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Sallie Mae CD rates 2025: Excellent returns (and not just for students)

Joseph HostetlerBy Joseph HostetlerStaff Writer, Personal Finance
Joseph HostetlerStaff Writer, Personal Finance

    Joseph is a staff writer on Fortune's personal finance team. He's covered personal finance since 2016, previously serving as a reporter and editor at sites like Business Insider and The Points Guy. He has also contributed to major outlets such as AP News, CNN, Newsweek, and many more.

    The Sallie Mae Bank logo on a green layered background.
    Illustration by Fortune; original logo from Sallie Mae Bank

    Scouring the internet to find the best certificates of deposit (CDs) to grow your savings? You might at first glance neglect Sallie Mae, the financial institution best known for issuing student loans—but that would be a mistake.

    Sallie Mae CDs offer up to 4.45% APY. That’s near the top of the market. It’s not a perfect destination for everyone’s money (it’s not a full-service bank, after all) but may be an excellent fit for those seeking to earn a generous amount of interest. Here’s everything you need to know about Sallie Mae CD rates.

    Rates are current as of July 28, 2025 and are subject to change.



    Sallie Mae CD rates and products

    Sallie Mae offers only standard CDs. You won’t find specialty CDs like bump-up, flexible, business, or IRA CDs. If you’re looking for something distinct, your best bet is to open a CD elsewhere.

    You can choose from 11 different CD terms from six months to five years. Sallie Mae also provides some unconventional term lengths, such as 11- and 13-month accounts. This can come in handy if you plan to build a CD ladder, as you’ll have more options when staggering your maturity dates.

    The only real caveat when it comes to Sallie Mae CDs is its minimum opening deposit of $2,500. This is a little more than we’ve found to be typical. Some banks require no minimum deposit at all.

    Sallie Mae also offers CDs with different term lengths and APYs through its partner, Raisin, but this requires that you open an account with Raisin.

    Sallie Mae standard CD features

    Minimum opening deposit$2,500
    Early withdrawal penalty– Terms of 12 months or less: 90 days’ simple interest on the amount withdrawn
    – Terms longer than 12 months: 180 days’ simple interest on the amount withdrawn
    Partial withdrawals permittedYes (but you’ll incur a penalty)
    Additional deposits permittedNo
    Automatic renewalYes, for the same term
    Renewal grace period10 days

    Sallie Mae standard CD rates

    Term lengthAPY
    6 months4.15%
    9 months4.45%
    11 months4.15%
    12 months4.20%
    13 months4.15%
    15 months4.40%
    18 months3.80%
    24 months4.10%
    30 months3.70%
    36 months4.00%
    60 months4.00%
    6 months
    APY4.15%
    9 months
    APY4.45%
    11 months
    APY4.15%
    12 months
    APY4.20%
    13 months
    APY4.15%
    15 months
    APY4.40%
    18 months
    APY3.80%
    24 months
    APY4.10%
    30 months
    APY3.70%
    36 months
    APY4.00%
    60 months
    APY4.00%

    Bank details checked July 28, 2025



    Compare Sallie Mae to competitors

    Sallie Mae’s CD rates are nothing to sneeze at. But again, there are higher rates out there for select terms. Here’s a look at some of its competitors, all of which have far lower minimum opening deposit requirements.

    The Sallie Mae Bank logo.
    Sallie Mae Bank
    Discover Bank logo
    Discover
    Northern Bank Direct Logo
    Northern Bank Direct
    6 months6 months6 months
    4.15%4.20%4.25%
    9 months9 months9 months
    4.45%3.50%4.35%
    12 months12 months12 months
    4.20%4.00%4.30%
    18 months18 months18 months
    3.80%3.80%3.50%
    24 months24 months24 months
    4.10%3.80%3.50%
    60 months60 months60 months
    4.00%3.75%3.50%
    Learn moreLearn moreLearn more
    View offer
    at Bankrate
    View offer
    at MoneyLion
    View offer
    at Northern Bank Direct

    Bank details checked July 28, 2025

    Learn more about Sallie Mae

    Sallie Mae is a financial institution primarily focused on student loans, advertising private, undergrad, graduate, and career training options. It was originally created by the U.S. Congress in 1972 and called the Student Loan Marketing Association. It became privatized in 2004.

    Sallie Mae now offers more than just student loans and CDs—you can also open high-yield savings accounts and a money market account. It’s far from a full-service bank, however, so those who want to manage all their accounts under one roof (think mortgage, checking, auto loan, etc.) may not find Sallie Mae to be a good fit.

    Check Out Our Daily Rates Reports

    Frequently asked questions

    Does Sallie Mae offer bump-up, jumbo, or IRA CDs?

    Sallie Mae doesn’t offer bump-up, jumbo, or IRA CDs. It keeps things uncomplicated by offering only standard CDs.

    When does interest compound on Sallie Mae CDs?

    Interest compounds daily on Sallie Mae CDs.

    Are Sallie Mae CDs FDIC insured?

    Sallie Mae CDs are FDIC insured up to $250,000.

    What is the minimum deposit required for a Sallie Mae CD?

    The minimum deposit required for a Sallie Mae CD is $2,500.

    What customer support options are available for Sallie Mae CD holders?

    If you need help with your Sallie Mae CD, you can call 877-346-2756 from Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time. You can also write to Sallie Mae Bank at: 175 S West Temple, Ste. 600, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.

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