Edgar Filing: USA EDUCATION INC

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Filed Pursuant to
Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-46056

Prospectus Supplement to Prospectus dated April 6, 2001.

$115,000,000

USA Education, Inc.

(formerly known as SLM Holding Corporation)

Senior Notes due February 18, 2003

We will pay interest on the senior notes quarterly on March 16, June 16, September 16 and December 16 of each year (or the next business day) and at maturity. The first date interest will be paid on the senior notes offered by this prospectus supplement is June 18, 2001. We will issue the senior notes only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. We do not intend to list the senior notes on any exchange.

The senior notes that we are offering are a further issuance of, are fungible with and are consolidated to form a single series with our LIBOR-indexed floating rate senior notes due February 18, 2003 issued on February 27, 2001. The senior notes offered by this prospectus supplement will have the same CUSIP number and will trade interchangeably with the previously issued senior notes in this series immediately upon settlement. Currently, $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of those senior notes are outstanding. This issuance will increase the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior notes of this series to $615,000,000.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

	Per Senior Note		Total
Initial public offering price	$	1,000.223	$	115,025,645
Underwriting discount	$	2.500	$	287,500
Proceeds, before expenses, to USA Education, Inc.	$	997.723	$	114,738,145

The initial public offering price and proceeds shown do not include accrued interest. Interest on the senior notes will accrue from March 16, 2001 and must be paid by the purchaser upon the delivery of the senior notes.

The underwriters expect to deliver the senior notes in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company against payment in New York, New York on or about April 11, 2001.

Goldman, Sachs & Co. Banc of America Securities LLC

Prospectus Supplement dated April 6, 2001.

In this prospectus supplement, the words "we," "our," and "us" refer to USA Education, Inc., a Delaware corporation formerly known as SLM Holding Corporation.

Obligations of USA Education, Inc. and any subsidiary of USA Education, Inc. are not guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and neither USA Education, Inc. nor any subsidiary of USA Education, Inc. is a government-sponsored enterprise (other than the Student Loan Marketing Association) or an instrumentality of the United States.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may inspect and copy these reports and other information at the SEC's public reference facilities in Washington, D.C. (located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549), Chicago (located at Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661) and New York (located at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048). You can also obtain copies of these materials from the SEC's public reference section (located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549) at prescribed rates. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference rooms. The SEC also maintains a site on the World Wide Web at http://www.sec.gov. This site contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about registrants that file electronically with the SEC. You can also inspect reports and other information we file at the office of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (located at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005) or at our web site at http://www.salliemae.com.

We have filed a registration statement and related exhibits with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933. This registration statement contains additional information about us and our securities. You can inspect the registration statement and exhibits without charge at the SEC's office in Washington, D.C. (located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.), and you may obtain copies from the SEC at prescribed rates.

The SEC permits us to "incorporate by reference" the information and reports we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to another document. The information that we incorporate by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement, and later information that we file with the SEC automatically updates and supersedes this information. Specifically, we incorporate by reference:

•: our current report on Form 8-K, which we filed on October 5, 2000 (File Number 1-13251);
•: our current report on Form 8-K, which we filed on February 27, 2001 (File Number 1-13251);
•: our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, which we filed on April 2, 2001 (File Number 1-13251); and
•: all documents we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this prospectus supplement and before we sell all of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement.

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You may request a copy of these filings at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Corporate Secretary

USA Education, Inc.

11600 Sallie Mae Drive

Reston, VA 20193

(703) 810-3000

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the applicable document.

Interest paid on the senior notes has no exemption under federal law from federal, state or local taxation.

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OFFERING SUMMARY


Issuer		USA Education, Inc.
Security Offered		$115,000,000 of LIBOR-indexed floating rate senior notes. These senior notes are a further issuance of, are fungible with and are consolidated to form a single series with our LIBOR-indexed floating rate senior notes due February 18, 2003 issued on February 27, 2001. This issuance will increase the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior notes of this series to $615,000,000. The senior notes will have the same CUSIP number and will trade interchangeably with the previously issued senior notes in this series immediately upon settlement.
Settlement Date		April 11, 2001
Maturity		February 18, 2003
Interest Rate		Three-month LIBOR, except for the final accrual period, which will be two-month LIBOR, as determined on the second business day before the applicable accrual period, plus 0.28%. The interest rate applicable to the June 18, 2001 payment date is 5.30%.
		Interest on the senior notes offered by this prospectus supplement will accrue from March 16, 2001.
Interest Payment Dates		Quarterly on the 16th of March, June, September and December and at maturity, except that if the 16th day is not a business day, on the next business day. The first date interest will be paid on the senior notes offered by this prospectus supplement is June 18, 2001.
Accrual Periods		An accrual period begins on a quarterly interest payment date and ends on the day before the next quarterly interest payment date. The current accrual period began on March 16, 2001 and will end on June 17, 2001, the day before the first interest payment date. Also, the last accrual period will begin on December 16, 2002 and end on February 17, 2003, the day before the maturity date.
Ranking		The senior notes are senior unsecured obligations of USA Education, Inc. and rank equally in right of payment with any other senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness that we have issued or may issue. The senior notes rank senior to any subordinated indebtedness that we have issued or may issue.
Sinking Fund		None. Principal will be due only at maturity.
Conversion Rights		None.
Use of Proceeds		For general corporate purposes.
Trustee, Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent		The Chase Manhattan Bank
CUSIP Number		90390U AB 8

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USA EDUCATION, INC.

We are the largest non-governmental source of financing and servicing support for higher education loans for students and their parents in the United States. We provide a wide range of financial services, processing capabilities and information technology to meet the needs of educational institutions, lenders, students and guarantee agencies. We are organized as a holding company, and we presently conduct a majority of our business through two wholly owned subsidiaries: Student Loan Marketing Association, a government-sponsored enterprise which we refer to as the GSE, and Sallie Mae Servicing, L.P.

USA Education, Inc., formerly known as SLM Holding Corporation, was formed in 1997 in connection with the reorganization of the GSE under the Student Loan Marketing Association Reorganization Act of 1996. This act requires the GSE to transfer its business to us and dissolve on or before September 30, 2008.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will use the net proceeds from the sale of the senior notes for general corporate purposes.

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization at December 31, 2000 and as adjusted to reflect the sale of the senior notes offered by this prospectus supplement and the sale of $500,000,000 of the senior notes on February 27, 2001. You should read this table along with our financial statements and accompanying notes incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Amounts are in thousands.

		December 31, 2000
		Actual		As Adjusted(a)(b)
		(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)
Borrowed funds:
	Short-term borrowings	$	30,463,988	$	30,463,988
	Long-term borrowings		14,910,939		15,523,832

	Total borrowed funds		45,374,927		45,987,820
Stockholders' equity:
	Preferred stock, Series A, par value $.20 per share, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 3,300,000 shares issued		165,000		165,000
	Common stock, par value $.20 per share, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 190,851,936 shares issued		38,170		38,170
	Additional paid-in capital		225,211		225,211
	Unrealized gains on investments, net of tax		311,301		311,301
	Retained earnings		1,810,902		1,810,902

	Stockholders' equity before treasury stock		2,550,584		2,550,584
	Common stock held in treasury at cost, 26,707,091 shares		1,135,248		1,135,248

Total stockholders' equity			1,415,336		1,415,336

Total capitalization		$	46,790,263	$	47,403,156

(a): Includes the capitalization of $114,626,831 for the sale of the senior notes offered by this prospectus supplement.
(b): Includes the capitalization of $498,266,000 for the senior notes that settled on February 27, 2001.

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DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR NOTES

We have summarized provisions of the senior notes below. It is important for you to consider the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before making your decision to invest in the senior notes. If any specific information regarding the senior notes in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the more general terms of the senior notes described in the prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in this prospectus supplement.

General

The senior notes will be issued under an indenture dated as of October 1, 2000, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture dated February 27, 2001 for the senior notes and amended by an amendment thereto to be dated April 11, 2001, between us and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee.

These senior notes are a further issuance of, are fungible with and are consolidated to form a single series with our LIBOR-indexed floating rate senior notes due February 18, 2003 issued on February 27, 2001. The senior notes will have the same CUSIP number and will trade interchangeably with the previously issued senior notes in this series immediately upon settlement. Currently, $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of these notes are outstanding. This issuance will increase the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior notes of this series to $615,000,000.

The senior notes will mature on February 18, 2003 and will bear interest at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR, except for the last accrual period, where the floating rate will be equal to two-month LIBOR, plus 0.28%. The interest rate applicable to the June 18, 2001 payment date is 5.30%. Interest on the senior notes will accrue from March 16, 2001. The accrual period for each payment date will begin on a quarterly interest payment date and end on the day before the next quarterly interest payment date. The current accrual period began on March 16, 2001 and will end on June 17, 2001, the day before the first interest payment date. Also, the last accrual period will begin on December 16, 2002 and end on February 17, 2003, the day before the maturity date. If any interest payment date, other than at maturity, for the senior notes would otherwise be a day that is not a business day, that interest payment date will be postponed until the next day that is a business day. If the maturity date for the senior notes falls on a day that is not a business day, payment of principal and interest will be paid on the next succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if made on the maturity date and no interest on that payment will accrue from or after the maturity date. The senior notes provide that we will:

•: pay interest quarterly on March 16, June 16, September 16 and December 16 of each year (or next business day if the applicable interest payment date does not fall on a business day), commencing on June 18, 2001, and at maturity;
•: pay interest and/or principal to the person in whose name a senior note is registered at the close of business on the day before the payment date;
•: compute interest on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in the accrual period over a 360-day year;
•: make payments in dollars by wire transfer for senior notes held in book-entry form or by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the payment as it appears in the senior note register; and
•: effect all interest resets based on three-month LIBOR or, in the case of the last accrual period, based on two-month LIBOR.

We will issue the senior notes only in fully registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000. The senior notes will not be subject to any sinking fund.

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The senior notes are being issued in the aggregate principal amount of $615,000,000 (which includes the $500 million of senior notes previously issued). However, we may in the future further "reopen" this issue by offering additional senior notes with substantially the same terms (other than issue date and issue price) as those of the existing senior notes.

Determination of LIBOR

Three-month LIBOR and two-month LIBOR, for any accrual period, are the London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. dollars having a maturity of three months or two months, respectively, commencing on the first day of the accrual period, which appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. London time, on the related LIBOR Determination Date. If this rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750, the rate for that day will be determined on the basis of the rates at which deposits in U.S. dollars, having the applicable maturity and in a principal amount of not less than U.S. $1,000,000, are offered at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on that LIBOR Determination Date, to prime banks in the London interbank market by the Reference Banks. The indenture trustee will request the principal London office of each Reference Bank to provide a quotation of its rate. If the Reference Banks provide at least two quotations, the rate for that day will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations. If the Reference Banks provide fewer than two quotations, the rate for that day will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted by major banks in New York City, selected by the indenture trustee, at approximately 11:00 a.m. New York time, on that LIBOR Determination Date, for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks having the applicable maturity and in a principal amount of not less than U.S. $1,000,000. If the banks selected as described above are not providing quotations, two-month LIBOR or three-month LIBOR in effect for the applicable accrual period will be two-month LIBOR or three-month LIBOR, as applicable, as most recently quoted on Telerate Page 3750.

For this purpose:

•: "LIBOR Determination Date" means, for each accrual period, the second business day before the beginning of that accrual period.
•: "Telerate Page 3750" means the display page so designated on the Bridge Telerate Capital Markets Report or any other page that may replace that page on that service for the purpose of displaying comparable rates or prices.
•: "Reference Banks" means four major banks in the London interbank market selected by the indenture trustee.

For purposes of calculating two-month LIBOR or three-month LIBOR, a business day is any day on which banks in New York City and the City of London are open for the transaction of international business.

Ranking

The senior notes are senior unsecured obligations of USA Education, Inc. and rank equally in right of payment with any other senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness that we have issued or may issue. The senior notes rank senior to any subordinated indebtedness that we have issued or may issue. Currently, we have no outstanding subordinated indebtedness. The indenture does not limit the amount of other senior indebtedness that we may issue.

No Conversion Rights

No holders of the senior notes will have any right to convert their notes into or exchange their notes for any other class or series of our obligations or stocks.

Defeasance

The defeasance provisions described under "Description of Debt Securities—Defeasance" in the prospectus will not apply to the senior notes.

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UNDERWRITING

USA Education, Inc. and the underwriters for the offering named below have entered into an underwriting agreement and a pricing agreement with respect to the notes. Subject to certain conditions, each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase the principal amount of senior notes indicated in the following table.

Underwriters		Principal Amount of Notes
Goldman, Sachs & Co.		$	92,000,000
Banc of America Securities LLC			23,000,000

	Total	$	115,000,000

The senior notes sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus, plus accrued interest from March 16, 2001. Any senior notes sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the initial public offering price of up to 0.15% of the principal amount of the senior notes. Any such securities dealers may resell any senior notes purchased from the underwriters to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount from the initial public offering price of up to 0.125% of the principal amount of the senior notes. If all the senior notes are not sold at the initial public offering price, the representatives may change the offering price and the other selling terms.

We have been advised by the underwriters that they intend to make a market in the senior notes but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the senior notes.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell senior notes in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of senior notes than they are required to purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the senior notes while the offering is in progress.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the underwriters have repurchased senior notes sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

These activities by the underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the senior notes. As a result, the price of the senior notes may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

We estimate that our share of the total expenses of the offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $111,314.

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

In the ordinary course of their business, certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in investment banking, commercial banking and other transactions with us for which they have been, and may be, paid customary fees.

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EXPERTS

The financial statements and schedules included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement have been audited for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.

LEGAL MATTERS

Marianne M. Keler, who is our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, will issue an opinion about the validity of the senior notes. Ms. Keler owns shares of our common stock and holds stock options and stock-based awards under our compensation and management incentive plans. Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, Washington, D.C., will pass upon legal matters relating to the senior notes for the underwriters. Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft has from time to time represented, and continues to represent, us and the underwriters on other legal matters.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on our management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations and statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We do not have any intention or obligation to update forward-looking statements after we distribute this prospectus supplement.

You should understand that the following important factors could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements:

•: changes in the terms of student loans and the educational credit marketplace arising from the implementation of applicable laws and regulations and from changes in these laws and regulations that may reduce the volume, average term, costs and yields on education loans under the FFELP or result in loans being originated or refinanced under non-FFELP programs or affect the terms upon which banks and others agree to sell FFELP loans to us;
•: changes in the demand for educational financing or in financing preferences of educational institutions, students and their families, which could reduce demand for our products and services or increase our costs; and
•: changes in the general interest rate environment and in the securitization markets for education loans, which could increase the costs or limit the availability of financings necessary to originate, purchase or carry education loans.

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Prospectus

USA EDUCATION, INC.
(formerly known as SLM Holding Corporation)

$1,435,000,000
Debt Securities
Preferred Stock
Warrants

• This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable supplement carefully before you invest.

• We are registering shares of our common stock primarily to preserve our flexibility to deliver or sell shares of our common stock in connection with the settlement of privately negotiated equity forward purchase contracts. We also may issue common stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any debt securities, preferred stock or warrants.

• We are required to include the following legend:

Obligations of USA Education, Inc. and any subsidiary of USA Education, Inc. are not guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America, and neither USA Education, Inc. nor any subsidiary of USA Education, Inc. is a government-sponsored enterprise (other than Student Loan Marketing Association) or an instrumentality of the United States of America.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated April 6, 2001

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page

About this Prospectus		2
Where You Can Find More Information		2
Forward-Looking Statements		3
USA Education, Inc.		4
Use of Proceeds		4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends		4
Securities We May Offer		4
Additional Information		5
Description of Debt Securities		5
Description of Capital Stock		13
Description of Warrants		14
Plan of Distribution		15
Legal Matters		16
Experts		17

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC using a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell debt securities, preferred stock and warrants in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $1,435,000,000. We may sell these securities either separately or in units. We may also issue common stock upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any of the securities mentioned above, and we may sell or deliver our common stock in connection with the settlement of privately negotiated equity forward or equity option transactions we have entered into or may enter into from time to time.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

The registration statement that contains this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement, contains additional information about us and the securities we may offer under this prospectus. You can read that registration statement at the SEC's web site or at the SEC's offices mentioned under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

The SEC permits us to "incorporate by reference" the information and reports we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to another document. The information that we incorporate by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC automatically updates and supersedes this information. Specifically, we incorporate by reference:

•: our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, which we filed on April 2, 2001 (File Number 1-13251);
•: the description of our common stock in our Form 8-A, which we filed on August 7, 1997 and amended on July 27, 1999 (File Number 1-13251), and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating this description;

•: our current report on Form 8-K, which we filed on October 5, 2000;
•: the description of our currently outstanding preferred stock in our form 8-A, which we filed on November 10, 1999 (File Number 1-13251);
•: our current report on Form 8-K, which we filed on February 27, 2001; and
•: all documents we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this prospectus and before we sell all of the securities offered by this prospectus.

You may request a copy of these filings at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Corporate Secretary
USA Education, Inc.
11600 Sallie Mae Drive
Reston, VA 20193
(703) 810-3000

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus and any supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of these documents.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act . These forward-looking statements are based on our management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations and statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates" or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We do not have any intention or obligation to update forward-looking statements after we distribute this prospectus.

You should understand that the following important factors could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements:

•: changes in the terms of student loans and the educational credit marketplace arising from the implementation of applicable laws and regulations and from changes in these laws and regulations that may reduce the volume, average term, costs and yields on education loans under the Federal Family Education Loan Program or result in loans being originated or refinanced under non-FFELP programs or affect the terms upon which banks and others agree to sell FFELP loans to us;
•: changes in the demand for educational financing or in financing preferences of educational institutions, students and their families, which could reduce demand for our products and services or increase our costs; and
•: changes in the general interest rate environment and in the securitization markets for education loans, which could increase the costs or limit the availability of financings necessary to originate, purchase or carry education loans.

USA EDUCATION, INC.

We were formed in 1997 in connection with the reorganization of the Student Loan Marketing Association under the Student Loan Marketing Association Reorganization Act of 1996. Our principal business is financing and servicing education loans. We presently conduct a majority of this business through two wholly owned subsidiaries: Student Loan Marketing Association, a government-sponsored enterprise chartered by an act of Congress, and Sallie Mae Servicing, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. We are the largest non-governmental source of financing and servicing for education loans in the United States.

On July 31, 2000, under a purchase agreement with USA Group, Inc., USA Group Loan Services, Inc. and USA Group Guarantee Services, Inc., we purchased substantially all of the business of USA Group, including its guarantee servicing, student loan servicing and secondary market operations. As part of the transaction, we changed our name from SLM Holding Corporation to USA Education, Inc.

Our principal executive offices are located at 11600 Sallie Mae Drive, Reston, VA 20193, and our telephone number is (703) 810-3000.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities for general corporate purposes.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the five years ended December 31, 2000.

	Years ended December 31,
	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends (1)	1.22	1.29	1.37	1.34	1.23
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (1)	1.23	1.29	1.38	1.34	1.24

(1): For purposes of computing these ratios, earnings represent income before income tax expense plus fixed charges less preferred stock dividends. Fixed charges represent interest expense plus the estimated interest component of net rental expense.

SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

Types of Securities

The types of securities that we may offer and sell from time to time by this prospectus are:

•: debt securities, which we may issue in one or more series;
•: preferred stock, which we may issue in one or more series;
•: common stock;
•: warrants entitling the holders to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities;
•: warrants or other rights relating to foreign currency exchange rates; or
•: warrants for the purchase or sale of debt securities of, or guaranteed by, the United States government or its agencies, units of a stock index or a stock basket or a commodity or a unit of a commodity index.

The aggregate initial offering price of all securities we sell will not exceed $1,435,000,000. We will determine when we sell securities, the amounts of securities we will sell and the prices and other terms on which we will sell them. We may sell securities to or through underwriters, through agents or directly to purchasers.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We will describe in a prospectus supplement, which we will deliver with this prospectus, the terms of particular securities that we may offer in the future. Each prospectus supplement will include the following information:

•: the type and amount of securities that we propose to sell;
•: the initial public offering price of the securities;
•: the names of the underwriters or agents, if any, through or to which we will sell the securities;
•: the compensation, if any, of those underwriters or agents;
•: information about securities exchanges or automated quotation systems on which the securities will be listed or traded;
•: any material United States federal income tax considerations that apply to the securities; and
•: any other material information about the offering and sale of the securities.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This section discusses debt securities we may offer under this prospectus.

We may issue debt securities under one or more indentures, entered into between us and The Chase Manhattan Bank, New York, New York, as trustee, or another trustee we choose that is qualified to act as trustee under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The indentures will be governed by the Trust Indenture Act.

The following is a summary of the indentures. It does not restate the indentures entirely. We urge you to read the indentures. The indentures will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may inspect them at the office of the trustee, or as described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information." References below to an "indenture" are references to the applicable indenture under which we issue a particular series of debt securities.

Terms of the Debt Securities

Our debt securities will be unsecured obligations of USA Education, Inc. We may issue them in one or more series. Authorizing resolutions or a supplemental indenture will set forth the specific terms of each series of debt securities. We will provide a prospectus supplement for each series of debt securities that will describe:

•: the title of the debt securities and their CUSIP numbers;
•: any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the series of debt securities;

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the date or dates on which principal and premium, if any, of the debt securities will be payable;

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if the debt securities will bear interest:

• the interest rate on the debt securities or the method by which the interest rate may be determined;

• the date from which interest will accrue;

• the record and interest payment dates for the debt securities; and

• any circumstances under which we may defer interest payments;

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the place or places where:

• we can make payments on the debt securities;

• the debt securities can be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange; and

• notices and demands can be given to us relating to the debt securities and under the applicable indenture, and where notices to holders pursuant to the applicable indenture will be published;

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any optional redemption provisions that would permit us or the holders of debt securities to elect to redeem the debt securities before their final maturity;

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any sinking fund provisions that would obligate us to redeem the debt securities;

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whether any of the debt securities are to be issuable as registered securities, bearer securities or both, whether debt securities are to be issuable with or without coupons or both and, if issuable as bearer securities, the date as of which the bearer securities will be dated (if other than the date of original issuance of the first debt security of that series of like tenor and term to be issued);

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whether all or part of the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part as temporary or permanent global securities and, if so, the depositary for those global securities and a description of any book-entry procedures relating to the global securities;

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if we issue temporary global securities, any special provisions dealing with the payment of interest and any terms relating to the ability to exchange interests in a temporary global security for interests in a permanent global security or for definitive debt securities;

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the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in the case of registered securities or $5,000 in the case of bearer securities;

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the portion of the principal amount of debt securities payable upon a declaration of acceleration of maturity, if other than the full principal amount;

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the currency or currencies in which the debt securities will be denominated and payable and, if a composite currency, any related special provisions;

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any circumstances under which the debt securities may be paid in a currency other than the currency in which the debt securities are denominated and any related provisions;

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the manner in which principal, premium and interest on debt securities will be determined if they are determined with reference to an index based upon a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or payable;

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any events of default that will apply to the debt securities in addition to those contained in the applicable indenture;

•: any additions or changes to the covenants contained in the applicable indenture and the ability, if any, of the holders to waive our compliance with those additional or changed covenants;
•: whether the provisions described below under the heading "—Defeasance" apply to the debt securities;
•: the identity of the security registrar and paying agent for the debt securities if other than the applicable trustee and
•: any other terms of the debt securities.

Covenants Contained in Indentures

In the indenture, we promise not to create or guarantee any debt for borrowed money that is secured by a lien on the capital stock of our wholly owned subsidiary, Student Loan Marketing Association, unless we also secure the debt securities on an equal or priority basis with the other secured debt. Our promise, however, is subject to an important exception: we may secure debt for borrowed money with liens on that stock without securing the debt securities if our board of directors determines that the liens do not materially detract from or interfere with the then-present value or control of that stock.

Except as noted above, the indenture does not restrict our ability to put liens on our interests in our subsidiaries other than Student Loan Marketing Association, and it does not restrict our ability to sell or otherwise dispose of our interests in any of our subsidiaries, including Student Loan Marketing Association.

We are required to deliver to the trustee an annual statement as to our fulfillment of all of our obligations under the indenture.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

The indenture generally permits a consolidation or merger between us and another entity. It also permits the sale or transfer by us of all or substantially all of our property and assets. These transactions are permitted if:

•: the resulting or acquiring entity, if other than us, is organized and existing under the laws of a domestic jurisdiction and assumes all of our responsibilities and liabilities under the applicable indenture, including the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities and performance of the covenants in the indenture; and
•: immediately after the transaction, and giving effect to the transaction, no event of default under the indenture exists; and
•: we deliver to the trustee an officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that the transactions comply with these conditions.

If we consolidate or merge with or into any other entity or sell or lease all or substantially all of our assets according to the terms and conditions of the indenture, the resulting or acquiring entity will be substituted for us in the indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture. As a result, the successor entity may exercise our rights and powers under the indenture, in our name and, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of our properties, we will be released from all our liabilities and obligations under the indenture and under the debt securities.

Events of Default and Remedies

An event of default with respect to any series of debt securities will be defined in the indenture or applicable supplemental indenture as being:

•: default for 30 days in payment of any installment of interest on any debt security of that series beyond any applicable grace period;
•: default in payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any of the debt securities of that series when due;
•: default for 60 days after notice in the observance or performance of any other covenants in the indenture or applicable supplemental indenture relating to that series;
•: our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and
•: any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of any series.

The indenture will provide that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any series of debt securities of any default, except a default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, with respect to a series of debt securities, if the trustee considers it in the interest of the holders of that series of debt securities to do so.

The indenture will provide that if any event of default (other than our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) has occurred and is continuing with respect to any series of debt securities, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all series of debt securities then outstanding affected by any such event of default, acting together as a single class, may declare the principal amount of and all accrued but unpaid interest on all the debt securities of those series to be due and payable immediately. If our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization causes an event of default, the principal amount of and all accrued but unpaid interest on all series of debt securities that are affected by the event of default will be immediately due and payable without any declaration or action by the trustee or the holders. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of all series then outstanding that are affected by an event of default, acting as a single class, by written notice to the trustee and to us, may waive any past default, other than any event of default in payment of principal or interest or in respect of an indenture provision that may be amended only with the consent of the holder of each affected debt security. Holders of a majority in principal amount of debt securities of any series affected by an event of default that were entitled to declare the event of default may rescind and annul the declaration and its consequences if the recission will not conflict with any judgment or decree for payment of money due that has been obtained by the trustee.

The holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the trustee with respect to that series, subject to limitations specified in the indenture.

Defeasance

Defeasance and Discharge. At the time that we establish a series of debt securities under the indenture, we can provide that the debt securities of that series are subject to the defeasance and discharge provisions of that indenture. If we so provide, we will be discharged from our obligations on the debt securities of that series if:

•: we deposit with the trustee, in trust, sufficient money or, if the debt securities of that series are denominated and payable in U.S. dollars only, eligible instruments, to pay the principal, any interest, any premium and any other sums due on the debt securities of that series, such as sinking fund payments, on the dates the payments are due under the indenture and the terms of the debt securities;
•: we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that states that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if no deposit had been made; and

•: if the debt securities of that series are listed on any domestic or foreign securities exchange, the debt securities will not be delisted as a result of the deposit.

When we use the term "eligible instruments" in this section, we mean monetary assets, money market instruments and securities that are payable in dollars only and are essentially risk free as to collection of principal and interest, including:

•: direct obligations of the United States backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; or
•: any obligation of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States if the timely payment of the obligation is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States.

In the event that we deposit money and/or eligible instruments in trust and discharge our obligations under a series of debt securities as described above, then:

•: the indenture will no longer apply to the debt securities of that series; but certain obligations to compensate, reimburse and indemnify the trustee, to register the transfer and exchange of debt securities, to replace lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and the trust funds and to pay additional amounts, if any, required as a result of U.S. withholding taxes imposed on payments to non-U.S. persons will continue to apply; and
•: holders of debt securities of that series can only look to the trust fund for payment of principal, any premium and any interest on the debt securities of that series.

Defeasance of Covenants and Events of Default. At the time that we establish a series of debt securities under the applicable indenture, we can provide that the debt securities of that series are subject to the covenant defeasance provisions of that indenture. If we so provide and we make the deposit and deliver the opinion of counsel described above in this section under the heading "—Defeasance and Discharge" we will not have to comply with any covenant we designate when we establish the series of debt securities.

In the event of a covenant defeasance, our obligations under the applicable indenture and the debt securities, other than with respect to the covenants specifically referred to above, will remain in effect.

If we exercise our option not to comply with any covenant and the debt securities of the series become immediately due and payable because an event of default has occurred, other than as a result of an event of default related to a covenant that is subject to defeasance, the amount of money and/or eligible instruments on deposit with the applicable trustee will be sufficient to pay the principal, any interest, any premium and any other sums, due on the debt securities of that series, such as sinking fund payments, on the date the payments are due under the applicable indenture and the terms of the debt securities, but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due at the time of acceleration. We would remain liable, however, for the balance of the payments.

Registration and Transfer

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue debt securities only as registered securities without coupons. Debt securities that we issue as bearer securities will have interest coupons attached, unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement.

With respect to registered securities, we will keep or cause to be kept a register in which we will provide for the registration of registered securities and the registration of transfers of registered securities. We will appoint a "security registrar," and we may appoint any "co-security registrar," to keep the security register.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any registered security of any series at our office or agency maintained for that purpose in a place of payment for that series, we will execute one or more new registered securities of that series in any authorized denominations, with the same aggregate principal amount and terms. At the option of the holder, a holder may exchange registered securities of any series for other registered securities of that series, or bearer securities (along with all necessary related coupons) of any series for registered securities of the same series. Registered securities will not be exchangeable for bearer securities in any event.

We will agree in the indenture that we will maintain in each place of payment for any series of debt securities an office or agency where:

•: any debt securities of each series may be presented or surrendered for payment;
•: any registered securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer;
•: debt securities of that series may be surrendered for exchange or conversion; and
•: notices and demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities of that series and the indenture may be served.

We will not charge holders for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities. We may require holders to pay for any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any such registration of transfer or exchange, other than exchanges expressly provided in the indenture to be made at our own expense or without expense or without charge to the holders.

Global Securities

We may issue debt securities of a series, in whole or in part, in the form of one or more global securities, registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, unless the prospectus supplement describes another depositary or states that no global securities will be issued. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities it represents, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by:

•: DTC to its nominee;
•: DTC's nominee to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary; or
•: DTC or any nominee to a successor depositary or any nominee of that successor.

Upon the issuance of a global security, DTC will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the principal amount of the securities represented by the global security to accounts of institutions that have accounts with DTC. Institutions that have accounts with DTC are referred to as "participants." The accounts to be credited will be designated by the agents, or by us if we sell the securities directly. Owners of beneficial interests in a global security that are not participants or persons that may hold through participants but desire to purchase, sell or otherwise transfer ownership of the securities by book-entry on the records of DTC may do so only through participants and persons that may hold through participants. Because DTC can only act on behalf of participants and persons that may hold through participants, the ability of an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security to pledge securities to persons or entities that do not participate in the book-entry and transfer system of DTC, or otherwise take actions in respect of the securities, may be limited. In addition, the laws of some states require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These limits and laws may impair a purchaser's ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, DTC or its nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Generally, owners of beneficial interest in a global security will not be

entitled to have securities represented by the global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture.

Principal and interest payments on securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be made to DTC or its nominee as the registered owner of a global security. Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent nor the security registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in a global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that DTC, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest, will credit immediately participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of a global security as shown on the records of DTC. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through the participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers and registered in "street name," and will be the responsibility of such participants. Owners of beneficial interests in a global security that hold through DTC under a book-entry format (as opposed to holding certificates directly) may experience some delay in the receipt of interest payments since DTC will forward payments to its participants, which in turn will forward them to persons that hold through participants.

If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by us or DTC within ninety days, we will issue securities in definitive registered form in exchange for a global security. In addition, either we or DTC may at any time, in our sole discretion, determine not to have the securities represented by a global security and, in that event, we will issue securities in definitive registered form in exchange for the global security. In either instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security will be entitled to have securities equal in principal amount to the beneficial interest registered in its name and will be entitled to physical delivery of the securities in definitive form.

DTC has advised us as follows: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in those securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC's participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom own DTC. Access to DTC's book-entry system is also available to others, including banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies, that clear through or maintain a custodian relationship with a participant, whether directly or indirectly.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement:

•: we will maintain an office or agency in each place of payment for any series of debt securities where debt securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment; we may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where debt securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for payment and may appoint one or more paying agents for the payment of debt securities, in one or more other cities, and may from time to time rescind these designations and appointments;
•: at our option, we may pay any interest by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to payment as that address appears in the applicable security register kept by us or by wire transfer; and

•: we will pay any installment of interest on registered securities to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for that payment.

The holder of any coupon relating to a bearer security will be entitled to receive the interest payable on that coupon upon presentation and surrender of the coupon on or after the interest payment date of the coupon. We will not make payment with respect to any bearer security at any of our offices or agencies in the United States, by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States.

Modification and Amendment

Some of our rights and obligations and some of the rights of holders of the debt securities may be modified or amended with the consent of the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series of debt securities affected by the modification or amendment, acting as one class. The following modifications and amendments, however, will not be effective against any holder without its consent:

•: a change in the stated maturity date of any payment of principal or interest;
•: a reduction in payments due on the debt securities;
•: a change in the place of payment or currency in which any payment on the debt securities is payable;
•: a limitation of a holder's right to sue us for the enforcement of payments due on the debt securities;
•: a change in the ranking or priority of any debt securities;
•: a reduction in the percentage of outstanding debt securities required to consent to a modification or amendment of the applicable indenture or required to consent to a waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the applicable indenture or past defaults under the applicable indenture;
•: a reduction in the requirements contained in the applicable indenture for quorum or voting;
•: a limitation of a holder's right, if any, to repayment of debt securities at the holder's option; and
•: a modification of any of the foregoing requirements contained in the applicable indenture.

Concerning the Trustee

The Chase Manhattan Bank, the trustee, provides and may continue to provide various services to us in the ordinary course of its business. The indenture will contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in specified cases or to realize on property received in respect of any claim as security or otherwise. The indenture will permit the trustee to engage in other transactions; but if it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate the conflict or resign.

The indenture will provide that in case an event of default occurs and is not cured, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent person in similar circumstances in the conduct of its own affairs. The trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power under the indenture, unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

Governing Law

The laws of the State of New York will govern the indenture and the debt securities.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Our authorized capital stock is 250,000,000 shares of common stock, $.20 par value, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.20 par value. As of December 31, 2000, 164,144,845 shares of our common stock and 3,300,000 shares of our preferred stock were outstanding.

Common Stock

We are registering shares of our common stock primarily to preserve our flexibility to deliver or sell shares of our common stock in connection with the settlement of privately negotiated equity forward purchase contracts. We may also issue common stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any debt securities, preferred stock or warrants.

Our common stock is described in our registration statement on Form 8-A, which we filed with the SEC on August 7, 1997, as amended by our Form 8-A/A, which we filed with the SEC on July 27, 1999. These documents are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

We will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each issue of common stock. Each prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the common stock offered through that prospectus supplement and any general terms outlined in our Form 8-A, as amended, that will not apply to that common stock.

Preferred Stock

We may issue preferred stock in one or more series with any rights and preferences that may be authorized by our board of directors. Our currently outstanding preferred stock is described in our registration statement on Form 8-A, which we filed with the SEC on November 10, 1999 and which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

We will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each particular series of preferred stock. Each prospectus supplement will describe, as to the series of preferred stock to which it relates:

•: the title of the series of preferred stock;
•: any limit upon the number of shares of the series of preferred stock that may be issued;
•: the preference, if any, to which holders of the series of preferred stock will be entitled upon our liquidation;
•: the date or dates, if any, on which we will be required or permitted to redeem the preferred stock;
•: the terms, if any, on which we or holders of the preferred stock will have the option to cause the preferred stock to be redeemed or purchased;
•: the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the preferred stock;
•: the dividends, if any, that will be payable with regard to the series of preferred stock, which may be fixed dividends or participating dividends, and may be cumulative or non-cumulative;
•: the right, if any, of holders of the preferred stock to convert it into another class of our stock or securities, including provisions intended to prevent dilution of those conversion rights;
•: any provisions by which we will be required or permitted to make payments to a sinking fund to be used to redeem preferred stock, or a purchase fund to be used to purchase preferred stock; and
•: any other material terms of the preferred stock.

Any or all of these rights may be greater than the rights of the holders of common stock.

Our board of directors, without shareholder approval, may issue preferred stock with voting, conversion or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of our common stock. The terms of the preferred stock that might be issued could conceivably prohibit us from:

•: consummating a merger;
•: reorganizing;
•: selling substantially all of our assets;
•: liquidating; or
•: engaging in other extraordinary corporate transactions without shareholder approval.

Preferred stock could therefore be issued with terms calculated to delay, defer or prevent a change in our control or to make it more difficult to remove our management. Our issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of the common stock.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue:

•: warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or units of two or more of these types of securities;
•: currency warrants, which are warrants or other rights relating to foreign currency exchange rates; or
•: index warrants, which are warrants for the purchase or sale of debt securities of, or guaranteed by, the United States government or its agencies, units of a stock index or a stock basket or a commodity or a unit of a commodity index.

Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock or common stock, and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any registered holders of warrants or beneficial owners of warrants.

We will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each issue of warrants. Each prospectus supplement will describe:

•: in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the designation, aggregate principal amount, currencies, denominations and terms of the series of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants, and the price at which you may purchase the debt securities upon exercise;
•: in the case of warrants to purchase preferred stock, the designation, number of shares, stated value and terms, such as liquidation, dividend, conversion and voting rights, of the series of preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants, and the price at which you may purchase shares of preferred stock of that series upon exercise;
•: in the case of warrants to purchase common stock, the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants and the price at which you may purchase shares of common stock upon exercise;

•: in the case of currency warrants, the designation, aggregate principal amount, whether the currency warrants are put or call currency warrants or both, the formula for determining any cash settlement value, exercise procedures and conditions, the date on which your right to exercise the currency warrants commences and the date on which your right expires, and any other terms of the currency warrants;
•: in the case of index warrants, the designation, aggregate principal amount, the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the index warrants, the date on which your right to exercise the index warrants commences and the date on which your right expires, the national securities exchange on which the index warrants will be listed, if any, and any other material terms of the index warrants;
•: in the case of warrants to purchase units of two or more securities, the type, number and terms of the units purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and the price at which you may purchase units upon exercise;
•: the period during which you may exercise the warrants;
•: any provision adjusting the securities that may be purchased on exercise of the warrants, and the exercise price of the warrants, to prevent dilution or otherwise;
•: the place or places where warrants can be presented for exercise or for registration of transfer or exchange; and
•: any other material terms of the warrants.

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, warrants for the purchase of preferred stock and common stock will be offered and exercisable for U.S. dollars only, and will be issued in registered form only. The exercise price for warrants will be subject to adjustment as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Prior to the exercise of any warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock or common stock, holders of the warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon exercise, including:

•: in the case of warrants for the purchase of debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of or any premium or interest on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise, or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or
•: in the case of warrants for the purchase of preferred stock or common stock, the right to vote or to receive any payments of dividends on the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell any of the securities being offered by this prospectus separately or together:

•: through agents;
•: to or through underwriters;
•: through dealers;
•: through a block trade in which the broker or dealer engaged to handle the block trade will attempt to sell the securities as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
•: in exchange for our outstanding indebtedness;

•: directly to purchasers, through a specific bidding, auction or other process; or
•: through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

If the securities offered under this prospectus are issued in exchange for our outstanding securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the exchange, and the identity and the terms of sale of the securities offered under this prospectus by the selling security holders.

The distribution of securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

Agents designated by us from time to time may solicit offers to purchase the securities. We will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and set forth any commissions payable by us to an agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent may be deemed to be an "underwriter" of the securities as that term is defined in the Securities Act.

If we utilize an underwriter or underwriters in the sale of securities, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter or underwriters at the time we reach an agreement for sale. We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers. This compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters and others participating in any offering of securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of securities. We will describe any of these activities in the prospectus supplement.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities, we or an underwriter will sell securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. The prospectus supplement will set forth the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities, and we may sell directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any direct sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if utilized.

Agreements we enter into with agents, underwriters and dealers may entitle them to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of these liabilities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates, may be our customers, or engage in transactions with or perform services for us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

No securities may be sold under this prospectus without delivery (in paper format, in electronic format on the Internet, or both) of the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering.

LEGAL MATTERS

Marianne M. Keler, Esq., who is our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, or another of our lawyers, will issue an opinion about the legality of the securities offered by this prospectus. Ms. Keler owns shares of our common stock and holds stock options and stock-based awards under our compensation and management incentive plans. She may receive additional awards under these plans in the future. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for any underwriters or agents by Cadwalader,

Wickersham & Taft, Washington, DC. Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft represents us in other legal matters.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and schedules included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and registration statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.

No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the Notes offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement

		Page
Where You Can Find More Information		S-2
Offering Summary		S-4
USA Education, Inc.		S-5
Use of Proceeds		S-5
Capitalization		S-6
Description of Senior Notes		S-7
Underwriting		S-9
Experts		S-10
Legal Matters		S-10
Forward-Looking Statements		S-10
Prospectus
About this Prospectus		2
Where You Can Find More Information		2
Forward-Looking Statements		3
USA Education, Inc.		4
Use of Proceeds		4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends		4
Securities We May Offer		4
Additional Information		5
Description of Debt Securities		5
Description of Capital Stock		13
Description of Warrants		14
Plan of Distribution		15
Legal Matters		16
Experts		17

$115,000,000

USA Education, Inc.

(formerly known as SLM Holding Corporation)

Senior Notes due February 18, 2003

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Banc of America Securities LLC

QuickLinks

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
OFFERING SUMMARY
USA EDUCATION, INC.
USE OF PROCEEDS
CAPITALIZATION
DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR NOTES
UNDERWRITING
EXPERTS
LEGAL MATTERS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS