QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

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): January 19, 2006

SLM CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)		   File No. 001-13251
(Commission File Number)		   52-2013874
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)


12061 Bluemont Way, Reston, Virginia 20190
(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)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

/
/    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

/
/    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

/
/    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

/
/    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

        On January 19, 2006, SLM Corporation issued a press release with respect to its earnings for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2005, which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. Additional information for the quarter, which is available on the Registrant's website at www.salliemae/investor/corpreports.html, is furnished as Exhibit 99.2.

2


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.

    SLM CORPORATION

 
 
By:
/s/ C.E. ANDREWS
      Name: C.E. Andrews
      Title: Executive Vice President, Finance, Accounting and Risk Management

        Dated: January 19, 2006

3


SLM CORPORATION
Form 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
   Description
99.1   Press Release dated January 19, 2006
99.2   Additional Information Available on the Registrant's Website

4



QuickLinks

SIGNATURES
SLM CORPORATION Form 8-K CURRENT REPORT EXHIBIT INDEX