CHICAGO & NEWARK, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 6, 2025--
Adtalem Global Education Inc. (NYSE: ATGE) and Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM), formally SLM Corporation, today announced they have signed a Letter of Intent to explore alternative financing solutions for healthcare students as the federal Grad PLUS loan program phases out beginning July 1, 2026. The planned initiative intends to establish an alternative financing framework to help students across Adtalem's five institutions—representing one of the largest concentrations of future healthcare professionals—access funding to pursue their career goals.
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According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, healthcare occupations are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2023-2033, with healthcare workers benefiting from recession-resistant career stability within the $4.3 trillion U.S. healthcare sector. In addition, the U.S. faces healthcare workforce shortages, with more than 7,000 areas currently designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Moreover, the Association of American Medical Colleges projects a physician shortage of up to 124,000 by 2034, highlighting the urgent need for healthcare workforce expansion.
"Sallie Mae is an exceptional leader in student financing, and an ally in our mission to scale healthcare education nationwide," said Steve Beard, chairman and chief executive officer, Adtalem Global Education. "Our institutions support over 90,000 students in their career aspirations, many of whom form the backbone of the U.S. healthcare system. This anticipated program will deepen our relationship with Sallie Mae and is expected to expand financing access for our students to complete their education and work in communities across the country. Together, we're creating innovative solutions that drive student success while addressing critical healthcare workforce needs—it's a win-win."
“As the market leader for private student lending, we are well-positioned to create innovative and scalable solutions that meet the evolving needs of our school partners and help as many students as possible access and responsibly fund their higher education,” said Jon Witter, chief executive officer, Sallie Mae. "This proposed initiative with Adtalem will not only assist their students pursuing critical, in-demand healthcare professions but also could serve as a model for other institutions seeking alternative financing solutions as they navigate changes to the federal student loan program.”
The planned program will seek to establish a framework for developing tailored financing solutions specifically designed for healthcare education, which is expected to include deferred repayment options and degree-specific terms. The companies expect to finalize a definitive agreement and announce financing products in the coming months, subject to regulatory processes and final agreements.
About Sallie Mae
Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM) believes education and life-long learning, in all forms, help people achieve great things. As the leader in private student lending, we provide financing and know-how to support access to college and offer products and resources to help customers make new goals and experiences, beyond college, happen. Learn more at SallieMae.com. Commonly known as Sallie Mae, SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.
About Adtalem Global Education
Adtalem Global Education is the leading provider of healthcare education in the U.S., shaping the future of healthcare by preparing a workforce with high-quality academic programs. We innovate education pathways, align with industry needs and empower individuals to reach their full potential. Our commitment to excellence and access is reflected in our expansive network of institutions, serving over 90,000 students and supported by a strong community of approximately 365,000 alumni and nearly 10,000 dedicated employees. Visit Adtalem.com for more information, and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Category: Corporate and Financial
Adtalem Global Education and Sallie Mae Sign Letter of Intent to Explore New Student Financing Model
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Uganda’s presidential election was plagued by widespread delays Thursday in addition to a days-long internet shutdown that has been criticized as an anti-democratic tactic in a country where the president has held office since 1986.
Some polling stations remained closed for up to four hours after the scheduled 7 a.m. start time due to “technical challenges," according to the nation's electoral commission, which asked polling officers to use paper registration records to ensure the difficulties did not “disenfranchise any voter.”
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, faces seven other candidates, including Robert Kyagulanyi, a musician-turned-politician best known as Bobi Wine, who is calling for political change.
The East African country of roughly 45 million people has 21.6 million registered voters. Polls were expected to close at 4 p.m., but voting was extended one hour until 5 p.m. local time. Results are constitutionally required to be announced in 48 hours.
In the morning, impatient crowds gathered outside polling stations expressing concerns over the delays. Umaru Mutyaba, a polling agent for a parliamentary candidate, said it was “frustrating” to be waiting outside a station in the capital Kampala.
“We can’t be standing here waiting to vote as if we have nothing else to do," he said.
Wine, the candidate, alleged electoral fraud, noting that biometric voter identification machines were not working at polling places and claiming that there was “ballot stuffing.”
Wine wrote in a post on X that his party's leaders had been arrested. “Many of our polling agents and supervisors abducted, and others chased off polling stations,” the post said.
Museveni told journalists he was notified that biometric machines weren't working at some stations and that he supported the electoral body's decision to revert to paper registration records. He did not comment on allegations of fraud.
Ssemujju Nganda, a prominent opposition figure and lawmaker seeking reelection in Kira municipality, told The Associated Press he had been waiting in line to vote for three hours.
Nganda said the delays likely would lead to apathy and low turnout in urban areas where the opposition has substantial support. "It’s going to be chaos,” he said.
Nicholas Sengoba, an independent analyst and newspaper columnist, said delays to the start of voting in urban, opposition areas favored the ruling party.
Emmanuel Tusiime, a young man who was among dozens prevented from entering a polling station in Kampala past closing time said the officials had prevented him from participating.
“My vote has not been counted, and, as you can see, I am not alone," he said he was left feeling “very disappointed.”
Uganda has not witnessed a peaceful transfer of presidential power since independence from British colonial rule six decades ago.
Museveni has served the third-longest term of any African leader and is seeking to extend his rule into a fifth decade. The aging president’s authority has become increasingly dependent on the military led by his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Museveni and Wine are reprising their rivalry from the previous election in 2021, when Wine appealed to mostly young people in urban areas. With voter turnout of 59%, Wine secured 35% of the ballots against Museveni’s 58%, the president’s smallest vote share since his first electoral campaign three decades ago.
The lead-up to Thursday's election produced concerns about transparency, the possibility of hereditary rule, military interference and possible vote tampering.
Uganda's internet was shut down Tuesday by the government communications agency, which cited misinformation, electoral fraud and incitement of violence. The shutdown has affected the public and disrupted critical sectors such as banking.
There has been heavy security leading up to voting, including military units deployed on the streets this week.
Amnesty International said security forces are engaging in a “brutal campaign of repression,” citing a Nov. 28 opposition rally in eastern Uganda where the military blocked exits and opened fire on supporters, killing one person.
Museveni urged voters to come out in large numbers during his final rally Tuesday.
“You go and vote, anybody who tries to interfere with your freedom will be crushed. I am telling you this. We are ready to put an end to this indiscipline,” he said.
The national electoral commission chairperson, Simon Byabakama, urged tolerance among Ugandans as they vote.
“Let us keep the peace that we have,” Byabakama said late Wednesday. “Let us be civil. Let us be courteous. Let’s be tolerant. Even if you know that this person does not support (your) candidate, please give him or her room or opportunity to go and exercise his or her constitutional right."
Authorities also suspended the activities of several civic groups during the campaign season. That Group, a prominent media watchdog, closed its office Wednesday after the interior ministry alleged in a letter that the group was involved in activities “prejudicial to the security and laws of Uganda.”
Veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, remains in prison after he was charged with treason in February 2025.
Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, right, greets election observers, including former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, at his home in Magere village on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Billboards of Uganda President and National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni are seen in Kampala, Uganda, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Samson Otieno)
Electoral workers deliver ballot boxes to a polling station during presidential election in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Voters are reflected in a police officer's sunglasses as they wait in line after voting failed to start on time due to system failures during presidential election in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Voters wait to cast their ballots during the presidential election in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
