACT AND THE EXCHANGE] Act
      and the related rules and regulations, nothing came to their attention
      that caused them to believe that the unaudited condensed consolidated
      financial statements do not comply as to form in all material respects
      with the applicable accounting requirements of the [ACT AND THE EXCHANGE]
      Act and the related rules and regulations adopted by the Commission;

           (iv) The unaudited selected financial information with respect to
      the consolidated results of operations and financial position of the
      Company for the five most recent fiscal years included in the Prospectus
      and included or incorporated by reference in Item 6 of the Company's
      Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year agrees with the
      corresponding amounts (after restatement where applicable) in the audited
      consolidated financial statements for five such fiscal years included or
      incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for
      such fiscal years;

           (v)  They have compared the information in the Prospectus under
      selected captions with the disclosure requirements of Regulation S-K and
      on the basis of limited procedures specified in such letter nothing came
      to their attention as a result of the foregoing procedures that caused
      them to believe that this information does not conform in all material
      respects with the disclosure requirements of Items 301, 302, 402 and
      503(d), respectively, of Regulation S-K;

           (vi) On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting an
      examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
      consisting of a reading of the unaudited financial statements and other
      information referred to below, a reading of the latest available interim
      financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, inspection of
      the minute books of the Company and its subsidiaries since the date of the
      latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference
      in the Prospectus, inquiries of officials of the Company and its
      subsidiaries responsible for financial and accounting matters and such
      other inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such letter, nothing
      came to their attention that caused them to believe that:

                (A) (i) the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of
           income, consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of
           cash flows included in the Prospectus and/or included or incorporated
           by reference in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
           incorporated by reference in the Prospectus do not comply as to form
           in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements
           of the Exchange Act and the published rules and regulations adopted
           by the Commission, or (ii) any material modifications should be made
           to the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income,
           consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows
           included in the Prospectus or included in the Company's Quarterly
           Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference in the Prospectus for
           them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting
           principles;

                (B) any other unaudited income statement data and balance sheet
           items included in the Prospectus do not agree with the corresponding
           items in the unaudited consolidated financial statements from which
           such data and items were derived, and any such unaudited data and
           items were not determined on a basis substantially consistent with
           the basis for the corresponding amounts in the audited consolidated
           financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the
           Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year;

                (C) the unaudited financial statements which were not included
           in the Prospectus but from which were derived the unaudited condensed
           financial statements referred to in clause (A) and any unaudited
           income statement data and balance sheet items included in the
           Prospectus and referred to in clause (B) were not determined on a
           basis substantially consistent with the basis for the audited
           financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the
           Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year;

                (D) any unaudited pro forma consolidated condensed financial
           statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus do
           not comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable
           accounting requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations
           adopted by the Commission thereunder or the pro forma adjustments
           have not been properly applied to the historical amounts in the
           compilation of those statements;

                (E) as of a specified date not more than five days prior to the
           date of such letter, there have been any changes in the consolidated
           capital stock (other than issuances of capital stock upon exercise of
           options and stock appreciation rights, upon earn-outs of performance
           shares and upon conversions of convertible securities, in each case
           which were outstanding on the date of the latest balance sheet
           included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus) or any
           increase in the consolidated long-term debt of the Company and its
           subsidiaries, or any decreases in consolidated net current assets or
           stockholders' equity or other items specified by the Representatives,
           or any increases in any items specified by the Representatives, in
           each case as compared with amounts shown in the latest balance sheet
           included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, except in
           each case for changes, increases or decreases which the Prospectus
           discloses have occurred or may occur or which are described in such
           letter; and

                (F) for the period from the date of the latest financial
           statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus to
           the specified date referred to in clause (E) there were any decreases
           in consolidated net revenues or operating profit or the total or per
           share amounts of consolidated net income or other items specified by
           the Representatives, or any increases in any items specified by the
           Representatives, in each case as compared with the comparable period
           of the preceding year and with any other period of corresponding
           length specified by the Representatives, except in each case for
           increases or decreases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred
           or may occur or which are described in such letter; and

           (vii) In addition to the audit referred to in their report(s)
      included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and the limited
      procedures, inspection of minute books, inquiries and other procedures
      referred to in paragraphs (iii) and (vi) above, they have carried out
      certain specified procedures, not constituting an audit in accordance with
      generally accepted auditing standards, with respect to certain amounts,
      percentages and financial information specified by the Representatives
      which are derived from the general accounting records of the Company and
      its subsidiaries, which appear in the Prospectus (excluding documents
      incorporated by reference), or in Part II of, or in exhibits and schedules
      to, the Registration Statement specified by the Representatives or in
      documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus specified by the
      Representatives, and have compared certain of such amounts, percentages
      and financial information with the accounting records of the Company and
      its subsidiaries and have found them to be in agreement.

      All references in this Annex II to the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer
to the Prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference therein) as
defined in the Underwriting Agreement as of the date of the letter delivered on
the date of the Pricing Agreement for purposes of such letter and to the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented (including the documents incorporated by
reference therein) in relation to the applicable Designated Securities for
purposes of the letter delivered at the Time of Delivery for such Designated
Securities.

                                PRICING AGREEMENT
                                -----------------


Merrill Lynch & Co.
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
           Incorporated
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
As Representatives of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto
   c/o Merrill Lynch & Co.
        Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
         Incorporated
          World Financial Center
          250 Vesey Street
          New York, New York 10281


                                                                  June 8, 2001

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      USA Education, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes,
subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in the Underwriting
Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2001 (the "Underwriting Agreement"), between the
Company on the one hand and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith on the other hand, to issue and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule
I hereto (the "Underwriters") the Securities specified in Schedule II hereto
(the "Designated Securities"). Each of the provisions of the Underwriting
Agreement is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and shall be
deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions
had been set forth in full herein; and each of the representations and
warranties set forth therein shall be deemed to have been made at and as of the
date of this Pricing Agreement, except that each representation and warranty
which refers to the Prospectus in Section 2 of the Underwriting Agreement shall
be deemed to be a representation or warranty as of the date of the Underwriting
Agreement in relation to the Prospectus (as therein defined), and also a
representation and warranty as of the date of this Pricing Agreement in relation
to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to the Designated
Securities which are the subject of this Pricing Agreement. Each reference to
the Representatives herein and in the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement
so incorporated by reference shall be deemed to refer to you. Unless otherwise
defined herein, terms defined in the Underwriting Agreement are used herein as
therein defined. The Representatives designated to act on behalf of the
Representatives and on behalf of each of the Underwriters of the Designated
Securities pursuant to Section 12 of the Underwriting Agreement and the address
of the Representatives referred to in such Section 12 are set forth at the end
of Schedule II hereto.

      An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the
Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Designated Securities, in the
form heretofore delivered to you is now proposed to be filed with the
Commission.

      Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the
Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, the Company agrees to
issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the time and place
and at the purchase price to the Underwriters set forth in Schedule II hereto,
the principal amount of Designated Securities set forth opposite the name of
such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto.

      If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us one for the Company and each of the Representatives plus one for
each counsel counterparts hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by you, on behalf
of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof, including
the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference,
shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters and the
Company. It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of each
of the Underwriters is or will be pursuant to the authority set forth in a form
of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to the
Company for examination upon request, but without warranty on the part of the
Representatives as to the authority of the signers thereof.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          USA EDUCATION, INC.


                                          By: /s/ John F. Remondi
                                              ---------------------------------
                                              Name:  John F. Remondi
                                              Title: Executive Vice President
                                                     and Chief Financial Officer


Accepted as of the date hereof:

    MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
       INCORPORATED


By: /s/ Scott G. Primrose
    -------------------------------
    Name:   Scott G. Primrose
    Title:  Authorized Signatory


On behalf of each of the Underwriters






                                   SCHEDULE I



                                                                   PRINCIPAL
                                                                   AMOUNT OF
                                                                   DESIGNATED
                                                                   SECURITIES
                                                                     TO BE
                         UNDERWRITER                               PURCHASED
                         -----------                               ---------

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
       Incorporated .......................................      $253,000,000


Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation ....................      $127,000,000


Total......................................................      $380,000,000
                                                                 ============





                                   SCHEDULE II


TITLE OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:
     Senior Notes due June 16, 2004.

AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:
     $380,000,000.

PRICE TO PUBLIC:

     100% of the principal amount of the Designated Securities.

PURCHASE PRICE BY UNDERWRITERS:

     99.80% of the principal amount of the Designated Securities.

FORM OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:

     Book-entry only form represented by two global securities deposited with
     The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its designated custodian, to be
     made available for checking by the Representatives at least twenty-four
     hours prior to the Time of Delivery.

SPECIFIED FUNDS FOR PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE:

     Federal (same day) funds.

TIME OF DELIVERY:

      11:00 a.m. (New York City time), June 15, 2001.

INDENTURE:

     Indenture,  dated as of October 1, 2000, between USA Education,  Inc. and
     The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee,  and Third Supplemental  Indenture,
     dated June 15, 2001, between USA Education,  Inc. and The Chase Manhattan
     Bank, as trustee.

MATURITY:

     June 16, 2004.

INTEREST RATE:

     Three-month LIBOR, as determined on the second business day before the
     applicable accrual period, plus 0.28%.

     Interest will accrue from the date of original issuance, June 15, 2001.

INTEREST PAYMENT DATES:

     Quarterly on March 16, June 16, September 16 and December 16 of each year
     (or if such date falls on a day which is not a business day, on the next
     succeeding business day), with the first payment of interest to be made on
     September 17, 2001.

REDEMPTION PROVISIONS:

     No provisions for redemption.

SINKING FUND PROVISIONS:

     No sinking fund provisions.

FLOATING RATE PROVISIONS:

     Annual interest rate will be 0.28% over three-month LIBOR, as determined on
     the second business day before the applicable accrual period.

DEFEASANCE PROVISIONS:

     No defeasance provisions.

CLOSING LOCATION FOR DELIVERY OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:

     Offices of USA Education, Inc.
     11600 Sallie Mae Drive
     Reston, Virginia 20193

ADDITIONAL CLOSING CONDITIONS:

     None.

NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF REPRESENTATIVES:

   Merrill Lynch & Co.
     Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                         Incorporated
     World Financial Center
     250 Vesey Street
     New York, New York 10281

   Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
     11 Madison Avenue
     New York, New York  10010

   Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated shall be entitled to
   execute documents and instruments on behalf of the Representatives and the
   Underwriters.

OTHER TERMS:

   None.






                          THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE


                                     between


                               USA EDUCATION, INC.


                                       and


                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


                            Dated as of June 15, 2001


                                  $380,000,000


                         SENIOR NOTES DUE JUNE 16, 2004






==============================================================================





            THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of June 15, 2001 (this
"Supplemental Indenture"), between USA Education, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee") under
the Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2000, between the Company and the Trustee
(the "Base Indenture" and, together with this Supplemental Indenture, the
"Indenture").

            WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered the Base Indenture to
the Trustee to provide for the future issuance of debentures, notes or other
evidences of indebtedness of the Company to be issued from time to time in one
or more series as might be determined by the Company under the Indenture, in an
unlimited aggregate principal amount which may be authenticated and delivered as
provided in the Base Indenture;

            WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Base Indenture, the Company
desires to provide for the establishment of a series of senior unsecured and
unsubordinated notes to be known as its Senior Notes due June 16, 2004, the form
and substance of such Notes, and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof,
to be set forth as provided in the Base Indenture and this Supplemental
Indenture;

            WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and
deliver this Supplemental Indenture; all requirements necessary to make this
Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument in accordance with its terms, and to
make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by
the Trustee, the valid obligations of the Company, have been performed; and the
execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized
in all respects.

            NOW THEREFORE, in consideration for the purchase and acceptance of
the Notes by the Holders thereof, and for the purpose of setting forth, as
provided in the Base Indenture, the form and substance of the Notes and the
terms, provisions and conditions thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with
the Trustee as follows:


                                    ARTICLE 1

                                   DEFINITIONS

      1.1   Definition of Terms. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise
defined in this Supplemental Indenture (including the form of Global Note
attached as Exhibit A to this Supplemental Indenture, the terms of which are a
part of this Supplemental Indenture) have the meanings assigned to them below:

            "Base Indenture" is defined in the introductory paragraph.

            "Business Day" is defined in the Global Note.

            "Company" is defined in the introductory paragraph.

            "Company Order" is defined in the Base Indenture.

            "Depositary" is defined in the Base Indenture.

            "Eligible Instruments" is defined in the Base Indenture.

            "Global Note" is defined in Section 2.3.

            "Global Security" is defined in the Base Indenture.

            "Holder" is defined in the Base Indenture.

            "Indenture" is defined in the introductory paragraph.

            "Interest Accrual Period" is defined in the Global Note.

            "Interest Payment Date" is defined in the Global Note.

            "LIBOR Business Day" is defined in the Global Note.

            "LIBOR Determination Date" is defined in the Global Note.

            "Notes" is defined in Section 2.1.

            "Maturity Date" is defined in the Global Note.

            "Paying Agent" is defined in the Base Indenture.

            "Person" is defined in the Base Indenture.

            "Registered Security" is defined in the Base Indenture.

            "Registrar" is defined in the Base Indenture.

            "Regular Record Date" is defined in the Global Note.

            "Supplemental Indenture" is defined in the introductory paragraph.

            "Three-month LIBOR" is defined in the Global Note.

            "Trustee" is defined in the introductory paragraph.


      1.2   Other Rules of Construction. For all purposes of this Supplemental
Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context
otherwise requires:

            (a) capitalized terms used and not defined in this Supplemental
Indenture have the meanings assigned to them in the Base Indenture;

            (b) capitalized terms defined in the Global Note have the meanings
assigned to them in the Global Note;

            (c) all terms used in this Supplemental Indenture which are defined
in the Trust Indenture Act, whether directly or by reference therein, have the
meanings assigned to them in the Trust Indenture Act;

            (d) "or" is not exclusive;

            (e) words in the singular include the plural, and words in the
plural include the singular;

            (f) a reference to a Section or Article is to a Section or Article
of this Supplemental Indenture;

            (g) the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any
particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and

            (h) headings are for convenience of reference only and do not affect
interpretation.


                                    ARTICLE 2

                        TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES

      2.1   Title of Securities. The title of the Securities is "Senior Notes
due June 16, 2004" (the "Notes").

      2.2   Aggregate Principal Amount of Notes. The aggregate principal amount
of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered is $380,000,000. The Company is
entitled under Section 2.02(b) of the Base Indenture to reopen the Series of
Notes by offering additional Securities of such Series. Upon receipt of a
Company Order for the authentication and delivery of the Notes and satisfaction
of the requirements of Section 2.03 of the Base Indenture, the Trustee shall
authenticate Notes for original issuance in an aggregate principal amount of
$380,000,000.

      2.3   Form of Notes. The Notes and the Trustee's Certificate of
Authentication to be endorsed on the Notes are to be substantially in the form
attached as Exhibit A to this Supplemental Indenture (the "Global Note").

      2.4   Maturity Date. The entire outstanding principal of the Notes shall
be payable on the Maturity Date set forth on the face of the Global Note to
Holders as of the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date.

      2.5   Interest. The rate of interest on the Notes for each Interest
Accrual Period shall be Three-month LIBOR, plus the Spread set forth on the face
of the Global Note, determined by the Trustee as set forth in the Global Note.
Interest shall accrue from the Original Issue Date set forth on the face of the
Global Note. Interest is payable on each Interest Payment Date to Holders as of
each Regular Record Date, determined as set forth in the Global Note. Interest
shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days
elapsed in the applicable Interest Accrual Period. Upon each determination of
Three-month LIBOR, the Trustee shall forthwith notify the Company of such
determination. The Trustee may appoint an agent to determine Three-month LIBOR.

      2.6   Record Date.  Payments of interest and principal shall be made to
Holders on each Regular Record Date, determined as set forth in the Global
Note.

      2.7   Paying Agent. The Trustee shall be the Registrar and the Paying
Agent with respect to the Notes. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by
Global Securities (including principal and interest) shall be made in
immediately available funds as provided in the Global Note.

      2.8   Registered Securities. The Notes shall be issuable only as
Registered Securities (without coupons) and as permanent Global Securities. The
Notes shall not be issuable in definitive form (other than in the name of the
Depositary's nominee) except under the circumstances described in Section 2.15
of the Base Indenture. The Trustee shall act as transfer agent for the Notes.

      2.9   Depositary. The Depositary for Notes in global form shall be The
Depository Trust Company. Beneficial interests in such Notes shall be held
through the Depositary.

      2.10  Denomination. The Notes shall be issued in denominations of $1,000
and any integral multiple thereof. The Notes may be transferred or exchanged
only in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof; and any attempted transfer, sale or other disposition of Notes
in a denomination of less than $1,000 shall be deemed to be void and of no legal
effect whatsoever.

      2.11  Currency. Payments of the principal and interest on the Notes shall
be made in U.S. Dollars, and the Notes shall be denominated in U.S. Dollars.

      2.12  Redemption. The Company shall have no option to redeem the Notes
prior to their maturity, nor shall they be repayable before the Maturity Date at
the option of any Holder.

      2.13  Sinking Fund. The Notes shall not have the benefit of any sinking
fund.

      2.14  Conversion. The Notes shall not be convertible or exchangeable into
any other class or series of securities.

      2.15  Defeasance. The Company shall not be entitled to defease payments
under the Notes.

      2.16  Priority. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company
and rank equally in right of payment with any other senior unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness that the Company may issue from time to time. The
Notes will rank senior to any subordinated indebtedness that the Company may
issue from time to time.


                                    ARTICLE 3

                                TRUSTEE PAYMENTS

      3.1.  Establishment of Account; Investments. The Company hereby directs
and authorizes the Trustee to establish and maintain a debt service account to
be entitled the "USA Education, Inc. 2001-B Debt Service Account." All or a
portion of amounts paid to the Trustee by the Company pursuant to Section 2.05
of the Base Indenture shall be deposited in the USA Education, Inc. 2001-B Debt
Service Account established for such purpose and shall be invested and
reinvested by the Trustee pursuant to written directions from the Company, which
direction may be in the form of a standing direction. Such investments may be in
one or more Eligible Instruments or Eligible Investments (defined below).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no investment of any such amount may mature later
than the business day preceding the applicable payment date (or, in the case of
an investment in an obligation of the Trustee, no later than the applicable
payment date) and no such investment shall be sold prior to its maturity date.
On each payment date the Trustee shall withdraw any net reinvestment income and
return such amount to the Company. The Trustee shall have no obligation to
invest and reinvest any cash held in the USA Education Inc. 2001-B Debt Service
Account in the absence of timely and specific written investment direction from
the Company. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for the selection of
investments or for investment losses incurred thereon. The Trustee shall have no
liability in respect of losses incurred as a result of the liquidation of any
investment prior to its stated maturity or the failure of the Company to provide
timely written investment direction.

      "Eligible Investments" means book-entry securities, negotiable instruments
or securities represented by instruments in bearer or registered form, with
respect to which the Trustee has taken delivery, which evidence: (a) direct
obligations of, and obligations fully guaranteed as to the full and timely
payment by, the United States of America; (b) demand deposits, time deposits or
certificates of deposit of any depository institution or trust company
incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof
and subject to supervision and examination by Federal or State banking or
depository institution authorities, provided that at the time of the investment
or contractual commitment to invest therein, the commercial paper or other
short-term unsecured debt obligations (other than such obligations the rating of
which is based on the credit of a Person other than such depository institution
or trust company) thereof shall be rated "A-1+" by Standard & Poor's Credit
Market Services ("S&P") and "P-1" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("Moody's"); (c) commercial paper that, at the time of the investment or
contractual commitment to invest therein, is rated "A-1" by S&P and "P-1" by
Moody's; (d) bankers' acceptances issued by any depository institution or trust
company referred to in (b) above; (e) repurchase obligations with respect to any
security pursuant to a written agreement that is a direct obligation of, or
fully guaranteed as to the full and timely payment by, the United States of
America or any agency or instrumentality thereof, the obligations of which are
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America, in either
case entered into with (i) a depository institution or trust company the
deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and
whose commercial paper or other short-term unsecured debt obligations are rated
"A-1+" by S&P and "Aaa" by Moody's; and (f) money market mutual funds registered
under the Investment Company Act having a rating, at the time of such investment
from each of S&P and Moody's in the highest investment category granted thereby.
Any Eligible Investments may be purchased by or through the Trustee or any of
its Affiliates and shall include such securities issued by the Trustee or its
Affiliates.


                                    ARTICLE 4

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      4.1   Terms. The foregoing form and terms of the Notes have been
established in conformity with the provisions of the Base Indenture.

      4.2   Ratification of Base Indenture; Supplemental Indenture Controls. The
Base Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, is in all
respects ratified and confirmed, and this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed
part of the Base Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein
provided. The provisions of this Supplemental Indenture (including the Global
Note) shall supersede the provisions of the Base Indenture to the extent the
Base Indenture is inconsistent herewith.

      4.3   Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals. The recitals in this
Supplemental Indenture are made by the Company and not by the Trustee, and the
Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness thereof. The Trustee makes
no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental
Indenture.

      4.4   Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND EACH NOTE SHALL BE
DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF SAID STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

      4.5   Separability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in
this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall for any reason be held to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Supplemental
Indenture or of the Notes, but this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall
be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never
been contained herein or therein.

      4.6   Counterparts. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any
number of counterparts each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.


                  [remainder of page left blank intentionally]




            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental
Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year set forth above.


                                    Very truly yours,

                                    USA EDUCATION, INC.


                                    By: /s/ John F. Remondi
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Name:  John F. Remondi
                                        Title: Executive Vice President
                                               and Chief Financial Officer




                                    THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, not in its
                                    individual capacity, but solely as Trustee


                                    By: /s/ Craig M. Kantor
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Name:  Craig M. Kantor
                                        Title: Vice President





                                                                       EXHIBIT A




                            [FORM OF GLOBAL NOTE]


EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SECTION 2.15 OF THE BASE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE
MAY BE TRANSFERRED IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, ONLY TO ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY OR TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY
AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET,
NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER,
EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF
CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON
IS WRONGFUL, SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST
HEREIN.

REGISTERED

No. R-1                                                      $380,000,000.00

                                                             CUSIP 90390U AC 6



                             USA EDUCATION, INC.

                        SENIOR NOTE DUE JUNE 16, 2004
                               (FLOATING RATE)



Original Issue Date:  June 15, 2001              LIBOR Determination Date:
                                                 Second LIBOR Business Day
                                                 prior to Interest Accrual
                                                 Period

Maturity Date:  June 16, 2004                    Interest Payment Dates: *

Interest Rate Basis:  LIBOR (Telerate)           Interest Accrual Period: **

Index Maturity:  Three Months                    Maximum Interest Rate:
                                                 Maximum permitted by law

Spread:  +0.28%                                  Redeemable On and After:  N/A

Initial Interest Rate:  4.17%                    Optional Repayment Date(s): N/A


*    March 16, June 16, September 16 and December 16 of each year and the
     Maturity Date.

**   From previous Interest Payment Date (or Original Issue Date, in the case of
     the first Interest Accrual Period) through the calendar day before current
     Interest Payment Date (or Maturity Date, in the case of the last Interest
     Accrual Period).








            USA EDUCATION, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), for
value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the
principal amount stated above on the Maturity Date shown above and interest on
the principal amount stated above at the rate per annum equal to a rate
determined in accordance with the provisions on the reverse hereof, until the
principal hereof is fully paid or duly made available for payment. The Company
will pay interest on each Interest Payment Date and on the Maturity Date,
provided if any Interest Payment Date, other than the Maturity Date, would
otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date will
be postponed until the next calendar day that is a Business Day. If the Maturity
Date is a day that is not a Business Day, principal and interest will be paid on
the next succeeding Business Day, with the same force and effect as if made on
the Maturity Date, and no interest on such payment shall accrue from or after
the Maturity Date. "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
Legal Holiday in New York City. The "Regular Record Date" for each payment is
the date one calendar day immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date or
Maturity Date.

            The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for,
on the Interest Payment Dates referred to above, will, as provided in the
Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Note is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, provided that
interest payable on the Maturity Date will be paid to the Person to whom the
principal of this Note is payable. Any such interest which is payable, but is
not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date, and may
be paid to the Person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of
business on a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest to
be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to the Holder of this
Note not less than ten days prior to such special record date, or may be paid at
any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of
any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed and upon such notice as
may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.
The Company shall pay interest at the applicable interest rate (calculated
quarterly on each LIBOR Determination Date) on overdue principal and, to the
extent permitted by law, on overdue interest.

            Payments of principal and interest will be made at the office or
agency of the Trustee maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States of America
as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private
debt, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such
address shall appear in the register for this Note, provided that so long as
this Note is represented by a Global Security, each payment shall be made by
wire transfer of immediately available funds, if the registered holder has
provided the Trustee appropriate instructions for such payment.

            The principal hereof and interest due at maturity will be paid upon
maturity by wire transfer of immediately available funds against presentation of
this Note at the office or agency of the Trustee maintained for that purpose in
the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.


            REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE FURTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS NOTE SET
FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF, WHICH FURTHER PROVISIONS SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES
HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS IF SET FORTH ON THE FACE HEREOF.

            This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
law of the State of New York.

            Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, or its successor
thereunder by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, this
Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.






            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be
duly executed.

Dated:  June 15, 2001


                                       USA EDUCATION, INC.


                                       By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                       By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:




                          CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

            This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.


                                       THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Trustee


                                       By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Authorized Signature









                                [Reverse of Note]

                               USA EDUCATION, INC.

                          SENIOR NOTE DUE June 16, 2004

                                 (FLOATING RATE)

            This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Company
issued under the Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2000 (the "Base Indenture"),
as supplemented by a Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 15, 2001
(collectively, the "Indenture"), each between the Company and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee," which term includes any successor
trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental
thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights and
limitations of rights thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of
the Notes, and the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be,
authenticated and delivered. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in
this Note have the meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture.

            This Note is designated as a Senior Note due June 16, 2004. The
Interest Accrual Period for each Interest Payment Date begins on each Interest
Payment Date and ends on the calendar day before the next Interest Payment Date,
provided that the first Interest Accrual Period begins on June 15, 2001 and ends
on September 16, 2001, one calendar day before the first Interest Payment Date
which is September 17, 2001. The interest rate in effect during each Interest
Accrual Period after the first will be the interest rate determined on the LIBOR
Determination Date immediately preceding such Interest Accrual Period, provided
that the interest rate in effect for the first Interest Accrual Period will be
the Initial Interest Rate specified on the face hereof. Interest shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in
the applicable Interest Accrual Period. All percentages resulting from any
calculations will be carried to five decimal places (that is, to the one hundred
thousandths place), with five one-millionths being rounded upwards, if
necessary. In addition, the interest rate hereon shall in no event be higher
than the maximum rate, if any, permitted by applicable law.

            Commencing with the first LIBOR Determination Date, and thereafter
on each succeeding LIBOR Determination Date, the rate at which interest on this
Note is payable shall be adjusted. Each such adjusted rate shall be applicable
to the Interest Accrual Period to which it relates.

            Subject to applicable law and except as specified herein, the rate
of interest on this Note for each Interest Accrual Period shall be Three-month
LIBOR plus the Spread (as specified on the face hereof).

            Three-month LIBOR, for any Interest Accrual Period, is the London
interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. dollars having a maturity of three
months, commencing on the first day of the Interest Accrual Period, which
appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. London time, on the related LIBOR
Determination Date. If this rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750, the rate
for that day will be determined on the basis of the rates at which deposits in
U.S. dollars, having a maturity of three months and in a principal amount of not
less than U.S. $1,000,000, are offered at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time,
on that LIBOR Determination Date, to prime banks in the London interbank market
by the Reference Banks. The Trustee will request the principal London office of
each Reference Bank to provide a quotation of its rate. If the Reference Banks
provide at least two quotations, the rate for that day will be the arithmetic
mean of the quotations. If the Reference Banks provide fewer than two
quotations, the rate for that day will be the arithmetic mean of the rates
quoted by major banks in New York City, selected by the Trustee, at
approximately 11:00 a.m. New York time, on that LIBOR Determination Date, for
loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks having a maturity of three
months and in a principal amount of not less than U.S. $1,000,000. If the banks
selected as described above are not providing quotations, Three-month LIBOR in
effect for the applicable Interest Accrual Period will be Three-month LIBOR as
most recently quoted on Telerate Page 3750.

            "LIBOR Business Day" means any day on which banks in New York City
and the City of London are open for the transaction of international business.

            "LIBOR Determination Date" means, for each Interest Accrual Period,
the second LIBOR Business Day before the beginning of that Interest Accrual
Period.

            "Reference Banks" means four major banks in the London interbank
market selected by the Trustee.

            "Telerate Page 3750" means the display page so designated on the
Bridge Telerate Capital Markets Report or any other page that may replace that
page on that service for the purpose of displaying comparable rates or prices.

            The Trustee shall calculate the interest rate hereon in accordance
with the foregoing and will confirm in writing such calculation to the Company
and the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) immediately after each
determination. All determinations made by the Trustee shall be, in the absence
of manifest error, conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Company and
Holders of the Notes. At the request of the Holder hereof, the Trustee will
provide to the Holder hereof the interest rate hereon then in effect and, if
determined, the interest rate which will become effective as of the next
Interest Accrual Period.

            If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall occur and be
continuing, the Trustee, by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least
25% in principal amount of all of the outstanding Notes, by notice to the
Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of all the Notes due and
payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

            The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Notes at any time by the Company
and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding. The Indenture also
contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, on behalf of the Holders
of all Notes, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the
Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.
Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and
binding upon such Holder and upon future Holders of this Note and of any Note
issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in
lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this
Note.

            Holders of Notes may not enforce their rights pursuant to the
Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. No reference herein
to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or the Indenture shall alter or
impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to
pay the principal of and interest on this Note at the time, place, and rate, and
in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

            As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the transfer of this Note may be registered on the Note
register of the Company, upon surrender of this Note for registration of
transfer at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The
City of New York, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, and this Note duly executed by,
the Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing and thereupon
one or more new Notes, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate
principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

            The Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 or any amount in excess thereof which is an integral
multiple of $1,000. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain
limitations therein set forth, this Note is exchangeable for a like aggregate
principal amount of Notes of different authorized denomination as requested by
the Holder surrendering the same.

            No service charge will be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

            Prior to the due presentment of this Note for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof
for all purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company,
the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.





                                  ABBREVIATIONS


The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this
instrument, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according
to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM     -     as tenants in common

TEN ENT     -     as tenants by the entireties

JT TEN      -     as  joint  tenants  with  right of  survivorship  and not as
                  tenants in common

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ________________________ Custodian _________________________
                              (Cust)                           (Minor)

                                 Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

                            ___________________________________________

                            ________________________ (State)


Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

                         ---------------------------

                                   Assignment
                                   ----------

                       FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned
                          hereby sell(s), assign(s) and
                                transfer(s) unto


________________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE  PRINT OR  TYPEWRITE  NAME AND  ADDRESS  INCLUDING  POSTAL  ZIP CODE OF
ASSIGNEE

________________________________________________________________________________
the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing

_______________________________________________________________________ Attorney
to transfer said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of
substitution in the premises.

Dated:  __________________________        ________________________________



_______________________________________
         (Signature Guarantee)