Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-107132, 333-107779 and 333-130584) and on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-125317, 333-33575, 333-33577, 333-44425, 333-53631, 333-68634, 333-80921, 333-92132, 333-109315, 333-109319 and 333-116136) of SLM Corporation of our report dated March 8, 2006, relating to the financial statements, management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

McLean, Virginia

March 8, 2006