Federal regulators just ordered Sallie Mae to pay $97 million in penalties plus restitution for violating multiple laws, including overcharging 93 percent of active duty servicemembers and mishandling borrowers’ payments to maximize late fees and penalties.

Despite mounting evidence showing how Sallie Mae has been ripping off federal student loan borrowers for years, it's still possible the Department of Education will renew its multimillion-dollar contract with the shady company next month.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan needs to hear from as many of us as possible that it's unacceptable for the Department of Education to be in business with a company taking advantage of taxpayers, students, members of the military and minority and low-income borrowers.

The current contract actually stipulates that violating federal law is grounds for termination, but we know the agency won't act without massive public pressure. So far, Secretary Duncan has only instructed his department to review "what appropriate actions, if any" should be taken against Sallie Mae. Seriously?

Tell Secretary Duncan there's just one appropriate action to take: Cancel the contract with Sallie Mae!

Sign on to this letter to Secretary Duncan to make your voice heard.

Dear Secretary Duncan:

I'm deeply concerned that the U.S. Department of Education will continue to reward Sallie Mae with a multimillion-dollar contract after findings show that the company made a practice of overcharging our service men and women and processing student loan borrowers' payments to maximize late fees, in violation of federal law.

Sallie Mae's actions only add to its history of numerous class action lawsuits alleging predatory and racially discriminatory lending. The Department of Education shouldn't be in business with companies like Sallie Mae that break the law, and I don't want my taxpayer dollars supporting such a company.

I urge you to not turn a blind eye to these disreputable practices. Please take these matters seriously by ending your agency's contract and business dealings with Sallie Mae at once.

Thank you.

Signed: