Sallie ___ (student loan program)

MAE

This federal loan program shares its name with a common nickname for Margaret.

This clue refers to "Sallie Mae," the well-known nickname for the Student Loan Marketing Association, a major provider of student loans in the U.S. The blank asks for the last part of the name, which is simply "Mae"—short, common, and often seen in financial or educational contexts. Since the clue gives the first name "Sallie," you just need to recall or recognize the full name to fill in the missing three letters. It’s a straightforward reference without any wordplay, relying on familiarity with the program.