FFELP Consolidation Loans FFELP Consolidation Loans (net of allowance for losses of $50,181 and $46,637, respectively) Private Education Loans Private Education Loans (net of allowance for losses of $1,396,707 and $1,308,043, respectively) Other loans (net of allowance for losses of $68,282 and $58,395, respectively) Available-for-sale Total investments Other assets Total assets Other short-term borrowings Long-term borrowings Other liabilities Total liabilities Noncontrolling interest Additional paid-in capital Accumulated other comprehensive income Retained earnings Common stock held in treasury at cost: 67,105 and 66,958 shares, respectively Total SLM Corporation stockholders' equity Total liabilities and equity Preferred stock Preferred stock, par value Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Common stock, par value $.20 per share, 1,125,000 shares authorized: 534,842 and 534,411 shares issued, respectively Common stock, par value Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Total interest income Total interest expense Net interest income Less: provisions for loan losses Net interest income after provisions for loan losses Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net Other Total other income Salaries and benefits Other operating expenses Restructuring expenses Total expenses Loss before income tax benefit Income tax expense (benefit) Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation common stock Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to SLM Corporation common shareholders Average common shares outstanding Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to SLM Corporation common shareholders Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation common shareholders Net loss attributable to SLM Corporation Stock-based compensation cost Other loans Decrease in accrued interest receivable (Decrease) in accrued interest payable (Decrease) in other liabilities Other investing activities, net Net cash used in investing activities Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities and other securities Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities Purchases of available-for-sale securities Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (Increase) decrease in restricted cash - on-balance sheet trusts Return of investment from Retained Interest Student loans acquired Proceeds from sales of student loans Other short-term borrowings issued Other short-term borrowings repaid Other long-term borrowings issued Other long-term borrowings repaid Other financing activities, net Excess tax benefit from the exercise of stock-based awards Common stock issued Preferred stock issued Preferred dividends paid Net cash provided by financing activities Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ED Participation Program. ED Participation Program Decrease (increase) in restricted cash - other. Decrease (increase) in restricted cash - other Interest Income taxes Cash and cash equivalents Restricted cash and investments Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax Change in unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, net of tax Defined benefit pension plans adjustment Restricted stock dividend Restricted stock dividend Tax benefit related to employee stock option and purchase plans Issuance of common shares, shares Issuance of common shares Benefit plans, shares Cumulative effect of accounting change Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust - issued. Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust - issued Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust - repaid. Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust - repaid Dividends per preferred share. Dividends per preferred share Significant Accounting Policies Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets Derivative Financial Instruments Stockholders' Equity Fair Value Measurements Commitments and Contingencies Income Taxes Segment Reporting Common stock held in treasury Preferred stock dividends Balance Sheets [Abstract] Balance Sheets [Abstract] Balance Sheets. Preferred stock, par value $.20 per share, 20,000 shares authorized: Equity Liabilities Investments: Statements of Income [Abstract] Statements of Income [Abstract] Statements of Income. Interest income: Interest Income Abstract Interest Income. Other income: Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statements of Cash Flows. Reduction of student loans: Reduction of Student Loans Abstract Reduction of Student Loans. Financing activities Investing activities Operating activities Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) [Abstract] Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) [Abstract] Balance Sheets Parenthetical. Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies. Allowance for Loan Losses [Abstract] Allowance for Loan Losses [Abstract] Allowance for Loan Losses. Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets [Abstract] Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets [Abstract] Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets. Borrowings [Abstract] Borrowings [Abstract] Borrowings. Student Loan Securitization [Abstract] Student Loan Securitization [Abstract] Student Loan Securitization. Derivative Financial Instruments [Abstract] Derivative Financial Instruments [Abstract] Derivative Financial Instruments. Other Assets [Abstract] Other Assets [Abstract] Other Assets. Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity. Earnings (Loss) per Common Share [Abstract] Earnings (Loss) per Common Share [Abstract] Earnings (Loss) per Common Share. Other Income [Abstract] Other Income [Abstract] Other Income. Restructuring Activities [Abstract] Restructuring Activities [Abstract] Restructuring Activities. Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements. Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Contingencies. Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting. Document and Company Information [Abstract] Document and Company Information [Abstract] Document and Company Information. Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity. Repurchase of common shares: Repurchase of Common Shares Abstract Repurchase of Common Shares. Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Comprehensive income: Comprehensive Income Abstract Comprehensive Income. Cash dividends: Cash Dividends Abstract Cash Dividends Beginning Balance Beginning Balance, Shares Ending Balance Ending Balance, Shares Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) [Abstract] Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) [Abstract] Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity Parenthetical. Total adjustments Commitments and contingencies Noncontrolling interest Total equity Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net loss Ending Balance Beginning Balance Common Stock Outstanding Common Stock Shares Outstanding Common Stock Shares Outstanding. Total Stockholders' Equity Total Stockholders Equity Total Stockholders Equity. Goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets Net Ffelp Consolidation Loans Private Education Loans Decrease In Restricted Cashother Ed Participation Program Facility Noncontrolling interest, net Noncontrolling interest, net Asset-backed commercial paper conduits - net activity Asset-backed commercial paper conduits - net activity Asset-backed commercial paper conduits - net activity. Asset backed financing facilities - net activity Unrealized (gains)/losses on derivative and hedging activities Unrealized gains losses on derivative and hedging activities Unrealized (gains)/losses on derivative and hedging activities. Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (actual number) Assets Available-for-sale Restricted cash and investments Cash and cash equivalents Long-term borrowings Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax benefit of $27,750 and $43,202, respectively) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Allowance for consolidation loans losses Allowance for consolidation loans losses Allowance for consolidation loans losses. Allowance for private education loans losses Allowance for private education loans losses Allowance for private education loans losses. Allowance for other loans losses Allowance for other loans losses Allowance for other loans losses. Tax effect for accumulated other comprehensive income Tax effect for accumulated other comprehensive income Tax effect for accumulated other comprehensive income. Servicing and securitization revenue (loss) Servicing and securitization revenue and loss Servicing and securitization revenue (loss). Expenses: Provisions for loan losses Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net Salaries and benefits Restructuring expenses Income tax benefit Less: net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to SLM Corporation common shareholders Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to SLM Corporation common shareholders Preferred stock Series C, par value Student loans originated for sale Student loans originated for sale Student loans originated for sale. Decrease in other assets, goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net Increase decrease in other assets, goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net Decrease in other assets, goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net. Installment payments, claims and other Installment payments, claims and other Installment payments, claims and other. Cash disbursement made for: Stock-based compensation cost Purchases of available-for-sale securities Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities and other securities Interest Income taxes Borrowings Other Assets Earnings (Loss) per Common Share Restructuring Activities Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust - issued Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust - repaid Issuance of preferred shares Issuance of preferred shares Issuance of preferred shares, value. Issuance of preferred shares, shares Issuance of preferred shares, shares. Issuance of preferred shares, shares Preferred Stock Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) Retained Interest in off-balance sheet securitized loans Short-term borrowings Short-term Borrowings, Total Total SLM Corporation stockholders' equity before treasury stock Total SLM Corporation stockholders' equity before treasury stock Total Stockholders' equity before treasury stock. FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans Income Loss FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans Income (Loss). FFELP Consolidation Loans FFELP Consolidation Loans Income Loss FFELP Consolidation Loans Income (Loss). Private Education Loans Private Education Loans Income Loss Private Education Loans Income (Loss). Cash and investments Cash and investments interest income loss Cash and investments interest income (loss). Other loans - originated Other loans - repaid FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans (net of allowance for losses of $102,857 and $90,906, respectively) FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans. Allowance for other student loan losses Allowance for FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans Allowance for other student loan losses. FFELP Stafford Loans Held-for-Sale FFELP Stafford Loans Held for Sale FFELP Stafford Loans Held-for-Sale. Other investments Other investment Other investments. Losses on sales of loans and securities, net Gain Losses on sales of loans and securities net Gain (Losses) on sales of loans and securities, net. Contingency fee revenue Contingency fee revenue Contingency fee revenue. Collections revenue Collections revenue loss Collections revenue (loss). Guarantor servicing fees Guarantor servicing fees Guarantor servicing fees. Losses on sales of loans and securities, net Decrease in purchased paper mortgages, net Decrease in purchased paper mortgages net Decrease in purchased paper mortgages, net. Adjustment for non-cash loss related to Retained Interest Adjustment for non cash loss related to Retained Interest Adjustment for non-cash loss related to Retained Interest. Loans purchased from securitized trusts (primarily loan consolidations) Loans purchased from securitized trusts primarily loan consolidations Loans purchased from securitized trusts (primarily loan consolidations). Total investments Other Other assets Other short-term borrowings Other liabilities Common stock held in treasury at cost: 67,128 and 66,958 shares, respectively Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Total SLM Corporation stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Cash and investments Total interest income Net interest income Other Net income (loss) before income tax benefit Preferred stock dividends Average common shares outstanding Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation common shareholders (Decrease) in other liabilities Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Stock-based compensation cost Benefit plans Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in Purchased Paper business Preferred stock Sale of international Purchased Paper - Non-Mortgage business Sale of noncontrolling interest in subsidiary Sale of international Purchased Paper - Non-Mortgage business. Dividends per preferred share Preferred stock, series A Preferred stock, series A Preferred stock, series B Preferred stock, series B Preferred stock, series C Preferred stock, series C Total Stockholders Equity Before Treasury Stock Sale of international Purchased Paper - Non-Mortgage business Total Stockholders Equity Member Common Stock Shares Outstanding Member Asset Backed Financing Facilities Net Activity Defined benefit pension plans adjustment Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net of Tax Comprehensive income Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Allowance for Loan Losses Allowance for Loan Losses Text Block Allowance for Loan Losses. Restricted stock dividend Purchase of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net. Student Loan Securitization Student Loan Securitization Text Block Student Loan Securitization. Other Income Other Income Text Block Other Income. Sale of international Purchased Paper - Non-Mortgage business Shareholders' Equity [Abstract] Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Statement [Table] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Common Class A [Member] Common Class B [Member] Nonvoting Common Stock [Member] Convertible Common Stock [Member] Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member] Noncumulative Preferred Stock [Member] Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Nonredeemable Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Preferred Class A [Member] Preferred Class B [Member] Series D Preferred Stock [Member] Series E Preferred Stock [Member] Series F Preferred Stock [Member] Series G Preferred Stock [Member] Series H Preferred Stock [Member] Statement [Line Items] Assets [Abstract] Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross, Consumer, Installment, Other Marketable Securities [Abstract] Available-for-sale Securities Marketable Securities Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Restricted Cash and Investments Interests Continued to be Held by Transferor, Fair Value Other Assets Assets Liabilities [Abstract] Other Short-term Borrowings Short-term Borrowings Long-term Debt Other Liabilities Liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Preferred Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract] Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Common Stock, Value, Issued Additional Paid in Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Treasury Stock, Value Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Actual [Member] Scenario, Adjustment [Member] Scenario, Forecast [Member] Scenario, Plan [Member] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] Successor [Member] Predecessor [Member] Treasury Stock, Shares Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Other Consumer Interest and Dividend Income, Operating Interest Expense Interest Income (Expense), Net Provision for Loan, Lease, and Other Losses Interest Income (Expense), after Provision for Loan Loss Noninterest Income [Abstract] Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax Noninterest Income, Other Operating Income Noninterest Income Noninterest Expense [Abstract] Labor and Related Expense Other Noninterest Expense Restructuring Charges Noninterest Expense Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Preferred Stock Dividends Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Shares, Issued Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Purchase of Interest by Parent Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Issuance Of Preferred Shares Value Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Value Cumulative Effect of Initial Adoption of New Accounting Principle Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Parent [Member] Capital Units [Member] Common Stock Including Additional Paid in Capital [Member] Preferred Stock Including Additional Paid in Capital [Member] Other Additional Capital [Member] Deferred Compensation, Share-based Payments [Member] Retained Earnings, Appropriated [Member] Retained Earnings, Unappropriated [Member] Undistributed Income from Other than Gain or Loss on Sale of Properties [Member] Undistributed Net Realized Gain or Loss on Sale of Properties [Member] Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member] Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member] Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] Common Stock at Par Value [Member] (Deprecated 2009-01-31) Preferred Stock at Par Value [Member] (Deprecated 2009-01-31) Comprehensive Income [Member] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Share-based Compensation Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Interest Receivable, Net Increase (Decrease) in Interest Payable, Net Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Payments to Acquire Loans Held-for-investment Proceeds from Sale of Loans Held-for-investment Payments to Acquire Other Loans and Leases Held-for-investment Proceeds of Other Loans and Leases Held-for-investment Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Payments to Acquire Available-for-sale Securities Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Available-for-sale Securities Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Proceeds from Collection of Retained Interest in Securitized Receivables categorized as Held-to-maturity Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from Other Short-term Debt Repayments of Other Short-term Debt Proceeds from Issuance of Other Long-term Debt Repayments of Other Long-term Debt Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock and Preference Stock Payments of Dividends, Preferred Stock and Preference Stock Proceeds from (Payments to) Noncontrolling Interests Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Interest Paid, Net Income Taxes Paid, Net Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Purchase of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash, Total (Increase) decrease in restricted cash - on-balance sheet trusts (Increase) decrease in restricted cash - on-balance sheet trusts Purchases of available-for-sale securities Other investing activities, net Other loans - originated Loans purchased from securitized trusts (primarily loan consolidations) Student loans acquired Unrealized (gains)/losses on derivative and hedging activities Decrease in purchased paper mortgages, net Student loans originated for sale Decrease in restricted cash - other Decrease in accrued interest receivable (Increase) in other assets, goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust - repaid Other short-term borrowings repaid Other long-term borrowings repaid Preferred dividends paid Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in Purchased Paper business Sale of international Purchased Paper - Non-Mortgage business Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] (Decrease) in other liabilities Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Noncontrolling interest - other Noncontrolling Interest Other Noncontrolling Interest Other. ED Conduit Program facility ED Conduit Program facility ED Conduit Program facility. Common stock held in treasury at cost: 67,128 and 66,958 shares, respectively Investment [Abstract] Investment [Abstract] Investment Abstract. Investment Investment and Restricted Investments Text Block Investment and Restricted Investments Text Block. Document And Company Information [Abstract] Contingencies [Abstract] Purchase of held-to-maturity and other securities Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities, Total Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Purchase of held-to-maturity and other securities