  The symmetry energy of nuclear matter is a fundamental ingredient in the
investigation of exotic nuclei, heavy-ion collisions and astrophysical
phenomena. A recently developed quantum statistical (QS) approach that takes
the formation of clusters into account predicts low density symmetry energies
far above the usually quoted mean field limits. A consistent description of the
symmetry energy has been developed that joins the correct low-density limit
with values calculated from quasi-particle approaches valid near the saturation
density. The results are confronted with experimental values for free symmetry
energies and internal symmetry energies, determined at sub-saturation densities
and temperatures below 10 MeV using data from heavy-ion collisions. There is
very good agreement between the experimental symmetry energy values and those
calculated in the QS approach
