<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?>
<!--XBRL document created with Bowne Tagger. XBRL Parser version 10.0.0.5-->
<!--Based on XBRL 2.1-->
<!--Created on: 11/17/2008 10:54:35 AM-->
<!--Modified on: 11/4/2009 2:49:08 PM-->
<schema xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:us-types="http://xbrl.us/us-types/2009-01-31" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" targetNamespace="http://salliemae.com/2009-09-30" xmlns:slm="http://salliemae.com/2009-09-30" elementFormDefault="qualified" attributeFormDefault="unqualified" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt">
  <annotation>
    <appinfo>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/SubsequentEvent" id="SubsequentEvent">
        <link:definition>0617 - Disclosure - Subsequent Event</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/Investment" id="Investment">
        <link:definition>0603 - Disclosure - Investments</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/StatementsOfChangesInStockholdersEquityParenthetical" id="StatementsOfChangesInStockholdersEquityParenthetical">
        <link:definition>031 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity (Parenthetical) (Unaudited)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/StatementsOfChangesInStockholdersEquity" id="StatementsOfChangesInStockholdersEquity">
        <link:definition>03 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity (Unaudited)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" id="DocumentAndEntityInformation">
        <link:definition>00 - Document - Document and Company Information</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/SegmentReporting" id="SegmentReporting">
        <link:definition>0616 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/IncomeTaxes" id="IncomeTaxes">
        <link:definition>0615 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/Contingencies" id="Contingencies">
        <link:definition>0614 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" id="FairValueMeasurements">
        <link:definition>0613 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/RestructuringActivities" id="RestructuringActivities">
        <link:definition>0612 - Disclosure - Restructuring Activities</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/OtherIncome" id="OtherIncome">
        <link:definition>0611 - Disclosure - Other Income</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/EarningsLossPerCommonShare" id="EarningsLossPerCommonShare">
        <link:definition>0610 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) per Common Share</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/StockholdersEquity" id="StockholdersEquity">
        <link:definition>0609 - Disclosure - Stockholders Equity</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/OtherAssets" id="OtherAssets">
        <link:definition>0608 - Disclosure - Other Assets</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstruments" id="DerivativeFinancialInstruments">
        <link:definition>0607 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/StudentLoanSecuritization" id="StudentLoanSecuritization">
        <link:definition>0606 - Disclosure - Student Loan Securitization</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/Borrowings" id="Borrowings">
        <link:definition>0605 - Disclosure - Borrowings</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/GoodwillAndAcquiredIntangibleAssets" id="GoodwillAndAcquiredIntangibleAssets">
        <link:definition>0604 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/AllowanceForLoanLosses" id="AllowanceForLoanLosses">
        <link:definition>0602 - Disclosure - Allowance for Loan Losses</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies" id="SignificantAccountingPolicies">
        <link:definition>0601 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/BalanceSheetsParenthetical" id="BalanceSheetsParenthetical">
        <link:definition>011 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/StatementsOfCashFlows" id="StatementsOfCashFlows">
        <link:definition>04 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/StatementsOfIncome" id="StatementsOfIncome">
        <link:definition>02 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://salliemae.com/role/BalanceSheets" id="BalanceSheets">
        <link:definition>01 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="slm-20090930_pre.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:title="Presentation Links, all" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="slm-20090930_cal.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/calculationLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:title="Calculation Links, all" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="slm-20090930_def.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/definitionLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:title="Definition Links, all" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="slm-20090930_lab.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/labelLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:title="Label Links, all" />
    </appinfo>
  </annotation>
  <import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-instance-2003-12-31.xsd" />
  <import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" />
  <import namespace="http://xbrl.us/dei/2009-01-31" schemaLocation="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/non-gaap/dei-2009-01-31.xsd" />
  <import namespace="http://xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009-01-31" schemaLocation="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd" />
  <import namespace="http://xbrl.us/us-types/2009-01-31" schemaLocation="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-types-2009-01-31.xsd" />
  <element id="slm_FfelpConsolidationLoans" name="FfelpConsolidationLoans" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <element id="slm_PrivateEducationLoans" name="PrivateEducationLoans" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <element id="slm_EdParticipationProgramFacility" name="EdParticipationProgramFacility" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <element id="slm_DecreaseInRestrictedCashother" name="DecreaseInRestrictedCashother" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_RestrictedStockDividend" name="RestrictedStockDividend" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <element id="slm_BorrowingsCollateralizedByLoansInTrustIssued" name="BorrowingsCollateralizedByLoansInTrustIssued" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <element id="slm_BorrowingsCollateralizedByLoansInTrustRepaid" name="BorrowingsCollateralizedByLoansInTrustRepaid" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_DividendsPerPreferredShare" name="DividendsPerPreferredShare" type="xbrli:decimalItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_InterestIncomeAbstract" name="InterestIncomeAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_ReductionOfStudentLoansAbstract" name="ReductionOfStudentLoansAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_AllowanceForLoanLossesAbstract" name="AllowanceForLoanLossesAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_GoodwillAndAcquiredIntangibleAssetsAbstract" name="GoodwillAndAcquiredIntangibleAssetsAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_BorrowingsAbstract" name="BorrowingsAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_StudentLoanSecuritizationAbstract" name="StudentLoanSecuritizationAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_OtherIncomeAbstract" name="OtherIncomeAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_FairValueMeasurementsAbstract" name="FairValueMeasurementsAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_SegmentReportingAbstract" name="SegmentReportingAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_DocumentAndCompanyInformationAbstract" name="DocumentAndCompanyInformationAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_RepurchaseOfCommonSharesAbstract" name="RepurchaseOfCommonSharesAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_ComprehensiveIncomeAbstract" name="ComprehensiveIncomeAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_CashDividendsAbstract" name="CashDividendsAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_CommonStockSharesOutstandingMember" name="CommonStockSharesOutstandingMember" type="us-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_GoodwillAndAcquiredIntangibleAssetsNet" name="GoodwillAndAcquiredIntangibleAssetsNet" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <element id="slm_AssetBackedFinancingFacilitiesNetActivity" name="AssetBackedFinancingFacilitiesNetActivity" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <element id="slm_UnrealizedGainsLossesOnDerivativeAndHedgingActivities" name="UnrealizedGainsLossesOnDerivativeAndHedgingActivities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_AllowanceForConsolidationLoansLosses" name="AllowanceForConsolidationLoansLosses" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_AllowanceForPrivateEducationLoansLosses" name="AllowanceForPrivateEducationLoansLosses" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_AllowanceForOtherLoansLosses" name="AllowanceForOtherLoansLosses" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_TaxEffectForAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome" name="TaxEffectForAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_ServicingAndSecuritizationRevenueAndLoss" name="ServicingAndSecuritizationRevenueAndLoss" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_StudentLoansOriginatedForSale" name="StudentLoansOriginatedForSale" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherAssetsGoodwillAndAcquiredIntangibleAssetsNet" name="IncreaseDecreaseInOtherAssetsGoodwillAndAcquiredIntangibleAssetsNet" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_InstallmentPaymentsClaimsAndOther" name="InstallmentPaymentsClaimsAndOther" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <element id="slm_IssuanceOfPreferredSharesValue" name="IssuanceOfPreferredSharesValue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_IssuanceOfPreferredSharesShares" name="IssuanceOfPreferredSharesShares" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_TotalStockholdersEquityBeforeTreasuryStock" name="TotalStockholdersEquityBeforeTreasuryStock" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_FFELPStaffordAndOtherStudentLoansIncomeLoss" name="FFELPStaffordAndOtherStudentLoansIncomeLoss" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_FFELPConsolidationLoansIncomeLoss" name="FFELPConsolidationLoansIncomeLoss" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_PrivateEducationLoansIncomeLoss" name="PrivateEducationLoansIncomeLoss" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_CashAndInvestmentsInterestIncomeLoss" name="CashAndInvestmentsInterestIncomeLoss" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_FFELPStaffordAndOtherStudentLoans" name="FFELPStaffordAndOtherStudentLoans" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <element id="slm_AllowanceForFFELPStaffordAndOtherStudentLoans" name="AllowanceForFFELPStaffordAndOtherStudentLoans" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_FFELPStaffordLoansHeldForSale" name="FFELPStaffordLoansHeldForSale" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <element id="slm_OtherInvestment" name="OtherInvestment" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <element id="slm_ContingencyFeeRevenue" name="ContingencyFeeRevenue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_CollectionsRevenueLoss" name="CollectionsRevenueLoss" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_GuarantorServicingFees" name="GuarantorServicingFees" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_DecreaseInPurchasedPaperMortgagesNet" name="DecreaseInPurchasedPaperMortgagesNet" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_AdjustmentForNonCashLossRelatedToRetainedInterest" name="AdjustmentForNonCashLossRelatedToRetainedInterest" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <element id="slm_LoansPurchasedFromSecuritizedTrustsPrimarilyLoanConsolidations" name="LoansPurchasedFromSecuritizedTrustsPrimarilyLoanConsolidations" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_SaleOfInternationalPurchasedPaperNonMortgageBusiness" name="SaleOfInternationalPurchasedPaperNonMortgageBusiness" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <element id="slm_AllowanceForLoanLossesTextBlock" name="AllowanceForLoanLossesTextBlock" type="us-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_StudentLoanSecuritizationTextBlock" name="StudentLoanSecuritizationTextBlock" type="us-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_OtherIncomeTextBlock" name="OtherIncomeTextBlock" type="us-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_NoncontrollingInterestOther" name="NoncontrollingInterestOther" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_EDConduitProgramFacility" name="EDConduitProgramFacility" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <element id="slm_InvestmentAbstract" name="InvestmentAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_InvestmentAndRestrictedInvestmentsTextBlock" name="InvestmentAndRestrictedInvestmentsTextBlock" type="us-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_GainsLossesOnSalesOfLoansAndSecuritiesNet" name="GainsLossesOnSalesOfLoansAndSecuritiesNet" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <element id="slm_SubsequentEventAbstract" name="SubsequentEventAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element id="slm_CommitmentsAndContingenciesAbstract" name="CommitmentsAndContingenciesAbstract" abstract="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
</schema>