SLM (SLM) 10-K 19 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SLM CORPORATION	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001032033	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	428,698,212	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$9.90

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
FFELP Loans	$104,588	$125,612
Private Education Loans	37,512	36,934
Investments	'	'
Available-for-sale	109	72
Other	783	1,010
Total investments	892	1,082
Cash and cash equivalents	5,190	3,900
Restricted cash and investments	3,650	5,011
Goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net	424	448
Other assets	7,287	8,273
Total assets	159,543	181,260
Liabilities	'	'
Short-term borrowings	13,795	19,856
Long-term borrowings	136,648	152,401
Other liabilities	3,458	3,937
Total liabilities	153,901	176,194
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $.20 per share, 20 million shares authorized	'	'
Common stock, par value $.20 per share, 1.125 billion shares authorized: 545 million and 536 million shares issued, respectively	109	107
Additional paid-in capital	4,399	4,237
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(7) and $3, respectively)	13	-6
Retained earnings	2,584	1,451
Total SLM Corporation stockholders' equity before treasury stock	7,670	6,354
Less: Common stock held in treasury at cost: 116 million and 83 million shares, respectively	-2,033	-1,294
Total SLM Corporation stockholders' equity	5,637	5,060
Noncontrolling interest	5	6
Total equity	5,642	5,066
Total liabilities and equity	159,543	181,260
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $.20 per share, 20 million shares authorized	'	'
Preferred stock, shares issued, at stated value	165	165
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $.20 per share, 20 million shares authorized	'	'
Preferred stock, shares issued, at stated value	400	400
Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
FFELP Loans	99,254	121,059
Private Education Loans	25,530	26,072
Investments	'	'
Restricted cash and investments	3,395	4,826
Other assets	2,322	2,312
Liabilities	'	'
Short-term borrowings	3,655	9,551
Long-term borrowings	115,538	131,518
Net assets of consolidated variable interest entities	$11,308	$13,200

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for FFELP Loans Losses	$119	$159
Allowance for private education loans losses	2,097	2,171
Preferred stock, stated value	$0.20	$0.20
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20	20
Common stock, par value	$0.20	$0.20
Common stock, shares authorized	1,125	1,125
Common stock, shares issued	545	536
Tax effect for accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	($7)	$3
Common stock held in treasury	116	83
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, stated value	$50	$50
Preferred stock, shares issued	3.3	3.3
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, stated value	$100	$100
Preferred stock, shares issued	4	4

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Interest income:	'	'	'
FFELP Loans	$2,822	$3,251	$3,461
Private Education Loans	2,527	2,481	2,429
Other loans	11	16	21
Cash and investments	17	21	19
Total interest income	5,377	5,769	5,930
Total interest expense	2,210	2,561	2,401
Net interest income	3,167	3,208	3,529
Less: provisions for loan losses	839	1,080	1,295
Net interest income after provisions for loan losses	2,328	2,128	2,234
Other income (loss):	'	'	'
Gains (losses) on sales of loans and investments	302	'	-35
Losses on derivative and hedging activities, net	-268	-628	-959
Servicing revenue	290	279	283
Contingency revenue	420	356	333
Gains on debt repurchases	42	145	38
Other	100	92	69
Total other income (loss)	886	244	-271
Expenses:	'	'	'
Salaries and benefits	504	457	493
Other operating expenses	538	440	512
Total operating expenses	1,042	897	1,005
Goodwill and acquired intangible assets impairment and amortization expense	13	27	21
Restructuring and other reorganization expenses	72	11	12
Total expenses	1,127	935	1,038
Income from continuing operations, before income tax expense	2,087	1,437	925
Income tax expense	776	498	328
Net income from continuing operations	1,311	939	597
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)	106	-2	35
Net income	1,417	937	632
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	-1	-2	-1
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation	1,418	939	633
Preferred stock dividends	20	20	18
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock	$1,398	$919	$615
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:	'	'	'
Continuing operations	$2.94	$1.93	$1.12
Discontinued operations	$0.24	'	$0.07
Total	$3.18	$1.93	$1.19
Average common shares outstanding	440	476	517
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:	'	'	'
Continuing operations	$2.89	$1.90	$1.11
Discontinued operations	$0.23	'	$0.07
Total	$3.12	$1.90	$1.18
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding	449	483	523
Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation	$0.60	$0.50	$0.30

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	$1,417	$937	$632
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'
Unrealized hedging gains (losses) on derivatives	27	-11	-6
Reclassification adjustments for derivative losses included in net income (interest expense)	9	25	55
Total unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives	36	14	49
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments	-6	-1	2
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment	'	'	-3
Income tax expense	-11	-5	-17
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	19	8	31
Comprehensive income	1,436	945	663
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	-1	-2	-1
Total comprehensive income attributable to SLM Corporation	$1,437	$947	$664

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $)

Total

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Treasury Stock [Member]

Common Stock Shares Outstanding [Member]

Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]

Retained Earnings [Member]

Retained Earnings [Member]

Retained Earnings [Member]

Total Stockholders' Equity [Member]

Total Stockholders' Equity [Member]

Total Stockholders' Equity [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

USD ($)

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Beginning Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2010

'

'

'

$565

$119

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2010

'

'

'

7,300,000

595,263,474

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash dividends:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Retirement of common stock in treasury, Shares

'

'

'

'

70,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending Balance, Value at Mar. 31, 2011

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beginning Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2010

5,012

'

'

565

119

-1,876

'

5,940

-45

309

'

'

5,012

'

'

'

Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2010

'

'

'

7,300,000

595,263,474

-68,319,589

526,943,885

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Comprehensive income:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income

632

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

633

'

'

633

'

'

-1

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

31

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31

'

'

'

31

'

'

'

Total comprehensive income

663

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

664

'

'

-1

Cash dividends:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock

-154

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-154

'

'

-154

'

'

'

Preferred stock

'

-12

-6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-12

-6

'

-12

-6

'

Issuance of common shares

41

'

'

'

1

'

'

40

'

'

'

'

41

'

'

'

Issuance of common shares, Shares

3,886,217

'

'

'

3,886,217

'

3,886,217

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Retirement of common stock in treasury

'

'

'

'

-14

1,904

'

-1,890

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Retirement of common stock in treasury, Shares

'

'

'

'

-70,074,369

70,074,369

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax benefit related to employee stock-based compensation plans

-10

'

'

'

'

'

'

-10

'

'

'

'

-10

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation expense

56

'

'

'

'

'

'

56

'

'

'

'

56

'

'

'

Common stock repurchased

-300

'

'

'

'

-300

'

'

'

'

'

'

-300

'

'

'

Common stock repurchased, Shares

-19,000,000

'

'

'

-19,054,115

-19,054,115

-19,054,115

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans

-48

'

'

'

'

-48

'

'

'

'

'

'

-48

'

'

'

Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans, Shares

-3,024,662

'

'

'

'

-3,024,662

-3,024,662

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest

9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9

Ending Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2011

5,251

'

'

565

106

-320

'

4,136

-14

770

'

'

5,243

'

'

8

Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011

'

'

'

7,300,000

529,075,322

-20,323,997

508,751,325

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Comprehensive income:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income

937

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

939

'

'

939

'

'

-2

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8

'

'

'

8

'

'

'

Total comprehensive income

945

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

947

'

'

-2

Cash dividends:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock

-237

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-237

'

'

-237

'

'

'

Preferred stock

'

-11

-9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-11

-9

'

-11

-9

'

Dividend equivalent units related to employee stock-based compensation plans

-1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1

'

'

-1

'

'

'

Issuance of common shares

61

'

'

'

1

'

'

60

'

'

'

'

61

'

'

'

Issuance of common shares, Shares

6,432,643

'

'

'

6,432,643

'

6,432,643

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax benefit related to employee stock-based compensation plans

-6

'

'

'

'

'

'

-6

'

'

'

'

-6

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation expense

47

'

'

'

'

'

'

47

'

'

'

'

47

'

'

'

Common stock repurchased

-900

'

'

'

'

-900

'

'

'

'

'

'

-900

'

'

'

Common stock repurchased, Shares

-58,000,000

'

'

'

-58,038,239

-58,038,239

-58,038,239

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans

-74

'

'

'

'

-74

'

'

'

'

'

'

-74

'

'

'

Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans, Shares

-4,547,785

'

'

'

'

-4,547,785

-4,547,785

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2012

5,066

'

'

565

107

-1,294

'

4,237

-6

1,451

'

'

5,060

'

'

6

Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012

'

'

'

7,300,000

535,507,965

-82,910,021

452,597,944

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Comprehensive income:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income

1,417

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,418

'

'

1,418

'

'

-1

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19

'

'

'

19

'

'

'

Total comprehensive income

1,436

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,437

'

'

-1

Cash dividends:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock

-264

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-264

'

'

-264

'

'

'

Preferred stock

'

-12

-8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-12

-8

'

-12

-8

'

Dividend equivalent units related to employee stock-based compensation plans

-1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1

'

'

-1

'

'

'

Issuance of common shares

107

'

'

'

2

'

'

105

'

'

'

'

107

'

'

'

Issuance of common shares, Shares

9,702,976

'

'

0

9,702,976

'

9,702,976

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax benefit related to employee stock-based compensation plans

10

'

'

'

'

'

'

10

'

'

'

'

10

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation expense

47

'

'

'

'

'

'

47

'

'

'

'

47

'

'

'

Common stock repurchased

-600

'

'

'

'

-600

'

'

'

'

'

'

-600

'

'

'

Common stock repurchased, Shares

-27,000,000

'

'

'

-26,987,043

-26,987,043

-26,987,043

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans

-139

'

'

'

'

-139

'

'

'

'

'

'

-139

'

'

'

Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans, Shares

-6,365,002

'

'

'

'

-6,365,002

-6,365,002

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2013

$5,642

'

'

$565

$109

($2,033)

'

$4,399

$13

$2,584

'

'

$5,637

'

'

$5

Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013

'

'

'

7,300,000

545,210,941

-116,262,066

428,948,875

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha1

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation	$0.60	$0.50	$0.30
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Preferred stock, Dividends per preferred share	$3.49	$3.49	$3.49
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Preferred stock, Dividends per preferred share	$2	$2.22	$1.59
Retained Earnings [Member]	'	'	'
Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation	$0.60	$0.50	$0.30
Retained Earnings [Member] | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Preferred stock, Dividends per preferred share	$3.49	$3.49	$3.49
Retained Earnings [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Preferred stock, Dividends per preferred share	$2	$2.22	$1.59
Total Stockholders' Equity [Member]	'	'	'
Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation	$0.60	$0.50	$0.30
Total Stockholders' Equity [Member] | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Preferred stock, Dividends per preferred share	$3.49	$3.49	$3.49
Total Stockholders' Equity [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Preferred stock, Dividends per preferred share	$2	$2.22	$1.59

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating activities	'	'	'
Net income	$1,417	$937	$632
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	-106	2	-35
(Gains) losses on loans and investments, net	-302	'	35
Gains on debt repurchases	-42	-145	-38
Goodwill and acquired intangible assets impairment and amortization expense	13	27	21
Stock-based compensation expense	47	47	56
Unrealized (gains) losses on derivative and hedging activities	-444	-117	145
Provisions for loan losses	839	1,080	1,295
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash - other	-11	10	-3
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable	-68	361	463
(Decrease) increase in accrued interest payable	-23	-41	75
Decrease in other assets	625	437	423
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities	-87	38	12
Cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations	1,858	2,636	3,081
Cash provided by operating activities - discontinued operations	142	'	'
Total net cash provided by operating activities	2,000	2,636	3,081
Investing activities	'	'	'
Student loans acquired and originated	-4,555	-6,663	-3,888
Reduction of student loans:	'	'	'
Installment payments, claims and other	11,763	17,198	12,290
Proceeds from sales of student loans	768	531	753
Other investing activities, net	144	41	-210
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	-73	-63	-142
Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	38	71	193
Purchases of held-to-maturity and other securities	-375	-245	-277
Proceeds from sales and maturities of held-to-maturity securities and other securities	381	206	265
Decrease in restricted cash - variable interest entities	1,119	769	376
Cash provided by investing activities - continuing operations	9,210	11,845	9,360
Cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations	'	'	114
Total net cash provided by investing activities	9,210	11,845	9,474
Financing activities	'	'	'
Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust - issued	9,534	13,727	4,553
Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust - repaid	-13,468	-15,953	-13,408
Asset-backed commercial paper conduits, net	3,242	-323	887
ED Conduit Program Facility, net	-9,551	-12,187	-3,172
Other short-term borrowings issued	'	23	239
Other short-term borrowings repaid	'	-307	-38
Other long-term borrowings issued	5,154	4,713	2,354
Other long-term borrowings repaid	-4,201	-3,307	-6,498
Other financing activities, net	-895	272	698
Retail and other deposits, net	1,149	1,124	753
Common stock repurchased	-600	-900	-300
Common stock dividends paid	-264	-237	-154
Preferred stock dividends paid	-20	-20	-18
Net cash used in financing activities	-9,920	-13,375	-14,104
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,290	1,106	-1,549
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,900	2,794	4,343
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	5,190	3,900	2,794
Cash disbursements made (refunds received) for:	'	'	'
Interest	2,163	2,527	2,413
Income taxes paid	636	569	559
Income taxes received	-20	-12	-37
Noncash activity:	'	'	'
Investing activity - Student loans and other assets acquired	'	402	783
Investing activity - Student loans and other assets removed related to sale of Residual Interest in securitization	-11,802	'	'
Financing activity - Borrowings assumed in acquisition of student loans and other assets	'	425	802
Financing activity - Borrowings removed related to sale of Residual Interest in securitization	($12,084)	'	'

Organization_and_Business

Organization and Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Organization and Business	'
	1	Organization and Business
	SLM Corporation (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) is a holding company that operates through a number of subsidiaries. We were formed in 1972 as the Student Loan Marketing Association, a federally chartered government-sponsored enterprise (the “GSE”), with the goal of furthering access to higher education by acting as a secondary market for federal student loans. In 2004, we completed our transformation to a private company through our wind-down of the GSE. The GSE’s outstanding obligations were placed into a Master Defeasance Trust Agreement as of December 29, 2004, which was fully collateralized by direct, noncallable obligations of the United States.
	Currently, our primary business is to originate, service and collect loans we make to students and their families to finance the cost of their education. Since July 2010, we have originated only Private Education Loans. We use “Private Education Loans” to mean education loans to students or their families that are non-federal loans and loans not insured or guaranteed under the previously existing Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP”). The core of our marketing strategy is to generate student loan originations by promoting our products on campus through the financial aid office and through direct marketing to students and their families. Since the beginning of 2006, virtually all of our Private Education Loans have been originated and funded by Sallie Mae Bank, a Utah industrial bank subsidiary, which is regulated by the Utah Department of Financial Institutions (“UDFI”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). We also provide servicing, loan default aversion and defaulted loan collection services for loans owned by other institutions, including the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”). We also operate Upromise, Inc. (“Upromise”), a consumer savings network that provides financial rewards on everyday purchases to help families save for college, and provide insurance products through Sallie Mae Insurance Services to protect their college investment through tuition, rental and life insurance services.
	In addition, we are currently the largest holder, servicer and collector of loans made under the previously existing FFELP, and the majority of our income has been derived, directly or indirectly, from our portfolio of FFELP Loans and servicing we have provided for FFELP Loans. In 2010, Congress passed legislation ending the origination of education loans under FFELP. The terms and conditions of existing FFELP Loans were not affected by this legislation. Our FFELP Loan portfolio will amortize over approximately 20 years. The fee income we have earned from providing servicing and contingent collection services on such loans will similarly decline over time.
	On May 29, 2013, we announced our intent to separate into two distinct publicly-traded entities — an education loan management business (“NewCo”) and a consumer banking business (“SLM BankCo”). It is our intent to effect the separation through the distribution of the common stock of NewCo, which was formed to hold the assets and liabilities associated with our education loan management business. In order to effect the separation, we will first undergo an internal corporate reorganization, which is necessary for the contemplated separation of NewCo from our consumer banking business. This internal corporate reorganization will be then followed by a pro rata share distribution of all of the shares of NewCo common stock to our stockholders that will implement the actual separation of NewCo. Throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we sometimes collectively refer to the proposed internal corporate reorganization and separation as the “Spin-Off.”

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2	Significant Accounting Policies
	Use of Estimates
	Our financial reporting and accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Current market conditions increase the risk and complexity of the judgments in these estimates and actual results could differ from estimates. Key accounting policies that include significant judgments and estimates include the allowance for loan losses, the effective interest rate method (amortization of student loan and debt premiums and discounts), fair value measurements, goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment assessments, and derivative accounting.
	Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SLM Corporation and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries and those Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) for which we are the primary beneficiary, after eliminating the effects of intercompany accounts and transactions.
	We consolidate any VIEs where we have determined we are the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity which has both: (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE, except as described in the next paragraph. As it relates to our securitized assets as of December 31, 2013, we are the servicer of the securitized assets and own the Residual Interest of the securitization trusts. As a result, we are the primary beneficiary of our securitization trusts and consolidate those trusts.
	In 2013, we sold Residual Interests in FFELP Loan securitization trusts to third parties. We will continue to service the student loans in the trusts under existing agreements. Prior to the sale of the Residual Interests, we had consolidated the trusts as VIEs because we had met the two criteria for consolidation. We had determined we were the primary beneficiary because (1) as servicer to the trust we had the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affected its economic performance and (2) as the residual holder of the trust, we had an obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the trust that could potentially be significant. Upon the sale of the Residual Interests we were no longer the residual holder, thus we determined we no longer met criterion (2) above and deconsolidated the trusts. As a result of these transactions, we removed securitization trust assets of $12.5 billion and the related liabilities of $12.1 billion from the balance sheet and recorded a $312 million gain as part of “gains on sales of loans and investments” in 2013.
	Fair Value Measurement
	We use estimates of fair value in applying various accounting standards for our financial statements. Fair value measurements are used in one of four ways:
		•	In the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statement of income;
		•	In the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income section of the consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity;
		•	In the consolidated balance sheet for instruments carried at lower of cost or fair value with impairment charges recorded in the consolidated statement of income; and
		•	In the notes to the financial statements.
	Fair value is defined as the price to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing and able market participants. In general, our policy in estimating fair value is to first look at observable market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets, where available. When these are not available, other inputs are used to model fair value such as prices of similar instruments, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, default rates and credit spreads (including for our liabilities), relying first on observable data from active markets. Depending on current market conditions, additional adjustments to fair value may be based on factors such as liquidity, credit, and bid/offer spreads. Transaction costs are not included in the determination of fair value. When possible, we seek to validate the model’s output to market transactions. Depending on the availability of observable inputs and prices, different valuation models could produce materially different fair value estimates. The values presented may not represent future fair values and may not be realizable.
	We categorize our fair value estimates based on a hierarchical framework associated with three levels of price transparency utilized in measuring financial instruments at fair value. Classification is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value of the instrument. The three levels are as follows:
		•	Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date. The types of financial instruments included in level 1 are highly liquid instruments with quoted prices.
		•	Level 2 — Inputs from active markets, other than quoted prices for identical instruments, are used to determine fair value. Significant inputs are directly observable from active markets for substantially the full term of the asset or liability being valued.
		•	Level 3 — Pricing inputs significant to the valuation are unobservable. Inputs are developed based on the best information available. However, significant judgment is required by us in developing the inputs.
	Loans
	Loans, consisting primarily of federally insured student loans and Private Education Loans, that we have the ability and intent to hold for the foreseeable future are classified as held-for-investment and are carried at amortized cost. Amortized cost includes the unamortized premiums, discounts, and capitalized origination costs and fees, all of which are amortized to interest income as further discussed below. Loans which are held-for-investment also have an allowance for loan loss as needed. Any loans we have not classified as held-for-investment are classified as held-for-sale, and carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Loans are classified as held-for-sale when we have the intent and ability to sell such loans. Loans which are held-for-sale do not have the associated premium, discount, and capitalized origination costs and fees amortized into interest income. In addition, once a loan is classified as held-for-sale, there is no further adjustment to the loan’s allowance for loan losses that existed immediately prior to the reclassification to held-for-sale.
	As market conditions permit, we may securitize loans as a source of financing for those loans. If we elect to use a securitization program to finance loans, loans are selected based on the required characteristics to structure the desired transaction at the most favorable financing terms (e.g., type of loan, mix of interim vs. repayment status, credit rating and maturity dates). Due to some of the structuring terms, certain transactions may qualify for sale treatment while others do not qualify for sale treatment and are recorded as financings. All of our student loans are initially categorized as held-for-investment until there is certainty as to each specific loan’s ultimate financing because we do not securitize all loans and currently all of our securitizations do not qualify for sale treatment. It is only when we have selected the loans to securitize and that securitization transaction qualifies as a sale do we transfer the loans into the held-for-sale classification and carry them at the lower of cost or fair value. If we anticipate recognizing a gain related to the impending securitization, then the fair value of the loans is higher than their respective cost basis and no valuation allowance is recorded.
	Student Loan Income
	For loans classified as held-for-investment, we recognize student loan interest income as earned, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and capitalized direct origination costs, accretion of discounts, and Repayment Borrower Benefits. These adjustments result in income being recognized based upon the expected yield of the loan over its life after giving effect to prepayments and extensions, and to estimates related to Repayment Borrower Benefits. The estimate of the prepayment speed includes the effect of consolidations, voluntary prepayments and student loan defaults, all of which shorten the life-of-loan. Prepayment speed estimates also consider the utilization of deferment, forbearance and extended repayment plans which lengthen the life-of-loan. For Repayment Borrower Benefits, the estimates of their effect on student loan yield are based on analyses of historical payment behavior of customers who are eligible for the incentives and its effect on the ultimate qualification rate for these incentives. We regularly evaluate the assumptions used to estimate the prepayment speeds and the qualification rates used for Repayment Borrower Benefits. In instances where there are changes to the assumptions, amortization is adjusted on a cumulative basis to reflect the change since the acquisition of the loan. We also pay an annual 105 basis point Consolidation Loan Rebate Fee on FFELP Consolidation Loans which is netted against student loan interest income. Additionally, interest earned on student loans reflects potential non-payment adjustments in accordance with our uncollectible interest recognition policy as discussed further in “Allowance for Loan Losses” of this Note 2. We do not amortize any premiums, discounts or other adjustments to the basis of student loans when they are classified as held-for-sale.
	Allowance for Loan Losses
	We consider a loan to be impaired when, based on current information, a loss has been incurred and it is probable that we will not receive all contractual amounts due. When making our assessment as to whether a loan is impaired, we also take into account more than insignificant delays in payment. We generally evaluate impaired loans on an aggregate basis by grouping similar loans. Impaired loans also include those loans which are individually assessed and measured for impairment at a loan level, such as in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). We maintain an allowance for loan losses at an amount sufficient to absorb losses incurred in our portfolios at the reporting date based on a projection of estimated probable credit losses incurred in the portfolio.
	In determining the allowance for loan losses on our non-TDR portfolio, we estimate the principal amount of loans that will default over the next two years (two years being the expected period between a loss event and default) and how much we expect to recover over time related to the defaulted amount. Expected defaults less our expected recoveries equal the allowance related to this portfolio. Our historical experience indicates that, on average, the time between the date that a customer experiences a default causing event (i.e., the loss trigger event) and the date that we charge off the unrecoverable portion of that loan is two years. Separately, for our TDR portfolio, we estimate an allowance amount sufficient to cover life-of-loan expected losses through an impairment calculation based on the difference between the loan’s basis and the present value of expected future cash flows (which would include life-of-loan default and recovery assumptions) discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate (see “Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses” to this Note 2). The separate allowance estimates for our TDR and non-TDR portfolios, are combined into our total Allowance for Private Education Loan losses.
	In estimating both the non-TDR and TDR allowance amounts, we start with historical experience of customer default behavior. We make judgments about which historical period to start with and then make further judgments about whether that historical experience is representative of future expectations and whether additional adjustments may be needed to those historical default rates. We also take the economic environment into consideration when calculating the allowance for loan losses. We analyze key economic statistics and the effect we expect it to have on future defaults. Key economic statistics analyzed as part of the allowance for loan losses are unemployment rates and other asset type delinquency rates. More judgment has been required over the last several years, compared with years prior, in light of the recent downturn in the U.S. economy and high levels of unemployment and its effect on our customer’s ability to pay their obligations.
	Our allowance for loan losses is estimated using an analysis of delinquent and current accounts. Our model is used to estimate the likelihood that a loan receivable may progress through the various delinquency stages and ultimately charge off. The evaluation of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant changes. The estimate for the allowance for loan losses is subject to a number of assumptions. If actual future performance in delinquency, charge-offs and recoveries are significantly different than estimated, this could materially affect our estimate of the allowance for loan losses and the related provision for loan losses on our income statement.
	Below we describe in further detail our policies and procedures for the allowance for loan losses as they relate to our Private Education Loan and FFELP Loan portfolios.
	Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses
	We determine the collectability of our Private Education Loan portfolio by evaluating certain risk characteristics. We consider school type, credit score (FICO), existence of a cosigner, loan status and loan seasoning as the key credit quality indicators because they have the most significant effect on our determination of the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses. The type of school customers attend can have an impact on their job prospects after graduation and therefore affects their ability to make payments. Credit scores are an indicator of the creditworthiness of a customer and generally the higher the credit score the more likely it is the customer will be able to make all of their contractual payments. Loan status affects the credit risk because generally a past due loan is more likely to result in a credit loss than an up-to-date loan. Additionally, loans in a deferred payment status have different credit risk profiles compared with those in current pay status. Loan seasoning affects credit risk because a loan with a history of making payments generally has a lower incidence of default than a loan with a history of making infrequent or no payments. The existence of a cosigner lowers the likelihood of default. We monitor and update these credit quality indicators in the analysis of the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis.
	To estimate the probable credit losses incurred in the loan portfolio at the reporting date, we use historical experience of customer payment behavior in connection with the key credit quality indicators and incorporate management expectation regarding macroeconomic and collection procedure factors. Our model is based upon the most recent 12 months of actual collection experience, seasonally adjusted, as the starting point and applies expected macroeconomic changes and collection procedure changes to estimate expected losses caused by loss events incurred as of the balance sheet date. Our model places a greater emphasis on the more recent default experience rather than the default experience for older historical periods, as we believe the recent default experience is more indicative of the probable losses incurred in the loan portfolio today. Similar to estimating defaults, we use historical customer payment behavior to estimate the timing and amount of future recoveries on charged-off loans. We use judgment in determining whether historical performance is representative of what we expect to collect in the future. We then apply the default and collection rate projections to each category of loans. Once the quantitative calculation is performed, we review the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and determine if qualitative adjustments need to be considered. Additionally, we consider changes in laws and regulations that could potentially impact the allowance for loan losses. More judgment has been required over the last several years, compared with years prior, in light of the U.S. economy and its effect on our customer’s ability to pay their obligations. We believe that our model reflects recent customer behavior, loan performance, and collection performance, as well as expectations about economic factors.
	Similar to the rules governing FFELP payment requirements, our collection policies allow for periods of nonpayment for customers requesting additional payment grace periods upon leaving school or experiencing temporary difficulty meeting payment obligations. This is referred to as forbearance status and is considered separately in our allowance for loan losses. The loss confirmation period is in alignment with our typical collection cycle and takes into account these periods of nonpayment.
	On July 1, 2011, we adopted new guidance that clarified when a loan restructuring constitutes a TDR. In applying the new guidance we determined that certain Private Education Loans for which we grant forbearance of greater than three months should be classified as TDRs. If a loan meets the criteria for troubled debt accounting then an allowance for loan losses is established which represents the present value of the losses that are expected to occur over the remaining life of the loan. This accounting results in a higher allowance for loan losses than our previously established allowance for these loans as our previous allowance for these loans represented an estimate of charge-offs expected to occur over the next two years (two years being our loss confirmation period). The new accounting guidance was effective as of July 1, 2011 but was required to be applied retrospectively to January 1, 2011. This resulted in $124 million of additional provision for loan losses in the third quarter of 2011 from approximately $3.8 billion of student loans being classified as TDRs. This new accounting guidance is only applied to certain customers who use their fourth or greater month of forbearance since the time period this new guidance is effective. This new accounting guidance has the effect of accelerating the recognition of expected losses related to our Private Education Loan portfolio. The increase in the provision for losses as a result of this new accounting guidance does not reflect a decrease in credit expectations of the portfolio or an increase in the expected life-of-loan losses related to this portfolio. We believe forbearance is an accepted and effective collection and risk management tool for Private Education Loans. We plan to continue to use forbearance and as a result, we expect to have additional loans classified as TDRs in the future (see “Note 4 — Allowance for Loan Losses” for a further discussion on the use of forbearance as a collection tool).
	As part of concluding on the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, we review key allowance and loan metrics. The most relevant of these metrics considered are the allowance coverage of charge-offs ratio; the allowance as a percentage of total loans and of loans in repayment; and delinquency and forbearance percentages.
	Certain Private Education Loans do not require customers to begin repayment until six months after they have graduated or otherwise left school. Consequently, our loss estimates for these programs are generally low while the customer is in school. At December 31, 2013, 17 percent of the principal balance in the higher education Private Education Loan portfolio was related to customers who are in an in-school/grace/deferment status and not required to make payments. As this population of customers leaves school, they will be required to begin payments on their loans, and the allowance for loan losses may change accordingly.
	We consider a loan to be delinquent 31 days after the last payment was contractually due. We use a model to estimate the amount of uncollectible accrued interest on Private Education Loans and reserve for that amount against current period interest income.
	In general, Private Education Loan principal is charged off against the allowance when at the end of the month the loan exceeds 212 days past due. The charged-off amount equals the estimated loss of the defaulted loan balance. Actual recoveries, as they are received, are applied against the remaining loan balance that was not charged off. If periodic recoveries are less than originally expected, the difference results in immediate additional provision expense and charge-off of such amount.
	Our allowance for Private Education Loan losses also provides for possible additional future charge-offs related to the receivable for partially charged-off Private Education Loans. At the end of each month, for loans that are 212 days past due, we charge off the estimated loss of a defaulted loan balance. Actual recoveries are applied against the remaining loan balance that was not charged off. We refer to this remaining loan balance as the “receivable for partially charged-off loans.” If actual periodic recoveries are less than expected, the difference is immediately charged off through the allowance for loan losses with an offsetting reduction in the receivable for partially charged-off Private Education Loans. If actual periodic recoveries are greater than expected, they will be reflected as a recovery through the allowance for Private Education Loan losses once the cumulative recovery amount exceeds the cumulative amount originally expected to be recovered. Private Education Loans which defaulted between 2008 and 2013 for which we have previously charged off estimated losses have, to varying degrees, not met our post-default recovery expectations to date and may continue not to do so. According to our policy, we have been charging off these periodic shortfalls in expected recoveries against our allowance for Private Education Loan losses and the related receivable for partially charged-off Private Education Loans and we will continue to do so.
	Allowance for FFELP Loan Losses
	FFELP Loans are insured as to their principal and accrued interest in the event of default subject to a Risk Sharing level based on the date of loan disbursement. These insurance obligations are supported by contractual rights against the United States. For loans disbursed after October 1, 1993, and before July 1, 2006, we receive 98 percent reimbursement on all qualifying default claims. For loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006, we receive 97 percent reimbursement. For loans disbursed prior to October 1, 1993, we receive 100 percent reimbursement.
	Similar to the allowance for Private Education Loan losses, the allowance for FFELP Loan losses uses historical experience of customer default behavior and a two-year loss confirmation period to estimate the credit losses incurred in the loan portfolio at the reporting date. We apply the default rate projections, net of applicable Risk Sharing, to each category for the current period to perform our quantitative calculation. Once the quantitative calculation is performed, we review the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and determine if qualitative adjustments need to be considered.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents includes term federal funds, Eurodollar deposits, commercial paper, asset-backed commercial paper, treasuries, money market funds and bank deposits with original terms to maturity of less than three months.
	Restricted Cash and Investments
	Restricted cash primarily includes amounts held in student loan securitization trusts and other secured borrowings. This cash must be used to make payments related to trust obligations. Amounts on deposit in these accounts are primarily the result of timing differences between when principal and interest is collected on the trust assets and when principal and interest is paid on trust liabilities.
	Securities pledged as collateral related to our derivative portfolio, where the counterparty has rights to replace the securities, are classified as restricted. When the counterparty does not have these rights, the security is recorded in investments and disclosed as pledged collateral in the notes. Additionally, certain counterparties require cash collateral pledged to us to be segregated and held in restricted cash accounts.
	Investments
	Our available-for-sale investment portfolio consists of investments that are AAA equivalent securities and are carried at fair value, with the temporary changes in fair value carried as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of taxes. The amortized cost of debt securities in this category is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, which are amortized using the effective interest rate method. Other-than-temporary impairment is evaluated by considering several factors, including the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the security (considering factors such as adverse conditions specific to the security and ratings agency actions), and the intent and ability to retain the investment to allow for an anticipated recovery in fair value. The entire fair value loss on a security that is other-than-temporary impairment is recorded in earnings if we intend to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before the expected recovery of the loss. However, if the impairment is other-than-temporary, and those two conditions do not exist, the portion of the impairment related to credit losses is recorded in earnings and the impairment related to other factors is recorded in other comprehensive income. Securities classified as trading are accounted for at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in investment income. Securities that we have the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and are accounted for at amortized cost unless the security is determined to have an other-than-temporary impairment. In this case it is accounted for in the same manner described above.
	We also have other investments, including a receivable for cash collateral posted to derivative counterparties. These investments are accounted for at amortized cost in other investments.
	Interest Expense
	Interest expense is based upon contractual interest rates adjusted for the amortization of debt issuance costs and premiums and the accretion of discounts. Our interest expense may also be adjusted for net payments/receipts related to interest rate and foreign currency swap agreements and interest rate futures contracts that qualify and are designated as hedges. Interest expense also includes the amortization of deferred gains and losses on closed hedge transactions that qualified as hedges. Amortization of debt issuance costs, premiums, discounts and terminated hedge-basis adjustments are recognized using the effective interest rate method.
	Transfer of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities
	We account for loan sales and debt repurchases in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. Our securitizations and other asset-backed secured financings are accounted for as on-balance sheet secured borrowings. See “Securitization Accounting” of this Note 2 for further discussion on the criteria assessed to determine whether a transfer of financial assets is a sale or a secured borrowing. If a transfer of loans qualifies as a sale we derecognize the loan and recognize a gain or loss as the difference between the carrying basis of the loan sold and liabilities retained and the compensation received.
	We periodically repurchase our outstanding debt in the open market or through public tender offers. We record a gain or loss on the early extinguishment of debt based upon the difference between the carrying cost of the debt and the amount paid to the third party and is net of hedging gains and losses when the debt is in a qualifying hedge relationship.
	We recognize the results of a transfer of loans and the extinguishment of debt based upon the settlement date of the transaction.
	Securitization Accounting
	Our securitizations use a two-step structure with a special purpose entity that legally isolates the transferred assets from us, even in the event of bankruptcy. Transactions receiving sale treatment are also structured to ensure that the holders of the beneficial interests issued are not constrained from pledging or exchanging their interests, and that we do not maintain effective control over the transferred assets. If these criteria are not met, then the transaction is accounted for as an on-balance sheet secured borrowing. In all cases, irrespective of whether they qualify as accounting sales our securitizations are legally structured to be sales of assets that isolate the transferred assets from us. If a securitization qualifies as a sale, we then assess whether we are the primary beneficiary of the securitization trust and are required to consolidate such trust. If we are the primary beneficiary then no gain or loss is recognized. See “Consolidation” of this Note 2 for additional information regarding the accounting rules for consolidation when we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts.
	Irrespective of whether a securitization receives sale or on-balance sheet treatment, our continuing involvement with our securitization trusts is generally limited to:
		•	Owning the equity certificates of certain trusts.
		•	The servicing of the student loan assets within the securitization trusts, on both a pre- and post-default basis.
		•	Our acting as administrator for the securitization transactions we sponsored, which includes remarketing certain bonds at future dates.
		•	Our responsibilities relative to representation and warranty violations.
	•	Temporarily advancing to the trust certain borrower benefits afforded the borrowers of student loans that have been securitized. These advances subsequently are returned to us in the next quarter.
	•	Certain back-to-back derivatives entered into by us contemporaneously with the execution of derivatives by certain Private Education Loan securitization trusts.
	•	The option held by us to buy certain delinquent loans from certain Private Education Loan securitization trusts.
	•	The option to exercise the clean-up call and purchase the student loans from the trust when the asset balance is 10 percent or less of the original loan balance.
	•	The option (in certain trusts) to call rate reset notes in instances where the remarketing process has failed.
The investors of the securitization trusts have no recourse to our other assets should there be a failure of the trusts to pay when due. Generally, the only arrangements under which we have to provide financial support to the trusts are representation and warranty violations requiring the buyback of loans.
Under the terms of the transaction documents of certain trusts, we have, from time to time, exercised our options to purchase delinquent loans from Private Education Loan trusts, to purchase the remaining loans from trusts once the loan balance falls below 10 percent of the original amount, or to call rate reset notes. Certain trusts maintain financial arrangements with third parties also typical of securitization transactions, such as derivative contracts (swaps) and bond insurance policies that, in the case of a counterparty failure, could adversely impact the value of any Residual Interest.
We do not record servicing assets or servicing liabilities when our securitization trusts are accounted for as on-balance sheet secured financings. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, all of our securitization trusts are on-balance sheet, except as discussed in the next sentence, and as a result we do not have servicing assets or liabilities recorded on the consolidated balance sheet related to these securitization trusts. As of December 31, 2013, we have $58 million of servicing assets on our balance sheet related to Residual Interests in FFELP Loan securitization trusts we sold in 2013. See “Note 3 — Student Loans” for further details.
Derivative Accounting
The accounting guidance for our derivative instruments, which includes interest rate swaps, cross-currency interest rate swaps, interest rate futures contracts, interest rate cap contracts and Floor Income Contracts, requires that every derivative instrument, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, be recorded at fair value on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability. Derivative positions are recorded as net positions by counterparty based on master netting arrangements (see “Note 7 — Derivative Financial Instruments — Risk Management Strategy”) exclusive of accrued interest and cash collateral held or pledged.
Many of our derivatives, mainly interest rate swaps hedging the fair value of fixed-rate assets and liabilities, and cross-currency interest rate swaps, qualify as effective hedges. For these derivatives, the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged items (including the hedged risk and method for assessing effectiveness), as well as the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship, is documented. Each derivative is designated to either a specific (or pool of) asset(s) or liability(ies) on the balance sheet or expected future cash flows, and designated as either a “fair value” or a “cash flow” hedge. Fair value hedges are designed to hedge our exposure to changes in fair value of a fixed rate or foreign denominated asset or liability, while cash flow hedges are designed to hedge our exposure to variability of either a floating rate asset’s or liability’s cash flows or an expected fixed rate debt issuance. For effective fair value hedges, both the derivative and the hedged item (for the risk being hedged) are marked-to-market with any difference reflecting ineffectiveness and recorded immediately in the statement of income. For effective cash flow hedges, the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax, and recognized in earnings in the same period as the earnings effects of the hedged item. The ineffective portion of a cash flow hedge is recorded immediately through earnings. The assessment of the hedge’s effectiveness is performed at inception and on an ongoing basis, generally using regression testing. For hedges of a pool of assets or liabilities, tests are performed to demonstrate the similarity of individual instruments of the pool. When it is determined that a derivative is not currently an effective hedge, ineffectiveness is recognized for the full change in value of the derivative with no offsetting mark-to-market of the hedged item for the current period. If it is also determined the hedge will not be effective in the future, we discontinue the hedge accounting prospectively, cease recording changes in the fair value of the hedged item, and begin amortization of any basis adjustments that exist related to the hedged item.
We also have derivatives, primarily Floor Income Contracts and certain basis swaps, that we believe are effective economic hedges but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. These derivatives are classified as “trading” and as a result they are marked-to-market through earnings with no consideration for the fair value fluctuation of the economically hedged item.
The “gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” line item in the consolidated statements of income includes the unrealized changes in the fair value of our derivatives (except effective cash flow hedges which are recorded in other comprehensive income), the unrealized changes in fair value of hedged items in qualifying fair value hedges, as well as the realized changes in fair value related to derivative net settlements and dispositions that do not qualify for hedge accounting. Net settlement income/expense on derivatives that qualify as hedges are included with the income or expense of the hedged item (mainly interest expense).
Servicing Revenue
Servicing revenue includes third-party loan servicing and Guarantor servicing revenue.
We perform loan servicing functions for third-parties in return for a servicing fee. Our compensation is typically based on a per-unit fee arrangement or a percentage of the loans outstanding. We recognize servicing revenues associated with these activities based upon the contractual arrangements as the services are rendered. We recognize late fees on third-party serviced loans as well as on loans in our portfolio according to the contractual provisions of the promissory notes, as well as our expectation of collectability.
We provide a full complement of administrative services to FFELP Guarantors including account maintenance for Guarantor agencies. The fees associated with these services are recognized as the services are performed based on contractually determined rates.
Contingency Revenue
We receive fees for collections of delinquent debt on behalf of clients performed on a contingency basis. Revenue is earned and recognized upon receipt of the delinquent customer funds.
We also receive fees from Guarantor agencies for performing default aversion services on delinquent loans prior to default. The fee is received when the loan is initially placed with us and we are obligated to provide such services for the remaining life of the loan for no additional fee. In the event that the loan defaults, we are obligated to rebate a portion of the fee to the Guarantor agency in proportion to the principal and interest outstanding when the loan defaults. We recognize fees received, net of an estimate of future rebates owed due to subsequent defaults, over the service period which is estimated to be the life of the loan.
Other Income
Our Upromise subsidiary has a number of programs that encourage consumers to save for the cost of college education. We have established a consumer savings network which is designed to promote college savings by consumers who are members of this program who generate rewards when they purchase goods and services from the companies that participate in the program (“Participating Companies”). Participating Companies generally pay Upromise fees based on member purchase volume, either online or in stores depending on the contractual arrangement with the Participating Company. We recognize revenue as marketing and administrative services are rendered based upon contractually determined rates and member purchase volumes.
Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets
We account for goodwill and acquired intangible assets in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. Under this guidance goodwill is not amortized but is tested periodically for impairment. We test goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1 at the reporting unit level, which is the same as or one level below a business segment. Goodwill is also tested at interim periods if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the carrying amount may be impaired.
We assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. The “more-likely-than-not” threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. If, after assessing relevant qualitative factors, we conclude that it is “more-likely-than-not” that the fair value of a reporting unit as of October 1 is less than its carrying amount, we will complete Step 1 of the goodwill impairment analysis. Step 1 consists of a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit to the reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, Step 2 in the goodwill impairment analysis is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Step 2 of the goodwill impairment analysis compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner consistent with determining goodwill in a business combination. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
Other acquired intangible assets include but are not limited to tradenames, customer and other relationships, and non-compete agreements. Acquired intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives in proportion to their estimated economic benefit. Finite-lived acquired intangible assets are reviewed for impairment using an undiscounted cash flow analysis when an event occurs or circumstances change indicating the carrying amount of a finite-lived asset or asset group may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset or asset groups exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, the fair value of the asset or asset group is determined using an acceptable valuation technique. An impairment loss would be recognized if the carrying amount of the asset (or asset group) exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group. The impairment loss recognized would be the difference between the carrying amount and fair value. Indefinite-life acquired intangible assets are not amortized. We test these indefinite life acquired intangible assets for impairment annually as of October 1 or at interim periods if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the carrying value of these assets may be impaired. The annual or interim impairment test of indefinite-lived acquired intangible assets is based primarily on a discounted cash flow analysis.
Restructuring and Other Reorganization Expenses
From time to time we implement plans to restructure our business. In conjunction with these restructuring plans, involuntary benefit arrangements, disposal costs (including contract termination costs and other exit costs), as well as certain other costs that are incremental and incurred as a direct result of our restructuring plans, are classified as restructuring expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
We sponsor the SLM Corporation Employee Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”) which provides severance benefits in the event of termination of our full-time employees (with the exception of certain specified levels of management) and part-time employees who work at least 24 hours per week. The Severance Plan establishes specified benefits based on base salary, job level immediately preceding termination and years of service upon termination of employment due to Involuntary Termination or a Job Abolishment, as defined in the Severance Plan. The benefits payable under the Severance Plan relate to past service and they accumulate and vest. Accordingly, we recognize severance costs to be paid pursuant to the Severance Plan when payment of such benefits is probable and reasonably estimable. Such benefits, including severance pay calculated based on the Severance Plan, medical and dental benefits, outplacement services and continuation pay, have been incurred during 2013, 2012 and 2011, as a direct result of our restructuring initiatives. Accordingly, such costs are classified as restructuring expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
Contract termination costs are expensed at the earlier of (1) the contract termination date or (2) the cease use date under the contract. Other exit costs are expensed as incurred and classified as restructuring expenses if (1) the cost is incremental to and incurred as a direct result of planned restructuring activities and (2) the cost is not associated with or incurred to generate revenues subsequent to our consummation of the related restructuring activities.
Other reorganization expenses include third-party costs and severance incurred in connection with our previously announced plan to separate our existing organization into two distinct publicly-traded entities.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
We recognize stock-based compensation cost in our consolidated statements of income using the fair value based method. Under this method we determine the fair value of the stock-based compensation at the time of the grant and recognize the resulting compensation expense over the vesting period of the stock-based grant.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability approach which requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax basis of our assets and liabilities. To the extent tax laws change, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted in the period that the tax change is enacted.
“Income tax expense/(benefit)” includes (i) deferred tax expense/(benefit), which represents the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability balance during the year plus any change in a valuation allowance, and (ii) current tax expense/(benefit), which represents the amount of tax currently payable to or receivable from a tax authority plus amounts accrued for unrecognized tax benefits. Income tax expense/(benefit) excludes the tax effects related to adjustments recorded in equity.
If we have an uncertain tax position, then that tax position is recognized only if it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. The amount of tax benefit recognized in the financial statements is the largest amount of benefit that is more than fifty percent likely of being sustained upon ultimate settlement of the uncertain tax position. We recognize interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense/(benefit), and penalties, if any, in operating expenses.
Earnings (Loss) per Common Share
We compute earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) by dividing net income allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding. Net income allocated to common shareholders represents net income applicable to common shareholders (net income adjusted for preferred stock dividends including dividends declared, accretion of discounts on preferred stock including accelerated accretion when preferred stock is repaid early, and cumulative dividends related to the current dividend period that have not been declared as of period end). Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing income allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding plus amounts representing the dilutive effect of stock options outstanding, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and the outstanding commitment to issue shares under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. See “Note 10 — Earnings (Loss) per Common Share” for further discussion.
Discontinued Operations
A “Component” of a business comprises operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished operationally and for financial reporting purposes from the rest of the Company. When we determine that a Component of our business has been disposed of or has met the criteria to be classified as held-for-sale such Component is presented separately as discontinued operations if the operations of the Component have been or will be eliminated from our ongoing operations and we will have no continuing involvement with the Component after the disposal transaction is complete. If a Component is classified as held-for-sale, then it is carried at the lower of its cost basis or fair value. Included within discontinued operations are the accounting results related to our Campus Solutions and 529 college-savings plan administration business, which have been sold as of December 31, 2013. See “Note 16 — Discontinued Operations” for further discussion.
Statement of Cash Flows
Included in our financial statements is the consolidated statement of cash flows. It is our policy to include all derivative net settlements, irrespective of whether the derivative is a qualifying hedge, in the same section of the statement of cash flows that the derivative is economically hedging.
As discussed in “Restricted Cash and Investments” of this Note 2, our restricted cash balances primarily relate to on-balance sheet securitizations. This balance is primarily the result of timing differences between when principal and interest is collected on the trust assets and when principal and interest is paid on the trust liabilities. As such, changes in this balance are reflected in investing activities.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the balances as of and for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, to be consistent with classifications adopted for 2013, which had no effect on net income, total assets or total liabilities.

Student_Loans

Student Loans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Student Loans	'
	3	Student Loans
	Student loans consist of FFELP and Private Education Loans.
	There are three principal categories of FFELP Loans: Stafford, PLUS, and FFELP Consolidation Loans. Generally, Stafford and PLUS Loans have repayment periods of between five and ten years. FFELP Consolidation Loans have repayment periods of twelve to thirty years. FFELP Loans do not require repayment, or have modified repayment plans, while the customer is in-school and during the grace period immediately upon leaving school. The customer may also be granted a deferment or forbearance for a period of time based on need, during which time the customer is not considered to be in repayment. Interest continues to accrue on loans in the in-school, deferment and forbearance period. FFELP Loans obligate the customer to pay interest at a stated fixed rate or a variable rate reset annually (subject to a cap) on July 1 of each year depending on when the loan was originated and the loan type. FFELP Loans disbursed before April 1, 2006 earn interest at the greater of the borrower’s rate or a floating rate based on the SAP formula, with the interest earned on the floating rate that exceeds the interest earned from the customer being paid directly by ED. In low or certain declining interest rate environments when student loans are earning at the fixed borrower rate, and the interest on the funding for the loans is variable and declining, we can earn additional spread income that we refer to as Floor Income. For loans disbursed after April 1, 2006, FFELP Loans effectively only earn at the SAP rate, as the excess interest earned when the borrower rate exceeds the SAP rate (Floor Income) is required to be rebated to ED.
	FFELP Loans are insured as to their principal and accrued interest in the event of default subject to a Risk Sharing level based on the date of loan disbursement. These insurance obligations are supported by contractual rights against the United States. For loans disbursed after October 1, 1993 and before July 1, 2006, we receive 98 percent reimbursement on all qualifying default claims. For loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006, we receive 97 percent reimbursement.
	On December 23, 2011, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 into law. This law includes changes that permit FFELP lenders or beneficial holders to change the index on which the Special Allowance Payments (“SAP”) are calculated for FFELP Loans first disbursed on or after January 1, 2000. The law allows holders to elect to move the index from the Commercial Paper (“CP”) Rate to the one-month LIBOR rate. We elected to use the one-month LIBOR rate rather than the CP rate commencing on April 1, 2012 in connection with our entire $128 billion of CP indexed loans. This change will help us to better match loan yields with our financing costs. This election did not materially affect our results for 2012.
	Our Private Education Loans are made largely to bridge the gap between the cost of higher education and the amount funded through financial aid, federal loans or customers’ resources. Private Education Loans bear the full credit risk of the customer. We manage this additional risk through historical risk-performance underwriting strategies and the addition of qualified cosigners. Private Education Loans generally carry a variable rate indexed to LIBOR or Prime indices. We encourage customers to include a cosigner on the loan, and the majority of loans in our portfolio are cosigned. We also encourage customers to make payments while in school. Similar to FFELP loans, Private Education Loans are generally non-dischargeable in bankruptcy. Most loans have repayment terms of 15 years or more, and for loans made prior to 2009, payments are typically deferred until after graduation; however, since 2009 we began to encourage interest-only or fixed payment options while the customer is enrolled in school and today, the majority of new loans make payments while in school.
	The estimated weighted average life of student loans in our portfolio was approximately 7.5 years and 8.0 years at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The following table reflects the distribution of our student loan portfolio by program.
			December 31,					Year Ended
			2013					December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in millions)		Ending		% of			Average		Average
			Balance		Balance			Balance		Effective
										Interest
										Rate
	FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans, net(1)		$	40,021		28	%	$	42,039		2.01	%
	FFELP Consolidation Loans, net			64,567		46			70,113		2.82
	Private Education Loans, net			37,512		26			38,292		6.6
	Total student loans, net		$	142,100		100	%	$	150,444		3.56	%
			December 31,					Year Ended
			2012					December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Ending		% of			Average		Average
			Balance		Balance			Balance		Effective
										Interest
										Rate
	FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans, net(1)		$	44,289		27	%	$	47,629		1.98	%
	FFELP Consolidation Loans, net			81,323		50			84,495		2.73
	Private Education Loans, net			36,934		23			37,691		6.58
	Total student loans, net		$	162,546		100	%	$	169,815		3.38	%
	(1)	The FFELP category is primarily Stafford Loans, but also includes federally guaranteed PLUS and HEAL Loans.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, 76 percent and 75 percent, respectively, of our student loan portfolio was in repayment.
	Loan Sales
	In 2013, we sold Residual Interests in FFELP Loan securitization trusts to third parties. We will continue to service the student loans in the trusts under existing agreements. As a result of these transactions, we removed securitization trust assets of $12.5 billion and the related liabilities of $12.1 billion from the balance sheet and recorded a $312 million gain as part of “gains on sales of loans and investments” in 2013.
	Certain Collection Tools — Private Education Loans
	Forbearance involves granting the customer a temporary cessation of payments (or temporary acceptance of smaller than scheduled payments) for a specified period of time. Using forbearance extends the original term of the loan. Forbearance does not grant any reduction in the total repayment obligation (principal or interest). While in forbearance status, interest continues to accrue and is capitalized to principal when the loan re-enters repayment status. Our forbearance policies include limits on the number of forbearance months granted consecutively and the total number of forbearance months granted over the life of the loan. In some instances, we require good-faith payments before granting forbearance. Exceptions to forbearance policies are permitted when such exceptions are judged to increase the likelihood of collection of the loan. Forbearance as a collection tool is used most effectively when applied based on a customer’s unique situation, including historical information and judgments. We leverage updated customer information and other decision support tools to best determine who will be granted forbearance based on our expectations as to a customer’s ability and willingness to repay their obligation. This strategy is aimed at mitigating the overall risk of the portfolio as well as encouraging cash resolution of delinquent loans.
	Forbearance may be granted to customers who are exiting their grace period to provide additional time to obtain employment and income to support their obligations, or to current customers who are faced with a hardship and request forbearance time to provide temporary payment relief. In these circumstances, a customer’s loan is placed into a forbearance status in limited monthly increments and is reflected in the forbearance status at month-end during this time. At the end of the granted forbearance period, the customer will enter repayment status as current and is expected to begin making scheduled monthly payments on a go-forward basis.
	Forbearance may also be granted to customers who are delinquent in their payments. In these circumstances, the forbearance cures the delinquency and the customer is returned to a current repayment status. In more limited instances, delinquent customers will also be granted additional forbearance time.
	During 2009, we instituted an interest rate reduction program to assist customers in repaying their Private Education Loans through reduced payments, while continuing to reduce their outstanding principal balance. This program is offered in situations where the potential for principal recovery, through a modification of the monthly payment amount, is better than other alternatives currently available. Along with demonstrating the ability and willingness to pay, the customer must make three consecutive monthly payments at the reduced rate to qualify for the program. Once the customer has made the initial three payments, the loan’s status is returned to current and the interest rate is reduced for the successive twelve month period.

Allowance_for_Loan_Losses

Allowance for Loan Losses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Allowance for Loan Losses	'
	4	Allowance for Loan Losses
	Our provisions for loan losses represent the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance sufficient to absorb incurred probable losses, net of expected recoveries, in the held-for-investment loan portfolios. The evaluation of the provisions for loan losses is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant changes. We believe that the allowance for loan losses is appropriate to cover probable losses incurred in the loan portfolios. We segregate our Private Education Loan portfolio into two classes of loans — traditional and non-traditional. Non-traditional loans are loans to (i) customers attending for-profit schools with an original Fair Isaac and Company (“FICO”) score of less than 670 and (ii) customers attending not-for-profit schools with an original FICO score of less than 640. The FICO score used in determining whether a loan is non-traditional is the greater of the customer or cosigner FICO score at origination. Traditional loans are defined as all other Private Education Loans that are not classified as non-traditional.
	Allowance for Loan Losses Metrics
			Allowance for Loan Losses
			Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in millions)		FFELP Loans			Private Education			Other			Total
						Loans			Loans
	Allowance for Loan Losses
	Beginning balance		$	159		$	2,171		$	47		$	2,377
	Total provision			52			787			—			839
	Charge-offs(1)			(78	)		(878	)		(19	)		(975	)
	Student loan sales			(14	)		—			—			(14	)
	Reclassification of interest reserve(2)			—			17			—			17
	Ending Balance		$	119		$	2,097		$	28		$	2,244
	Allowance:
	Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		$	—		$	1,048		$	20		$	1,068
	Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		$	119		$	1,049		$	8		$	1,176
	Loans:
	Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		$	—		$	9,262		$	45		$	9,307
	Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		$	103,672		$	31,051		$	85		$	134,808
	Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment			0.1	%		2.78	%		12.28	%
	Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance			0.08	%		2.69	%		12.28	%
	Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance			0.12	%		5.2	%		21.42	%
	Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment			0.16	%		6.68	%		21.42	%
	Allowance coverage of charge-offs			1.5			2.4			1.5
	Ending total loans(3)		$	103,672		$	40,313		$	130
	Average loans in repayment		$	80,822		$	31,556		$	156
	Ending loans in repayment		$	76,504		$	31,370		$	130
		(1)	Charge-offs are reported net of expected recoveries. For Private Education Loans, the expected recovery amount is transferred to the receivable for partially charged-off loan balance. Charge-offs include charge-offs against the receivable for partially charged-off loans which represents the difference between what was expected to be collected and any shortfalls in what was actually collected in the period. See “Receivable for Partially Charged-Off Private Education Loans” for further discussion.
		(2)	Represents the additional allowance related to the amount of uncollectible interest reserved within interest income that is transferred in the period to the allowance for loan losses when interest is capitalized to a loan’s principal balance.
		(3)	Ending total loans for Private Education Loans includes the receivable for partially charged-off loans.
			Allowance for Loan Losses
			Year Ended December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		FFELP Loans			Private Education			Other			Total
						Loans			Loans
	Allowance for Loan Losses
	Beginning balance		$	187		$	2,171		$	69		$	2,427
	Total provision			72			1,008			—			1,080
	Charge-offs(1)			(92	)		(1,037	)		(22	)		(1,151	)
	Student loan sales			(8	)		—			—			(8	)
	Reclassification of interest reserve(2)			—			29			—			29
	Ending Balance		$	159		$	2,171		$	47		$	2,377
	Allowance:
	Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		$	—		$	1,126		$	35		$	1,161
	Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		$	159		$	1,045		$	12		$	1,216
	Loans:
	Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		$	—		$	7,560		$	69		$	7,629
	Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		$	124,335		$	32,341		$	116		$	156,792
	Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment			0.1	%		3.37	%		9.51	%
	Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance			0.08	%		3.24	%		9.51	%
	Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance			0.13	%		5.44	%		25.39	%
	Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment			0.18	%		6.89	%		25.39	%
	Allowance coverage of charge-offs			1.7			2.1			2.1
	Ending total loans(3)		$	124,335		$	39,901		$	185
	Average loans in repayment		$	91,653		$	30,750		$	231
	Ending loans in repayment		$	90,731		$	31,514		$	185
		(1)	Charge-offs are reported net of expected recoveries. For Private Education Loans, the expected recovery amount is transferred to the receivable for partially charged-off loan balance. Charge-offs include charge-offs against the receivable for partially charged-off loans which represents the difference between what was expected to be collected and any shortfalls in what was actually collected in the period. See “Receivable for Partially Charged-Off Private Education Loans” for further discussion.
		(2)	Represents the additional allowance related to the amount of uncollectible interest reserved within interest income that is transferred in the period to the allowance for loan losses when interest is capitalized to a loan’s principal balance.
		(3)	Ending total loans for Private Education Loans includes the receivable for partially charged-off loans.
			Allowance for Loan Losses
			Year Ended December 31, 2011
	(Dollars in millions)		FFELP Loans			Private Education			Other			Total
						Loans			Loans
Allowance for Loan Losses
Beginning balance		$	189		$	2,022		$	72		$	2,283
Total provision			86			1,179			30			1,295
Charge-offs(1)			(78	)		(1,072	)		(33	)		(1,183	)
Student loan sales			(10	)		—			—			(10	)
Reclassification of interest reserve(2)			—			42			—			42
Ending Balance		$	187		$	2,171		$	69		$	2,427
Allowance:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		$	—		$	762		$	51		$	813
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		$	187		$	1,409		$	18		$	1,614
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		$	—		$	5,313		$	93		$	5,406
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		$	136,643		$	34,021		$	170		$	170,834
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment			0.08	%		3.72	%		11.3	%
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance			0.07	%		3.55	%		11.3	%
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance			0.14	%		5.52	%		26.26	%
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment			0.2	%		7.19	%		26.26	%
Allowance coverage of charge-offs			2.4			2			2.1
Ending total loans(3)		$	136,643		$	39,334		$	263
Average loans in repayment		$	94,359		$	28,790		$	294
Ending loans in repayment		$	94,181		$	30,185		$	263
	(1)	Charge-offs are reported net of expected recoveries. For Private Education Loans, the expected recovery amount is transferred to the receivable for partially charged-off loan balance. Charge-offs include charge-offs against the receivable for partially charged-off loans which represents the difference between what was expected to be collected and any shortfalls in what was actually collected in the period. See “Receivable for Partially Charged-Off Private Education Loans” for further discussion.
	(2)	Represents the additional allowance related to the amount of uncollectible interest reserved within interest income that is transferred in the period to the allowance for loan losses when interest is capitalized to a loan’s principal balance.
	(3)	Ending total loans for Private Education Loans includes the receivable for partially charged-off loans.
Key Credit Quality Indicators
FFELP Loans are substantially insured and guaranteed as to their principal and accrued interest in the event of default; therefore, the key credit quality indicator for this portfolio is loan status. The impact of changes in loan status is incorporated quarterly into the allowance for loan losses calculation.
For Private Education Loans, the key credit quality indicators are school type, FICO scores, the existence of a cosigner, the loan status and loan seasoning. The school type/FICO score are assessed at origination and maintained through the traditional/non-traditional loan designation. The other Private Education Loan key quality indicators can change and are incorporated quarterly into the allowance for loan losses calculation. The following table highlights the principal balance (excluding the receivable for partially charged-off loans) of our Private Education Loan portfolio stratified by the key credit quality indicators.
		Private Education Loans
		Credit Quality Indicators
		December 31, 2013						December 31, 2012
(Dollars in millions)		Balance(3)			% of Balance			Balance(3)			% of Balance
Credit Quality Indicators
School Type/FICO Scores:
Traditional		$	36,140			93	%	$	35,347			92	%
Non-Traditional(1)			2,860			7			3,207			8
Total		$	39,000			100	%	$	38,554			100	%
Cosigners:
With cosigner		$	26,321			67	%	$	24,907			65	%
Without cosigner			12,679			33			13,647			35
Total		$	39,000			100	%	$	38,554			100	%
Seasoning(2):
1-12 payments		$	5,171			14	%	$	7,371			19	%
13-24 payments			5,511			14			6,137			16
25-36 payments			5,506			14			6,037			16
37-48 payments			5,103			13			4,780			12
More than 48 payments			11,181			29			8,325			22
Not yet in repayment			6,528			16			5,904			15
Total		$	39,000			100	%	$	38,554			100	%
(1)	Defined as loans to customers attending for-profit schools (with a FICO score of less than 670 at origination) and customers attending not-for-profit schools (with a FICO score of less than 640 at origination).
(2)	Number of months in active repayment for which a scheduled payment was due.
(3)	Balance represents gross Private Education Loans.
The following tables provide information regarding the loan status and aging of past due loans.
		FFELP Loan Delinquencies
		December 31,
		2013						2012						2011
(Dollars in millions)		Balance			%			Balance			%			Balance			%
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)		$	13,678					$	17,702					$	22,887
Loans in forbearance(2)			13,490						15,902						19,575
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
Loans current			63,330			82.8	%		75,499			83.2	%		77,093			81.9	%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)			3,746			4.9			4,710			5.2			5,419			5.8
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)			2,207			2.9			2,788			3.1			3,438			3.7
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)			7,221			9.4			7,734			8.5			8,231			8.6
Total FFELP Loans in repayment			76,504			100	%		90,731			100	%		94,181			100	%
Total FFELP Loans, gross			103,672						124,335						136,643
FFELP Loan unamortized premium			1,035						1,436						1,674
Total FFELP Loans			104,707						125,771						138,317
FFELP Loan allowance for losses			(119	)					(159	)					(187	)
FFELP Loans, net		$	104,588					$	125,612					$	138,130
Percentage of FFELP Loans in repayment						73.8	%					73	%					68.9	%
Delinquencies as a percentage of FFELP Loans in repayment						17.2	%					16.8	%					18.1	%
FFELP Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance						15	%					14.9	%					17.2	%
(1)	Loans for customers who may still be attending school or engaging in other permitted educational activities and are not required to make payments on the loans, e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation, as well as loans for customers who have requested and qualify for other permitted program deferments such as military, unemployment, or economic hardships.
(2)	Loans for customers who have used their allowable deferment time or do not qualify for deferment, that need additional time to obtain employment or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors.
(3)	The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.
		Private Education Traditional Loan
		Delinquencies
		December 31,
		2013						2012						2011
(Dollars in millions)		Balance			%			Balance			%			Balance			%
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)		$	6,088					$	5,421					$	5,866
Loans in forbearance(2)			969						996						1,195
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
Loans current			26,977			92.8	%		26,597			91.9	%		25,110			91.4	%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)			674			2.3			837			2.9			868			3.2
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)			420			1.4			375			1.3			393			1.4
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)			1,012			3.5			1,121			3.9			1,096			4
Total traditional loans in repayment			29,083			100	%		28,930			100	%		27,467			100	%
Total traditional loans, gross			36,140						35,347						34,528
Traditional loans unamortized discount			(629	)					(713	)					(792	)
Total traditional loans			35,511						34,634						33,736
Traditional loans receivable for partially charged-off loans			799						797						705
Traditional loans allowance for losses			(1,592	)					(1,637	)					(1,542	)
Traditional loans, net		$	34,718					$	33,794					$	32,899
Percentage of traditional loans in repayment						80.5	%					81.9	%					80	%
Delinquencies as a percentage of traditional loans in repayment						7.2	%					8.1	%					8.6	%
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance						3.2	%					3.3	%					4.2	%
(1)	Deferment includes customers who have returned to school or are engaged in other permitted educational activities and are not required to make payments on the loans, e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation.
(2)	Loans for customers who have requested extension of grace period generally during employment transition or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors, consistent with established loan program servicing policies and procedures.
(3)	The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.
		Private Education Non-Traditional Loan
		Delinquencies
		December 31,
		2013						2012						2011
(Dollars in millions)		Balance			%			Balance			%			Balance			%
Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)		$	440					$	483					$	656
Loans in forbearance(2)			133						140						191
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
Loans current			1,791			78.3	%		1,978			76.5	%		2,012			74	%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)			128			5.6			175			6.8			208			7.7
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)			93			4.1			106			4.1			127			4.7
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)			275			12			325			12.6			371			13.6
Total non-traditional loans in repayment			2,287			100	%		2,584			100	%		2,718			100	%
Total non-traditional loans, gross			2,860						3,207						3,565
Non-traditional loans unamortized discount			(75	)					(83	)					(81	)
Total non-traditional loans			2,785						3,124						3,484
Non-traditional loans receivable for partially charged-off loans			514						550						536
Non-traditional loans allowance for losses			(505	)					(534	)					(629	)
Non-traditional loans, net		$	2,794					$	3,140					$	3,391
Percentage of non-traditional loans in repayment						80	%					80.6	%					76.2	%
Delinquencies as a percentage of non-traditional loans in repayment						21.7	%					23.4	%					26	%
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance						5.5	%					5.1	%					6.6	%
(1)	Deferment includes customers who have returned to school or are engaged in other permitted educational activities and are not required to make payments on the loans, e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation.
(2)	Loans for customers who have requested extension of grace period generally during employment transition or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors, consistent with established loan program servicing policies and procedures.
(3)	The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.
Receivable for Partially Charged-Off Private Education Loans
At the end of each month, for loans that are 212 days past due, we charge off the estimated loss of a defaulted loan balance. Actual recoveries are applied against the remaining loan balance that was not charged off. We refer to this remaining loan balance as the “receivable for partially charged-off loans.” If actual periodic recoveries are less than expected, the difference is immediately charged off through the allowance for loan losses with an offsetting reduction in the receivable for partially charged-off Private Education Loans. If actual periodic recoveries are greater than expected, they will be reflected as a recovery through the allowance for Private Education Loan losses once the cumulative recovery amount exceeds the cumulative amount originally expected to be recovered. Private Education Loans which defaulted between 2008 and 2013 for which we have previously charged off estimated losses have, to varying degrees, not met our post-default recovery expectations to date and may continue not to do so. According to our policy, we have been charging off these periodic shortfalls in expected recoveries against our allowance for Private Education Loan losses and the related receivable for partially charged-off Private Education Loans and we will continue to do so. There was $336 million and $198 million in the allowance for Private Education Loan losses at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, providing for possible additional future charge-offs related to the receivable for partially charged-off Private Education Loans.
The following table summarizes the activity in the receivable for partially charged-off loans.
		Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in millions)		2013			2012			2011
Receivable at beginning of period		$	1,347		$	1,241		$	1,040
Expected future recoveries of current period defaults(1)			290			351			391
Recoveries(2)			(230	)		(189	)		(155	)
Charge-offs(3)			(94	)		(56	)		(35	)
Receivable at end of period			1,313			1,347			1,241
Allowance for estimated recovery shortfalls(4)			(336	)		(198	)		(148	)
Net receivable at end of period		$	977		$	1,149		$	1,093
	(1)	Represents the difference between the loan balance and our estimate of the amount to be collected in the future.
	(2)	Current period cash collections.
	(3)	Represents the current period recovery shortfall – the difference between what was expected to be collected and what was actually collected. These amounts are included in the Private Education Loan total charge-offs as reported in the “Allowance for Loan Losses Metrics” tables.
	(4)	The allowance for estimated recovery shortfalls of the receivable for partially charged-off Private Education Loans is a component of the $2.1 billion, $2.2 billion and $2.2 billion overall allowance for Private Education Loan losses as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”)
We modify the terms of loans for certain customers when we believe such modifications may increase the ability and willingness of a customer to make payments and thus increase the ultimate overall amount collected on a loan. These modifications generally take the form of a forbearance, a temporary interest rate reduction or an extended repayment plan. For customers experiencing financial difficulty, certain Private Education Loans for which we have granted either a forbearance of greater than three months, an interest rate reduction or an extended repayment plan are classified as TDRs. Approximately 45 percent and 43 percent of the loans granted forbearance have qualified as a TDR loan at December 31, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The unpaid principal balance of TDR loans that were in an interest rate reduction plan as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $1.5 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively.
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, all of our TDR loans had a related allowance recorded. The following table provides the recorded investment, unpaid principal balance and related allowance for our TDR loans.
		TDR Loans
(Dollars in millions)		Recorded			Unpaid			Related
		Investment(1)			Principal			Allowance
					Balance
December 31, 2013
Private Education Loans — Traditional		$	7,515		$	7,559		$	812
Private Education Loans — Non-Traditional			1,434			1,427			236
Total		$	8,949		$	8,986		$	1,048
December 31, 2012
Private Education Loans — Traditional		$	5,999		$	6,074		$	844
Private Education Loans — Non-Traditional			1,295			1,303			282
Total		$	7,294		$	7,377		$	1,126
	(1)	The recorded investment is equal to the unpaid principal balance and accrued interest receivable net of unamortized deferred fees and costs.
The following table provides the average recorded investment and interest income recognized for our TDR loans.
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013						2012						2011
(Dollars in millions)		Average			Interest			Average			Interest			Average			Interest
		Recorded			Income			Recorded			Income			Recorded			Income
		Investment			Recognized			Investment			Recognized			Investment			Recognized
Private Education Loans — Traditional		$	6,805		$	418		$	5,181		$	333		$	1,960		$	121
Private Education Loans — Non-Traditional			1,376			112			1,205			106			560			48
Total		$	8,181		$	530		$	6,386		$	439		$	2,520		$	169
The following tables provide information regarding the loan status and aging of TDR loans that are past due.
		TDR Loan Delinquencies
		December 31,
		2013						2012						2011
(Dollars in millions)		Balance			%			Balance			%			Balance			%
Loans in deferment(1)		$	913					$	574					$	285
Loans in forbearance(2)			740						544						696
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
Loans current			5,613			76.5	%		4,619			73.8	%		3,018			69.7	%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)			469			6.4			478			7.6			427			9.8
Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)			330			4.5			254			4.1			215			5
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)			921			12.6			908			14.5			672			15.5
Total TDR loans in repayment			7,333			100	%		6,259			100	%		4,332			100	%
Total TDR loans, gross		$	8,986					$	7,377					$	5,313
(1)	Deferment includes customers who have returned to school or are engaged in other permitted educational activities and are not required to make payments on the loans, e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation.
(2)	Loans for customers who have requested extension of grace period generally during employment transition or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors, consistent with established loan program servicing policies and procedures.
(3)	The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.
The following table provides the amount of modified loans that resulted in a TDR in the periods presented. Additionally, the table summarizes charge-offs occurring in the TDR portfolio, as well as TDRs for which a payment default occurred in the current period within 12 months of the loan first being designated as a TDR. We define payment default as 60 days past due for this disclosure. The majority of our loans that are considered TDRs involve a temporary forbearance of payments and do not change the contractual interest rate of the loan.
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013									2012									2011
(Dollars in millions)		Modified			Charge-			Payment-			Modified			Charge-			Payment-			Modified		Charge-		Payment-
		Loans(1)			Offs(2)			Default			Loans(1)			Offs(2)			Default			Loans(1)		Offs(2)		Default
Private Education Loans — Traditional		$	2,114		$	372		$	680		$	2,375		$	389		$	1,351		$	4,103	$	99	$	1,036
Private Education Loans — Non-Traditional			314			132			184			443			152			420			951		55		414
Total		$	2,428		$	504		$	864		$	2,818		$	541		$	1,771		$	5,054	$	154	$	1,450
(1)	Represents period ending balance of loans that have been modified during the period and resulted in a TDR.
(2)	Represents loans that charged off that were classified as TDRs.
Accrued Interest Receivable
The following table provides information regarding accrued interest receivable on our Private Education Loans. The table also discloses the amount of accrued interest on loans greater than 90 days past due as compared to our allowance for uncollectible interest. The allowance for uncollectible interest exceeds the amount of accrued interest on our 90 days past due portfolio for all periods presented.
		Accrued Interest Receivable
		As of December 31,
(Dollars in millions)		Total			Greater Than			Allowance for
					90 Days			Uncollectible
					Past Due			Interest
2013
Private Education Loans — Traditional		$	926		$	35		$	46
Private Education Loans — Non-Traditional			97			13			20
Total		$	1,023		$	48		$	66
2012
Private Education Loans — Traditional		$	798		$	39		$	45
Private Education Loans — Non-Traditional			106			16			22
Total		$	904		$	55		$	67
2011
Private Education Loans — Traditional		$	870		$	36		$	44
Private Education Loans — Non-Traditional			148			18			28
Total		$	1,018		$	54		$	72

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets	'
	5	Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	All acquisitions must be assigned to a reporting unit or units. A reporting unit is the same as, or one level below, an operating segment. We have four reportable segments: Consumer Lending, Business Services, FFELP Loans and Other. The following table summarizes our goodwill, accumulated impairments and net goodwill for our reporting units and reportable segments.
			As of December 31, 2013							As of December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net
					Impairments							Impairments
	Total FFELP Loans reportable segment		$	194	$	(4	)	$	190	$	194	$	(4	)	$	190
	Total Consumer Lending reportable segment			147		—			147		147		—			147
	Business Services reportable segment:
	Servicing			50		—			50		50		—			50
	Contingency Services			136		(129	)		7		136		(129	)		7
	Wind-down Guarantor Servicing			256		(256	)		—		256		(256	)		—
	Insurance Services			9		(9	)		—		9		(9	)		—
	Upromise			43		(43	)		—		140		(140	)		—
	Total Business Services reportable segment			494		(437	)		57		591		(534	)		57
	Total		$	835	$	(441	)	$	394	$	932	$	(538	)	$	394
	Goodwill Impairment Testing
	We perform our goodwill impairment testing annually in the fourth quarter as of October 1. No goodwill was deemed impaired in 2013. As part of the 2013 annual impairment testing, we retained a third-party appraisal firm to assist in the valuations required to perform Step 1 impairment testing. The income approach was the primary approach used to estimate the fair value of each reporting unit.
	The income approach measures the value of each reporting unit’s future economic benefit determined by its discounted cash flows derived from our projections plus an assumed terminal growth rate adjusted for what we believe a market participant would assume in an acquisition. These projections are generally five-year projections that reflect the anticipated cash flow fluctuations of the respective reporting units. If a component of a reporting unit is winding down or is assumed to wind down, the projections extend through the anticipated wind-down period and no residual value is ascribed.
	Under our guidance, the third-party appraisal firm developed the discount rate for each reporting unit incorporating such factors as the risk free rate, a market rate of return, a measure of volatility (Beta) and a company-specific and capital markets risk premium, as appropriate, to adjust for volatility and uncertainty in the economy and to capture specific risk related to the respective reporting units. We considered whether an asset sale or an equity sale would be the most likely sale structure for each reporting unit and valued each reporting unit based on the more likely hypothetical scenario.
	The discount rates reflect market-based estimates of capital costs and are adjusted for our assessment of a market participant’s view with respect to execution, source concentration and other risks associated with the projected cash flows of individual reporting units. We reviewed and approved the discount rates provided by the third-party appraiser including the factors incorporated to develop the discount rates for each reporting unit.
	We and the third-party appraisal firm also considered a market approach for each reporting unit. Market-based multiples for comparable publicly traded companies and similar transactions were evaluated as an indicator of the value of the reporting units to assess the reasonableness of the estimated fair value derived from the income approach.
	The following table illustrates the carrying value of equity for each reporting unit with remaining goodwill as of December 31, 2013, and the percentage by which the estimated fair value determined in conjunction with Step 1 impairment testing in the fourth quarter of 2013 exceeds the carrying value of equity.
	(Dollars in millions)		Carrying Value		% of Fair Value
			of Equity		in Excess of
					Carrying Value
	FFELP Loans		$	930		202	%
	Consumer Lending			4,335		80	%
	Servicing			137		966	%
	Contingency Services			53		193	%
	We acknowledge that continued weakness in the economy coupled with changes in legislation and the regulatory environment could adversely affect the operating results of our reporting units. If the forecasted performance of our reporting units is not achieved, or if our stock price declines resulting in deterioration in our total market capitalization, the fair value of one or more of the reporting units could be significantly reduced, and we may be required to record a charge, which could be material, for an impairment of goodwill.
	To assess impairment for the FFELP, Consumer Lending, and Servicing reporting units at October 1, 2012 and 2011, we assessed relevant qualitative factors to determine whether it was “more-likely-than-not” that the fair value of an individual reporting unit was less than its carrying value. These qualitative factors included consideration of the significant amount of excess fair value over the carrying values of these reporting units as of October 1, 2010 when we performed a Step 1 goodwill impairment test and engaged an appraisal firm to estimate the fair values of these reporting units, the current legislative environment, our stock price during 2012 and 2011, market capitalization and EPS results as well as significant reductions in our operating expenses. After assessing these relevant qualitative factors, we determined that it was more-likely-than-not that the fair values of these reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts.
	During 2012, we finalized the purchase accounting for a Contingency Services acquisition that resulted in goodwill. We performed Step 1 impairment testing for the Contingency Services reporting unit as of October 1, 2012, resulting in no indicated impairment.
	Acquired Intangible Assets
	Acquired intangible assets include the following:
			As of December 31, 2013							As of December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Cost		Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Net
			Basis(1)		Impairment and					Basis(1)		Impairment and
					Amortization(1)							Amortization(1)
	Intangible assets subject to amortization:
	Customer, services and lending relationships		$	278	$	(261	)	$	17	$	303	$	(270	)	$	33
	Software and technology			79		(79	)		—		93		(93	)		—
	Tradenames and trademarks			34		(21	)		13		54		(34	)		20
	Total acquired intangible assets		$	391	$	(361	)	$	30	$	450	$	(397	)	$	53
	(1)	Accumulated impairment and amortization includes impairment amounts only if the acquired intangible asset has been deemed partially impaired. When an acquired intangible asset is considered fully impaired, and no longer in use, the cost basis and any accumulated amortization related to the asset is written off.
	(2)	Intangible assets not subject to amortization include tradenames and trademarks totaling $6 million and $10 million, net of accumulated impairment as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	We recorded amortization of acquired intangible assets from continuing operations totaling $13 million, $18 million, and $21 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We will continue to amortize our intangible assets with definite useful lives over their remaining estimated useful lives. We estimate amortization expense associated with these intangible assets will be $9 million, $7 million, $5 million, $2 million and $2 million in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Borrowings

Borrowings	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Borrowings	'
	6	Borrowings
	Borrowings consist of secured borrowings issued through our securitization program, borrowings through secured facilities, unsecured notes issued by us, term and other deposits at Sallie Mae Bank, and other interest-bearing liabilities related primarily to obligations to return cash collateral held. To match the interest rate and currency characteristics of our borrowings with the interest rate and currency characteristics of our assets, we enter into interest rate and foreign currency swaps with independent parties. Under these agreements, we make periodic payments, generally indexed to the related asset rates or rates which are highly correlated to the asset rates, in exchange for periodic payments which generally match our interest obligations on fixed or variable rate notes (see “Note 7 — Derivative Financial Instruments”). Payments and receipts on our interest rate and currency swaps are not reflected in the following tables.
	The following table summarizes our borrowings.
			December 31, 2013									December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Short				Long			Total		Short			Long		Total
			Term				Term					Term			Term
	Unsecured borrowings:
	Senior unsecured debt		$	2,213			$	16,056		$	18,269	$	2,319		$	15,446	$	17,765
	Bank deposits			6,133				2,807			8,940		4,226			3,088		7,314
	Other(1)			691				—			691		1,609			—		1,609
	Total unsecured borrowings			9,037				18,863			27,900		8,154			18,534		26,688
	Secured borrowings:
	FFELP Loan securitizations			—				90,756			90,756		—			105,525		105,525
	Private Education Loan securitizations			—				18,835			18,835		—			19,656		19,656
	FFELP Loan — other facilities			4,715				5,311			10,026		11,651			4,827		16,478
	Private Education Loan — other facilities			—				843			843		—			1,070		1,070
	Total secured borrowings			4,715				115,745			120,460		11,651			131,078		142,729
	Total before hedge accounting adjustments			13,752				134,608			148,360		19,805			149,612		169,417
	Hedge accounting adjustments			43				2,040			2,083		51			2,789		2,840
	Total		$	13,795			$	136,648		$	150,443	$	19,856		$	152,401	$	172,257
	(1)	“Other” primarily consists of the obligation to return cash collateral held related to derivative exposures.
	Short-term Borrowings
	Short-term borrowings have a remaining term to maturity of one year or less. The following tables summarize outstanding short-term borrowings (secured and unsecured), the weighted average interest rates at the end of each period, and the related average balances and weighted average interest rates during the periods. Rates reflect stated interest of borrowings and related discounts and premiums.
			December 31, 2013							Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in millions)		Ending Balance				Weighted Average			Average Balance		Weighted Average
							Interest Rate					Interest Rate
	Bank deposits		$	6,133				1.14	%	$	5,221		1.44	%
	FFELP Loan — other facilities			4,715				0.21			7,386		0.84
	Private Education Loan — other facilities			—				—			272		1.86
	Senior unsecured debt			2,256				3.09			2,814		3.59
	Other interest bearing liabilities			691				0.07			1,037		0.14
	Total short-term borrowings		$	13,795				1.09	%	$	16,730		1.46	%
	Maximum outstanding at any month end		$	20,038
			December 31, 2012							Year Ended December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Ending Balance				Weighted Average			Average Balance		Weighted Average
							Interest Rate					Interest Rate
	Bank deposits		$	4,226				1.4	%	$	3,537		1.54	%
	FFELP Loan — other facilities			11,651				0.72			17,606		0.78
	Senior unsecured debt			2,370				4.24			2,214		4.49
	Other interest bearing liabilities			1,609				0.31			1,474		0.21
	Total short-term borrowings		$	19,856				1.25	%	$	24,831		1.19	%
	Maximum outstanding at any month end		$	29,160
	Long-term Borrowings
	The following tables summarize outstanding long-term borrowings (secured and unsecured), the weighted average interest rates at the end of the periods, and the related average balances during the periods. Rates reflect stated interest rate of borrowings and related discounts and premiums.
			December 31, 2013							Year Ended
										December 31,
							Weighted			2013
							Average
	(Dollars in millions)		Ending				Interest			Average
			Balance(1)				Rate(2)			Balance
	Floating rate notes:
	U.S. dollar-denominated:
	Interest bearing, due 2015-2048		$	96,724				0.99	%	$	102,241
	Non-U.S. dollar-denominated:
	Interest bearing, due 2021-2041			9,249				0.62			9,525
	Total floating rate notes			105,973				0.96			111,766
	Fixed rate notes:
	U.S. dollar-denominated:
	Interest bearing, due 2015-2047			18,510				5.61			16,149
	Non-U.S.-dollar denominated:
	Interest bearing, due 2015-2039			3,204				2.72			2,420
	Total fixed rate notes			21,714				5.18			18,569
	Brokered deposits — U.S. dollar-denominated, due 2015-2018			2,807				1.32			2,488
FFELP Loan — other facilities			5,311				0.76			5,504
Private Education Loan — other facilities			843				0.96			355
Total long-term borrowings		$	136,648				1.63	%	$	138,682
		December 31, 2012							Year Ended
									December 31,
						Weighted			2012
						Average
(Dollars in millions)		Ending				Interest			Average
		Balance(1)				Rate(2)			Balance
Floating rate notes:
U.S. dollar-denominated:
Interest bearing, due 2014-2048		$	112,408				1.04	%	$	113,236
Non-U.S. dollar-denominated:
Interest bearing, due 2021-2041			10,819				0.53			11,463
Total floating rate notes			123,227				1			124,699
Fixed rate notes:
U.S. dollar-denominated:
Interest bearing, due 2014-2046			16,096				5.57			14,203
Non-U.S.-dollar denominated:
Interest bearing, due 2014-2039			4,061				3.39			2,882
Total fixed rate notes			20,157				5.13			17,085
Brokered deposits — U.S. dollar-denominated, due 2014-2017			3,120				1.77			2,216
FFELP Loan — other facilities			4,827				1.29			5,517
Private Education Loan — other facilities			1,070				1.45			1,880
Total long-term borrowings		$	152,401				1.57	%	$	151,397
	(1)	Ending balance is expressed in U.S. dollars using the spot currency exchange rate. Includes fair value adjustments under hedge accounting for notes designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge.
	(2)	Weighted average interest rate is stated rate relative to currency denomination of debt.
At December 31, 2013, we had outstanding long-term borrowings with call features totaling $1.7 billion. In addition, we have $6.2 billion of pre-payable debt related to our secured facilities. Generally, these instruments are callable at the par amount. As of December 31, 2013, the stated maturities and maturities if accelerated to the call dates are shown in the following table.
		December 31, 2013
		Stated Maturity(1)												Maturity to Call Date(1)
(Dollars in millions)		Senior				Brokered			Secured		Total(2)			Senior		Brokered		Secured		Total
		Unsecured				Deposits			Borrowings					Unsecured		Deposits		Borrowings
		Debt												Debt
Year of Maturity
2014		$	—			$	—		$	14,408	$	14,408		$	1,611	$	—	$	14,408	$	16,019
2015			1,506				1,195			11,672		14,373			1,595		1,195		11,672		14,462
2016			2,284				648			9,498		12,430			2,283		648		9,498		12,429
2017			1,829				538			10,157		12,524			1,807		538		10,157		12,502
2018			2,796				426			8,597		11,819			2,547		426		8,597		11,570
2019 and after			7,641				—			61,413		69,054			6,213		—		61,413		67,626
			16,056				2,807			115,745		134,608			16,056		2,807		115,745		134,608
Hedge accounting adjustments			727				—			1,313		2,040			727		—		1,313		2,040
Total		$	16,783			$	2,807		$	117,058	$	136,648		$	16,783	$	2,807	$	117,058	$	136,648
(1)	We view our securitization trust debt as long-term based on the contractual maturity dates and projected principal paydowns based on our current estimates regarding loan prepayment speeds. The projected principal paydowns in year 2014 include $14.4 billion related to the securitization trust debt.
(2)	The aggregate principal amount of debt that matures in each period is $14.5 billion in 2014, $14.4 billion in 2015, $12.5 billion in 2016, $12.6 billion in 2017, $11.9 billion in 2018, and $69.6 billion in 2019 and after.
Variable Interest Entities
We consolidate the following financing VIEs as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, as we are the primary beneficiary. As a result, these VIEs are accounted for as secured borrowings.
		December 31, 2013
		Debt Outstanding									Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt
											Outstanding
(Dollars in millions)		Short				Long			Total		Loans			Cash		Other Assets		Total
		Term				Term
Secured Borrowings — VIEs:
FFELP Loan securitizations		$	—			$	90,756		$	90,756	$	91,535		$	2,913	$	683	$	95,131
Private Education Loan securitizations			—				18,835			18,835		23,947			338		540		24,825
FFELP Loan — other facilities			3,655				3,791			7,446		7,719			128		91		7,938
Private Education Loan — other facilities			—				843			843		1,583			16		30		1,629
Total before hedge accounting adjustments			3,655				114,225			117,880		124,784			3,395		1,344		129,523
Hedge accounting adjustments			—				1,313			1,313		—			—		978		978
Total		$	3,655			$	115,538		$	119,193	$	124,784		$	3,395	$	2,322	$	130,501
		December 31, 2012
		Debt Outstanding									Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt
											Outstanding
(Dollars in millions)		Short				Long			Total		Loans			Cash		Other Assets		Total
		Term				Term
Secured Borrowings — VIEs:
FFELP Loan securitizations		$	—			$	105,525		$	105,525	$	107,009		$	3,652	$	608	$	111,269
Private Education Loan securitizations			—				19,656			19,656		24,618			385		545		25,548
FFELP Loan — other facilities			9,551				4,154			13,705		14,050			487		197		14,734
Private Education Loan — other facilities			—				1,070			1,070		1,454			302		33		1,789
Total before hedge accounting adjustments			9,551				130,405			139,956		147,131			4,826		1,383		153,340
Hedge accounting adjustments			—				1,113			1,113		—			—		929		929
Total		$	9,551			$	131,518		$	141,069	$	147,131		$	4,826	$	2,312	$	154,269
Securitizations
The following table summarizes the securitization transactions issued in 2012 and 2013.
(Dollars in millions)								AAA-rated bonds
Issue		Date Issued		Total				Weighted Average	Weighted
				Issued				Interest Rate	Average
									Life
FFELP:
2012-1		January 2012		$	765			1 month LIBOR plus 0.91%	4.6 years
2012-2		March 2012			824			1 month LIBOR plus 0.70%	4.7 years
2012-3		May 2012			1,252			1 month LIBOR plus 0.65%	4.6 years
2012-4		June 2012			1,491	(1)		1 month LIBOR plus 1.10%	8.2 years
2011-3		July 2012			24			N/A (Retained B Notes sold)
2012-4		July 2012			45			N/A (Retained B Notes sold)
2012-5		July 2012			1,252			1 month LIBOR plus 0.67%	4.5 years
2012-6		September 2012			1,249			1 month LIBOR plus 0.62%	4.6 years
2012-7		November 2012			1,251			1 month LIBOR plus 0.55%	4.5 years
2012-8		December 2012			1,527			1 month LIBOR plus 0.90%	7.8 years
Total bonds issued in 2012				$	9,680
Total loan amount securitized in 2012				$	9,565
2013-1		February 2013		$	1,249			1 month LIBOR plus 0.46%	4.3 years
2013-2		April 2013			1,246			1 month LIBOR plus 0.45%	4.4 years
2013-3		June 2013			1,246			1 month LIBOR plus 0.54%	4.5 years
2013-4		August 2013			747			1 month LIBOR plus 0.55%	4.4 years
2013-5		September 2013			996			1 month LIBOR plus 0.64%	4.6 years
2007-6 to 2007-8, 2008-2 to 2008-9		Oct-13			629			N/A (Retained B Notes sold)
2013-6		November 2013			996			1 month LIBOR plus 0.60%	4.6 years
Total bonds issued in 2013				$	7,109
Total loan amount securitized in 2013				$	6,495
Private Education:
2012-A		February 2012		$	547			1 month LIBOR plus 2.17%	3.0 years
2012-B		Apr-12			891			1 month LIBOR plus 2.12%	2.9 years
2012-C		May-12			1,135			1 month LIBOR plus 1.77%	2.6 years
2012-D		Jul-12			640			1 month LIBOR plus 1.69%	2.5 years
2012-E		Oct-12			976			1 month LIBOR plus 1.22%	2.6 years
Total bonds issued in 2012				$	4,189
Total loan amount securitized in 2012				$	5,557
2013-R1		Jan-13		$	254			1 month LIBOR plus 1.75%	6.3 years
2013-A		March 2013			1,108			1 month LIBOR plus 0.81%	2.6 years
2013-B		May 2013			1,135			1 month LIBOR plus 0.89%	2.7 years
2013-C		September 2013			624			1 month LIBOR plus 1.21%	3.1 years
Total bonds issued in 2013				$	3,121
Total loan amount securitized in 2013				$	3,387
(1)	Total size excludes subordinated tranche that was retained at issuance totaling $45 million.
2013 Sales of FFELP Securitization Trust Residual Interests
On February 13, 2013, we sold the Residual Interest in a FFELP Loan securitization trust to a third party. We will continue to service the student loans in the trust under existing agreements. The sale removed securitization trust assets of $3.82 billion and related liabilities of $3.68 billion from our balance sheet.
On April 11, 2013, we sold the Residual Interest in a FFELP Loan securitization trust to a third party. We will continue to service the student loans in the trust under existing agreements. The sale removed securitization trust assets of $2.03 billion and related liabilities of $1.99 billion from our balance sheet.
On June 13, 2013, we sold the three Residual Interests in FFELP Loan securitization trusts to a third party. We will continue to service the student loans in the trusts under existing agreements. The sale removed securitization trust assets of $6.60 billion and related liabilities of $6.42 billion from our balance sheet.
FFELP Loans — Other Secured Borrowing Facilities
We have various secured borrowing facilities that we use to finance our FFELP loans. Liquidity is available under these secured credit facilities to the extent we have eligible collateral and available capacity. The maximum borrowing capacity under these facilities will vary and is subject to each agreement’s borrowing conditions. These include but are not limited to the facility’s size, current usage and the availability and fair value of qualifying unencumbered FFELP Loan collateral. Our borrowings under these facilities are non-recourse. The maturity dates on these facilities range from June 2014 to January 2016. The interest rate on certain facilities can increase under certain circumstances. The facilities are subject to termination under certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2013 there was approximately $10.0 billion outstanding under these facilities with approximately $10.4 billion of assets securing these facilities. As of December 31, 2013, the maximum unused capacity under these facilities was $10.6 billion. As of December 31, 2013, we had $2.7 billion of unencumbered FFELP Loans.
Private Education Loans — Other Secured Borrowing Facilities
We have a facility that was used to fund the call and redemption of our SLM 2009-D Private Education Loan Trust ABS, which occurred on August 15, 2013. The maturity date of the new facility is August 15, 2015. Our borrowings under this facility are non-recourse. The interest rate can increase under certain circumstances. The facility is subject to termination under certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2013, there was $843 million outstanding under the facility. The book basis of the assets securing the facility as of December 31, 2013 was $1.6 billion. Additional borrowings are not available under this facility.
Other Funding Sources
Deposits
Sallie Mae Bank raises deposits through intermediaries in the brokered Certificate of Deposit (“CD”) market and through direct retail deposit channels. As of December 31, 2013, bank deposits totaled $9.2 billion of which $4.5 billion were brokered term deposits, $4.4 billion were retail and other deposits and $299 million were deposits from affiliates that eliminate in our consolidated balance sheet. Cash and liquid investments totaled $2.2 billion as of December 31, 2013.
In addition to its deposit base, Sallie Mae Bank has borrowing capacity with the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) through a collateralized lending facility. FRB is not obligated to lend; however, in general we can borrow as long as Sallie Mae Bank is generally in sound financial condition. Borrowing capacity is limited by the availability of acceptable collateral. As of December 31, 2013, borrowing capacity was approximately $900 million and there were no outstanding borrowings.
Senior Unsecured Debt
We issued $3.75 billion, $2.7 billion and $2.0 billion of unsecured debt in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Debt Repurchases
The following table summarizes activity related to our senior unsecured debt and asset-backed securities (“ABS”) repurchases. “Gains on debt repurchases” is shown net of hedging-related gains and losses.
		Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in millions)		2013				2012			2011
Debt principal repurchased		$	1,279			$	711		$	894
Gains on debt repurchases			42				145			38

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	7	Derivative Financial Instruments
	Risk Management Strategy
	We maintain an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize the economic effect of interest rate changes. Our goal is to manage interest rate sensitivity by modifying the repricing frequency and underlying index characteristics of certain balance sheet assets and liabilities so the net interest margin is not, on a material basis, adversely affected by movements in interest rates. We do not use derivative instruments to hedge credit risk associated with debt we issued. As a result of interest rate fluctuations, hedged assets and liabilities will appreciate or depreciate in market value. Income or loss on the derivative instruments that are linked to the hedged assets and liabilities will generally offset the effect of this unrealized appreciation or depreciation for the period the item is being hedged. We view this strategy as a prudent management of interest rate sensitivity. In addition, we utilize derivative contracts to minimize the economic impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on certain debt obligations that are denominated in foreign currencies. As foreign currency exchange rates fluctuate, these liabilities will appreciate and depreciate in value. These fluctuations, to the extent the hedge relationship is effective, are offset by changes in the value of the cross-currency interest rate swaps executed to hedge these instruments. Management believes certain derivative transactions entered into as hedges, primarily Floor Income Contracts and basis swaps, are economically effective; however, those transactions generally do not qualify for hedge accounting under GAAP (as discussed below) and thus may adversely impact earnings.
	Although we use derivatives to offset (or minimize) the risk of interest rate and foreign currency changes, the use of derivatives does expose us to both market and credit risk. Market risk is the chance of financial loss resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and market liquidity. Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not perform its obligations under a contract and it is limited to the loss of the fair value gain in a derivative that the counterparty owes us. When the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, we owe the counterparty and, therefore, have no credit risk exposure to the counterparty; however, the counterparty has exposure to us. We minimize the credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with highly rated counterparties that are reviewed regularly by our Credit Department. We also maintain a policy of requiring that all derivative contracts be governed by an International Swaps and Derivative Association Master Agreement. Depending on the nature of the derivative transaction, bilateral collateral arrangements generally are required as well. When we have more than one outstanding derivative transaction with the counterparty, and there exists legally enforceable netting provisions with the counterparty (i.e., a legal right to offset receivable and payable derivative contracts), the “net” mark-to-market exposure, less collateral the counterparty has posted to us, represents exposure with the counterparty. When there is a net negative exposure, we consider our exposure to the counterparty to be zero. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had a net positive exposure (derivative gain positions to us less collateral which has been posted by counterparties to us) related to SLM Corporation and Sallie Mae Bank derivatives of $83 million and $79 million, respectively.
	Our on-balance sheet securitization trusts have $10.7 billion of Euro and British Pound Sterling denominated bonds outstanding as of December 31, 2013. To convert these non-U.S. dollar denominated bonds into U.S dollar liabilities, the trusts have entered into foreign-currency swaps with highly–rated counterparties. In addition, the trusts have entered into $12.8 billion of interest rates swaps which are primarily used to convert Prime received on securitized student loans to LIBOR paid on the bonds. At December 31, 2013, the net positive exposure on swaps in securitization trusts is $968 million.
	Our securitization trusts had total net exposure of $772 million related to financial institutions located in France; of this amount, $577 million carries a guaranty from the French government. The total exposure relates to $5.1 billion notional amount of cross-currency interest rate swaps held in our securitization trusts, of which $3.4 billion notional amount carries a guaranty from the French government. Counterparties to the cross currency interest rate swaps are required to post collateral when their credit rating is withdrawn or downgraded below a certain level. As of December 31, 2013, no collateral was required to be posted and we are not holding any collateral related to these contracts. Adjustments are made to our derivative valuations for counterparty credit risk. The adjustments made at December 31, 2013 related to derivatives with French financial institutions (including those that carry a guaranty from the French government) decreased the derivative asset value by $63 million. Credit risks for all derivative counterparties are assessed internally on a continual basis.
	Accounting for Derivative Instruments
	Derivative instruments that are used as part of our interest rate and foreign currency risk management strategy include interest rate swaps, basis swaps, cross-currency interest rate swaps, and interest rate floor contracts with indices that relate to the pricing of specific balance sheet assets and liabilities. The accounting for derivative instruments requires that every derivative instrument, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, be recorded on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. As more fully described below, if certain criteria are met, derivative instruments are classified and accounted for by us as either fair value or cash flow hedges. If these criteria are not met, the derivative financial instruments are accounted for as trading.
	Fair Value Hedges
	Fair value hedges are generally used by us to hedge the exposure to changes in fair value of a recognized fixed rate asset or liability. We enter into interest rate swaps to economically convert fixed rate assets into variable rate assets and fixed rate debt into variable rate debt. We also enter into cross-currency interest rate swaps to economically convert foreign currency denominated fixed and floating debt to U.S. dollar denominated variable debt. For fair value hedges, we generally consider all components of the derivative’s gain and/or loss when assessing hedge effectiveness and generally hedge changes in fair values due to interest rates or interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates or the total change in fair values.
	Cash Flow Hedges
	We use cash flow hedges to hedge the exposure to variability in cash flows for a forecasted debt issuance and for exposure to variability in cash flows of floating rate debt. This strategy is used primarily to minimize the exposure to volatility from future changes in interest rates. Gains and losses on the effective portion of a qualifying hedge are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and ineffectiveness is recorded immediately to earnings. In the case of a forecasted debt issuance, gains and losses are reclassified to earnings over the period which the stated hedged transaction affects earnings. If we determine it is not probable that the anticipated transaction will occur, gains and losses are reclassified immediately to earnings. In assessing hedge effectiveness, generally all components of each derivative’s gains or losses are included in the assessment. We generally hedge exposure to changes in cash flows due to changes in interest rates or total changes in cash flow.
	Trading Activities
	When derivative instruments do not qualify as hedges, they are accounted for as trading instruments where all changes in fair value are recorded through earnings. We sell interest rate floors (Floor Income Contracts) to hedge the embedded Floor Income options in student loan assets. The Floor Income Contracts are written options which have a more stringent hedge effectiveness hurdle to meet. Specifically, our Floor Income Contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment because the pay down of principal of the student loans underlying the Floor Income embedded in those student loans does not exactly match the change in the notional amount of our written Floor Income Contracts. Additionally, the term, the interest rate index and the interest rate index reset frequency of the Floor Income Contracts are different from that of the student loans. Therefore, Floor Income Contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, and are recorded as trading instruments. Regardless of the accounting treatment, we consider these contracts to be economic hedges for risk management purposes. We use this strategy to minimize our exposure to changes in interest rates.
	We use basis swaps to minimize earnings variability caused by having different reset characteristics on our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. These swaps possess a term of up to 13 years and are primarily indexed to LIBOR or Prime rates. The specific terms and notional amounts of the swaps are determined based on a review of our asset/liability structure, our assessment of future interest rate relationships, and on other factors such as short-term strategic initiatives. Hedge accounting requires that when using basis swaps, the change in the cash flows of the hedge effectively offset both the change in the cash flows of the asset and the change in the cash flows of the liability. Our basis swaps hedge variable interest rate risk; however, they generally do not meet this effectiveness criterion because the index of the swap does not exactly match the index of the hedged assets. Additionally, some of our FFELP Loans can earn at either a variable or a fixed interest rate depending on market interest rates and, therefore, swaps economically hedging these FFELP Loans do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting treatment. As a result, these swaps are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value reflected currently in the statement of income.
	Summary of Derivative Financial Statement Impact
	The following tables summarize the fair values and notional amounts or number of contracts of all derivative instruments at December 31, 2013 and 2012, and their impact on other comprehensive income and earnings for 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Balance Sheet
					Cash Flow								Fair Value								Trading								Total
	(Dollars in millions)		Hedged Risk		Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,
			Exposure		2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012
	Fair Values(1)
	Derivative Assets:
	Interest rate swaps		Interest rate		$	24			$	—			$	738			$	1,396			$	61			$	150			$	823			$	1,546
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps		Foreign currency and			—				—				1,185				1,165				—				70				1,185				1,235
			interest rate
	Other(2)		Interest rate			—				—				—				—				2				4				2				4
	Total derivative assets(3)					24				—				1,923				2,561				63				224				2,010				2,785
	Derivative Liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps		Interest rate			—				(11	)			(149	)			(1	)			(215	)			(197	)			(364	)			(209	)
	Floor Income Contracts		Interest rate			—				—				—				—				(1,384	)			(2,154	)			(1,384	)			(2,154	)
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps		Foreign currency and			—				—				(155	)			(136	)			(31	)			—				(186	)			(136	)
			interestrate
	Other(2)		Interest rate			—				—				—				—				(23	)			—				(23	)			—
	Total derivative liabilities(3)					—				(11	)			(304	)			(137	)			(1,653	)			(2,351	)			(1,957	)			(2,499	)
	Net total derivatives				$	24			$	(11	)		$	1,619			$	2,424			$	(1,590	)		$	(2,127	)		$	53			$	286
	(1)	Fair values reported are exclusive of collateral held and pledged and accrued interest. Assets and liabilities are presented without consideration of master netting agreements. Derivatives are carried on the balance sheet based on net position by counterparty under master netting agreements, and classified in other assets or other liabilities depending on whether in a net positive or negative position.
	(2)	“Other” includes embedded derivatives bifurcated from securitization debt as well as derivatives related to our Total Return Swap Facility and back-to-back private credit floors.
	(3)	The following table reconciles gross positions with the impact of master netting agreements to the balance sheet classification:
			Other Assets								Other Liabilities
	(Dollar in millions)		December 31,				December 31,				December 31,				December 31,
			2013				2012				2013				2012
	Gross position		$	2,010			$	2,785			$	(1,957	)		$	(2,499	)
	Impact of master netting agreements			(386	)			(544	)			386				544
	Derivative values with impact of master netting agreements (as carried on balance sheet)			1,624				2,241				(1,571	)			(1,955	)
	Cash collateral (held) pledged			(687	)			(1,423	)			777				973
	Net position		$	937			$	818			$	(794	)		$	(982	)
	The above fair values include adjustments for counterparty credit risk for both when we are exposed to the counterparty, net of collateral postings, and when the counterparty is exposed to us, net of collateral postings. The net adjustments decreased the overall net asset positions at December 31, 2013 and 2012 by $91 million and $111 million, respectively. In addition, the above fair values reflect adjustments for illiquid derivatives as indicated by a wide bid/ask spread in the interest rate indices to which the derivatives are indexed. These adjustments decreased the overall net asset positions at December 31, 2013 and 2012 by $84 million and $107 million, respectively.
			Cash Flow								Fair Value								Trading								Total
	(Dollars in billions)		Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,
			2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012
	Notional Values:
	Interest rate swaps		$	0.7			$	0.7			$	16			$	15.8			$	46.3			$	56.9			$	63			$	73.4
	Floor Income Contracts			—				—				—				—				31.8				51.6				31.8				51.6
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps			—				—				11.1				13.7				0.3				0.3				11.4				14
	Other(1)			—				—				—				—				3.9				1.4				3.9				1.4
	Total derivatives		$	0.7			$	0.7			$	27.1			$	29.5			$	82.3			$	110.2			$	110.1			$	140.4
	(1)	“Other” includes embedded derivatives bifurcated from securitization debt, as well as derivatives related to our Total Return Swap Facility and back-to-back private credit floors.
	Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Income
			Years Ended December 31,
			Unrealized Gain												Realized Gain												Unrealized Gain											Total Gain (Loss)
			(Loss) on												(Loss) on												(Loss) on
			Derivatives(1)(2)												Derivatives(3)												Hedged Item(1)
(Dollars in millions)		2013				2012				2011				2013				2012				2011				2013				2012				2011			2013			2012			2011
Fair Value Hedges:
Interest rate swaps		$	(806	)		$	(75	)		$	503			$	414			$	449			$	481			$	873			$	41			$	(554	)	$	481		$	415		$	430
Cross-currency interest rate swaps			1				42				(723	)			98				167				314				(183	)			(182	)			664			(84	)		27			255
Total fair value derivatives			(805	)			(33	)			(220	)			512				616				795				690				(141	)			110			397			442			685
Cash Flow Hedges:
Interest rate swaps			—				(1	)			(1	)			(9	)			(26	)			(39	)			—				—				—			(9	)		(27	)		(40	)
Total cash flow derivatives			—				(1	)			(1	)			(9	)			(26	)			(39	)			—				—				—			(9	)		(27	)		(40	)
Trading:
Interest rate swaps			(107	)			(66	)			183				71				108				69				—				—				—			(36	)		42			252
Floor Income Contracts			785				412				(267	)			(815	)			(859	)			(903	)			—				—				—			(30	)		(447	)		(1,170	)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps			(101	)			(59	)			29				35				7				8				—				—				—			(66	)		(52	)		37
Other			(19	)			5				22				(2	)			(1	)			11				—				—				—			(21	)		4			33
Total trading derivatives			558				292				(33	)			(711	)			(745	)			(815	)			—				—				—			(153	)		(453	)		(848	)
Total			(247	)			258				(254	)			(208	)			(155	)			(59	)			690				(141	)			110			235			(38	)		(203	)
Less: realized gains (losses) recorded in interest expense			—				—				—				503				590				756				—				—				—			503			590			756
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net		$	(247	)		$	258			$	(254	)		$	(711	)		$	(745	)		$	(815	)		$	690			$	(141	)		$	110		$	(268	)	$	(628	)	$	(959	)
(1)	Recorded in “Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” in the consolidated statements of income.
(2)	Represents ineffectiveness related to cash flow hedges.
(3)	For fair value and cash flow hedges, recorded in interest expense. For trading derivatives, recorded in “Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net.”
Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (net of tax)
		Years Ended
		December 31,
(Dollars in millions)		2013				2012				2011
Total gains (losses) on cash flow hedges		$	16			$	(7	)		$	(4	)
Realized losses recognized in interest expense(1)(2)(3)			6				16				35
Total change in stockholders’ equity for unrealized gains on derivatives		$	22			$	9			$	31
	(1)	Amounts included in “Realized gain (loss) on derivatives” in the “Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Income” table above.
	(2)	Includes net settlement income/expense.
	(3)	We expect to reclassify $0.3 million of after-tax net losses from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next 12 months related to net settlement accruals on interest rate swaps.
Collateral
The following table details collateral held and pledged related to derivative exposure between us and our derivative counterparties.
(Dollars in millions)		December 31,				December 31,
		2013				2012
Collateral held:
Cash (obligation to return cash collateral is recorded in short-term borrowings)(1)		$	687			$	1,423
Securities at fair value — on-balance sheet securitization derivatives (not recorded in financial statements)(2)			629				613
Total collateral held		$	1,316			$	2,036
Derivative asset at fair value including accrued interest		$	1,878			$	2,570
Collateral pledged to others:
Cash (right to receive return of cash collateral is recorded in investments)		$	777			$	973
Total collateral pledged		$	777			$	973
Derivative liability at fair value including accrued interest and premium receivable		$	948			$	1,204
(1)	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, $0 million and $9 million, respectively, were held in restricted cash accounts.
(2)	The trusts do not have the ability to sell or re-pledge securities they hold as collateral.
Our corporate derivatives contain credit contingent features. At our current unsecured credit rating, we have fully collateralized our corporate derivative liability position (including accrued interest and net of premiums receivable) of $762 million with our counterparties. Further downgrades would not result in any additional collateral requirements, except to increase the frequency of collateral calls. Two counterparties have the right to terminate the contracts with further downgrades. We currently have a liability position with these derivative counterparties (including accrued interest and net of premiums receivable) of $148 million and have posted $148 million of collateral to these counterparties. If the credit contingent feature was triggered for these two counterparties and the counterparties exercised their right to terminate, we would not be required to deliver additional assets to settle the contracts. Trust related derivatives do not contain credit contingent features related to our or the trusts’ credit ratings.

Other_Assets

Other Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other Assets	'
	8	Other Assets
	The following table provides the detail of our other assets.
			December 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Ending		% of			Ending		% of
			Balance		Balance			Balance		Balance
	Accrued interest receivable, net		$	2,161		30	%	$	2,147		26	%
	Derivatives at fair value			1,624		22			2,241		27
	Income tax asset, net current and deferred			1,299		18			1,478		18
	Accounts receivable			881		12			1,111		13
	Benefit and insurance-related investments			477		7			474		6
	Fixed assets, net			237		3			215		3
	Other loans, net			101		1			137		2
	Other			507		7			470		5
	Total		$	7,287		100	%	$	8,273		100	%
	The “Derivatives at fair value” line in the above table represents the fair value of our derivatives in a gain position by counterparty, exclusive of accrued interest and collateral. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, these balances included $1.6 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, of cross-currency interest rate swaps and interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges that were offset by an increase in interest-bearing liabilities related to the hedged debt. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the cumulative mark-to-market adjustment to the hedged debt was $(2.1) billion and $(2.8) billion, respectively.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	9	Stockholders’ Equity
	Preferred Stock
	At December 31, 2013, we had outstanding 3.3 million shares of 6.97 percent Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and 4.0 million shares of Floating-Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (the “Series B Preferred Stock”). Neither series has a maturity date but can be redeemed at our option. Redemption would include any accrued and unpaid dividends up to the redemption date. The shares have no preemptive or conversion rights and are not convertible into or exchangeable for any of our other securities or property. Dividends on both series are not mandatory and are paid quarterly, when, as, and if declared by the Board of Directors. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative, quarterly cash dividends at the annual rate of $3.485 per share. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive quarterly dividends based on 3-month LIBOR plus 170 basis points per annum in arrears. Upon liquidation or dissolution of the Company, holders of the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive $50 and $100 per share, respectively, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends for the then current quarterly dividend period, if any, pro rata, and before any distribution of assets are made to holders of our common stock.
	Common Stock
	Our shareholders have authorized the issuance of 1.125 billion shares of common stock (par value of $.20). At December 31, 2013, 429 million shares were issued and outstanding and 31 million shares were unissued but encumbered for outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and dividend equivalent units for employee compensation and remaining authority for stock-based compensation plans. The stock-based compensation plans are described in “Note 11 — Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements.”
	In March 2011, we retired 70 million shares of common stock held in treasury. This retirement decreased the balance in treasury stock by $1.9 billion, with corresponding decreases of $14 million in common stock and $1.9 billion in additional paid-in capital. There was no impact to total equity from this transaction.
	Dividend and Share Repurchase Program
	In 2013, we increased the quarterly dividend on our common stock to $.15 per share, up from $.125 per share in the prior year. In 2013, we authorized the repurchase of up to $800 million of outstanding common stock in open market transactions and we repurchased 27 million shares for an aggregate purchase price of $600 million. In 2012, we authorized the repurchase of up to $900 million of outstanding common stock in open market transactions and we repurchased 58 million shares for an aggregate purchase price of $900 million. In 2011, we authorized the repurchase of up to $300 million of outstanding common stock in open market transactions and we repurchased 19 million shares for an aggregate purchase price of $300 million.
	The following table summarizes our common share repurchases and issuances.
			Years Ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
	Common stock repurchased(1)			26,987,043		58,038,239		19,054,115
	Average purchase price per share(2)		$	22.26	$	15.52	$	15.77
	Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans(3)			6,365,002		4,547,785		3,024,662
	Average purchase price per share		$	21.76	$	15.86	$	15.71
	Common shares issued(4)			9,702,976		6,432,643		3,886,217
		(1)	Common shares purchased under our share repurchase program, of which $200 million remained available as of December 31, 2013.
		(2)	Average purchase price per share includes purchase commission costs.
		(3)	Comprises shares withheld from stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock for employees’ tax withholding obligations and shares tendered by employees to satisfy option exercise costs.
		(4)	Common shares issued under our various compensation and benefit plans.
	The closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2013 was $26.28.

Earnings_Loss_Per_Common_Share

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	'
	10	Earnings (Loss) per Common Share
	Basic earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) are calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS calculations follows.
			Years Ended December 31,
	(In millions, except per share data)		2013		2012		2011
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to SLM Corporation		$	1,418	$	939	$	633
	Preferred stock dividends			20		20		18
	Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock		$	1,398	$	919	$	615
	Denominator:
	Weighted average shares used to compute basic EPS			440		476		517
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Dilutive effect of stock options, non-vested deferred compensation and restricted stock, restricted stock units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)(1)			9		7		6
	Dilutive potential common shares(2)			9		7		6
	Weighted average shares used to compute diluted EPS			449		483		523
	Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
	Continuing operations		$	2.94	$	1.93	$	1.12
	Discontinued operations			0.24		—		0.07
	Total		$	3.18	$	1.93	$	1.19
	Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
	Continuing operations		$	2.89	$	1.9	$	1.11
	Discontinued operations			0.23		—		0.07
	Total		$	3.12	$	1.9	$	1.18
	(1)	Includes the potential dilutive effect of additional common shares that are issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, non-vested deferred compensation and restricted stock, restricted stock units, and the outstanding commitment to issue shares under the ESPP, determined by the treasury stock method.
	(2)	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, securities covering approximately 3 million, 12 million and 16 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_

Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements	'
	11	Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements
	As of December 31, 2013, we have one active stock-based compensation plan that provides for grants of equity awards to our employees and non-employee directors. We also maintain the ESPP. Shares issued under these stock-based compensation plans may be either shares reacquired by us or shares that are authorized but unissued.
	Our SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan was approved by shareholders on May 24, 2012. At December 31, 2013, 20 million shares were authorized to be issued from this plan.
	An amendment to our ESPP was approved by our shareholders on May 24, 2012 that authorized the issuance of 6 million shares under the plan and kept the terms of the plan substantially the same.
	The total stock-based compensation cost recognized in the consolidated statements of income for 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $47 million, $47 million and $56 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, there was $19 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock awards net of estimated forfeitures, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years. We amortize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the related vesting periods of each tranche of each award.
	Stock Options
	Stock options granted prior to 2012 expire 10 years after the grant date, and those granted since 2012 expire in 5 years. The exercise price must be equal to or greater than the market price of our common stock on the grant date. We have granted time-vested, price-vested and performance-vested options to our employees and non-employee directors. Time-vested options granted to management and non-management employees generally vest over three years. Price-vested options granted to management employees vest upon our common stock reaching a targeted closing price for a set number of days. Performance-vested options granted to management employees vest one-third per year for three years based on corporate earnings-related performance targets. Options granted to non-employee directors vest upon the director’s election to the Board.
	The fair values of the options granted in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were estimated as of the grant date using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
			Years Ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Risk-free interest rate			0.65	%		0.6	%		1.57	%
	Expected volatility			31	%		44	%		54	%
	Expected dividend rate			3.35	%		3.13	%		2.58	%
	Expected life of the option			2.8 years			2.8 years			4.1 years
	Weighted average fair value of options granted		$	3.11		$	4.12		$	5.18
	The expected life of the options is based on observed historical exercise patterns. Groups of employees (and non-employee directors) that have received similar option grant terms are considered separately for valuation purposes. The expected volatility is based on implied volatility from publicly-traded options on our stock at the grant date and historical volatility of our stock consistent with the expected life of the option. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury spot rate at the grant date consistent with the expected life of the option. The dividend yield is based on the projected annual dividend payment per share based on the dividend amount at the grant date, divided by the stock price at the grant date.
	The following table summarizes stock option activity in 2013.
	(Dollars in millions, except per share data)		Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
			Options			Average			Average			Intrinsic
						Exercise			Remaining			Value(1)
						Price per			Contractual
						Share			Term
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			25,992,747		$	19.84
	Granted			3,980,008			17.92
	Exercised(2)(3)			(7,614,500	)		12.81
	Canceled			(2,085,495	)		34.94
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013(4)(5)			20,272,760		$	20.55			4.1 yrs		$	198
	Exercisable at December 31, 2013			14,426,174		$	21.84			4.1 yrs		$	145
		(1)	The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total intrinsic value (the aggregate difference between our closing stock price on December 31, 2013 and the exercise price of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders if all in-the-money options had been exercised on December 31, 2013.
		(2)	The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $73 million, $27 million and $14 million for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
		(3)	No cash was received from option exercises in 2013. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from option exercises totaled $28 million for 2013.
		(4)	As of December 31, 2013, there was $4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options net of estimated forfeitures, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.
		(5)	For net-settled options, gross number is reflected.
	Restricted Stock
	Restricted stock awards generally vest over three years and in some cases based on corporate earnings-related performance targets. Outstanding restricted stock is entitled to dividend equivalent units that vest subject to the same vesting requirements or lapse of transfer restrictions, as applicable, as the underlying restricted stock award. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on our stock price at the grant date.
	The following table summarizes restricted stock activity in 2013.
			Number of			Weighted
			Shares			Average Grant
						Date
						Fair Value
	Non-vested at December 31, 2012			187,792		$	11.55
	Granted			51,073			17.91
	Vested(1)			(193,370	)		12.47
	Canceled			(6,140	)		17.91
	Non-vested at December 31, 2013(2)			39,355		$	14.29
		(1)	The total fair value of shares that vested during 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $2 million, $4 million and $6 million, respectively.
		(2)	As of December 31, 2013, there was $.01 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock net of estimated forfeitures, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of .1 years.
	Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units
	Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance stock units (“PSUs”) are equity awards granted to employees that entitle the holder to shares of our common stock when the award vests. RSUs may be time-vested over three years or vested at grant but subject to transfer restrictions, while PSUs vest based on corporate earnings-related performance targets over a three-year period. Outstanding RSUs and PSUs are entitled to dividend equivalent units that vest subject to the same vesting requirements or lapse of transfer restrictions, as applicable, as the underlying award. The fair value of RSUs and PSUs is based on our stock price at the grant date.
	The following table summarizes RSU and PSU activity in 2013.
			Number of			Weighted
			RSUs/			Average Grant
			PSUs			Date
						Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			4,473,464		$	15.49
	Granted			2,457,570			17.98
	Vested and converted to common stock(1)			(1,730,669	)		15.32
	Canceled			(73,478	)		16.52
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013(2)			5,126,887		$	16.72
		(1)	The total fair value of RSUs/PSUs that vested and converted to common stock during 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $27 million, $13 million and $.4 million, respectively.
		(2)	As of December 31, 2013, there was $15 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs/PSUs net of estimated forfeitures, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	Under the ESPP, employees can purchase shares of our common stock at the end of a 12-month offering period at a price equal to the share price at the beginning of the 12-month period, less 15 percent, up to a maximum purchase price of $7,500 plus accrued interest. The purchase price for each offering is determined at the beginning of the offering period.
The fair values of the stock purchase rights of the ESPP offerings were calculated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions.
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
Risk-free interest rate			0.15	%		0.13	%		0.27	%
Expected volatility			29	%		29	%		42	%
Expected dividend rate			3.51	%		3.27	%		1.87	%
Expected life of the option			1 year			1 year			1 year
Weighted average fair value of stock purchase rights		$	2.95		$	3.01		$	3.63
The expected volatility is based on implied volatility from publicly-traded options on our stock at the grant date and historical volatility of our stock consistent with the expected life. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury spot rate at the grant date consistent with the expected life. The dividend yield is based on the projected annual dividend payment per share based on the current dividend amount at the grant date divided by the stock price at the grant date.
The fair values were amortized to compensation cost on a straight-line basis over a one-year vesting period. As of December 31, 2013, there was $.1 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to the ESPP net of estimated forfeitures, which is expected to be recognized in January 2014.
During 2013, 2012 and 2011, plan participants purchased 218,389 shares, 192,755 shares and 278,266 shares, respectively, of our common stock.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	12	Fair Value Measurements
	We use estimates of fair value in applying various accounting standards for our financial statements.
	We categorize our fair value estimates based on a hierarchical framework associated with three levels of price transparency utilized in measuring financial instruments at fair value. For additional information regarding our policies for determining fair value and the hierarchical framework, see “Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies — Fair Value Measurement.”
	During 2013, there were no significant transfers of financial instruments between levels.
	Student Loans
	Our FFELP Loans and Private Education Loans are accounted for at cost or at the lower of cost or market if the loan is held-for-sale. FFELP Loans classified as held-for-sale are those which we have the ability and intent to sell under various ED loan purchase programs. In these instances, the FFELP Loans are valued using the committed sales price under the programs. For all other FFELP Loans and Private Education Loans, fair values were determined by modeling loan cash flows using stated terms of the assets and internally-developed assumptions to determine aggregate portfolio yield, net present value and average life.
	FFELP Loans
	The significant assumptions used to determine fair value of our FFELP loans are prepayment speeds, default rates, cost of funds, capital levels, and expected Repayment Borrower Benefits to be earned. In addition, the Floor Income component of our FFELP Loan portfolio is valued with option models using both observable market inputs and internally developed inputs. A number of significant inputs into the models are internally derived and not observable to market participants. While the resulting fair value can be validated against market transactions where we are a participant, these markets are not considered active. As such, these are level 3 valuations.
	Private Education Loans
	The significant assumptions used to determine fair value of our Private Education Loans are prepayment speeds, default rates, recovery rates, cost of funds and capital levels. A number of significant inputs into the models are internally derived and not observable to market participants nor can the resulting fair values be validated against market transactions. As such, these are level 3 valuations.
	Cash and Investments (Including “Restricted Cash and Investments”)
	Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost. Carrying value approximates fair value. Investments classified as trading or available-for-sale are carried at fair value in the financial statements. Investments in mortgage-backed securities are valued using observable market prices. These securities are primarily collateralized by real estate properties in Utah and are guaranteed by either a government sponsored enterprise or the U.S. government. Other investments (primarily municipal bonds) for which observable prices from active markets are not available were valued through standard bond pricing models using observable market yield curves adjusted for credit and liquidity spreads. These valuations are immaterial to the overall investment portfolio. The fair value of investments in commercial paper, asset-backed commercial paper, or demand deposits that have a remaining term of less than 90 days when purchased are estimated to equal their cost and, when needed, adjustments for liquidity and credit spreads are made depending on market conditions and counterparty credit risks. No additional adjustments were deemed necessary. These are level 2 valuations.
	Borrowings
	Borrowings are accounted for at cost in the financial statements except when denominated in a foreign currency or when designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge relationship. When the hedged risk is the benchmark interest rate and not full fair value, the cost basis is adjusted for changes in value due to benchmark interest rates only. Foreign currency-denominated borrowings are re-measured at current spot rates in the financial statements. The full fair value of all borrowings is disclosed. Fair value was determined through standard bond pricing models and option models (when applicable) using the stated terms of the borrowings, observable yield curves, foreign currency exchange rates, volatilities from active markets or from quotes from broker-dealers. Fair value adjustments for unsecured corporate debt are made based on indicative quotes from observable trades and spreads on credit default swaps specific to the Company. Fair value adjustments for secured borrowings are based on indicative quotes from broker-dealers. These adjustments for both secured and unsecured borrowings are material to the overall valuation of these items and, currently, are based on inputs from inactive markets. As such, these are level 3 valuations.
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	All derivatives are accounted for at fair value in the financial statements. The fair value of a majority of derivative financial instruments was determined by standard derivative pricing and option models using the stated terms of the contracts and observable market inputs. In some cases, we utilized internally developed inputs that are not observable in the market, and as such, classified these instruments as level 3 fair values. Complex structured derivatives or derivatives that trade in less liquid markets require significant estimates and judgment in determining fair value that cannot be corroborated with market transactions. It is our policy to compare our derivative fair values to those received by our counterparties in order to validate the model’s outputs. Any significant differences are identified and resolved appropriately.
	When determining the fair value of derivatives, we take into account counterparty credit risk for positions where there is exposure to the counterparty on a net basis by assessing exposure net of collateral held. The net exposures for each counterparty are adjusted based on market information available for the specific counterparty, including spreads from credit default swaps. When the counterparty has exposure to us under derivatives with us, we fully collateralize the exposure, minimizing the adjustment necessary to the derivative valuations for our credit risk. While trusts that contain derivatives are not required to post collateral, when the counterparty is exposed to the trust the credit quality and securitized nature of the trusts minimizes any adjustments for the counterparty’s exposure to the trusts. The net credit risk adjustment (adjustments for our exposure to counterparties net of adjustments for the counterparties’ exposure to us) decreased the valuations by $91 million at December 31, 2013.
	Inputs specific to each class of derivatives disclosed in the table below are as follows:
		•		Interest rate swaps — Derivatives are valued using standard derivative cash flow models. Derivatives that swap fixed interest payments for LIBOR interest payments (or vice versa) and derivatives swapping quarterly reset LIBOR for daily reset LIBOR or one-month LIBOR were valued using the LIBOR swap yield curve which is an observable input from an active market. These derivatives are level 2 fair value estimates in the hierarchy. Other derivatives swapping LIBOR interest payments for another variable interest payment (primarily T-Bill or Prime) or swapping interest payments based on the Consumer Price Index for LIBOR interest payments are valued using the LIBOR swap yield curve and observable market spreads for the specified index. The markets for these swaps are generally illiquid as indicated by a wide bid/ask spread. The adjustment made for liquidity decreased the valuations by $84 million at December 31, 2013. These derivatives are level 3 fair value estimates.
		•		Cross-currency interest rate swaps — Derivatives are valued using standard derivative cash flow models. Derivatives hedging foreign-denominated bonds are valued using the LIBOR swap yield curve (for both USD and the foreign-denominated currency), cross-currency basis spreads, and forward foreign currency exchange rates. The derivatives are primarily British Pound Sterling and Euro denominated. These inputs are observable inputs from active markets. Therefore, the resulting valuation is a level 2 fair value estimate. Amortizing notional derivatives (derivatives whose notional amounts change based on changes in the balance of, or pool of, assets or debt) hedging trust debt use internally derived assumptions for the trust assets’ prepayment speeds and default rates to model the notional amortization. Management makes assumptions concerning the extension features of derivatives hedging rate-reset notes denominated in a foreign currency. These inputs are not market observable; therefore, these derivatives are level 3 fair value estimates.
		•		Floor Income Contracts — Derivatives are valued using an option pricing model. Inputs to the model include the LIBOR swap yield curve and LIBOR interest rate volatilities. The inputs are observable inputs in active markets and these derivatives are level 2 fair value estimates.
	The carrying value of borrowings designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge is adjusted for changes in fair value due to benchmark interest rates and foreign-currency exchange rates. These valuations are determined through standard bond pricing models and option models (when applicable) using the stated terms of the borrowings, and observable yield curves, foreign currency exchange rates, and volatilities.
	The following table summarizes the valuation of our financial instruments that are marked-to-market on a recurring basis.
			Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
			December 31, 2013												December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Assets
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Agency residential mortgage-backed securities		$	—		$	102		$	—		$	102		$	—		$	63		$	—		$	63
	Guaranteed investment contracts			—			—			—			—			—			9			—			9
	Other			—			7			—			7			—			9			—			9
	Total available-for-sale investments			—			109			—			109			—			81			—			81
	Derivative instruments:(1)
	Interest rate swaps			—			785			38			823			—			1,444			102			1,546
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps			—			27			1,158			1,185			—			48			1,187			1,235
	Other			—			—			2			2			—			—			4			4
	Total derivative assets(3)			—			812			1,198			2,010			—			1,492			1,293			2,785
	Total		$	—		$	921		$	1,198		$	2,119		$	—		$	1,573		$	1,293		$	2,866
	Liabilities(2)
	Derivative instruments(1)
	Interest rate swaps		$	—		$	(239	)	$	(125	)	$	(364	)	$	—		$	(34	)	$	(175	)	$	(209	)
	Floor Income Contracts			—			(1,384	)		—			(1,384	)		—			(2,154	)		—			(2,154	)
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps			—			(35	)		(151	)		(186	)		—			(2	)		(134	)		(136	)
	Other			—			—			(23	)		(23	)		—			—			—			—
	Total derivative liabilities(3)			—			(1,658	)		(299	)		(1,957	)		—			(2,190	)		(309	)		(2,499	)
	Total		$	—		$	(1,658	)	$	(299	)	$	(1,957	)	$	—		$	(2,190	)	$	(309	)	$	(2,499	)
	(1)	Fair value of derivative instruments excludes accrued interest and the value of collateral.
	(2)	Borrowings which are the hedged items in a fair value hedge relationship and which are adjusted for changes in value due to benchmark interest rates only are not carried at full fair value and are not reflected in this table.
	(3)	See “Note 7 — Derivative Financial Instruments” for a reconciliation of gross positions without the impact of master netting agreements to the balance sheet classification.
	The following tables summarize the change in balance sheet carrying value associated with level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis.
			Year Ended December 31, 2013
			Derivative Instruments
	(Dollars in millions)		Interest			Cross			Other			Total
			Rate Swaps			Currency						Derivative
						Interest						Instruments
						Rate Swaps
	Balance, beginning of period		$	(73	)	$	1,053		$	4		$	984
	Total gains/(losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings(1)			9			63			(22	)		50
	Included in other comprehensive income			—			—			—			—
	Settlements			(23	)		(109	)		(3	)		(135	)
	Transfers in and/or out of level 3			—			—			—			—
	Balance, end of period		$	(87	)	$	1,007		$	(21	)	$	899
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held at the reporting date(2)		$	(2	)	$	116		$	(19	)	$	95
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Derivative Instruments
(Dollars in millions)		Interest			Cross			Other			Total
		Rate Swaps			Currency						Derivative
					Interest						Instruments
					Rate Swaps
Balance, beginning of period		$	(40	)	$	1,021		$	1		$	982
Total gains/(losses) (realized and unrealized):
Included in earnings(1)			(5	)		159			3			157
Included in other comprehensive income			—			—			—			—
Settlements			(28	)		(127	)		—			(155	)
Transfers in and/or out of level 3			—			—			—			—
Balance, end of period		$	(73	)	$	1,053		$	4		$	984
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held at the reporting date(2)		$	(31	)	$	55		$	4		$	28
		Year Ended December 31, 2011
		Derivative Instruments
(Dollars in millions)		Interest			Cross			Other			Total
		Rate Swaps			Currency						Derivative
					Interest						Instruments
					Rate Swaps
Balance, beginning of period			($90)			$1,427			$26			$1,363
Total gains/(losses) (realized and unrealized):
Included in earnings(1)			69			(176	)		33			(74	)
Included in other comprehensive income			—			—			—			—
Settlements			(19	)		(230	)		(58	)		(307	)
Transfers in and/or out of level 3			—			—			—			—
Balance, end of period		$	(40	)	$	1,021		$	1		$	982
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held at the reporting date(2)		$	6		$	(408	)	$	11		$	(391	)
	(1)	“Included in earnings” is comprised of the following amounts recorded in the specified line item in the consolidated statements of income:
		Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in millions)		2013			2012			2011
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net		$	(27	)	$	37		$	(298	)
Interest expense			77			120			224
Total		$	50		$	157		$	(74	)
	(2)	Recorded in “gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” in the consolidated statements of income.
The following table presents the significant inputs that are unobservable or from inactive markets used in the recurring valuations of the level 3 financial instruments detailed above.
(Dollars in millions)		Fair Value at			Valuation		Input	Range
		December 31, 2013			Technique			(Weighted Average)
Derivatives
Consumer Price Index/LIBOR basis swaps		$	33		Discounted cash flow		Bid/ask adjustment	0.05% — 0.05%
							to discount rate	-0.05%
Prime/LIBOR basis swaps			(120	)	Discounted cash flow		Constant Prepayment Rate	4.20%
							Bid/ask adjustment to	0.08% — 0.08%
							discount rate	-0.08%
Cross-currency interest rate swaps			1,007		Discounted cash flow		Constant Prepayment Rate	2.60%
Other			(21	)
Total		$	899
The significant inputs that are unobservable or from inactive markets related to our level 3 derivatives detailed in the table above would be expected to have the following impacts to the valuations:
	•		Consumer Price Index/LIBOR basis swaps — These swaps do not actively trade in the markets as indicated by a wide bid/ask spread. A wider bid/ask spread will result in a decrease in the overall valuation.
	•		Prime/LIBOR basis swaps — These swaps do not actively trade in the markets as indicated by a wide bid/ask spread. A wider bid/ask spread will result in a decrease in the overall valuation. In addition, the unobservable inputs include Constant Prepayment Rates of the underlying securitization trust the swap references. A decrease in this input will result in a longer weighted average life of the swap which will increase the value for swaps in a gain position and decrease the value for swaps in a loss position, everything else equal. The opposite is true for an increase in the input.
	•		Cross-currency interest rate swaps — The unobservable inputs used in these valuations are Constant Prepayment Rates of the underlying securitization trust the swap references. A decrease in this input will result in a longer weighted average life of the swap. All else equal in a typical currency market, this will result in a decrease to the valuation due to the delay in the cash flows of the currency exchanges as well as diminished liquidity in the forward exchange markets as you increase the term. The opposite is true for an increase in the input.
The following table summarizes the fair values of our financial assets and liabilities, including derivative financial instruments.
		December 31, 2013									December 31, 2012
(Dollars in millions)		Fair			Carrying			Difference			Fair			Carrying			Difference
		Value			Value						Value			Value
Earning assets
FFELP Loans		$	104,481		$	104,588		$	(107	)	$	125,042		$	125,612		$	(570	)
Private Education Loans			37,485			37,512			(27	)		36,081			36,934			(853	)
Cash and investments(1)			9,732			9,732			—			9,994			9,994			—
Total earning assets			151,698			151,832			(134	)		171,117			172,540			(1,423	)
Interest-bearing liabilities
Short-term borrowings			13,807			13,795			(12	)		19,861			19,856			(5	)
Long-term borrowings			133,578			136,648			3,070			146,210			152,401			6,191
Total interest-bearing liabilities			147,385			150,443			3,058			166,071			172,257			6,186
Derivative financial instruments
Floor Income Contracts			(1,384	)		(1,384	)		—			(2,154	)		(2,154	)		—
Interest rate swaps			459			459			—			1,337			1,337			—
Cross-currency interest rate swaps			999			999			—			1,099			1,099			—
Other			(21	)		(21	)		—			4			4			—
Excess of net asset fair value over carrying value								$	2,924								$	4,763
(1)	“Cash and investments” includes available-for-sale investments that consist of investments that are primarily agency securities whose cost basis is $113 million and $78 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, versus a fair value of $109 million and $81 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Commitments_Contingencies_and_

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees	'
	13	Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
	At the time of this filing, Sallie Mae Bank remains subject to a cease and desist order originally issued in August 2008 by the FDIC and the UDFI. In July 2013, the FDIC notified us that it plans to replace the existing cease and desist order on Sallie Mae Bank with a new formal enforcement action against Sallie Mae Bank that would more specifically address certain cited violations of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (the “FTC Act”), including practices relating to payment allocation practices and the disclosures and assessments of certain late fees, as well as alleged violations under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (the “SCRA”). In November 2013, the FDIC notified us that the new formal enforcement action would be against Sallie Mae Bank and an additional enforcement action would be against Sallie Mae, Inc. (“SMI”), in its capacity as a servicer of education loans for other financial institutions, and would include civil money penalties and restitution. Sallie Mae Bank has been notified by the UDFI that it does not intend to join the FDIC in issuing any new enforcement action. With respect to alleged civil violations of the SCRA, Sallie Mae Bank and SMI are also separately negotiating a comprehensive settlement, remediation and restitution plan with the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”), in its capacity as the agency having primary authority for enforcement of such matters. As of December 31, 2013, we reserved $70 million for estimated amounts and costs that are probable of being incurred for expected compliance remediation efforts with respect to the FDIC and DOJ matters described above.
	We have made and continue to make changes to Sallie Mae Bank’s oversight of significant activities performed outside Sallie Mae Bank by affiliates and to our business practices in order to comply with all applicable laws and regulations and the terms of any cease and desist orders, including in connection with our pursuit of a strategic plan to separate our existing organization into two publicly-traded companies. We are cooperating fully with the FDIC, DOJ and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) in response to their investigations and requests for information and are in active discussions with each with respect to any potential actions to be taken against us. We could be required to, or otherwise determine to, make further changes to the business practices and products of Sallie Mae Bank and our other affiliates to respond to regulatory concerns.
	Contingencies
	In the ordinary course of business, we and our subsidiaries are defendants in or parties to pending and threatened legal actions and proceedings including actions brought on behalf of various classes of claimants. These actions and proceedings may be based on alleged violations of consumer protection, securities, employment and other laws. In certain of these actions and proceedings, claims for substantial monetary damage are asserted against us and our subsidiaries.
	In the ordinary course of business, we and our subsidiaries are subject to regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, inquiries and investigations. In connection with formal and informal inquiries in these cases, we and our subsidiaries receive numerous requests, subpoenas and orders for documents, testimony and information in connection with various aspects of our regulated activities.
	In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of such litigation and regulatory matters, we cannot predict what the eventual outcome of the pending matters will be, what the timing or the ultimate resolution of these matters will be, or what the eventual loss, fines or penalties related to each pending matter may be.
	We are required to establish reserves for litigation and regulatory matters where those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. When loss contingencies are not both probable and estimable, we do not establish reserves.
	Based on current knowledge, reserves have been established for certain litigation or regulatory matters where the loss is both probable and estimable. Based on current knowledge, management does not believe that loss contingencies, if any, arising from pending investigations, litigation or regulatory matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, liquidity, results of operations or cash flows.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	14	Income Taxes
	Reconciliations of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rates to our effective tax rate for continuing operations follow:
			Years Ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Statutory rate			35	%		35	%		35	%
	State tax, net of federal benefit			2			0.1			0.8
	Other, net			0.1			(0.5	)		(.5	)
	Effective tax rate			37.1	%		34.6	%		35.3	%
	The effective tax rates for discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are 16.2 percent, 40.7 percent, and 37.7 percent, respectively. The effective tax rate varies from the statutory U.S. federal rate of 35 percent primarily due to the release of valuation allowances against capital loss carryforwards for 2013, and due to the impact of state taxes, net of federal benefit, for 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	Income tax expense consists of:
			December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2013			2012			2011
	Continuing operations current provision/(benefit):
	Federal		$	567		$	474		$	436
	State			47			27			38
	Foreign			—			—			—
	Total continuing operations current provision/(benefit)			614			501			474
	Continuing operations deferred provision/(benefit):
	Federal			142			23			(121	)
	State			20			(26	)		(25	)
	Foreign			—			—			—
	Total continuing operations deferred provision/(benefit)			162			(3	)		(146	)
	Continuing operations provision for income tax expense/(benefit)			776			498			328
	Discontinued operations current provision/(benefit):
	Federal		$	32		$	1		$	(49	)
	State			1			—			(5	)
	Foreign			—			—			—
	Total discontinued operations current provision/(benefit)			33			1			(54	)
	Discontinued operations deferred provision/(benefit):
	Federal			(12	)		(2	)		68
	State			(1	)		—			6
	Foreign			—			—			—
	Total discontinued operations deferred provision/(benefit)			(13	)		(2	)		74
	Discontinued operations provision for income tax expense/(benefit)			20			(1	)		20
	Provision for income tax expense/(benefit)		$	796		$	497		$	348
	The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities include the following:
			December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Loan reserves		$	893		$	940
	Market value adjustments on student loans, investments and derivatives			572			671
	Stock-based compensation plans			66			77
	Accrued expenses not currently deductible			61			34
	Deferred revenue			57			60
	Other			55			42
	Total deferred tax assets			1,704			1,824
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Gains/(losses) on repurchased debt			304			306
	Other			81			65
	Total deferred tax liabilities			385			371
	Net deferred tax assets		$	1,319		$	1,453
	Included in other deferred tax assets is a valuation allowance of $19 million and $29 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, against a portion of our federal, state and international deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance is primarily attributable to deferred tax assets for federal and state capital loss carryovers and state and international net operating loss carryovers that management believes it is more likely than not will expire prior to being realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income of the appropriate character (i.e. capital or ordinary) during the period in which the temporary differences become deductible. Management considers, among other things, the economic slowdown, the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, and the history of positive taxable income available for net operating loss carrybacks in evaluating the realizability of the deferred tax assets.
	As of December 31, 2013, we have apportioned state net operating loss carryforwards of $438 million which begin to expire in 2024 and international net operating loss carryforwards of $.3 million which begin to expire in 2032.
	Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
	The following table summarizes changes in unrecognized tax benefits:
			December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2013			2012			2011
	Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year		$	41.2		$	45.9		$	41.7
	Increases resulting from tax positions taken during a prior period			5.8			20			20.5
	Decreases resulting from tax positions taken during a prior period			(7.7	)		(18.0	)		(2.1	)
	Increases/(decreases) resulting from tax positions taken during the current period			28.1			11.3			(9.1	)
	Decreases related to settlements with taxing authorities			(7.7	)		(14.7	)		—
	Increases related to settlements with taxing authorities			—			—			0.4
Reductions related to the lapse of statute of limitations			(3.7	)		(3.3	)		(5.5	)
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year		$	56		$	41.2		$	45.9
As of December 31, 2013, the gross unrecognized tax benefits are $56.0 million. Included in the $56.0 million are $28.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate.
The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns at the U.S. federal level, in most U.S. states, and various foreign jurisdictions. U.S. federal income tax returns filed for years 2010 and prior have either been audited or surveyed and are now resolved. Various combinations of subsidiaries, tax years, and jurisdictions remain open for review, subject to statute of limitations periods (typically 3 to 4 prior years). We do not expect the resolution of open audits to have a material impact on our unrecognized tax benefits.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	15	Segment Reporting
	We monitor and assess our ongoing operations and results by three primary operating segments — the Consumer Lending operating segment, the Business Services operating segment and the FFELP Loans operating segment. These three operating segments meet the quantitative thresholds for reportable segments. Accordingly, the results of operations of our Consumer Lending, Business Services and FFELP Loans segments are presented separately. We have smaller operating segments that consist of business operations that have either been discontinued or are winding down. These operating segments do not meet the quantitative thresholds to be considered reportable segments. As a result, the results of operations for these operating segments (Purchased Paper business and mortgage and other loan business) are combined with gains/losses from the repurchase of debt, the financial results of our corporate liquidity portfolio and all overhead within the Other reportable segment. The management reporting process measures the performance of our operating segments based on our management structure, as well as the methodology we used to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Management, including our chief operating decision makers, evaluates the performance of our operating segments based on their profitability. As discussed further below, we measure the profitability of our operating segments based on “Core Earnings.” Accordingly, information regarding our reportable segments is provided based on a “Core Earnings” basis.
	Consumer Lending Segment
	In this segment, we originate, acquire, finance and service Private Education Loans. The Private Education Loans we make are primarily to bridge the gap between the cost of higher education and the amount funded through financial aid, federal loans or customers’ resources. We continue to offer loan products to parents and graduate students where we believe we are competitive with similar federal education loan products. In this segment, we earn net interest income on our Private Education Loan portfolio (after provision for loan losses). Operating expenses for this segment include costs incurred to acquire and to service our loans. With the elimination of FFELP in July 2010, these FFELP-related revenue sources will continue to decline.
	Managed growth of our Private Education Loan portfolio is central not only to our strategy for growing the Consumer Lending segment but also for the future of Sallie Mae Bank. In 2013, we originated $3.8 billion of Private Education Loans, an increase of 14 percent and 39 percent from the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we had $37.5 billion, $36.9 billion, and $36.3 billion of Private Education Loans outstanding, respectively.
	Private Education Loans bear the full credit risk of the customer and cosigner. We manage this risk by underwriting and pricing based upon customized credit scoring criteria and the addition of qualified cosigners. For the year ended December 31, 2013, our annual charge-off rate for Private Education Loans (as a percentage of loans in repayment) was 2.8 percent, as compared with 3.4 percent for the prior year.
	Since the beginning of 2006, virtually all of our Private Education Loans have been originated and funded by Sallie Mae Bank. At December 31, 2013, Sallie Mae Bank had total assets of $10.7 billion, including $6.7 billion in Private Education Loans and $1.4 billion of FFELP Loans. As of the same date, Sallie Mae Bank had total deposits of $9.2 billion. Sallie Mae Bank currently relies on both retail and brokered deposits to fund its assets and periodically sells originated Private Education Loans to affiliates for inclusion in securitization trusts or collection.
	We face competition for Private Education Loans from a group of the nation’s larger banks and local credit unions.
	The following table includes asset information for our Consumer Lending segment.
			December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2013			2012
	Private Education Loans, net		$	37,512		$	36,934
	Cash and investments(1)			2,555			2,731
	Other			2,934			3,275
	Total assets		$	43,001		$	42,940
		(1)	Includes restricted cash and investments.
	Business Services Segment
	We are currently the largest holder, servicer and collector of loans made under the previously existing FFELP, and the majority of our income has been derived, directly or indirectly, from our portfolio of FFELP Loans and servicing we have provided for FFELP Loans. In 2010, Congress passed legislation ending the origination of education loans under FFELP. The terms and conditions of existing FFELP Loans were not affected by this legislation. Our FFELP Loan portfolio will amortize over approximately 20 years. The fee income we have earned from providing servicing and contingent collections services on such loans will similarly decline over time. We also provide servicing, loan default aversion and defaulted loans collection services on behalf of Guarantors of FFELP Loans and other institutions, including the ED. With the elimination of FFELP in July 2010, these FFELP-related revenue sources will continue to decline.
		•		Servicing revenues from the FFELP Loans we own and manage represent intercompany charges to the FFELP Loans segment at rates paid to us by the trusts which own the loans. These fees are legally the first payment priority of the trusts and exceed the actual cost of servicing the loans. Intercompany loan servicing revenues declined to $530 million in 2013 from $670 million in 2012. Intercompany loan servicing revenues will decline as the FFELP portfolio amortizes. Prepayments of FFELP Loans could further accelerate the rate of decline.
		•		In 2013, we earned account maintenance fees on FFELP Loans serviced for Guarantors of $38 million, down from $44 million in 2012. These fees will continue to decline as the portfolio amortizes. Prepayments of FFELP Loans could further accelerate the rate of decline.
		•		We provide default aversion, post default collections and claims processing to 15 of the 30 Guarantor agencies that serve as an intermediary between the U.S. federal government and FFELP lenders and are responsible for paying the claims made on defaulted loans. In 2013, collection revenue from Guarantor clients totaled $303 million, compared to $264 million the prior year. As FFELP Loans are no longer originated, these revenues will generally decline over time unless we acquire additional work for Guarantor clients. The rate at which these revenues will decrease will also be affected by the Bipartisan Budget Act (the “Budget Act”) enacted on December 26, 2013 and effective on July 1, 2014, which reduces the amount to be paid to Guarantor agencies for defaulted FFELP Loans that are rehabilitated under Section 428F of the Higher Education Act (the “HEA”). The precise effect of the Budget Act will depend on the decisions of our Guarantor agency clients about their continued participation in FFELP default collections, as well as by how the fee reduction is implemented by ED. We earned approximately $283 million in fee income from these activities in 2013.
	In 2013, FFELP-related revenues accounted for 77 percent of total Business Services segment revenues, as compared with 82 percent and 82 percent, respectively, for the previous two years. Total Business Services segment revenues were $1.16 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013, down from $1.20 billion for the prior year.
	ED Collection and Servicing Contracts
	Since 1997, we have provided collection services on defaulted student loans to ED. The current contract runs through April 21, 2015. There are 21 other collection providers, of which we compete with 16 providers for account allocation based on quarterly performance metrics. The remaining five providers are small businesses that are ensured a particular allocation of business. As a consistent top performer, our share of allocated accounts has ranged from six percent to eight percent for this contract period. Currently, we are participating in ED’s procurement process for a new debt collection contract and expect them to announce the recipients by April 30, 2014.
	Since the second quarter of 2009, we have been one of four large servicers awarded a servicing contract by ED to service Direct Student Loan Program (“DSLP”) federal loans owned by ED. We serviced approximately 5.7 million accounts under this DSLP servicing contract as of December 31, 2013. The DSLP servicing contract spans five years with one five-year renewal at the option of ED. In November 2013, ED gave notice to Sallie Mae of its intent to exercise its five-year renewal option to extend the DSLP servicing contract. As such, we will continue to compete for DSLP servicing volume from ED with the three other large servicing companies that also have similar contracts. New account allocations for the upcoming contract year are awarded annually based on each company’s performance on five different metrics over the most recently ended contract year: defaulted borrower count, defaulted borrower dollar amount, a survey of borrowers, a survey of schools and a survey of ED personnel. Pursuant to the contract terms related to annual volume allocation of new loans, the maximum any servicer could be awarded is 40 percent of net new borrowers in that contract year. Our share of new loans serviced for ED under the contract increased to 18 percent in 2013 from 15 percent in the prior contract year as a result of our relative standing, as compared to other servicing companies, on the ED Scorecard. We earned $109 million of revenue under the contract for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Other
	Upromise generates transaction fees through our Upromise consumer savings network. Since inception through December 31, 2013, members have earned approximately $800 million in rewards by purchasing products at hundreds of online retailers, booking travel, purchasing a home, dining out, buying gas and groceries, using the Upromise World MasterCard, or completing other qualified transactions. We earn a fee for the marketing and administrative services we provide to companies that participate in the Upromise savings network. We also compete with other loyalty shopping services and companies.
	Previously, we provided program management services for 529 college-savings plans through our 529 college-savings plan administration business and our Campus Solutions business provided processing capabilities to educational institutions designed to help campus business offices increase their services to students and families. However, in the second quarter of 2013, we sold our Campus Solutions business and recorded an after-tax gain of $38 million. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2013, we sold our 529 college-savings plan administration business and recorded an after-tax gain of $65 million. The results of both of these businesses are reported in discontinued operations for all periods presented.
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Business Services segment had total assets of $892 million and $867 million, respectively.
	FFELP Loans Segment
	Our FFELP Loans segment consists of our FFELP Loan portfolio (approximately $104.6 billion as of December 31, 2013) and the underlying debt and capital funding the loans. We are currently the largest holder of FFELP Loans. FFELP Loans are insured or guaranteed by state or not-for-profit agencies and are also protected by contractual rights to recovery from the United States pursuant to guaranty agreements among ED and these agencies. These guarantees generally cover at least 97 percent of a FFELP Loan’s principal and accrued interest for loans disbursed. In the case of death, disability or bankruptcy of the borrower, these guarantees cover 100 percent of the loan’s principal and accrued interest.
	As a result of the long-term funding used in the FFELP Loan portfolio and the insurance and guarantees provided on these loans, the net interest margin recorded in the FFELP Loans segment is relatively stable and the capital we choose to retain with respect to the segment is modest.
	In 2013, we sold Residual Interests in FFELP Loan securitization trusts to third parties. We continue to service the student loans in the trusts under existing agreements. As a result of the sale of the Residual Interests in FFELP securitizations, we removed securitization trust assets of $12.5 billion and the related liabilities of $12.1 billion from our balance sheet and recorded a $312 million gain as part of “gains on sales of loans and investments” for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Our FFELP Loan portfolio will amortize over approximately 20 years. Our goal is to maximize the cash flow generated by the portfolio. We will seek to acquire other third-party FFELP Loan portfolios to add net interest income and servicing revenue.
	HEA continues to regulate every aspect of the FFELP, including ongoing communications with borrowers and default aversion requirements. Failure to service a FFELP Loan properly could jeopardize the insurance and guarantees and federal support on these loans. The insurance and guarantees on our existing loans were not affected by the July 2010 termination of the FFELP program.
	The following table includes asset information for our FFELP Loans segment.
			December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2013			2012
	FFELP Loans, net		$	104,588		$	125,612
	Cash and investments(1)			4,473			5,766
	Other			3,587			4,286
	Total assets		$	112,648		$	135,664
		(1)	Includes restricted cash and investments.
	Other Segment
	The Other segment consists primarily of the financial results related to activities of our holding company, including the repurchase of debt, the corporate liquidity portfolio and all overhead. We also include results from certain, smaller wind-down and discontinued operations within this segment. Overhead expenses include costs related to executive management, the Board of Directors, accounting, finance, legal, human resources, stock-based compensation expense and certain information technology costs related to infrastructure and operations.
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Other segment had total assets of $3.0 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively.
	Measure of Profitability
	The tables below include the condensed operating results for each of our reportable segments. Management, including the chief operating decision makers, evaluates the Company on certain performance measures that we refer to as “Core Earnings” performance measures for each operating segment. We use “Core Earnings” to manage each business segment because “Core Earnings” reflect adjustments to GAAP financial results for two items, discussed below, that create significant volatility mostly due to timing factors generally beyond the control of management. Accordingly, we believe that “Core Earnings” provide management with a useful basis from which to better evaluate results from ongoing operations against the business plan or against results from prior periods. Consequently, we disclose this information as we believe it provides investors with additional information regarding the operational and performance indicators that are most closely assessed by management. The two items adjusted for in our “Core Earnings” presentations are (1) our use of derivative instruments to hedge our economic risks that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment or do qualify for hedge accounting treatment but result in ineffectiveness and (2) the accounting for goodwill and acquired intangible assets. The tables presented below reflect “Core Earnings” operating measures reviewed and utilized by management to manage the business. Reconciliation of the “Core Earnings” segment totals to our consolidated operating results in accordance with GAAP is also included in the tables below.
	Our “Core Earnings” performance measures are not defined terms within GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Unlike financial accounting, there is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for management reporting. The management reporting process measures the performance of the operating segments based on the management structure of the Company and is not necessarily comparable with similar information for any other financial institution. Our operating segments are defined by the products and services they offer or the types of customers they serve, and they reflect the manner in which financial information is currently evaluated by management. Intersegment revenues and expenses are netted within the appropriate financial statement line items consistent with the income statement presentation provided to management. Changes in management structure or allocation methodologies and procedures may result in changes in reported segment financial information.
	Segment Results and Reconciliations to GAAP
			Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in millions)		Consumer			Business			FFELP			Other			Eliminations(1)			Total			Adjustments									Total
			Lending			Services			Loans									“Core												GAAP
																		Earnings”			Reclassi-			Additions/			Total
																					fications			(Subtractions)			Adjustments(2)
	Interest income:
	Student loans		$	2,527		$	—		$	2,313		$	—		$	—		$	4,840		$	816		$	(307	)	$	509		$	5,349
	Other loans			—			—			—			11			—			11			—			—			—			11
	Cash and investments			7			5			6			4			(5	)		17			—			—			—			17
	Total interest income			2,534			5			2,319			15			(5	)		4,868			816			(307	)		509			5,377
	Total interest expense			825			—			1,285			51			(5	)		2,156			55			(1	)(4)		54			2,210
	Net interest income (loss)			1,709			5			1,034			(36	)		—			2,712			761			(306	)		455			3,167
	Less: provisions for loan losses			787			—			52			—			—			839			—			—			—			839
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses			922			5			982			(36	)		—			1,873			761			(306	)		455			2,328
Other income (loss):
Gains (losses) on sales of loans and investments			—			—			312			(10	)		—			302			—			—			—			302
Servicing revenue			34			710			76			—			(530	)		290			—			—			—			290
Contingency revenue			—			420			—			—			—			420			—			—			—			420
Gains on debt repurchases			—			—			—			48			—			48			(6	)		—			(6	)		42
Other income (loss)			—			34			—			4			—			38			(755	)		549	(5)		(206	)		(168	)
Total other income (loss)			34			1,164			388			42			(530	)		1,098			(761	)		549			(212	)		886
Expenses:
Direct operating expenses			299			400			557			80			(530	)		806			—			—			—			806
Overhead expenses			(1	)		—			—			237			—			236			—			—			—			236
Operating expenses			298			400			557			317			(530	)		1,042			—			—			—			1,042
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			13			13			13
Restructuring and other reorganization expenses			6			2			—			64			—			72			—			—			—			72
Total expenses			304			402			557			381			(530	)		1,114			—			13			13			1,127
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)			652			767			813			(375	)		—			1,857			—			230			230			2,087
Income tax expense (benefit)(3)			239			281			298			(138	)		—			680			—			96			96			776
Net income (loss) from continuing operations			413			486			515			(237	)		—			1,177			—			134			134			1,311
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)			(1	)		112			—			1			—			112			—			(6	)		(6	)		106
Net income (loss)			412			598			515			(236	)		—			1,289			—			128			128			1,417
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			(1	)		—			—			—			(1	)		—			—			—			(1	)
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation		$	412		$	599		$	515		$	(236	)	$	—		$	1,290		$	—		$	128		$	128		$	1,418
(1)	The eliminations in servicing revenue and direct operating expense represent the elimination of intercompany servicing revenue where the Business Services segment performs the loan servicing function for the FFELP Loans segment.
(2)	“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
(Dollars in millions)		Net Impact of			Net Impact of			Total
		Derivative			Goodwill and
		Accounting			Acquired Intangibles
Net interest income after provisions for loan losses		$	455		$	—		$	455
Total other loss			(212	)		—			(212	)
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense			—			13			13
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP		$	243		$	(13	)		230
Income tax expense									96
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit									(6	)
Net income								$	128
(3)	Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.
(4)	Represents a portion of the $63 million of “other derivative accounting adjustments.”
(5)	Represents the $487 million of “unrealized gains on derivative and hedging activities, net” as well as the remaining portion of the $63 million of “other derivative accounting adjustments.”
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
(Dollars in millions)		Consumer			Business			FFELP			Other			Elimina-			Total			Adjustments									Total
		Lending			Services			Loans						tions(1)			“Core												GAAP
																	Earnings”			Reclassi-			Additions/			Total
																				fications			(Subtractions)			Adjustments(2)
Interest income:
Student loans		$	2,481		$	—		$	2,744		$	—		$	—		$	5,225		$	858		$	(351	)	$	507		$	5,732
Other loans			—			—			—			16			—			16			—			—			—			16
Cash and investments			7			7			11			2			(6	)		21			—			—			—			21
Total interest income			2,488			7			2,755			18			(6	)		5,262			858			(351	)		507			5,769
Total interest expense			822			—			1,591			37			(6	)		2,444			115			2	(4)		117			2,561
Net interest income (loss)			1,666			7			1,164			(19	)		—			2,818			743			(353	)		390			3,208
Less: provisions for loan losses			1,008			—			72			—			—			1,080			—			—			—			1,080
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses			658			7			1,092			(19	)		—			1,738			743			(353	)		390			2,128
Other income (loss):
Gain (losses) on sales of loans and investments			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Servicing revenue			46			813			90			—			(670	)		279			—			—			—			279
Contingency revenue			—			356			—			—			—			356			—			—			—			356
Gains on debt repurchases			—			—			—			145			—			145			—			—			—			145
Other income (loss)			—			33			—			15			—			48			(743	)		159	(5)		(584	)		(536	)
Total other income (loss)			46			1,202			90			160			(670	)		828			(743	)		159			(584	)		244
Expenses:
Direct operating expenses			265			364			702			12			(670	)		673			—			—			—			673
Overhead expenses			—			—			—			224			—			224			—			—			—			224
Operating expenses			265			364			702			236			(670	)		897			—			—			—			897
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			27			27			27
Restructuring expenses			3			3			—			5			—			11			—			—			—			11
Total expenses			268			367			702			241			(670	)		908			—			27			27			935
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)			436			842			480			(100	)		—			1,658			—			(221	)		(221	)		1,437
Income tax expense (benefit)(3)			157			303			173			(36	)		—			597			—			(99	)		(99	)		498
Net income (loss) from continuing operations			279			539			307			(64	)		—			1,061			—			(122	)		(122	)		939
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)			(2	)		—			—			1			—			(1	)		—			(1	)		(1	)		(2	)
Net income (loss)			277			539			307			(63	)		—			1,060			—			(123	)		(123	)		937
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			(2	)		—			—			—			(2	)		—			—			—			(2	)
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation		$	277		$	541		$	307		$	(63	)	$	—		$	1,062		$	—		$	(123	)	$	(123	)	$	939
(1)	The eliminations in servicing revenue and direct operating expense represent the elimination of intercompany servicing revenue where the Business Services segment performs the loan servicing function for the FFELP Loans segment.
(2)	“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
(Dollars in millions)		Net Impact of			Net Impact of			Total
		Derivative			Goodwill and
		Accounting			Acquired Intangibles
Net interest income after provisions for loan losses		$	390		$	—		$	390
Total other loss			(584	)		—			(584	)
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense			—			27			27
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP		$	(194	)	$	(27	)		(221	)
Income tax benefit									(99	)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit									(1	)
Net loss								$	(123	)
(3)	Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.
(4)	Represents a portion of the $42 million of “other derivative accounting adjustments.”
(5)	Represents the $115 million of “unrealized gains on derivative and hedging activities, net” as well as the remaining portion of the $42 million of “other derivative accounting adjustments.”
		Year Ended December 31, 2011
(Dollars in millions)		Consumer			Business			FFELP			Other			Elimina-			Total			Adjustments									Total
		Lending			Services			Loans						tions(1)			“Core												GAAP
																	Earnings”			Reclassi-			Additions/			Total
																				fications			(Subtractions)			Adjustments(2)
Interest income:
Student loans		$	2,429		$	—		$	2,914		$	—		$	—		$	5,343		$	902		$	(355	)	$	547		$	5,890
Other loans			—			—			—			21			—			21			—			—			—			21
Cash and investments			9			8			5			5			(8	)		19			—			—			—			19
Total interest income			2,438			8			2,919			26			(8	)		5,383			902			(355	)		547			5,930
Total interest expense			801			—			1,472			54			(8	)		2,319			71			11	(4)		82			2,401
Net interest income (loss)			1,637			8			1,447			(28	)		—			3,064			831			(366	)		465			3,529
Less: provisions for loan losses			1,179			—			86			30			—			1,295			—			—			—			1,295
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses			458			8			1,361			(58	)		—			1,769			831			(366	)		465			2,234
Other income (loss):
Gain (losses) on sales of loans and investments			(9	)		—			—			(26	)		—			(35	)		—			—			—			(35	)
Servicing revenue			64			872			86			—			(739	)		283			—			—			—			283
Contingency revenue			—			333			—			—			—			333			—			—			—			333
Gains on debt repurchases			—			—			—			64			—			64			(26	)		—			(26	)		38
Other income (loss)			—			69			—			20			—			89			(805	)		(174	)(5)		(979	)		(890	)
Total other income (loss)			55			1,274			86			58			(739	)		734			(831	)		(174	)		(1,005	)		(271	)
Expenses:
Direct operating expenses			291			393			772			19			(739	)		736			—			—			—			736
Overhead expenses			—			—			—			269			—			269			—			—			—			269
Operating expenses			291			393			772			288			(739	)		1,005			—			—			—			1,005
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			21			21			21
Restructuring expenses			3			5			1			3			—			12			—			—			—			12
Total expenses			294			398			773			291			(739	)		1,017			—			21			21			1,038
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)			219			884			674			(291	)		—			1,486			—			(561	)		(561	)		925
Income tax expense (benefit)(3)			81			325			248			(107	)		—			547			—			(219	)		(219	)		328
Net income (loss) from continuing operations			138			559			426			(184	)		—			939			—			(342	)		(342	)		597
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)			(2	)		5			—			34			—			37			—			(2	)		(2	)		35
Net income (loss)			136			564			426			(150	)		—			976			—			(344	)		(344	)		632
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			(1	)		—			—			—			(1	)		—			—			—			(1	)
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation		$	136		$	565		$	426		$	(150	)	$	—		$	977		$	—		$	(344	)	$	(344	)	$	633
(1)	The eliminations in servicing revenue and direct operating expense represent the elimination of intercompany servicing revenue where the Business Services segment performs the loan servicing function for the FFELP Loans segment.
(2)	“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
		Year Ended December 31, 2011
(Dollars in millions)		Net Impact of			Net Impact of			Total
		Derivative			Goodwill and
		Accounting			Acquired
					Intangibles
Net interest income after provisions for loan losses		$	465		$	—		$	465
Total other loss			(1,005	)		—			(1,005	)
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense			—			21			21
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP		$	(540	)	$	(21	)		(561	)
Income tax benefit									(219	)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit									(2	)
Net loss								$	(344	)
(3)	Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.
(4)	Represents a portion of the $(32) million of “other derivative accounting adjustments.”
(5)	Represents the $(153) million of “unrealized gains on derivative and hedging activities, net” as well as the remaining portion of the $(32) million of “other derivative accounting adjustments.”
Summary of “Core Earnings” Adjustments to GAAP
The two adjustments required to reconcile from our “Core Earnings” results to our GAAP results of operations relate to differing treatments for: (1) our use of derivative instruments to hedge our economic risks that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment or do qualify for hedge accounting treatment but result in ineffectiveness and (2) the accounting for goodwill and acquired intangible assets. The following table reflects aggregate adjustments associated with these areas.
		Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in millions)		2013			2012			2011
“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
Net impact of derivative accounting(1)		$	243		$	(194	)	$	(540	)
Net impact of goodwill and acquired intangible assets(2)			(13	)		(27	)		(21	)
Net tax effect(3)			(96	)		99			219
Net effect from discontinued operations			(6	)		(1	)		(2	)
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP		$	128		$	(123	)	$	(344	)
(1)     Derivative accounting: “Core Earnings” exclude periodic unrealized gains and losses that are caused by the mark-to-market valuations on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under GAAP as well as the periodic unrealized gains and losses that are a result of ineffectiveness recognized related to effective hedges under GAAP. These unrealized gains and losses occur in our Consumer Lending, FFELP Loans and Other business segments. Under GAAP, for our derivatives that are held to maturity, the cumulative net unrealized gain or loss over the life of the contract will equal $0 except for Floor Income Contracts where the cumulative unrealized gain will equal the amount for which we sold the contract. In our “Core Earnings” presentation, we recognize the economic effect of these hedges, which generally results in any net settlement cash paid or received being recognized ratably as an interest expense or revenue over the hedged item’s life.
(2)    Goodwill and acquired intangible assets: Our “Core Earnings” exclude goodwill and intangible asset impairment and amortization of acquired intangible assets.
(3)    Net Tax Effect: Such tax effect is based upon our “Core Earnings” effective tax rate for the year.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	16	Discontinued Operations
	In 2013, we sold our Campus Solutions business and our 529 college-savings plan administration business and recorded an after-tax gain of $38 million and $65 million, respectively. These businesses comprise operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished operationally and for financial reporting purposes from the rest of the Company and we will have no continuing involvement. As a result, these businesses are presented in discontinued operations of our Business Services segment for the periods presented.
	The following table summarizes our discontinued assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012.
			At December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2013		2012
	Assets:
	Cash and equivalents		$	5	$	33
	Other assets			98		202
	Assets of discontinued operations		$	103	$	235
	Liabilities:
	Liabilities of discontinued operations		$	94	$	168
	At December 31, 2013, other assets of our discontinued operations and the offsetting liability consisted primarily of funds held in accordance with contractual requirements on behalf of the acquirer of our Campus Solutions business pending remittance to their school clients.
	The following table summarizes our discontinued operations.
			Years Ended December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2013		2012			2011
	Operations:
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense (benefit)		$	126	$	(3	)	$	55
	Income tax expense (benefit)			20		(1	)		20
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)		$	106	$	(2	)	$	35

Concentrations_of_Risk

Concentrations of Risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Risks And Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
Concentrations of Risk	'
	17	Concentrations of Risk
	Our business is primarily focused in providing and/or servicing to help students and their families save, plan and pay for college. We primarily originate, service and/or collect loans made to students and their families to finance the cost of their education. We provide funding, delivery and servicing support for education loans in the United States, through our Private Education Loan programs and as a servicer and collector of loans for ED. In addition we are the largest holder, servicer and collector of loans under the discontinued FFELP. Because of this concentration in one industry, we are exposed to credit, legislative, operational, regulatory, and liquidity risks associated with the student loan industry.
	Concentration Risk in the Revenues Associated with Private Education Loans
	We compete in the private credit lending business with banks and other consumer lending institutions, some with strong consumer brand name recognition and greater financial resources. We compete based on our products, origination capability and customer service. To the extent our competitors compete aggressively or more effectively, we could lose market share to them or subject our existing loans to refinancing risk. Our product offerings may not prove to be profitable and may result in higher than expected losses.
	We are a leading provider of saving- and paying-for-college products and programs. This concentration gives us a competitive advantage in the marketplace. This concentration also creates risks in our business, particularly in light of our concentrations as a Private Education Loan lender and as a servicer for the FFELP and DSLP. If population demographics result in a decrease in college-age individuals, if demand for higher education decreases, if the cost of attendance of higher education decreases, if public resistance to higher education costs increases, or if the demand for higher education loans decreases, our consumer lending business could be negatively affected. In addition, the federal government, through the DSLP, poses significant competition to our private credit loan products. If loan limits under the DSLP increase, DSLP loans could be more widely available to students and their families and DSLP loans could increase, resulting in further decreases in the size of the Private Education Loan market and demand for our Private Education Loan products.
	Concentration Risk in the Revenues Associated with FFELP Loans
	On July 1, 2010, the HCERA legislation eliminated FFELP Loan originations, a major source of our net income. All federal loans to students are now made through the DSLP. The terms and conditions of existing FFELP Loans were not affected by this legislation. Despite the end of FFELP, Congress, ED and the Administration still exercise significant authority over the servicing and administration of existing FFELP Loans. Because of the ongoing uncertainty around efforts to reduce the federal budget deficit, the timing, method and manner of implementation of various education lending initiatives has become less predictable.
	The net interest margin we earn on our FFELP Loan portfolio, which totaled $1.5 billion in 2013, will decline over time as the portfolio amortizes.
	We also earn maintenance fees for the life of the loan for servicing the Guarantor’s portfolio of loans. The portfolio that generates the maintenance fee is now in runoff, and the maintenance fees we earn will decline ratably with the portfolio. We earned maintenance fees of $38 million in 2013.
	Our student loan contingent collection business is also affected by HCERA. We currently have 15 Guarantors as clients. We earn revenue from Guarantors for collecting defaulted loans as well as for managing their portfolios of defaulted loans. In 2013, collection revenue from Guarantor clients totaled $303 million. We anticipate that revenue from Guarantors will begin to steadily decline as the portfolio of defaulted loans we manage is resolved and amortizes.
	Concentration Risk in the Servicing of Direct Loans
	The DSLP is serviced by four private sector institutions, including Sallie Mae. Defaulted Direct Loans are collected by 22 private sector companies, including Sallie Mae. Because of the concentration of our business in servicing and collecting on Direct Loans, we are exposed to risks associated with ED reducing the amount of new loan servicing and collections allocated to us or the termination of our servicing or collection contracts.

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	'
	18	Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)
			2013
	(Dollars in millions, except per share data)		First			Second			Third			Fourth
			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
	Net interest income		$	795		$	784		$	799		$	789
	Less: provisions for loan losses			241			201			207			190
	Net interest income after provisions for loan losses			554			583			592			599
	Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net			(31	)		18			(127	)		(128	)
	Other income			281			472			196			203
	Operating expenses			235			244			257			305
	Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense			3			3			4			3
	Restructuring and other reorganization expenses			10			23			12			26
	Income tax expense			211			299			136			129
	Net income from continuing operations			345			504			252			211
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes			1			38			8			59
	Net income			346			542			260			270
	Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			(1	)		—			—
	Net income attributable to SLM Corporation			346			543			260			270
	Preferred stock dividends			5			5			5			5
	Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock		$	341		$	538		$	255		$	265
	Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
	Continuing operations		$	0.76		$	1.14		$	0.56		$	0.47
	Discontinued operations			—			0.08			0.02			0.14
	Total		$	0.76		$	1.22		$	0.58		$	0.61
	Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
	Continuing operations		$	0.74		$	1.12		$	0.55		$	0.47
	Discontinued operations			—			0.08			0.02			0.13
	Total		$	0.74		$	1.2		$	0.57		$	0.6
			2012
	(Dollars in millions, except per share data)		First			Second			Third			Fourth
			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
	Net interest income		$	811		$	746		$	819		$	832
	Less: provisions for loan losses			253			243			270			314
	Net interest income after provisions for loan losses			558			503			549			518
	Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net			(372	)		6			(233	)		(28	)
	Other income			238			176			202			256
	Operating expenses			236			216			220			226
	Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense			5			5			5			14
	Restructuring and other reorganization expenses			4			3			2			1
	Income tax expense			68			169			104			157
	Net income from continuing operations			111			292			187			348
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes			—			(1	)		—			—
	Net income			111			291			187			348
	Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			(1	)		(1	)		(1	)		—
	Net income attributable to SLM Corporation			112			292			188			348
	Preferred stock dividends			5			5			5			5
	Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock		$	107		$	287		$	183		$	343
	Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
	Continuing operations		$	0.21		$	0.59		$	0.39		$	0.75
	Discontinued operations			—			—			—			—
	Total		$	0.21		$	0.59		$	0.39		$	0.75
	Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
	Continuing operations		$	0.21		$	0.59		$	0.39		$	0.74
	Discontinued operations			—			—			—			—
	Total		$	0.21		$	0.59		$	0.39		$	0.74

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	Our financial reporting and accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Current market conditions increase the risk and complexity of the judgments in these estimates and actual results could differ from estimates. Key accounting policies that include significant judgments and estimates include the allowance for loan losses, the effective interest rate method (amortization of student loan and debt premiums and discounts), fair value measurements, goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment assessments, and derivative accounting.
Consolidation	'
	Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SLM Corporation and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries and those Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) for which we are the primary beneficiary, after eliminating the effects of intercompany accounts and transactions.
	We consolidate any VIEs where we have determined we are the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity which has both: (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE, except as described in the next paragraph. As it relates to our securitized assets as of December 31, 2013, we are the servicer of the securitized assets and own the Residual Interest of the securitization trusts. As a result, we are the primary beneficiary of our securitization trusts and consolidate those trusts.
	In 2013, we sold Residual Interests in FFELP Loan securitization trusts to third parties. We will continue to service the student loans in the trusts under existing agreements. Prior to the sale of the Residual Interests, we had consolidated the trusts as VIEs because we had met the two criteria for consolidation. We had determined we were the primary beneficiary because (1) as servicer to the trust we had the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affected its economic performance and (2) as the residual holder of the trust, we had an obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the trust that could potentially be significant. Upon the sale of the Residual Interests we were no longer the residual holder, thus we determined we no longer met criterion (2) above and deconsolidated the trusts. As a result of these transactions, we removed securitization trust assets of $12.5 billion and the related liabilities of $12.1 billion from the balance sheet and recorded a $312 million gain as part of “gains on sales of loans and investments” in 2013.
Fair Value Measurement	'
	Fair Value Measurement
	We use estimates of fair value in applying various accounting standards for our financial statements. Fair value measurements are used in one of four ways:
		•	In the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statement of income;
		•	In the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income section of the consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity;
		•	In the consolidated balance sheet for instruments carried at lower of cost or fair value with impairment charges recorded in the consolidated statement of income; and
		•	In the notes to the financial statements.
	Fair value is defined as the price to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing and able market participants. In general, our policy in estimating fair value is to first look at observable market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets, where available. When these are not available, other inputs are used to model fair value such as prices of similar instruments, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, default rates and credit spreads (including for our liabilities), relying first on observable data from active markets. Depending on current market conditions, additional adjustments to fair value may be based on factors such as liquidity, credit, and bid/offer spreads. Transaction costs are not included in the determination of fair value. When possible, we seek to validate the model’s output to market transactions. Depending on the availability of observable inputs and prices, different valuation models could produce materially different fair value estimates. The values presented may not represent future fair values and may not be realizable.
	We categorize our fair value estimates based on a hierarchical framework associated with three levels of price transparency utilized in measuring financial instruments at fair value. Classification is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value of the instrument. The three levels are as follows:
		•	Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date. The types of financial instruments included in level 1 are highly liquid instruments with quoted prices.
		•	Level 2 — Inputs from active markets, other than quoted prices for identical instruments, are used to determine fair value. Significant inputs are directly observable from active markets for substantially the full term of the asset or liability being valued.
		•	Level 3 — Pricing inputs significant to the valuation are unobservable. Inputs are developed based on the best information available. However, significant judgment is required by us in developing the inputs.
Loans	'
	Loans
	Loans, consisting primarily of federally insured student loans and Private Education Loans, that we have the ability and intent to hold for the foreseeable future are classified as held-for-investment and are carried at amortized cost. Amortized cost includes the unamortized premiums, discounts, and capitalized origination costs and fees, all of which are amortized to interest income as further discussed below. Loans which are held-for-investment also have an allowance for loan loss as needed. Any loans we have not classified as held-for-investment are classified as held-for-sale, and carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Loans are classified as held-for-sale when we have the intent and ability to sell such loans. Loans which are held-for-sale do not have the associated premium, discount, and capitalized origination costs and fees amortized into interest income. In addition, once a loan is classified as held-for-sale, there is no further adjustment to the loan’s allowance for loan losses that existed immediately prior to the reclassification to held-for-sale.
	As market conditions permit, we may securitize loans as a source of financing for those loans. If we elect to use a securitization program to finance loans, loans are selected based on the required characteristics to structure the desired transaction at the most favorable financing terms (e.g., type of loan, mix of interim vs. repayment status, credit rating and maturity dates). Due to some of the structuring terms, certain transactions may qualify for sale treatment while others do not qualify for sale treatment and are recorded as financings. All of our student loans are initially categorized as held-for-investment until there is certainty as to each specific loan’s ultimate financing because we do not securitize all loans and currently all of our securitizations do not qualify for sale treatment. It is only when we have selected the loans to securitize and that securitization transaction qualifies as a sale do we transfer the loans into the held-for-sale classification and carry them at the lower of cost or fair value. If we anticipate recognizing a gain related to the impending securitization, then the fair value of the loans is higher than their respective cost basis and no valuation allowance is recorded.
Student Loan Income	'
	Student Loan Income
	For loans classified as held-for-investment, we recognize student loan interest income as earned, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and capitalized direct origination costs, accretion of discounts, and Repayment Borrower Benefits. These adjustments result in income being recognized based upon the expected yield of the loan over its life after giving effect to prepayments and extensions, and to estimates related to Repayment Borrower Benefits. The estimate of the prepayment speed includes the effect of consolidations, voluntary prepayments and student loan defaults, all of which shorten the life-of-loan. Prepayment speed estimates also consider the utilization of deferment, forbearance and extended repayment plans which lengthen the life-of-loan. For Repayment Borrower Benefits, the estimates of their effect on student loan yield are based on analyses of historical payment behavior of customers who are eligible for the incentives and its effect on the ultimate qualification rate for these incentives. We regularly evaluate the assumptions used to estimate the prepayment speeds and the qualification rates used for Repayment Borrower Benefits. In instances where there are changes to the assumptions, amortization is adjusted on a cumulative basis to reflect the change since the acquisition of the loan. We also pay an annual 105 basis point Consolidation Loan Rebate Fee on FFELP Consolidation Loans which is netted against student loan interest income. Additionally, interest earned on student loans reflects potential non-payment adjustments in accordance with our uncollectible interest recognition policy as discussed further in “Allowance for Loan Losses” of this Note 2. We do not amortize any premiums, discounts or other adjustments to the basis of student loans when they are classified as held-for-sale.
Allowance for Loan Losses	'
	Allowance for Loan Losses
	We consider a loan to be impaired when, based on current information, a loss has been incurred and it is probable that we will not receive all contractual amounts due. When making our assessment as to whether a loan is impaired, we also take into account more than insignificant delays in payment. We generally evaluate impaired loans on an aggregate basis by grouping similar loans. Impaired loans also include those loans which are individually assessed and measured for impairment at a loan level, such as in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). We maintain an allowance for loan losses at an amount sufficient to absorb losses incurred in our portfolios at the reporting date based on a projection of estimated probable credit losses incurred in the portfolio.
	In determining the allowance for loan losses on our non-TDR portfolio, we estimate the principal amount of loans that will default over the next two years (two years being the expected period between a loss event and default) and how much we expect to recover over time related to the defaulted amount. Expected defaults less our expected recoveries equal the allowance related to this portfolio. Our historical experience indicates that, on average, the time between the date that a customer experiences a default causing event (i.e., the loss trigger event) and the date that we charge off the unrecoverable portion of that loan is two years. Separately, for our TDR portfolio, we estimate an allowance amount sufficient to cover life-of-loan expected losses through an impairment calculation based on the difference between the loan’s basis and the present value of expected future cash flows (which would include life-of-loan default and recovery assumptions) discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate (see “Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses” to this Note 2). The separate allowance estimates for our TDR and non-TDR portfolios, are combined into our total Allowance for Private Education Loan losses.
	In estimating both the non-TDR and TDR allowance amounts, we start with historical experience of customer default behavior. We make judgments about which historical period to start with and then make further judgments about whether that historical experience is representative of future expectations and whether additional adjustments may be needed to those historical default rates. We also take the economic environment into consideration when calculating the allowance for loan losses. We analyze key economic statistics and the effect we expect it to have on future defaults. Key economic statistics analyzed as part of the allowance for loan losses are unemployment rates and other asset type delinquency rates. More judgment has been required over the last several years, compared with years prior, in light of the recent downturn in the U.S. economy and high levels of unemployment and its effect on our customer’s ability to pay their obligations.
	Our allowance for loan losses is estimated using an analysis of delinquent and current accounts. Our model is used to estimate the likelihood that a loan receivable may progress through the various delinquency stages and ultimately charge off. The evaluation of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant changes. The estimate for the allowance for loan losses is subject to a number of assumptions. If actual future performance in delinquency, charge-offs and recoveries are significantly different than estimated, this could materially affect our estimate of the allowance for loan losses and the related provision for loan losses on our income statement.
	Below we describe in further detail our policies and procedures for the allowance for loan losses as they relate to our Private Education Loan and FFELP Loan portfolios.
	Allowance for Private Education Loan Losses
	We determine the collectability of our Private Education Loan portfolio by evaluating certain risk characteristics. We consider school type, credit score (FICO), existence of a cosigner, loan status and loan seasoning as the key credit quality indicators because they have the most significant effect on our determination of the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses. The type of school customers attend can have an impact on their job prospects after graduation and therefore affects their ability to make payments. Credit scores are an indicator of the creditworthiness of a customer and generally the higher the credit score the more likely it is the customer will be able to make all of their contractual payments. Loan status affects the credit risk because generally a past due loan is more likely to result in a credit loss than an up-to-date loan. Additionally, loans in a deferred payment status have different credit risk profiles compared with those in current pay status. Loan seasoning affects credit risk because a loan with a history of making payments generally has a lower incidence of default than a loan with a history of making infrequent or no payments. The existence of a cosigner lowers the likelihood of default. We monitor and update these credit quality indicators in the analysis of the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis.
	To estimate the probable credit losses incurred in the loan portfolio at the reporting date, we use historical experience of customer payment behavior in connection with the key credit quality indicators and incorporate management expectation regarding macroeconomic and collection procedure factors. Our model is based upon the most recent 12 months of actual collection experience, seasonally adjusted, as the starting point and applies expected macroeconomic changes and collection procedure changes to estimate expected losses caused by loss events incurred as of the balance sheet date. Our model places a greater emphasis on the more recent default experience rather than the default experience for older historical periods, as we believe the recent default experience is more indicative of the probable losses incurred in the loan portfolio today. Similar to estimating defaults, we use historical customer payment behavior to estimate the timing and amount of future recoveries on charged-off loans. We use judgment in determining whether historical performance is representative of what we expect to collect in the future. We then apply the default and collection rate projections to each category of loans. Once the quantitative calculation is performed, we review the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and determine if qualitative adjustments need to be considered. Additionally, we consider changes in laws and regulations that could potentially impact the allowance for loan losses. More judgment has been required over the last several years, compared with years prior, in light of the U.S. economy and its effect on our customer’s ability to pay their obligations. We believe that our model reflects recent customer behavior, loan performance, and collection performance, as well as expectations about economic factors.
	Similar to the rules governing FFELP payment requirements, our collection policies allow for periods of nonpayment for customers requesting additional payment grace periods upon leaving school or experiencing temporary difficulty meeting payment obligations. This is referred to as forbearance status and is considered separately in our allowance for loan losses. The loss confirmation period is in alignment with our typical collection cycle and takes into account these periods of nonpayment.
	On July 1, 2011, we adopted new guidance that clarified when a loan restructuring constitutes a TDR. In applying the new guidance we determined that certain Private Education Loans for which we grant forbearance of greater than three months should be classified as TDRs. If a loan meets the criteria for troubled debt accounting then an allowance for loan losses is established which represents the present value of the losses that are expected to occur over the remaining life of the loan. This accounting results in a higher allowance for loan losses than our previously established allowance for these loans as our previous allowance for these loans represented an estimate of charge-offs expected to occur over the next two years (two years being our loss confirmation period). The new accounting guidance was effective as of July 1, 2011 but was required to be applied retrospectively to January 1, 2011. This resulted in $124 million of additional provision for loan losses in the third quarter of 2011 from approximately $3.8 billion of student loans being classified as TDRs. This new accounting guidance is only applied to certain customers who use their fourth or greater month of forbearance since the time period this new guidance is effective. This new accounting guidance has the effect of accelerating the recognition of expected losses related to our Private Education Loan portfolio. The increase in the provision for losses as a result of this new accounting guidance does not reflect a decrease in credit expectations of the portfolio or an increase in the expected life-of-loan losses related to this portfolio. We believe forbearance is an accepted and effective collection and risk management tool for Private Education Loans. We plan to continue to use forbearance and as a result, we expect to have additional loans classified as TDRs in the future (see “Note 4 — Allowance for Loan Losses” for a further discussion on the use of forbearance as a collection tool).
	As part of concluding on the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, we review key allowance and loan metrics. The most relevant of these metrics considered are the allowance coverage of charge-offs ratio; the allowance as a percentage of total loans and of loans in repayment; and delinquency and forbearance percentages.
	Certain Private Education Loans do not require customers to begin repayment until six months after they have graduated or otherwise left school. Consequently, our loss estimates for these programs are generally low while the customer is in school. At December 31, 2013, 17 percent of the principal balance in the higher education Private Education Loan portfolio was related to customers who are in an in-school/grace/deferment status and not required to make payments. As this population of customers leaves school, they will be required to begin payments on their loans, and the allowance for loan losses may change accordingly.
	We consider a loan to be delinquent 31 days after the last payment was contractually due. We use a model to estimate the amount of uncollectible accrued interest on Private Education Loans and reserve for that amount against current period interest income.
	In general, Private Education Loan principal is charged off against the allowance when at the end of the month the loan exceeds 212 days past due. The charged-off amount equals the estimated loss of the defaulted loan balance. Actual recoveries, as they are received, are applied against the remaining loan balance that was not charged off. If periodic recoveries are less than originally expected, the difference results in immediate additional provision expense and charge-off of such amount.
	Our allowance for Private Education Loan losses also provides for possible additional future charge-offs related to the receivable for partially charged-off Private Education Loans. At the end of each month, for loans that are 212 days past due, we charge off the estimated loss of a defaulted loan balance. Actual recoveries are applied against the remaining loan balance that was not charged off. We refer to this remaining loan balance as the “receivable for partially charged-off loans.” If actual periodic recoveries are less than expected, the difference is immediately charged off through the allowance for loan losses with an offsetting reduction in the receivable for partially charged-off Private Education Loans. If actual periodic recoveries are greater than expected, they will be reflected as a recovery through the allowance for Private Education Loan losses once the cumulative recovery amount exceeds the cumulative amount originally expected to be recovered. Private Education Loans which defaulted between 2008 and 2013 for which we have previously charged off estimated losses have, to varying degrees, not met our post-default recovery expectations to date and may continue not to do so. According to our policy, we have been charging off these periodic shortfalls in expected recoveries against our allowance for Private Education Loan losses and the related receivable for partially charged-off Private Education Loans and we will continue to do so.
	Allowance for FFELP Loan Losses
	FFELP Loans are insured as to their principal and accrued interest in the event of default subject to a Risk Sharing level based on the date of loan disbursement. These insurance obligations are supported by contractual rights against the United States. For loans disbursed after October 1, 1993, and before July 1, 2006, we receive 98 percent reimbursement on all qualifying default claims. For loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006, we receive 97 percent reimbursement. For loans disbursed prior to October 1, 1993, we receive 100 percent reimbursement.
	Similar to the allowance for Private Education Loan losses, the allowance for FFELP Loan losses uses historical experience of customer default behavior and a two-year loss confirmation period to estimate the credit losses incurred in the loan portfolio at the reporting date. We apply the default rate projections, net of applicable Risk Sharing, to each category for the current period to perform our quantitative calculation. Once the quantitative calculation is performed, we review the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and determine if qualitative adjustments need to be considered.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents includes term federal funds, Eurodollar deposits, commercial paper, asset-backed commercial paper, treasuries, money market funds and bank deposits with original terms to maturity of less than three months.
Restricted Cash and Investments	'
	Restricted Cash and Investments
	Restricted cash primarily includes amounts held in student loan securitization trusts and other secured borrowings. This cash must be used to make payments related to trust obligations. Amounts on deposit in these accounts are primarily the result of timing differences between when principal and interest is collected on the trust assets and when principal and interest is paid on trust liabilities.
	Securities pledged as collateral related to our derivative portfolio, where the counterparty has rights to replace the securities, are classified as restricted. When the counterparty does not have these rights, the security is recorded in investments and disclosed as pledged collateral in the notes. Additionally, certain counterparties require cash collateral pledged to us to be segregated and held in restricted cash accounts.
Investments	'
	Investments
	Our available-for-sale investment portfolio consists of investments that are AAA equivalent securities and are carried at fair value, with the temporary changes in fair value carried as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of taxes. The amortized cost of debt securities in this category is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, which are amortized using the effective interest rate method. Other-than-temporary impairment is evaluated by considering several factors, including the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the security (considering factors such as adverse conditions specific to the security and ratings agency actions), and the intent and ability to retain the investment to allow for an anticipated recovery in fair value. The entire fair value loss on a security that is other-than-temporary impairment is recorded in earnings if we intend to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before the expected recovery of the loss. However, if the impairment is other-than-temporary, and those two conditions do not exist, the portion of the impairment related to credit losses is recorded in earnings and the impairment related to other factors is recorded in other comprehensive income. Securities classified as trading are accounted for at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in investment income. Securities that we have the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and are accounted for at amortized cost unless the security is determined to have an other-than-temporary impairment. In this case it is accounted for in the same manner described above.
	We also have other investments, including a receivable for cash collateral posted to derivative counterparties. These investments are accounted for at amortized cost in other investments.
Interest Expense	'
	Interest Expense
	Interest expense is based upon contractual interest rates adjusted for the amortization of debt issuance costs and premiums and the accretion of discounts. Our interest expense may also be adjusted for net payments/receipts related to interest rate and foreign currency swap agreements and interest rate futures contracts that qualify and are designated as hedges. Interest expense also includes the amortization of deferred gains and losses on closed hedge transactions that qualified as hedges. Amortization of debt issuance costs, premiums, discounts and terminated hedge-basis adjustments are recognized using the effective interest rate method.
Transfer of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities	'
	Transfer of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities
	We account for loan sales and debt repurchases in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. Our securitizations and other asset-backed secured financings are accounted for as on-balance sheet secured borrowings. See “Securitization Accounting” of this Note 2 for further discussion on the criteria assessed to determine whether a transfer of financial assets is a sale or a secured borrowing. If a transfer of loans qualifies as a sale we derecognize the loan and recognize a gain or loss as the difference between the carrying basis of the loan sold and liabilities retained and the compensation received.
	We periodically repurchase our outstanding debt in the open market or through public tender offers. We record a gain or loss on the early extinguishment of debt based upon the difference between the carrying cost of the debt and the amount paid to the third party and is net of hedging gains and losses when the debt is in a qualifying hedge relationship.
	We recognize the results of a transfer of loans and the extinguishment of debt based upon the settlement date of the transaction.
Securitization Accounting	'
	Securitization Accounting
	Our securitizations use a two-step structure with a special purpose entity that legally isolates the transferred assets from us, even in the event of bankruptcy. Transactions receiving sale treatment are also structured to ensure that the holders of the beneficial interests issued are not constrained from pledging or exchanging their interests, and that we do not maintain effective control over the transferred assets. If these criteria are not met, then the transaction is accounted for as an on-balance sheet secured borrowing. In all cases, irrespective of whether they qualify as accounting sales our securitizations are legally structured to be sales of assets that isolate the transferred assets from us. If a securitization qualifies as a sale, we then assess whether we are the primary beneficiary of the securitization trust and are required to consolidate such trust. If we are the primary beneficiary then no gain or loss is recognized. See “Consolidation” of this Note 2 for additional information regarding the accounting rules for consolidation when we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts.
	Irrespective of whether a securitization receives sale or on-balance sheet treatment, our continuing involvement with our securitization trusts is generally limited to:
		•	Owning the equity certificates of certain trusts.
		•	The servicing of the student loan assets within the securitization trusts, on both a pre- and post-default basis.
		•	Our acting as administrator for the securitization transactions we sponsored, which includes remarketing certain bonds at future dates.
		•	Our responsibilities relative to representation and warranty violations.
		•	Temporarily advancing to the trust certain borrower benefits afforded the borrowers of student loans that have been securitized. These advances subsequently are returned to us in the next quarter.
		•	Certain back-to-back derivatives entered into by us contemporaneously with the execution of derivatives by certain Private Education Loan securitization trusts.
		•	The option held by us to buy certain delinquent loans from certain Private Education Loan securitization trusts.
		•	The option to exercise the clean-up call and purchase the student loans from the trust when the asset balance is 10 percent or less of the original loan balance.
		•	The option (in certain trusts) to call rate reset notes in instances where the remarketing process has failed.
	The investors of the securitization trusts have no recourse to our other assets should there be a failure of the trusts to pay when due. Generally, the only arrangements under which we have to provide financial support to the trusts are representation and warranty violations requiring the buyback of loans.
	Under the terms of the transaction documents of certain trusts, we have, from time to time, exercised our options to purchase delinquent loans from Private Education Loan trusts, to purchase the remaining loans from trusts once the loan balance falls below 10 percent of the original amount, or to call rate reset notes. Certain trusts maintain financial arrangements with third parties also typical of securitization transactions, such as derivative contracts (swaps) and bond insurance policies that, in the case of a counterparty failure, could adversely impact the value of any Residual Interest.
	We do not record servicing assets or servicing liabilities when our securitization trusts are accounted for as on-balance sheet secured financings. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, all of our securitization trusts are on-balance sheet, except as discussed in the next sentence, and as a result we do not have servicing assets or liabilities recorded on the consolidated balance sheet related to these securitization trusts. As of December 31, 2013, we have $58 million of servicing assets on our balance sheet related to Residual Interests in FFELP Loan securitization trusts we sold in 2013. See “Note 3 — Student Loans” for further details.
Derivative Accounting	'
	Derivative Accounting
	The accounting guidance for our derivative instruments, which includes interest rate swaps, cross-currency interest rate swaps, interest rate futures contracts, interest rate cap contracts and Floor Income Contracts, requires that every derivative instrument, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, be recorded at fair value on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability. Derivative positions are recorded as net positions by counterparty based on master netting arrangements (see “Note 7 — Derivative Financial Instruments — Risk Management Strategy”) exclusive of accrued interest and cash collateral held or pledged.
	Many of our derivatives, mainly interest rate swaps hedging the fair value of fixed-rate assets and liabilities, and cross-currency interest rate swaps, qualify as effective hedges. For these derivatives, the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged items (including the hedged risk and method for assessing effectiveness), as well as the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship, is documented. Each derivative is designated to either a specific (or pool of) asset(s) or liability(ies) on the balance sheet or expected future cash flows, and designated as either a “fair value” or a “cash flow” hedge. Fair value hedges are designed to hedge our exposure to changes in fair value of a fixed rate or foreign denominated asset or liability, while cash flow hedges are designed to hedge our exposure to variability of either a floating rate asset’s or liability’s cash flows or an expected fixed rate debt issuance. For effective fair value hedges, both the derivative and the hedged item (for the risk being hedged) are marked-to-market with any difference reflecting ineffectiveness and recorded immediately in the statement of income. For effective cash flow hedges, the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax, and recognized in earnings in the same period as the earnings effects of the hedged item. The ineffective portion of a cash flow hedge is recorded immediately through earnings. The assessment of the hedge’s effectiveness is performed at inception and on an ongoing basis, generally using regression testing. For hedges of a pool of assets or liabilities, tests are performed to demonstrate the similarity of individual instruments of the pool. When it is determined that a derivative is not currently an effective hedge, ineffectiveness is recognized for the full change in value of the derivative with no offsetting mark-to-market of the hedged item for the current period. If it is also determined the hedge will not be effective in the future, we discontinue the hedge accounting prospectively, cease recording changes in the fair value of the hedged item, and begin amortization of any basis adjustments that exist related to the hedged item.
	We also have derivatives, primarily Floor Income Contracts and certain basis swaps, that we believe are effective economic hedges but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. These derivatives are classified as “trading” and as a result they are marked-to-market through earnings with no consideration for the fair value fluctuation of the economically hedged item.
	The “gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” line item in the consolidated statements of income includes the unrealized changes in the fair value of our derivatives (except effective cash flow hedges which are recorded in other comprehensive income), the unrealized changes in fair value of hedged items in qualifying fair value hedges, as well as the realized changes in fair value related to derivative net settlements and dispositions that do not qualify for hedge accounting. Net settlement income/expense on derivatives that qualify as hedges are included with the income or expense of the hedged item (mainly interest expense).
Servicing Revenue	'
	Servicing Revenue
	Servicing revenue includes third-party loan servicing and Guarantor servicing revenue.
	We perform loan servicing functions for third-parties in return for a servicing fee. Our compensation is typically based on a per-unit fee arrangement or a percentage of the loans outstanding. We recognize servicing revenues associated with these activities based upon the contractual arrangements as the services are rendered. We recognize late fees on third-party serviced loans as well as on loans in our portfolio according to the contractual provisions of the promissory notes, as well as our expectation of collectability.
	We provide a full complement of administrative services to FFELP Guarantors including account maintenance for Guarantor agencies. The fees associated with these services are recognized as the services are performed based on contractually determined rates.
Contingency Revenue	'
	Contingency Revenue
	We receive fees for collections of delinquent debt on behalf of clients performed on a contingency basis. Revenue is earned and recognized upon receipt of the delinquent customer funds.
	We also receive fees from Guarantor agencies for performing default aversion services on delinquent loans prior to default. The fee is received when the loan is initially placed with us and we are obligated to provide such services for the remaining life of the loan for no additional fee. In the event that the loan defaults, we are obligated to rebate a portion of the fee to the Guarantor agency in proportion to the principal and interest outstanding when the loan defaults. We recognize fees received, net of an estimate of future rebates owed due to subsequent defaults, over the service period which is estimated to be the life of the loan.
Other Income	'
	Other Income
	Our Upromise subsidiary has a number of programs that encourage consumers to save for the cost of college education. We have established a consumer savings network which is designed to promote college savings by consumers who are members of this program who generate rewards when they purchase goods and services from the companies that participate in the program (“Participating Companies”). Participating Companies generally pay Upromise fees based on member purchase volume, either online or in stores depending on the contractual arrangement with the Participating Company. We recognize revenue as marketing and administrative services are rendered based upon contractually determined rates and member purchase volumes.
Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets
	We account for goodwill and acquired intangible assets in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. Under this guidance goodwill is not amortized but is tested periodically for impairment. We test goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1 at the reporting unit level, which is the same as or one level below a business segment. Goodwill is also tested at interim periods if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the carrying amount may be impaired.
	We assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. The “more-likely-than-not” threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. If, after assessing relevant qualitative factors, we conclude that it is “more-likely-than-not” that the fair value of a reporting unit as of October 1 is less than its carrying amount, we will complete Step 1 of the goodwill impairment analysis. Step 1 consists of a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit to the reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, Step 2 in the goodwill impairment analysis is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Step 2 of the goodwill impairment analysis compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner consistent with determining goodwill in a business combination. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
	Other acquired intangible assets include but are not limited to tradenames, customer and other relationships, and non-compete agreements. Acquired intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives in proportion to their estimated economic benefit. Finite-lived acquired intangible assets are reviewed for impairment using an undiscounted cash flow analysis when an event occurs or circumstances change indicating the carrying amount of a finite-lived asset or asset group may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset or asset groups exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, the fair value of the asset or asset group is determined using an acceptable valuation technique. An impairment loss would be recognized if the carrying amount of the asset (or asset group) exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group. The impairment loss recognized would be the difference between the carrying amount and fair value. Indefinite-life acquired intangible assets are not amortized. We test these indefinite life acquired intangible assets for impairment annually as of October 1 or at interim periods if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the carrying value of these assets may be impaired. The annual or interim impairment test of indefinite-lived acquired intangible assets is based primarily on a discounted cash flow analysis.
Restructuring and Other Reorganization Expenses	'
	Restructuring and Other Reorganization Expenses
	From time to time we implement plans to restructure our business. In conjunction with these restructuring plans, involuntary benefit arrangements, disposal costs (including contract termination costs and other exit costs), as well as certain other costs that are incremental and incurred as a direct result of our restructuring plans, are classified as restructuring expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
	We sponsor the SLM Corporation Employee Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”) which provides severance benefits in the event of termination of our full-time employees (with the exception of certain specified levels of management) and part-time employees who work at least 24 hours per week. The Severance Plan establishes specified benefits based on base salary, job level immediately preceding termination and years of service upon termination of employment due to Involuntary Termination or a Job Abolishment, as defined in the Severance Plan. The benefits payable under the Severance Plan relate to past service and they accumulate and vest. Accordingly, we recognize severance costs to be paid pursuant to the Severance Plan when payment of such benefits is probable and reasonably estimable. Such benefits, including severance pay calculated based on the Severance Plan, medical and dental benefits, outplacement services and continuation pay, have been incurred during 2013, 2012 and 2011, as a direct result of our restructuring initiatives. Accordingly, such costs are classified as restructuring expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
	Contract termination costs are expensed at the earlier of (1) the contract termination date or (2) the cease use date under the contract. Other exit costs are expensed as incurred and classified as restructuring expenses if (1) the cost is incremental to and incurred as a direct result of planned restructuring activities and (2) the cost is not associated with or incurred to generate revenues subsequent to our consummation of the related restructuring activities.
	Other reorganization expenses include third-party costs and severance incurred in connection with our previously announced plan to separate our existing organization into two distinct publicly-traded entities.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
	We recognize stock-based compensation cost in our consolidated statements of income using the fair value based method. Under this method we determine the fair value of the stock-based compensation at the time of the grant and recognize the resulting compensation expense over the vesting period of the stock-based grant.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	We account for income taxes under the asset and liability approach which requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax basis of our assets and liabilities. To the extent tax laws change, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted in the period that the tax change is enacted.
	“Income tax expense/(benefit)” includes (i) deferred tax expense/(benefit), which represents the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability balance during the year plus any change in a valuation allowance, and (ii) current tax expense/(benefit), which represents the amount of tax currently payable to or receivable from a tax authority plus amounts accrued for unrecognized tax benefits. Income tax expense/(benefit) excludes the tax effects related to adjustments recorded in equity.
	If we have an uncertain tax position, then that tax position is recognized only if it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. The amount of tax benefit recognized in the financial statements is the largest amount of benefit that is more than fifty percent likely of being sustained upon ultimate settlement of the uncertain tax position. We recognize interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense/(benefit), and penalties, if any, in operating expenses.
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	'
	Earnings (Loss) per Common Share
	We compute earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) by dividing net income allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding. Net income allocated to common shareholders represents net income applicable to common shareholders (net income adjusted for preferred stock dividends including dividends declared, accretion of discounts on preferred stock including accelerated accretion when preferred stock is repaid early, and cumulative dividends related to the current dividend period that have not been declared as of period end). Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing income allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding plus amounts representing the dilutive effect of stock options outstanding, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and the outstanding commitment to issue shares under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. See “Note 10 — Earnings (Loss) per Common Share” for further discussion.
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations
	A “Component” of a business comprises operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished operationally and for financial reporting purposes from the rest of the Company. When we determine that a Component of our business has been disposed of or has met the criteria to be classified as held-for-sale such Component is presented separately as discontinued operations if the operations of the Component have been or will be eliminated from our ongoing operations and we will have no continuing involvement with the Component after the disposal transaction is complete. If a Component is classified as held-for-sale, then it is carried at the lower of its cost basis or fair value. Included within discontinued operations are the accounting results related to our Campus Solutions and 529 college savings plan administration business, which have been sold as of December 31, 2013. See “Note 16 — Discontinued Operations” for further discussion.
Statement of Cash Flows	'
	Statement of Cash Flows
	Included in our financial statements is the consolidated statement of cash flows. It is our policy to include all derivative net settlements, irrespective of whether the derivative is a qualifying hedge, in the same section of the statement of cash flows that the derivative is economically hedging.
	As discussed in “Restricted Cash and Investments” of this Note 2, our restricted cash balances primarily relate to on-balance sheet securitizations. This balance is primarily the result of timing differences between when principal and interest is collected on the trust assets and when principal and interest is paid on the trust liabilities. As such, changes in this balance are reflected in investing activities.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to the balances as of and for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, to be consistent with classifications adopted for 2013, which had no effect on net income, total assets or total liabilities.

Student_Loans_Tables

Student Loans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Student Loan Portfolio by Program	'
	The following table reflects the distribution of our student loan portfolio by program.
			December 31,					Year Ended
			2013					December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in millions)		Ending		% of			Average		Average
			Balance		Balance			Balance		Effective
										Interest
										Rate
	FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans, net(1)		$	40,021		28	%	$	42,039		2.01	%
	FFELP Consolidation Loans, net			64,567		46			70,113		2.82
	Private Education Loans, net			37,512		26			38,292		6.6
	Total student loans, net		$	142,100		100	%	$	150,444		3.56	%
			December 31,					Year Ended
			2012					December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Ending		% of			Average		Average
			Balance		Balance			Balance		Effective
										Interest
										Rate
	FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans, net(1)		$	44,289		27	%	$	47,629		1.98	%
	FFELP Consolidation Loans, net			81,323		50			84,495		2.73
	Private Education Loans, net			36,934		23			37,691		6.58
	Total student loans, net		$	162,546		100	%	$	169,815		3.38	%
	(1)	The FFELP category is primarily Stafford Loans, but also includes federally guaranteed PLUS and HEAL Loans.

Allowance_for_Loan_Losses_Tabl

Allowance for Loan Losses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance for Credit Losses and Recorded Investments in Loans	'
	Allowance for Loan Losses Metrics
			Allowance for Loan Losses
			Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in millions)		FFELP Loans			Private Education			Other			Total
						Loans			Loans
	Allowance for Loan Losses
	Beginning balance		$	159		$	2,171		$	47		$	2,377
	Total provision			52			787			—			839
	Charge-offs(1)			(78	)		(878	)		(19	)		(975	)
	Student loan sales			(14	)		—			—			(14	)
	Reclassification of interest reserve(2)			—			17			—			17
	Ending Balance		$	119		$	2,097		$	28		$	2,244
	Allowance:
	Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		$	—		$	1,048		$	20		$	1,068
	Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		$	119		$	1,049		$	8		$	1,176
	Loans:
	Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		$	—		$	9,262		$	45		$	9,307
	Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		$	103,672		$	31,051		$	85		$	134,808
	Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment			0.1	%		2.78	%		12.28	%
	Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance			0.08	%		2.69	%		12.28	%
	Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance			0.12	%		5.2	%		21.42	%
	Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment			0.16	%		6.68	%		21.42	%
	Allowance coverage of charge-offs			1.5			2.4			1.5
	Ending total loans(3)		$	103,672		$	40,313		$	130
	Average loans in repayment		$	80,822		$	31,556		$	156
	Ending loans in repayment		$	76,504		$	31,370		$	130
		(1)	Charge-offs are reported net of expected recoveries. For Private Education Loans, the expected recovery amount is transferred to the receivable for partially charged-off loan balance. Charge-offs include charge-offs against the receivable for partially charged-off loans which represents the difference between what was expected to be collected and any shortfalls in what was actually collected in the period. See “Receivable for Partially Charged-Off Private Education Loans” for further discussion.
		(2)	Represents the additional allowance related to the amount of uncollectible interest reserved within interest income that is transferred in the period to the allowance for loan losses when interest is capitalized to a loan’s principal balance.
		(3)	Ending total loans for Private Education Loans includes the receivable for partially charged-off loans.
			Allowance for Loan Losses
			Year Ended December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		FFELP Loans			Private Education			Other			Total
						Loans			Loans
	Allowance for Loan Losses
	Beginning balance		$	187		$	2,171		$	69		$	2,427
	Total provision			72			1,008			—			1,080
	Charge-offs(1)			(92	)		(1,037	)		(22	)		(1,151	)
	Student loan sales			(8	)		—			—			(8	)
	Reclassification of interest reserve(2)			—			29			—			29
	Ending Balance		$	159		$	2,171		$	47		$	2,377
	Allowance:
	Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		$	—		$	1,126		$	35		$	1,161
	Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		$	159		$	1,045		$	12		$	1,216
	Loans:
	Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		$	—		$	7,560		$	69		$	7,629
	Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		$	124,335		$	32,341		$	116		$	156,792
	Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment			0.1	%		3.37	%		9.51	%
	Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance			0.08	%		3.24	%		9.51	%
	Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance			0.13	%		5.44	%		25.39	%
	Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment			0.18	%		6.89	%		25.39	%
	Allowance coverage of charge-offs			1.7			2.1			2.1
	Ending total loans(3)		$	124,335		$	39,901		$	185
	Average loans in repayment		$	91,653		$	30,750		$	231
	Ending loans in repayment		$	90,731		$	31,514		$	185
		(1)	Charge-offs are reported net of expected recoveries. For Private Education Loans, the expected recovery amount is transferred to the receivable for partially charged-off loan balance. Charge-offs include charge-offs against the receivable for partially charged-off loans which represents the difference between what was expected to be collected and any shortfalls in what was actually collected in the period. See “Receivable for Partially Charged-Off Private Education Loans” for further discussion.
		(2)	Represents the additional allowance related to the amount of uncollectible interest reserved within interest income that is transferred in the period to the allowance for loan losses when interest is capitalized to a loan’s principal balance.
		(3)	Ending total loans for Private Education Loans includes the receivable for partially charged-off loans.
			Allowance for Loan Losses
			Year Ended December 31, 2011
	(Dollars in millions)		FFELP Loans			Private Education			Other			Total
						Loans			Loans
	Allowance for Loan Losses
	Beginning balance		$	189		$	2,022		$	72		$	2,283
Total provision			86			1,179			30			1,295
Charge-offs(1)			(78	)		(1,072	)		(33	)		(1,183	)
Student loan sales			(10	)		—			—			(10	)
Reclassification of interest reserve(2)			—			42			—			42
Ending Balance		$	187		$	2,171		$	69		$	2,427
Allowance:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		$	—		$	762		$	51		$	813
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		$	187		$	1,409		$	18		$	1,614
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment		$	—		$	5,313		$	93		$	5,406
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		$	136,643		$	34,021		$	170		$	170,834
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment			0.08	%		3.72	%		11.3	%
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance			0.07	%		3.55	%		11.3	%
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance			0.14	%		5.52	%		26.26	%
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment			0.2	%		7.19	%		26.26	%
Allowance coverage of charge-offs			2.4			2			2.1
Ending total loans(3)		$	136,643		$	39,334		$	263
Average loans in repayment		$	94,359		$	28,790		$	294
Ending loans in repayment		$	94,181		$	30,185		$	263
	(1)	Charge-offs are reported net of expected recoveries. For Private Education Loans, the expected recovery amount is transferred to the receivable for partially charged-off loan balance. Charge-offs include charge-offs against the receivable for partially charged-off loans which represents the difference between what was expected to be collected and any shortfalls in what was actually collected in the period. See “Receivable for Partially Charged-Off Private Education Loans” for further discussion.
	(2)	Represents the additional allowance related to the amount of uncollectible interest reserved within interest income that is transferred in the period to the allowance for loan losses when interest is capitalized to a loan’s principal balance.
	(3)	Ending total loans for Private Education Loans includes the receivable for partially charged-off loans.
Private Education Loan Portfolio Stratified by Key Credit Quality Indicators	'
	The following table highlights the principal balance (excluding the receivable for partially charged-off loans) of our Private Education Loan portfolio stratified by the key credit quality indicators.
			Private Education Loans
			Credit Quality Indicators
			December 31, 2013						December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Balance(3)			% of Balance			Balance(3)			% of Balance
	Credit Quality Indicators
	School Type/FICO Scores:
	Traditional		$	36,140			93	%	$	35,347			92	%
	Non-Traditional(1)			2,860			7			3,207			8
	Total		$	39,000			100	%	$	38,554			100	%
	Cosigners:
	With cosigner		$	26,321			67	%	$	24,907			65	%
	Without cosigner			12,679			33			13,647			35
	Total		$	39,000			100	%	$	38,554			100	%
	Seasoning(2):
	1-12 payments		$	5,171			14	%	$	7,371			19	%
	13-24 payments			5,511			14			6,137			16
	25-36 payments			5,506			14			6,037			16
	37-48 payments			5,103			13			4,780			12
	More than 48 payments			11,181			29			8,325			22
	Not yet in repayment			6,528			16			5,904			15
	Total		$	39,000			100	%	$	38,554			100	%
	(1)	Defined as loans to customers attending for-profit schools (with a FICO score of less than 670 at origination) and customers attending not-for-profit schools (with a FICO score of less than 640 at origination).
	(2)	Number of months in active repayment for which a scheduled payment was due.
	(3)	Balance represents gross Private Education Loans.
Age Analysis of Past Due Loans Delinquencies	'
	The following tables provide information regarding the loan status and aging of past due loans.
			FFELP Loan Delinquencies
			December 31,
			2013						2012						2011
	(Dollars in millions)		Balance			%			Balance			%			Balance			%
	Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)		$	13,678					$	17,702					$	22,887
	Loans in forbearance(2)			13,490						15,902						19,575
	Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
	Loans current			63,330			82.8	%		75,499			83.2	%		77,093			81.9	%
	Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)			3,746			4.9			4,710			5.2			5,419			5.8
	Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)			2,207			2.9			2,788			3.1			3,438			3.7
	Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)			7,221			9.4			7,734			8.5			8,231			8.6
	Total FFELP Loans in repayment			76,504			100	%		90,731			100	%		94,181			100	%
	Total FFELP Loans, gross			103,672						124,335						136,643
	FFELP Loan unamortized premium			1,035						1,436						1,674
	Total FFELP Loans			104,707						125,771						138,317
	FFELP Loan allowance for losses			(119	)					(159	)					(187	)
	FFELP Loans, net		$	104,588					$	125,612					$	138,130
	Percentage of FFELP Loans in repayment						73.8	%					73	%					68.9	%
	Delinquencies as a percentage of FFELP Loans in repayment						17.2	%					16.8	%					18.1	%
	FFELP Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance						15	%					14.9	%					17.2	%
	(1)	Loans for customers who may still be attending school or engaging in other permitted educational activities and are not required to make payments on the loans, e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation, as well as loans for customers who have requested and qualify for other permitted program deferments such as military, unemployment, or economic hardships.
	(2)	Loans for customers who have used their allowable deferment time or do not qualify for deferment, that need additional time to obtain employment or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors.
	(3)	The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.
			Private Education Traditional Loan
			Delinquencies
			December 31,
			2013						2012						2011
	(Dollars in millions)		Balance			%			Balance			%			Balance			%
	Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)		$	6,088					$	5,421					$	5,866
	Loans in forbearance(2)			969						996						1,195
	Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
	Loans current			26,977			92.8	%		26,597			91.9	%		25,110			91.4	%
	Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)			674			2.3			837			2.9			868			3.2
	Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)			420			1.4			375			1.3			393			1.4
	Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)			1,012			3.5			1,121			3.9			1,096			4
	Total traditional loans in repayment			29,083			100	%		28,930			100	%		27,467			100	%
	Total traditional loans, gross			36,140						35,347						34,528
	Traditional loans unamortized discount			(629	)					(713	)					(792	)
	Total traditional loans			35,511						34,634						33,736
	Traditional loans receivable for partially charged-off loans			799						797						705
	Traditional loans allowance for losses			(1,592	)					(1,637	)					(1,542	)
	Traditional loans, net		$	34,718					$	33,794					$	32,899
	Percentage of traditional loans in repayment						80.5	%					81.9	%					80	%
	Delinquencies as a percentage of traditional loans in repayment						7.2	%					8.1	%					8.6	%
	Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance						3.2	%					3.3	%					4.2	%
	(1)	Deferment includes customers who have returned to school or are engaged in other permitted educational activities and are not required to make payments on the loans, e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation.
	(2)	Loans for customers who have requested extension of grace period generally during employment transition or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors, consistent with established loan program servicing policies and procedures.
	(3)	The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.
			Private Education Non-Traditional Loan
			Delinquencies
			December 31,
			2013						2012						2011
	(Dollars in millions)		Balance			%			Balance			%			Balance			%
	Loans in-school/grace/deferment(1)		$	440					$	483					$	656
	Loans in forbearance(2)			133						140						191
	Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
	Loans current			1,791			78.3	%		1,978			76.5	%		2,012			74	%
	Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)			128			5.6			175			6.8			208			7.7
	Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)			93			4.1			106			4.1			127			4.7
	Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)			275			12			325			12.6			371			13.6
	Total non-traditional loans in repayment			2,287			100	%		2,584			100	%		2,718			100	%
	Total non-traditional loans, gross			2,860						3,207						3,565
Non-traditional loans unamortized discount			(75	)					(83	)					(81	)
Total non-traditional loans			2,785						3,124						3,484
Non-traditional loans receivable for partially charged-off loans			514						550						536
Non-traditional loans allowance for losses			(505	)					(534	)					(629	)
Non-traditional loans, net		$	2,794					$	3,140					$	3,391
Percentage of non-traditional loans in repayment						80	%					80.6	%					76.2	%
Delinquencies as a percentage of non-traditional loans in repayment						21.7	%					23.4	%					26	%
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance						5.5	%					5.1	%					6.6	%
(1)	Deferment includes customers who have returned to school or are engaged in other permitted educational activities and are not required to make payments on the loans, e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation.
(2)	Loans for customers who have requested extension of grace period generally during employment transition or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors, consistent with established loan program servicing policies and procedures.
(3)	The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.
Receivable for Partially Charged-Off Loans	'
	The following table summarizes the activity in the receivable for partially charged-off loans.
			Years Ended December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2013			2012			2011
	Receivable at beginning of period		$	1,347		$	1,241		$	1,040
	Expected future recoveries of current period defaults(1)			290			351			391
	Recoveries(2)			(230	)		(189	)		(155	)
	Charge-offs(3)			(94	)		(56	)		(35	)
	Receivable at end of period			1,313			1,347			1,241
	Allowance for estimated recovery shortfalls(4)			(336	)		(198	)		(148	)
	Net receivable at end of period		$	977		$	1,149		$	1,093
		(1)	Represents the difference between the loan balance and our estimate of the amount to be collected in the future.
		(2)	Current period cash collections.
		(3)	Represents the current period recovery shortfall – the difference between what was expected to be collected and what was actually collected. These amounts are included in the Private Education Loan total charge-offs as reported in the “Allowance for Loan Losses Metrics” tables.
		(4)	The allowance for estimated recovery shortfalls of the receivable for partially charged-off Private Education Loans is a component of the $2.1 billion, $2.2 billion and $2.2 billion overall allowance for Private Education Loan losses as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Recorded Investment, Unpaid Principal Balance and Related Allowance for TDR Loans	'
	The following table provides the recorded investment, unpaid principal balance and related allowance for our TDR loans.
			TDR Loans
	(Dollars in millions)		Recorded			Unpaid			Related
			Investment(1)			Principal			Allowance
						Balance
	December 31, 2013
	Private Education Loans — Traditional		$	7,515		$	7,559		$	812
	Private Education Loans — Non-Traditional			1,434			1,427			236
	Total		$	8,949		$	8,986		$	1,048
	December 31, 2012
	Private Education Loans — Traditional		$	5,999		$	6,074		$	844
	Private Education Loans — Non-Traditional			1,295			1,303			282
	Total		$	7,294		$	7,377		$	1,126
	(1)	The recorded investment is equal to the unpaid principal balance and accrued interest receivable net of unamortized deferred fees and costs.
Average Recorded Investment and Interest Income Recognized for TDR	'
	The following table provides the average recorded investment and interest income recognized for our TDR loans.
			Years Ended December 31,
			2013						2012						2011
	(Dollars in millions)		Average			Interest			Average			Interest			Average			Interest
			Recorded			Income			Recorded			Income			Recorded			Income
			Investment			Recognized			Investment			Recognized			Investment			Recognized
	Private Education Loans — Traditional		$	6,805		$	418		$	5,181		$	333		$	1,960		$	121
	Private Education Loans — Non-Traditional			1,376			112			1,205			106			560			48
	Total		$	8,181		$	530		$	6,386		$	439		$	2,520		$	169
Modified Loans Accounts for TDR	'
	The following table provides the amount of modified loans that resulted in a TDR in the periods presented. Additionally, the table summarizes charge-offs occurring in the TDR portfolio, as well as TDRs for which a payment default occurred in the current period within 12 months of the loan first being designated as a TDR. We define payment default as 60 days past due for this disclosure. The majority of our loans that are considered TDRs involve a temporary forbearance of payments and do not change the contractual interest rate of the loan.
			Years Ended December 31,
			2013									2012									2011
	(Dollars in millions)		Modified			Charge-			Payment-			Modified			Charge-			Payment-			Modified		Charge-		Payment-
			Loans(1)			Offs(2)			Default			Loans(1)			Offs(2)			Default			Loans(1)		Offs(2)		Default
	Private Education Loans — Traditional		$	2,114		$	372		$	680		$	2,375		$	389		$	1,351		$	4,103	$	99	$	1,036
	Private Education Loans — Non-Traditional			314			132			184			443			152			420			951		55		414
	Total		$	2,428		$	504		$	864		$	2,818		$	541		$	1,771		$	5,054	$	154	$	1,450
	(1)	Represents period ending balance of loans that have been modified during the period and resulted in a TDR.
	(2)	Represents loans that charged off that were classified as TDRs.
Accrued Interest Receivable	'
	The following table provides information regarding accrued interest receivable on our Private Education Loans. The table also discloses the amount of accrued interest on loans greater than 90 days past due as compared to our allowance for uncollectible interest. The allowance for uncollectible interest exceeds the amount of accrued interest on our 90 days past due portfolio for all periods presented.
			Accrued Interest Receivable
			As of December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		Total			Greater Than			Allowance for
						90 Days			Uncollectible
						Past Due			Interest
	2013
	Private Education Loans — Traditional		$	926		$	35		$	46
	Private Education Loans — Non-Traditional			97			13			20
	Total		$	1,023		$	48		$	66
	2012
	Private Education Loans — Traditional		$	798		$	39		$	45
	Private Education Loans — Non-Traditional			106			16			22
	Total		$	904		$	55		$	67
	2011
	Private Education Loans — Traditional		$	870		$	36		$	44
	Private Education Loans — Non-Traditional			148			18			28
	Total		$	1,018		$	54		$	72
Troubled Debt Restructured Loans [Member]	'
Age Analysis of Past Due Loans Delinquencies	'
	The following tables provide information regarding the loan status and aging of TDR loans that are past due.
			TDR Loan Delinquencies
			December 31,
			2013						2012						2011
	(Dollars in millions)		Balance			%			Balance			%			Balance			%
	Loans in deferment(1)		$	913					$	574					$	285
	Loans in forbearance(2)			740						544						696
	Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:
	Loans current			5,613			76.5	%		4,619			73.8	%		3,018			69.7	%
	Loans delinquent 31-60 days(3)			469			6.4			478			7.6			427			9.8
	Loans delinquent 61-90 days(3)			330			4.5			254			4.1			215			5
	Loans delinquent greater than 90 days(3)			921			12.6			908			14.5			672			15.5
	Total TDR loans in repayment			7,333			100	%		6,259			100	%		4,332			100	%
	Total TDR loans, gross		$	8,986					$	7,377					$	5,313
	(1)	Deferment includes customers who have returned to school or are engaged in other permitted educational activities and are not required to make payments on the loans, e.g., residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation.
	(2)	Loans for customers who have requested extension of grace period generally during employment transition or who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors, consistent with established loan program servicing policies and procedures.
	(3)	The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due.

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib1

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Goodwill, Accumulated Impairments and Net Goodwill for Each Reporting Units and Reportable Segments	'
	The following table summarizes our goodwill, accumulated impairments and net goodwill for our reporting units and reportable segments.
			As of December 31, 2013							As of December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net
					Impairments							Impairments
	Total FFELP Loans reportable segment		$	194	$	(4	)	$	190	$	194	$	(4	)	$	190
	Total Consumer Lending reportable segment			147		—			147		147		—			147
	Business Services reportable segment:
	Servicing			50		—			50		50		—			50
	Contingency Services			136		(129	)		7		136		(129	)		7
	Wind-down Guarantor Servicing			256		(256	)		—		256		(256	)		—
	Insurance Services			9		(9	)		—		9		(9	)		—
	Upromise			43		(43	)		—		140		(140	)		—
	Total Business Services reportable segment			494		(437	)		57		591		(534	)		57
	Total		$	835	$	(441	)	$	394	$	932	$	(538	)	$	394
Carrying Value and Excess Percentage of Fair Value Over Carrying Value for Reporting Units	'
	The following table illustrates the carrying value of equity for each reporting unit with remaining goodwill as of December 31, 2013, and the percentage by which the estimated fair value determined in conjunction with Step 1 impairment testing in the fourth quarter of 2013 exceeds the carrying value of equity.
	(Dollars in millions)		Carrying Value		% of Fair Value
			of Equity		in Excess of
					Carrying Value
	FFELP Loans		$	930		202	%
	Consumer Lending			4,335		80	%
	Servicing			137		966	%
	Contingency Services			53		193	%
Acquired Intangible Assets	'
	Acquired intangible assets include the following:
			As of December 31, 2013							As of December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Cost		Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Net
			Basis(1)		Impairment and					Basis(1)		Impairment and
					Amortization(1)							Amortization(1)
	Intangible assets subject to amortization:
	Customer, services and lending relationships		$	278	$	(261	)	$	17	$	303	$	(270	)	$	33
	Software and technology			79		(79	)		—		93		(93	)		—
	Tradenames and trademarks			34		(21	)		13		54		(34	)		20
	Total acquired intangible assets		$	391	$	(361	)	$	30	$	450	$	(397	)	$	53
	(1)	Accumulated impairment and amortization includes impairment amounts only if the acquired intangible asset has been deemed partially impaired. When an acquired intangible asset is considered fully impaired, and no longer in use, the cost basis and any accumulated amortization related to the asset is written off.
	(2)	Intangible assets not subject to amortization include tradenames and trademarks totaling $6 million and $10 million, net of accumulated impairment as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Borrowings_Tables

Borrowings (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Company's Borrowings	'
	The following table summarizes our borrowings.
			December 31, 2013									December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Short				Long			Total		Short			Long		Total
			Term				Term					Term			Term
	Unsecured borrowings:
	Senior unsecured debt		$	2,213			$	16,056		$	18,269	$	2,319		$	15,446	$	17,765
	Bank deposits			6,133				2,807			8,940		4,226			3,088		7,314
	Other(1)			691				—			691		1,609			—		1,609
	Total unsecured borrowings			9,037				18,863			27,900		8,154			18,534		26,688
	Secured borrowings:
	FFELP Loan securitizations			—				90,756			90,756		—			105,525		105,525
	Private Education Loan securitizations			—				18,835			18,835		—			19,656		19,656
	FFELP Loan — other facilities			4,715				5,311			10,026		11,651			4,827		16,478
	Private Education Loan — other facilities			—				843			843		—			1,070		1,070
	Total secured borrowings			4,715				115,745			120,460		11,651			131,078		142,729
	Total before hedge accounting adjustments			13,752				134,608			148,360		19,805			149,612		169,417
	Hedge accounting adjustments			43				2,040			2,083		51			2,789		2,840
	Total		$	13,795			$	136,648		$	150,443	$	19,856		$	152,401	$	172,257
	(1)	“Other” primarily consists of the obligation to return cash collateral held related to derivative exposures.
Outstanding Short-Term Borrowings	'
	The following tables summarize outstanding short-term borrowings (secured and unsecured), the weighted average interest rates at the end of each period, and the related average balances and weighted average interest rates during the periods.
			December 31, 2013							Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in millions)		Ending Balance				Weighted Average			Average Balance		Weighted Average
							Interest Rate					Interest Rate
	Bank deposits		$	6,133				1.14	%	$	5,221		1.44	%
	FFELP Loan — other facilities			4,715				0.21			7,386		0.84
	Private Education Loan — other facilities			—				—			272		1.86
	Senior unsecured debt			2,256				3.09			2,814		3.59
	Other interest bearing liabilities			691				0.07			1,037		0.14
	Total short-term borrowings		$	13,795				1.09	%	$	16,730		1.46	%
	Maximum outstanding at any month end		$	20,038
			December 31, 2012							Year Ended December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Ending Balance				Weighted Average			Average Balance		Weighted Average
							Interest Rate					Interest Rate
	Bank deposits		$	4,226				1.4	%	$	3,537		1.54	%
	FFELP Loan — other facilities			11,651				0.72			17,606		0.78
	Senior unsecured debt			2,370				4.24			2,214		4.49
	Other interest bearing liabilities			1,609				0.31			1,474		0.21
	Total short-term borrowings		$	19,856				1.25	%	$	24,831		1.19	%
	Maximum outstanding at any month end		$	29,160
Long-Term Borrowings	'
	The following tables summarize outstanding long-term borrowings (secured and unsecured), the weighted average interest rates at the end of the periods, and the related average balances during the periods.
			December 31, 2013							Year Ended
										December 31,
							Weighted			2013
							Average
	(Dollars in millions)		Ending				Interest			Average
			Balance(1)				Rate(2)			Balance
	Floating rate notes:
	U.S. dollar-denominated:
	Interest bearing, due 2015-2048		$	96,724				0.99	%	$	102,241
	Non-U.S. dollar-denominated:
	Interest bearing, due 2021-2041			9,249				0.62			9,525
	Total floating rate notes			105,973				0.96			111,766
	Fixed rate notes:
	U.S. dollar-denominated:
	Interest bearing, due 2015-2047			18,510				5.61			16,149
	Non-U.S.-dollar denominated:
	Interest bearing, due 2015-2039			3,204				2.72			2,420
	Total fixed rate notes			21,714				5.18			18,569
	Brokered deposits — U.S. dollar-denominated, due 2015-2018			2,807				1.32			2,488
	FFELP Loan — other facilities			5,311				0.76			5,504
	Private Education Loan — other facilities			843				0.96			355
	Total long-term borrowings		$	136,648				1.63	%	$	138,682
			December 31, 2012							Year Ended
										December 31,
							Weighted			2012
							Average
	(Dollars in millions)		Ending				Interest			Average
			Balance(1)				Rate(2)			Balance
	Floating rate notes:
	U.S. dollar-denominated:
	Interest bearing, due 2014-2048		$	112,408				1.04	%	$	113,236
	Non-U.S. dollar-denominated:
	Interest bearing, due 2021-2041			10,819				0.53			11,463
	Total floating rate notes			123,227				1			124,699
	Fixed rate notes:
	U.S. dollar-denominated:
	Interest bearing, due 2014-2046			16,096				5.57			14,203
	Non-U.S.-dollar denominated:
	Interest bearing, due 2014-2039			4,061				3.39			2,882
	Total fixed rate notes			20,157				5.13			17,085
	Brokered deposits — U.S. dollar-denominated, due 2014-2017			3,120				1.77			2,216
	FFELP Loan — other facilities			4,827				1.29			5,517
	Private Education Loan — other facilities			1,070				1.45			1,880
	Total long-term borrowings		$	152,401				1.57	%	$	151,397
		(1)	Ending balance is expressed in U.S. dollars using the spot currency exchange rate. Includes fair value adjustments under hedge accounting for notes designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge.
		(2)	Weighted average interest rate is stated rate relative to currency denomination of debt.
Stated Maturities and Maturities to Call Dates	'
	As of December 31, 2013, the stated maturities and maturities if accelerated to the call dates are shown in the following table.
			December 31, 2013
			Stated Maturity(1)												Maturity to Call Date(1)
	(Dollars in millions)		Senior				Brokered			Secured		Total(2)			Senior		Brokered		Secured		Total
			Unsecured				Deposits			Borrowings					Unsecured		Deposits		Borrowings
			Debt												Debt
	Year of Maturity
	2014		$	—			$	—		$	14,408	$	14,408		$	1,611	$	—	$	14,408	$	16,019
	2015			1,506				1,195			11,672		14,373			1,595		1,195		11,672		14,462
	2016			2,284				648			9,498		12,430			2,283		648		9,498		12,429
	2017			1,829				538			10,157		12,524			1,807		538		10,157		12,502
	2018			2,796				426			8,597		11,819			2,547		426		8,597		11,570
	2019 and after			7,641				—			61,413		69,054			6,213		—		61,413		67,626
				16,056				2,807			115,745		134,608			16,056		2,807		115,745		134,608
	Hedge accounting adjustments			727				—			1,313		2,040			727		—		1,313		2,040
	Total		$	16,783			$	2,807		$	117,058	$	136,648		$	16,783	$	2,807	$	117,058	$	136,648
	(1)	We view our securitization trust debt as long-term based on the contractual maturity dates and projected principal paydowns based on our current estimates regarding loan prepayment speeds. The projected principal paydowns in year 2014 include $14.4 billion related to the securitization trust debt.
	(2)	The aggregate principal amount of debt that matures in each period is $14.5 billion in 2014, $14.4 billion in 2015, $12.5 billion in 2016, $12.6 billion in 2017, $11.9 billion in 2018, and $69.6 billion in 2019 and after.
Financing VIEs	'
	We consolidate the following financing VIEs as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, as we are the primary beneficiary.
			December 31, 2013
			Debt Outstanding									Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt
												Outstanding
	(Dollars in millions)		Short				Long			Total		Loans			Cash		Other Assets		Total
			Term				Term
	Secured Borrowings — VIEs:
	FFELP Loan securitizations		$	—			$	90,756		$	90,756	$	91,535		$	2,913	$	683	$	95,131
	Private Education Loan securitizations			—				18,835			18,835		23,947			338		540		24,825
	FFELP Loan — other facilities			3,655				3,791			7,446		7,719			128		91		7,938
	Private Education Loan — other facilities			—				843			843		1,583			16		30		1,629
	Total before hedge accounting adjustments			3,655				114,225			117,880		124,784			3,395		1,344		129,523
	Hedge accounting adjustments			—				1,313			1,313		—			—		978		978
	Total		$	3,655			$	115,538		$	119,193	$	124,784		$	3,395	$	2,322	$	130,501
			December 31, 2012
			Debt Outstanding									Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt
												Outstanding
	(Dollars in millions)		Short				Long			Total		Loans			Cash		Other Assets		Total
			Term				Term
	Secured Borrowings — VIEs:
	FFELP Loan securitizations		$	—			$	105,525		$	105,525	$	107,009		$	3,652	$	608	$	111,269
	Private Education Loan securitizations			—				19,656			19,656		24,618			385		545		25,548
	FFELP Loan — other facilities			9,551				4,154			13,705		14,050			487		197		14,734
	Private Education Loan — other facilities			—				1,070			1,070		1,454			302		33		1,789
	Total before hedge accounting adjustments			9,551				130,405			139,956		147,131			4,826		1,383		153,340
	Hedge accounting adjustments			—				1,113			1,113		—			—		929		929
	Total		$	9,551			$	131,518		$	141,069	$	147,131		$	4,826	$	2,312	$	154,269
Summary of Securitization Transactions	'
	The following table summarizes the securitization transactions issued in 2012 and 2013.
	(Dollars in millions)								AAA-rated bonds
	Issue		Date Issued		Total				Weighted Average	Weighted
					Issued				Interest Rate	Average
										Life
	FFELP:
	2012-1		January 2012		$	765			1 month LIBOR plus 0.91%	4.6 years
	2012-2		March 2012			824			1 month LIBOR plus 0.70%	4.7 years
	2012-3		May 2012			1,252			1 month LIBOR plus 0.65%	4.6 years
	2012-4		June 2012			1,491	(1)		1 month LIBOR plus 1.10%	8.2 years
	2011-3		July 2012			24			N/A (Retained B Notes sold)
	2012-4		July 2012			45			N/A (Retained B Notes sold)
	2012-5		July 2012			1,252			1 month LIBOR plus 0.67%	4.5 years
	2012-6		September 2012			1,249			1 month LIBOR plus 0.62%	4.6 years
	2012-7		November 2012			1,251			1 month LIBOR plus 0.55%	4.5 years
	2012-8		December 2012			1,527			1 month LIBOR plus 0.90%	7.8 years
	Total bonds issued in 2012				$	9,680
	Total loan amount securitized in 2012				$	9,565
	2013-1		February 2013		$	1,249			1 month LIBOR plus 0.46%	4.3 years
	2013-2		April 2013			1,246			1 month LIBOR plus 0.45%	4.4 years
	2013-3		June 2013			1,246			1 month LIBOR plus 0.54%	4.5 years
	2013-4		August 2013			747			1 month LIBOR plus 0.55%	4.4 years
	2013-5		September 2013			996			1 month LIBOR plus 0.64%	4.6 years
	2007-6 to 2007-8, 2008-2 to 2008-9		Oct-13			629			N/A (Retained B Notes sold)
	2013-6		November 2013			996			1 month LIBOR plus 0.60%	4.6 years
	Total bonds issued in 2013				$	7,109
	Total loan amount securitized in 2013				$	6,495
	Private Education:
	2012-A		February 2012		$	547			1 month LIBOR plus 2.17%	3.0 years
	2012-B		Apr-12			891			1 month LIBOR plus 2.12%	2.9 years
	2012-C		May-12			1,135			1 month LIBOR plus 1.77%	2.6 years
	2012-D		Jul-12			640			1 month LIBOR plus 1.69%	2.5 years
	2012-E		Oct-12			976			1 month LIBOR plus 1.22%	2.6 years
	Total bonds issued in 2012				$	4,189
	Total loan amount securitized in 2012				$	5,557
	2013-R1		Jan-13		$	254			1 month LIBOR plus 1.75%	6.3 years
	2013-A		March 2013			1,108			1 month LIBOR plus 0.81%	2.6 years
	2013-B		May 2013			1,135			1 month LIBOR plus 0.89%	2.7 years
	2013-C		September 2013			624			1 month LIBOR plus 1.21%	3.1 years
	Total bonds issued in 2013				$	3,121
	Total loan amount securitized in 2013				$	3,387
	(1)	Total size excludes subordinated tranche that was retained at issuance totaling $45 million.
Gains on Debt Repurchases	'
	The following table summarizes activity related to our senior unsecured debt and asset-backed securities (“ABS”) repurchases. “Gains on debt repurchases” is shown net of hedging-related gains and losses.
			Years Ended December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2013				2012			2011
	Debt principal repurchased		$	1,279			$	711		$	894
	Gains on debt repurchases			42				145			38

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Balance Sheet	'
	Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Balance Sheet
					Cash Flow								Fair Value								Trading								Total
	(Dollars in millions)		Hedged Risk		Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,
			Exposure		2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012
	Fair Values(1)
	Derivative Assets:
	Interest rate swaps		Interest rate		$	24			$	—			$	738			$	1,396			$	61			$	150			$	823			$	1,546
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps		Foreign currency and			—				—				1,185				1,165				—				70				1,185				1,235
			interest rate
	Other(2)		Interest rate			—				—				—				—				2				4				2				4
	Total derivative assets(3)					24				—				1,923				2,561				63				224				2,010				2,785
	Derivative Liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps		Interest rate			—				(11	)			(149	)			(1	)			(215	)			(197	)			(364	)			(209	)
	Floor Income Contracts		Interest rate			—				—				—				—				(1,384	)			(2,154	)			(1,384	)			(2,154	)
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps		Foreign currency and			—				—				(155	)			(136	)			(31	)			—				(186	)			(136	)
			interestrate
	Other(2)		Interest rate			—				—				—				—				(23	)			—				(23	)			—
	Total derivative liabilities(3)					—				(11	)			(304	)			(137	)			(1,653	)			(2,351	)			(1,957	)			(2,499	)
	Net total derivatives				$	24			$	(11	)		$	1,619			$	2,424			$	(1,590	)		$	(2,127	)		$	53			$	286
	(1)	Fair values reported are exclusive of collateral held and pledged and accrued interest. Assets and liabilities are presented without consideration of master netting agreements. Derivatives are carried on the balance sheet based on net position by counterparty under master netting agreements, and classified in other assets or other liabilities depending on whether in a net positive or negative position.
	(2)	“Other” includes embedded derivatives bifurcated from securitization debt as well as derivatives related to our Total Return Swap Facility and back-to-back private credit floors.
	(3)	The following table reconciles gross positions with the impact of master netting agreements to the balance sheet classification:
Gross Positions with Impact of Netting Agreements	'
	(3)	The following table reconciles gross positions with the impact of master netting agreements to the balance sheet classification:
			Other Assets								Other Liabilities
	(Dollar in millions)		December 31,				December 31,				December 31,				December 31,
			2013				2012				2013				2012
	Gross position		$	2,010			$	2,785			$	(1,957	)		$	(2,499	)
	Impact of master netting agreements			(386	)			(544	)			386				544
	Derivative values with impact of master netting agreements (as carried on balance sheet)			1,624				2,241				(1,571	)			(1,955	)
	Cash collateral (held) pledged			(687	)			(1,423	)			777				973
	Net position		$	937			$	818			$	(794	)		$	(982	)
Derivative Notional Values	'
			Cash Flow								Fair Value								Trading								Total
	(Dollars in billions)		Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,
			2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012
	Notional Values:
	Interest rate swaps		$	0.7			$	0.7			$	16			$	15.8			$	46.3			$	56.9			$	63			$	73.4
	Floor Income Contracts			—				—				—				—				31.8				51.6				31.8				51.6
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps			—				—				11.1				13.7				0.3				0.3				11.4				14
	Other(1)			—				—				—				—				3.9				1.4				3.9				1.4
	Total derivatives		$	0.7			$	0.7			$	27.1			$	29.5			$	82.3			$	110.2			$	110.1			$	140.4
	(1)	“Other” includes embedded derivatives bifurcated from securitization debt, as well as derivatives related to our Total Return Swap Facility and back-to-back private credit floors.
Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Income	'
	Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Income
			Years Ended December 31,
			Unrealized Gain												Realized Gain												Unrealized Gain											Total Gain (Loss)
			(Loss) on												(Loss) on												(Loss) on
			Derivatives(1)(2)												Derivatives(3)												Hedged Item(1)
	(Dollars in millions)		2013				2012				2011				2013				2012				2011				2013				2012				2011			2013			2012			2011
	Fair Value Hedges:
	Interest rate swaps		$	(806	)		$	(75	)		$	503			$	414			$	449			$	481			$	873			$	41			$	(554	)	$	481		$	415		$	430
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps			1				42				(723	)			98				167				314				(183	)			(182	)			664			(84	)		27			255
	Total fair value derivatives			(805	)			(33	)			(220	)			512				616				795				690				(141	)			110			397			442			685
	Cash Flow Hedges:
	Interest rate swaps			—				(1	)			(1	)			(9	)			(26	)			(39	)			—				—				—			(9	)		(27	)		(40	)
	Total cash flow derivatives			—				(1	)			(1	)			(9	)			(26	)			(39	)			—				—				—			(9	)		(27	)		(40	)
	Trading:
	Interest rate swaps			(107	)			(66	)			183				71				108				69				—				—				—			(36	)		42			252
	Floor Income Contracts			785				412				(267	)			(815	)			(859	)			(903	)			—				—				—			(30	)		(447	)		(1,170	)
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps			(101	)			(59	)			29				35				7				8				—				—				—			(66	)		(52	)		37
	Other			(19	)			5				22				(2	)			(1	)			11				—				—				—			(21	)		4			33
	Total trading derivatives			558				292				(33	)			(711	)			(745	)			(815	)			—				—				—			(153	)		(453	)		(848	)
	Total			(247	)			258				(254	)			(208	)			(155	)			(59	)			690				(141	)			110			235			(38	)		(203	)
	Less: realized gains (losses) recorded in interest expense			—				—				—				503				590				756				—				—				—			503			590			756
	Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net		$	(247	)		$	258			$	(254	)		$	(711	)		$	(745	)		$	(815	)		$	690			$	(141	)		$	110		$	(268	)	$	(628	)	$	(959	)
	(1)	Recorded in “Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” in the consolidated statements of income.
	(2)	Represents ineffectiveness related to cash flow hedges.
	(3)	For fair value and cash flow hedges, recorded in interest expense. For trading derivatives, recorded in “Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net.”
Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity	'
	Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (net of tax)
			Years Ended
			December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2013				2012				2011
	Total gains (losses) on cash flow hedges		$	16			$	(7	)		$	(4	)
	Realized losses recognized in interest expense(1)(2)(3)			6				16				35
	Total change in stockholders’ equity for unrealized gains on derivatives		$	22			$	9			$	31
		(1)	Amounts included in “Realized gain (loss) on derivatives” in the “Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Income” table above.
		(2)	Includes net settlement income/expense.
		(3)	We expect to reclassify $0.3 million of after-tax net losses from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next 12 months related to net settlement accruals on interest rate swaps.
Collateral Held and Pledged	'
	The following table details collateral held and pledged related to derivative exposure between us and our derivative counterparties.
	(Dollars in millions)		December 31,				December 31,
			2013				2012
	Collateral held:
	Cash (obligation to return cash collateral is recorded in short-term borrowings)(1)		$	687			$	1,423
	Securities at fair value — on-balance sheet securitization derivatives (not recorded in financial statements)(2)			629				613
	Total collateral held		$	1,316			$	2,036
	Derivative asset at fair value including accrued interest		$	1,878			$	2,570
	Collateral pledged to others:
	Cash (right to receive return of cash collateral is recorded in investments)		$	777			$	973
	Total collateral pledged		$	777			$	973
	Derivative liability at fair value including accrued interest and premium receivable		$	948			$	1,204
	(1)	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, $0 million and $9 million, respectively, were held in restricted cash accounts.
	(2)	The trusts do not have the ability to sell or re-pledge securities they hold as collateral.

Other_Assets_Tables

Other Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Assets	'
	The following table provides the detail of our other assets.
		December 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)	Ending		% of			Ending		% of
		Balance		Balance			Balance		Balance
	Accrued interest receivable, net	$	2,161		30	%	$	2,147		26	%
	Derivatives at fair value		1,624		22			2,241		27
	Income tax asset, net current and deferred		1,299		18			1,478		18
	Accounts receivable		881		12			1,111		13
	Benefit and insurance-related investments		477		7			474		6
	Fixed assets, net		237		3			215		3
	Other loans, net		101		1			137		2
	Other		507		7			470		5
	Total	$	7,287		100	%	$	8,273		100	%

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Common Share Repurchases and Issuances	'
	The following table summarizes our common share repurchases and issuances.
			Years Ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
	Common stock repurchased(1)			26,987,043		58,038,239		19,054,115
	Average purchase price per share(2)		$	22.26	$	15.52	$	15.77
	Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans(3)			6,365,002		4,547,785		3,024,662
	Average purchase price per share		$	21.76	$	15.86	$	15.71
	Common shares issued(4)			9,702,976		6,432,643		3,886,217
		(1)	Common shares purchased under our share repurchase program, of which $200 million remained available as of December 31, 2013.
		(2)	Average purchase price per share includes purchase commission costs.
		(3)	Comprises shares withheld from stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock for employees’ tax withholding obligations and shares tendered by employees to satisfy option exercise costs.
		(4)	Common shares issued under our various compensation and benefit plans.

Earnings_Loss_Per_Common_Share1

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	'
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS calculations follows.
			Years Ended December 31,
	(In millions, except per share data)		2013		2012		2011
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to SLM Corporation		$	1,418	$	939	$	633
	Preferred stock dividends			20		20		18
	Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock		$	1,398	$	919	$	615
	Denominator:
	Weighted average shares used to compute basic EPS			440		476		517
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Dilutive effect of stock options, non-vested deferred compensation and restricted stock, restricted stock units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)(1)			9		7		6
	Dilutive potential common shares(2)			9		7		6
	Weighted average shares used to compute diluted EPS			449		483		523
	Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
	Continuing operations		$	2.94	$	1.93	$	1.12
	Discontinued operations			0.24		—		0.07
	Total		$	3.18	$	1.93	$	1.19
	Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
	Continuing operations		$	2.89	$	1.9	$	1.11
	Discontinued operations			0.23		—		0.07
	Total		$	3.12	$	1.9	$	1.18
	(1)	Includes the potential dilutive effect of additional common shares that are issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, non-vested deferred compensation and restricted stock, restricted stock units, and the outstanding commitment to issue shares under the ESPP, determined by the treasury stock method.
	(2)	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, securities covering approximately 3 million, 12 million and 16 million shares, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_1

Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Black-Scholes Model Assumptions for Calculating Stock Option Fair Values	'
	The fair values of the options granted in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were estimated as of the grant date using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
			Years Ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Risk-free interest rate			0.65	%		0.6	%		1.57	%
	Expected volatility			31	%		44	%		54	%
	Expected dividend rate			3.35	%		3.13	%		2.58	%
	Expected life of the option			2.8 years			2.8 years			4.1 years
	Weighted average fair value of options granted		$	3.11		$	4.12		$	5.18
Stock Option Activity	'
	The following table summarizes stock option activity in 2013.
	(Dollars in millions, except per share data)		Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
			Options			Average			Average			Intrinsic
						Exercise			Remaining			Value(1)
						Price per			Contractual
						Share			Term
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			25,992,747		$	19.84
	Granted			3,980,008			17.92
	Exercised(2)(3)			(7,614,500	)		12.81
	Canceled			(2,085,495	)		34.94
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013(4)(5)			20,272,760		$	20.55			4.1 yrs		$	198
	Exercisable at December 31, 2013			14,426,174		$	21.84			4.1 yrs		$	145
		(1)	The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total intrinsic value (the aggregate difference between our closing stock price on December 31, 2013 and the exercise price of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders if all in-the-money options had been exercised on December 31, 2013.
		(2)	The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $73 million, $27 million and $14 million for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
		(3)	No cash was received from option exercises in 2013. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from option exercises totaled $28 million for 2013.
		(4)	As of December 31, 2013, there was $4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options net of estimated forfeitures, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.
		(5)	For net-settled options, gross number is reflected.
Restricted Stock Activity	'
	The following table summarizes restricted stock activity in 2013.
			Number of			Weighted
			Shares			Average Grant
						Date
						Fair Value
	Non-vested at December 31, 2012			187,792		$	11.55
	Granted			51,073			17.91
	Vested(1)			(193,370	)		12.47
	Canceled			(6,140	)		17.91
	Non-vested at December 31, 2013(2)			39,355		$	14.29
		(1)	The total fair value of shares that vested during 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $2 million, $4 million and $6 million, respectively.
		(2)	As of December 31, 2013, there was $.01 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock net of estimated forfeitures, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of .1 years.
Restricted Stock Unit and Performance Stock Unit Activity	'
	The following table summarizes RSU and PSU activity in 2013.
			Number of			Weighted
			RSUs/			Average Grant
			PSUs			Date
						Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			4,473,464		$	15.49
	Granted			2,457,570			17.98
	Vested and converted to common stock(1)			(1,730,669	)		15.32
	Canceled			(73,478	)		16.52
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013(2)			5,126,887		$	16.72
		(1)	The total fair value of RSUs/PSUs that vested and converted to common stock during 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $27 million, $13 million and $.4 million, respectively.
		(2)	As of December 31, 2013, there was $15 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs/PSUs net of estimated forfeitures, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.
Black-Scholes Model Assumptions for Calculating ESPP Fair Values	'
	The fair values of the stock purchase rights of the ESPP offerings were calculated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions.
			Years Ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Risk-free interest rate			0.15	%		0.13	%		0.27	%
	Expected volatility			29	%		29	%		42	%
	Expected dividend rate			3.51	%		3.27	%		1.87	%
	Expected life of the option			1 year			1 year			1 year
	Weighted average fair value of stock purchase rights		$	2.95		$	3.01		$	3.63

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Valuation of Financial Instruments that are Marked-to-Market on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table summarizes the valuation of our financial instruments that are marked-to-market on a recurring basis.
			Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
			December 31, 2013												December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Assets
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Agency residential mortgage-backed securities		$	—		$	102		$	—		$	102		$	—		$	63		$	—		$	63
	Guaranteed investment contracts			—			—			—			—			—			9			—			9
	Other			—			7			—			7			—			9			—			9
	Total available-for-sale investments			—			109			—			109			—			81			—			81
	Derivative instruments:(1)
	Interest rate swaps			—			785			38			823			—			1,444			102			1,546
	Cross currency interest rate swaps			—			27			1,158			1,185			—			48			1,187			1,235
	Other			—			—			2			2			—			—			4			4
	Total derivative assets(3)			—			812			1,198			2,010			—			1,492			1,293			2,785
	Total		$	—		$	921		$	1,198		$	2,119		$	—		$	1,573		$	1,293		$	2,866
	Liabilities(2)
	Derivative instruments(1)
	Interest rate swaps		$	—		$	(239	)	$	(125	)	$	(364	)	$	—		$	(34	)	$	(175	)	$	(209	)
	Floor Income Contracts			—			(1,384	)		—			(1,384	)		—			(2,154	)		—			(2,154	)
	Cross currency interest rate swaps			—			(35	)		(151	)		(186	)		—			(2	)		(134	)		(136	)
	Other			—			—			(23	)		(23	)		—			—			—			—
	Total derivative liabilities(3)			—			(1,658	)		(299	)		(1,957	)		—			(2,190	)		(309	)		(2,499	)
	Total		$	—		$	(1,658	)	$	(299	)	$	(1,957	)	$	—		$	(2,190	)	$	(309	)	$	(2,499	)
	(1)	Fair value of derivative instruments excludes accrued interest and the value of collateral.
	(2)	Borrowings which are the hedged items in a fair value hedge relationship and which are adjusted for changes in value due to benchmark interest rates only are not carried at full fair value and are not reflected in this table.
	(3)	See “Note 7 — Derivative Financial Instruments” for a reconciliation of gross positions without the impact of master netting agreements to the balance sheet classification.
Change in Balance Sheet Carrying Value Associated with Level 3 Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	The following tables summarize the change in balance sheet carrying value associated with level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis.
			Year Ended December 31, 2013
			Derivative Instruments
	(Dollars in millions)		Interest			Cross			Other			Total
			Rate Swaps			Currency						Derivative
						Interest						Instruments
						Rate Swaps
	Balance, beginning of period		$	(73	)	$	1,053		$	4		$	984
	Total gains/(losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings(1)			9			63			(22	)		50
	Included in other comprehensive income			—			—			—			—
	Settlements			(23	)		(109	)		(3	)		(135	)
	Transfers in and/or out of level 3			—			—			—			—
	Balance, end of period		$	(87	)	$	1,007		$	(21	)	$	899
	Change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held at the reporting date(2)		$	(2	)	$	116		$	(19	)	$	95
			Year Ended December 31, 2012
			Derivative Instruments
	(Dollars in millions)		Interest			Cross			Other			Total
			Rate Swaps			Currency						Derivative
						Interest						Instruments
						Rate Swaps
	Balance, beginning of period		$	(40	)	$	1,021		$	1		$	982
	Total gains/(losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings(1)			(5	)		159			3			157
	Included in other comprehensive income			—			—			—			—
	Settlements			(28	)		(127	)		—			(155	)
	Transfers in and/or out of level 3			—			—			—			—
	Balance, end of period		$	(73	)	$	1,053		$	4		$	984
	Change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held at the reporting date(2)		$	(31	)	$	55		$	4		$	28
			Year Ended December 31, 2011
			Derivative Instruments
	(Dollars in millions)		Interest			Cross			Other			Total
			Rate Swaps			Currency						Derivative
						Interest						Instruments
						Rate Swaps
	Balance, beginning of period			($90)			$1,427			$26			$1,363
	Total gains/(losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings(1)			69			(176	)		33			(74	)
	Included in other comprehensive income			—			—			—			—
	Settlements			(19	)		(230	)		(58	)		(307	)
	Transfers in and/or out of level 3			—			—			—			—
	Balance, end of period		$	(40	)	$	1,021		$	1		$	982
	Change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held at the reporting date(2)		$	6		$	(408	)	$	11		$	(391	)
		(1)	“Included in earnings” is comprised of the following amounts recorded in the specified line item in the consolidated statements of income:
Included in Earnings	'
			Years Ended December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2013			2012			2011
	Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net		$	(27	)	$	37		$	(298	)
	Interest expense			77			120			224
	Total		$	50		$	157		$	(74	)
		(2)	Recorded in “gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net” in the consolidated statements of income.
Unobservable Data Used in Recurring Valuations of Level 3	'
	The following table presents the significant inputs that are unobservable or from inactive markets used in the recurring valuations of the level 3 financial instruments detailed above.
	(Dollars in millions)		Fair Value at			Valuation		Input	Range
			December 31, 2013			Technique			(Weighted Average)
	Derivatives
	Consumer Price Index/LIBOR basis swaps		$	33		Discounted cash flow		Bid/ask adjustment	0.05% — 0.05%
								to discount rate	-0.05%
	Prime/LIBOR basis swaps			(120	)	Discounted cash flow		Constant Prepayment Rate	4.20%
								Bid/ask adjustment to	0.08% — 0.08%
								discount rate	-0.08%
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps			1,007		Discounted cash flow		Constant Prepayment Rate	2.60%
	Other			(21	)
	Total		$	899
Fair Values of Financial Assets and Liabilities, Including Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	The following table summarizes the fair values of our financial assets and liabilities, including derivative financial instruments.
			December 31, 2013									December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Fair			Carrying			Difference			Fair			Carrying			Difference
			Value			Value						Value			Value
	Earning assets
	FFELP Loans		$	104,481		$	104,588		$	(107	)	$	125,042		$	125,612		$	(570	)
	Private Education Loans			37,485			37,512			(27	)		36,081			36,934			(853	)
	Cash and investments(1)			9,732			9,732			—			9,994			9,994			—
	Total earning assets			151,698			151,832			(134	)		171,117			172,540			(1,423	)
	Interest-bearing liabilities
	Short-term borrowings			13,807			13,795			(12	)		19,861			19,856			(5	)
	Long-term borrowings			133,578			136,648			3,070			146,210			152,401			6,191
	Total interest-bearing liabilities			147,385			150,443			3,058			166,071			172,257			6,186
	Derivative financial instruments
	Floor Income Contracts			(1,384	)		(1,384	)		—			(2,154	)		(2,154	)		—
	Interest rate swaps			459			459			—			1,337			1,337			—
	Cross currency interest rate swaps			999			999			—			1,099			1,099			—
	Other			(21	)		(21	)		—			4			4			—
	Excess of net asset fair value over carrying value								$	2,924								$	4,763
	(1)	“Cash and investments” includes available-for-sale investments that consist of investments that are primarily agency securities whose cost basis is $113 million and $78 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, versus a fair value of $109 million and $81 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Reconciliations of Statutory U.S. Federal Income Tax Rates to Our Effective Tax Rate for Continuing Operations	'
	Reconciliations of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rates to our effective tax rate for continuing operations follow:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Statutory rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State tax, net of federal benefit		2			0.1			0.8
	Other, net		0.1			(0.5	)		(.5	)
	Effective tax rate		37.1	%		34.6	%		35.3	%
Components of Provision for Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	'
	Income tax expense consists of:
		December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2013			2012			2011
	Continuing operations current provision/(benefit):
	Federal	$	567		$	474		$	436
	State		47			27			38
	Foreign		—			—			—
	Total continuing operations current provision/(benefit)		614			501			474
	Continuing operations deferred provision/(benefit):
	Federal		142			23			(121	)
	State		20			(26	)		(25	)
	Foreign		—			—			—
	Total continuing operations deferred provision/(benefit)		162			(3	)		(146	)
	Continuing operations provision for income tax expense/(benefit)		776			498			328
	Discontinued operations current provision/(benefit):
	Federal	$	32		$	1		$	(49	)
	State		1			—			(5	)
	Foreign		—			—			—
	Total discontinued operations current provision/(benefit)		33			1			(54	)
	Discontinued operations deferred provision/(benefit):
	Federal		(12	)		(2	)		68
	State		(1	)		—			6
	Foreign		—			—			—
	Total discontinued operations deferred provision/(benefit)		(13	)		(2	)		74
	Discontinued operations provision for income tax expense/(benefit)		20			(1	)		20
	Provision for income tax expense/(benefit)	$	796		$	497		$	348
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities include the following:
		December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Loan reserves	$	893		$	940
	Market value adjustments on student loans, investments and derivatives		572			671
	Stock-based compensation plans		66			77
	Accrued expenses not currently deductible		61			34
	Deferred revenue		57			60
	Other		55			42
	Total deferred tax assets		1,704			1,824
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Gains/(losses) on repurchased debt		304			306
	Other		81			65
	Total deferred tax liabilities		385			371
	Net deferred tax assets	$	1,319		$	1,453
Summary of Changes in Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	The following table summarizes changes in unrecognized tax benefits:
		December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2013			2012			2011
	Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	41.2		$	45.9		$	41.7
	Increases resulting from tax positions taken during a prior period		5.8			20			20.5
	Decreases resulting from tax positions taken during a prior period		(7.7	)		(18.0	)		(2.1	)
	Increases/(decreases) resulting from tax positions taken during the current period		28.1			11.3			(9.1	)
	Decreases related to settlements with taxing authorities		(7.7	)		(14.7	)		—
	Increases related to settlements with taxing authorities		—			—			0.4
	Reductions related to the lapse of statute of limitations		(3.7	)		(3.3	)		(5.5	)
	Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	56		$	41.2		$	45.9

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Asset Information for Company's Consumer Lending Business Segment	'
	The following table includes asset information for our Consumer Lending segment.
			December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2013			2012
	Private Education Loans, net		$	37,512		$	36,934
	Cash and investments(1)			2,555			2,731
	Other			2,934			3,275
	Total assets		$	43,001		$	42,940
		(1)	Includes restricted cash and investments.
Asset Information for Company's FFELP Loans Business Segment	'
	The following table includes asset information for our FFELP Loans segment.
			December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2013			2012
	FFELP Loans, net		$	104,588		$	125,612
	Cash and investments(1)			4,473			5,766
	Other			3,587			4,286
	Total assets		$	112,648		$	135,664
		(1)	Includes restricted cash and investments.
Segment Results and Reconciliations to GAAP	'
	Segment Results and Reconciliations to GAAP
			Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in millions)		Consumer			Business			FFELP			Other			Eliminations(1)			Total			Adjustments									Total
			Lending			Services			Loans									“Core												GAAP
																		Earnings”			Reclassi-			Additions/			Total
																					fications			(Subtractions)			Adjustments(2)
	Interest income:
	Student loans		$	2,527		$	—		$	2,313		$	—		$	—		$	4,840		$	816		$	(307	)	$	509		$	5,349
	Other loans			—			—			—			11			—			11			—			—			—			11
	Cash and investments			7			5			6			4			(5	)		17			—			—			—			17
	Total interest income			2,534			5			2,319			15			(5	)		4,868			816			(307	)		509			5,377
	Total interest expense			825			—			1,285			51			(5	)		2,156			55			(1	)(4)		54			2,210
	Net interest income (loss)			1,709			5			1,034			(36	)		—			2,712			761			(306	)		455			3,167
	Less: provisions for loan losses			787			—			52			—			—			839			—			—			—			839
	Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses			922			5			982			(36	)		—			1,873			761			(306	)		455			2,328
	Other income (loss):
	Gains (losses) on sales of loans and investments			—			—			312			(10	)		—			302			—			—			—			302
	Servicing revenue			34			710			76			—			(530	)		290			—			—			—			290
	Contingency revenue			—			420			—			—			—			420			—			—			—			420
	Gains on debt repurchases			—			—			—			48			—			48			(6	)		—			(6	)		42
	Other income (loss)			—			34			—			4			—			38			(755	)		549	(5)		(206	)		(168	)
	Total other income (loss)			34			1,164			388			42			(530	)		1,098			(761	)		549			(212	)		886
	Expenses:
	Direct operating expenses			299			400			557			80			(530	)		806			—			—			—			806
	Overhead expenses			(1	)		—			—			237			—			236			—			—			—			236
	Operating expenses			298			400			557			317			(530	)		1,042			—			—			—			1,042
	Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			13			13			13
	Restructuring and other reorganization expenses			6			2			—			64			—			72			—			—			—			72
	Total expenses			304			402			557			381			(530	)		1,114			—			13			13			1,127
	Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)			652			767			813			(375	)		—			1,857			—			230			230			2,087
	Income tax expense (benefit)(3)			239			281			298			(138	)		—			680			—			96			96			776
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations			413			486			515			(237	)		—			1,177			—			134			134			1,311
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)			(1	)		112			—			1			—			112			—			(6	)		(6	)		106
	Net income (loss)			412			598			515			(236	)		—			1,289			—			128			128			1,417
	Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			(1	)		—			—			—			(1	)		—			—			—			(1	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation		$	412		$	599		$	515		$	(236	)	$	—		$	1,290		$	—		$	128		$	128		$	1,418
	(1)	The eliminations in servicing revenue and direct operating expense represent the elimination of intercompany servicing revenue where the Business Services segment performs the loan servicing function for the FFELP Loans segment.
	(2)	“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
			Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in millions)		Net Impact of			Net Impact of			Total
			Derivative			Goodwill and
			Accounting			Acquired Intangibles
	Net interest income after provisions for loan losses		$	455		$	—		$	455
	Total other loss			(212	)		—			(212	)
	Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense			—			13			13
	Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP		$	243		$	(13	)		230
	Income tax expense									96
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit									(6	)
	Net income								$	128
	(3)	Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.
	(4)	Represents a portion of the $63 million of “other derivative accounting adjustments.”
	(5)	Represents the $487 million of “unrealized gains on derivative and hedging activities, net” as well as the remaining portion of the $63 million of “other derivative accounting adjustments.”
			Year Ended December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)		Consumer			Business			FFELP			Other			Elimina-			Total			Adjustments									Total
			Lending			Services			Loans						tions(1)			“Core												GAAP
																		Earnings”			Reclassi-			Additions/			Total
																					fications			(Subtractions)			Adjustments(2)
	Interest income:
	Student loans		$	2,481		$	—		$	2,744		$	—		$	—		$	5,225		$	858		$	(351	)	$	507		$	5,732
	Other loans			—			—			—			16			—			16			—			—			—			16
	Cash and investments			7			7			11			2			(6	)		21			—			—			—			21
	Total interest income			2,488			7			2,755			18			(6	)		5,262			858			(351	)		507			5,769
	Total interest expense			822			—			1,591			37			(6	)		2,444			115			2	(4)		117			2,561
Net interest income (loss)			1,666			7			1,164			(19	)		—			2,818			743			(353	)		390			3,208
Less: provisions for loan losses			1,008			—			72			—			—			1,080			—			—			—			1,080
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses			658			7			1,092			(19	)		—			1,738			743			(353	)		390			2,128
Other income (loss):
Gain (losses) on sales of loans and investments			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Servicing revenue			46			813			90			—			(670	)		279			—			—			—			279
Contingency revenue			—			356			—			—			—			356			—			—			—			356
Gains on debt repurchases			—			—			—			145			—			145			—			—			—			145
Other income (loss)			—			33			—			15			—			48			(743	)		159	(5)		(584	)		(536	)
Total other income (loss)			46			1,202			90			160			(670	)		828			(743	)		159			(584	)		244
Expenses:
Direct operating expenses			265			364			702			12			(670	)		673			—			—			—			673
Overhead expenses			—			—			—			224			—			224			—			—			—			224
Operating expenses			265			364			702			236			(670	)		897			—			—			—			897
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			27			27			27
Restructuring expenses			3			3			—			5			—			11			—			—			—			11
Total expenses			268			367			702			241			(670	)		908			—			27			27			935
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)			436			842			480			(100	)		—			1,658			—			(221	)		(221	)		1,437
Income tax expense (benefit)(3)			157			303			173			(36	)		—			597			—			(99	)		(99	)		498
Net income (loss) from continuing operations			279			539			307			(64	)		—			1,061			—			(122	)		(122	)		939
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)			(2	)		—			—			1			—			(1	)		—			(1	)		(1	)		(2	)
Net income (loss)			277			539			307			(63	)		—			1,060			—			(123	)		(123	)		937
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			(2	)		—			—			—			(2	)		—			—			—			(2	)
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation		$	277		$	541		$	307		$	(63	)	$	—		$	1,062		$	—		$	(123	)	$	(123	)	$	939
(1)	The eliminations in servicing revenue and direct operating expense represent the elimination of intercompany servicing revenue where the Business Services segment performs the loan servicing function for the FFELP Loans segment.
(2)	“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
(Dollars in millions)		Net Impact of			Net Impact of			Total
		Derivative			Goodwill and
		Accounting			Acquired Intangibles
Net interest income after provisions for loan losses		$	390		$	—		$	390
Total other loss			(584	)		—			(584	)
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense			—			27			27
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP		$	(194	)	$	(27	)		(221	)
Income tax benefit									(99	)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit									(1	)
Net loss								$	(123	)
(3)	Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.
(4)	Represents a portion of the $42 million of “other derivative accounting adjustments.”
(5)	Represents the $115 million of “unrealized gains on derivative and hedging activities, net” as well as the remaining portion of the $42 million of “other derivative accounting adjustments.”
		Year Ended December 31, 2011
(Dollars in millions)		Consumer			Business			FFELP			Other			Elimina-			Total			Adjustments									Total
		Lending			Services			Loans						tions(1)			“Core												GAAP
																	Earnings”			Reclassi-			Additions/			Total
																				fications			(Subtractions)			Adjustments(2)
Interest income:
Student loans		$	2,429		$	—		$	2,914		$	—		$	—		$	5,343		$	902		$	(355	)	$	547		$	5,890
Other loans			—			—			—			21			—			21			—			—			—			21
Cash and investments			9			8			5			5			(8	)		19			—			—			—			19
Total interest income			2,438			8			2,919			26			(8	)		5,383			902			(355	)		547			5,930
Total interest expense			801			—			1,472			54			(8	)		2,319			71			11	(4)		82			2,401
Net interest income (loss)			1,637			8			1,447			(28	)		—			3,064			831			(366	)		465			3,529
Less: provisions for loan losses			1,179			—			86			30			—			1,295			—			—			—			1,295
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses			458			8			1,361			(58	)		—			1,769			831			(366	)		465			2,234
Other income (loss):
Gain (losses) on sales of loans and investments			(9	)		—			—			(26	)		—			(35	)		—			—			—			(35	)
Servicing revenue			64			872			86			—			(739	)		283			—			—			—			283
Contingency revenue			—			333			—			—			—			333			—			—			—			333
Gains on debt repurchases			—			—			—			64			—			64			(26	)		—			(26	)		38
Other income (loss)			—			69			—			20			—			89			(805	)		(174	)(5)		(979	)		(890	)
Total other income (loss)			55			1,274			86			58			(739	)		734			(831	)		(174	)		(1,005	)		(271	)
Expenses:
Direct operating expenses			291			393			772			19			(739	)		736			—			—			—			736
Overhead expenses			—			—			—			269			—			269			—			—			—			269
Operating expenses			291			393			772			288			(739	)		1,005			—			—			—			1,005
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			21			21			21
Restructuring expenses			3			5			1			3			—			12			—			—			—			12
Total expenses			294			398			773			291			(739	)		1,017			—			21			21			1,038
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)			219			884			674			(291	)		—			1,486			—			(561	)		(561	)		925
Income tax expense (benefit)(3)			81			325			248			(107	)		—			547			—			(219	)		(219	)		328
Net income (loss) from continuing operations			138			559			426			(184	)		—			939			—			(342	)		(342	)		597
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)			(2	)		5			—			34			—			37			—			(2	)		(2	)		35
Net income (loss)			136			564			426			(150	)		—			976			—			(344	)		(344	)		632
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			(1	)		—			—			—			(1	)		—			—			—			(1	)
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation		$	136		$	565		$	426		$	(150	)	$	—		$	977		$	—		$	(344	)	$	(344	)	$	633
(1)	The eliminations in servicing revenue and direct operating expense represent the elimination of intercompany servicing revenue where the Business Services segment performs the loan servicing function for the FFELP Loans segment.
(2)	“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
		Year Ended December 31, 2011
(Dollars in millions)		Net Impact of			Net Impact of			Total
		Derivative			Goodwill and
		Accounting			Acquired
					Intangibles
Net interest income after provisions for loan losses		$	465		$	—		$	465
Total other loss			(1,005	)		—			(1,005	)
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense			—			21			21
Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP		$	(540	)	$	(21	)		(561	)
Income tax benefit									(219	)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit									(2	)
Net loss								$	(344	)
(3)	Income taxes are based on a percentage of net income before tax for the individual reportable segment.
(4)	Represents a portion of the $(32) million of “other derivative accounting adjustments.”
(5)	Represents the $(153) million of “unrealized gains on derivative and hedging activities, net” as well as the remaining portion of the $(32) million of “other derivative accounting adjustments.”
Core Earnings Adjustments to GAAP	'
	The following table reflects aggregate adjustments associated with these areas.
			Years Ended December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)		2013			2012			2011
	“Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP:
	Net impact of derivative accounting(1)		$	243		$	(194	)	$	(540	)
	Net impact of goodwill and acquired intangible assets(2)			(13	)		(27	)		(21	)
	Net tax effect(3)			(96	)		99			219
	Net effect from discontinued operations			(6	)		(1	)		(2	)
	Total “Core Earnings” adjustments to GAAP		$	128		$	(123	)	$	(344	)
	-1	Derivative accounting: “Core Earnings” exclude periodic unrealized gains and losses that are caused by the mark-to-market valuations on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under GAAP as well as the periodic unrealized gains and losses that are a result of ineffectiveness recognized related to effective hedges under GAAP. These unrealized gains and losses occur in our Consumer Lending, FFELP Loans and Other business segments. Under GAAP, for our derivatives that are held to maturity, the cumulative net unrealized gain or loss over the life of the contract will equal $0 except for Floor Income Contracts where the cumulative unrealized gain will equal the amount for which we sold the contract. In our “Core Earnings” presentation, we recognize the economic effect of these hedges, which generally results in any net settlement cash paid or received being recognized ratably as an interest expense or revenue over the hedged item’s life.
	-2	Goodwill and acquired intangible assets: Our “Core Earnings” exclude goodwill and intangible asset impairment and amortization of acquired intangible assets.
	-3	Net Tax Effect: Such tax effect is based upon our “Core Earnings” effective tax rate for the year.

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Assets and Liabilities of Business Held for Sale	'
	The following table summarizes our discontinued assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012.
		At December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2013		2012
	Assets:
	Cash and equivalents	$	5	$	33
	Other assets		98		202
	Assets of discontinued operations	$	103	$	235
	Liabilities:
	Liabilities of discontinued operations	$	94	$	168
Summary of Discontinued Operations	'
	The following table summarizes our discontinued operations.
		Years Ended December 31,
	(Dollars in millions)	2013		2012			2011
	Operations:
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense (benefit)	$	126	$	(3	)	$	55
	Income tax expense (benefit)		20		(1	)		20
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)	$	106	$	(2	)	$	35

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio1

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	'
		2013
	(Dollars in millions, except per share data)	First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
	Net interest income	$	795		$	784		$	799		$	789
	Less: provisions for loan losses		241			201			207			190
	Net interest income after provisions for loan losses		554			583			592			599
	Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net		(31	)		18			(127	)		(128	)
	Other income		281			472			196			203
	Operating expenses		235			244			257			305
	Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense		3			3			4			3
	Restructuring and other reorganization expenses		10			23			12			26
	Income tax expense		211			299			136			129
	Net income from continuing operations		345			504			252			211
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes		1			38			8			59
	Net income		346			542			260			270
	Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			(1	)		—			—
	Net income attributable to SLM Corporation		346			543			260			270
	Preferred stock dividends		5			5			5			5
	Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock	$	341		$	538		$	255		$	265
	Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
	Continuing operations	$	0.76		$	1.14		$	0.56		$	0.47
	Discontinued operations		—			0.08			0.02			0.14
	Total	$	0.76		$	1.22		$	0.58		$	0.61
	Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
	Continuing operations	$	0.74		$	1.12		$	0.55		$	0.47
	Discontinued operations		—			0.08			0.02			0.13
	Total	$	0.74		$	1.2		$	0.57		$	0.6
		2012
	(Dollars in millions, except per share data)	First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
	Net interest income	$	811		$	746		$	819		$	832
	Less: provisions for loan losses		253			243			270			314
	Net interest income after provisions for loan losses		558			503			549			518
	Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net		(372	)		6			(233	)		(28	)
	Other income		238			176			202			256
	Operating expenses		236			216			220			226
	Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense		5			5			5			14
	Restructuring and other reorganization expenses		4			3			2			1
	Income tax expense		68			169			104			157
	Net income from continuing operations		111			292			187			348
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes		—			(1	)		—			—
	Net income		111			291			187			348
	Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(1	)		(1	)		(1	)		—
	Net income attributable to SLM Corporation		112			292			188			348
	Preferred stock dividends		5			5			5			5
	Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock	$	107		$	287		$	183		$	343
	Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
	Continuing operations	$	0.21		$	0.59		$	0.39		$	0.75
	Discontinued operations		—			—			—			—
	Total	$	0.21		$	0.59		$	0.39		$	0.75
	Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:
	Continuing operations	$	0.21		$	0.59		$	0.39		$	0.74
	Discontinued operations		—			—			—			—
	Total	$	0.21		$	0.59		$	0.39		$	0.74

Organization_and_Business_Addi

Organization and Business - Additional Information (Detail)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	29-May-13	Dec. 31, 2013
	Entity	Entity
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'
FFELP loan portfolio amortization period	'	'20 years
Number of separate publicly traded entities	2	2

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	29-May-13	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 13, 2013	Apr. 11, 2013	Feb. 13, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	Entity		Entity		Securitization Trust [Member]	Securitization Trust [Member]	Securitization Trust [Member]	Securitization Trust [Member]	Deconsolidation [Member]	Minimum [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	$159,543,000,000	$181,260,000,000	$58,000,000	$6,600,000,000	$2,030,000,000	$3,820,000,000	$12,500,000,000	'
Liabilities	'	'	153,901,000,000	176,194,000,000	'	6,420,000,000	1,990,000,000	3,680,000,000	12,100,000,000	'
Gain from trust sale	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	312,000,000	'
Consolidation loan rebate fee	'	'	'105 basis point	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Private Education Loan loss confirmation period (in years)	'	'	'2 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimate of charge offs expected to occur	'	'	'2 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Additional provision for loan losses	'	124,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loans classified as troubled debt restructuring	'	$3,800,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Period until which customers are not required to begin repayment under certain Private Education Loans	'	'	'Six months after they have graduated or otherwise left school	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of principal balance in higher education Private Education Loan portfolio related to customers who are in-school/grace/deferment status and not required to make payments	'	'	17.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of days after last payment contractually due Private Education Loan considered to be delinquent	'	'	'31 days	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Delinquency period (in days)	'	'	'212 days	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage reimbursement on all qualifying default claims period one	'	'	98.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage reimbursement on all qualifying default claims period two	'	'	97.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage reimbursement on all qualifying default claims period three	'	'	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Option to exercise clean-up call and purchase student loans from trust of original loan balance	'	'	'10 percent or less of the original loan balance	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of trust's asset balance needed to trigger clean-up call	'	'	10.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condition for purchase remaining loan from trust	'	'	'Loan balance below 10%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Probability percentage of impairment of goodwill	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	50.00%
Minimum number of working hours for Severance Plan eligibility	'	'	'24 hours	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of separate publicly traded entities	2	'	2	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Minimum settlement of tax position recognized	'	'	50.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Student_Loans_Additional_Infor

Student Loans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum repayment period of Stafford and PLUS Loans (in years)	'10 years	'
Minimum repayment period of Federal Family Education Loan Program consolidation loans (in years)	'12 years	'
Maximum repayment period of Federal Family Education Loan Program consolidation loans (in years)	'30 years	'
Percentage reimbursement on all qualifying FFELP default claims period one	98.00%	'
Percentage reimbursement on all qualifying FFELP default claims period two	97.00%	'
CP indexed loans	'	$128,000,000,000
Repayment terms of most (Private) student loans	'15 years or more	'
Estimated weighted average life of student loans	'7 years 6 months 0 days	'8 years
Percentage of student loan portfolio in repayment	76.00%	75.00%
Assets	159,543,000,000	181,260,000,000
Liabilities	153,901,000,000	176,194,000,000
Interest rate reduction, description	'Once the customer has made the initial three payments, the loan's status is returned to current and the interest rate is reduced for the successive twelve month period	'
Deconsolidation [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	12,500,000,000	'
Liabilities	12,100,000,000	'
Gain from trust sale	$312,000,000	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Repayment period of Stafford and PLUS Loans (in years)	'5 years	'

Student_Loans_Student_Loan_Por

Student Loans - Student Loan Portfolio by Program (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Ending Balance of student loans	$142,100	$162,546
Percentage to total student loans	100.00%	100.00%
Average Balance student loans	150,444	169,815
Average Effective Interest Rate of student loans	3.56%	3.38%
FFELP Stafford and Other Student Loans, Net [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Ending Balance of student loans	40,021	44,289
Percentage to total student loans	28.00%	27.00%
Average Balance student loans	42,039	47,629
Average Effective Interest Rate of student loans	2.01%	1.98%
FFELP Consolidation Loans, Net [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Ending Balance of student loans	64,567	81,323
Percentage to total student loans	46.00%	50.00%
Average Balance student loans	70,113	84,495
Average Effective Interest Rate of student loans	2.82%	2.73%
Private Education Loans [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Ending Balance of student loans	37,512	36,934
Percentage to total student loans	26.00%	23.00%
Average Balance student loans	$38,292	$37,691
Average Effective Interest Rate of student loans	6.60%	6.58%

Allowance_for_Loan_Losses_Addi

Allowance for Loan Losses - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	CreditScore
Schedule Of Allowance For Credit Losses And Recorded Investment In Financing Receivables [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maximum original FICO score at for-profit schools to become eligible for non-traditional loans	670	'	'
Maximum original FICO score at not-for-profit schools to become eligible for non-traditional loans	640	'	'
Delinquency period (in days)	'212 days	'	'
Allowance for estimated recovery shortfalls	$336	$198	$148
TDR loans, unpaid principal balance	8,986	7,377	'
Percentage of loans granted forbearance that migrated to TDR classification	45.00%	43.00%	'
Payment default period for TDRs	'60 days past due	'	'
Criteria for loans to be considered as nonperforming	'Greater than 90 days past due	'	'
Interest Rate Reduction [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Allowance For Credit Losses And Recorded Investment In Financing Receivables [Line Items]	'	'	'
TDR loans, unpaid principal balance	$1,500	$1,000	'
Private Education Loans [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Allowance For Credit Losses And Recorded Investment In Financing Receivables [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of classes of loans	2	'	'

Allowance_for_Loan_Losses_Allo

Allowance for Loan Losses - Allowance for Credit Losses and Recorded Investments in Loans (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for Loan Losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	'	$2,377	'	'	'	$2,427	$2,377	$2,427	$2,283
Total provision	190	207	201	241	314	270	243	253	839	1,080	1,295
Charge-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-975	-1,151	-1,183
Student loan sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-14	-8	-10
Reclassification of interest reserve	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	17	29	42
Ending balance	2,244	'	'	'	2,377	'	'	'	2,244	2,377	2,427
Allowance:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	1,068	'	'	'	1,161	'	'	'	1,068	1,161	813
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	1,176	'	'	'	1,216	'	'	'	1,176	1,216	1,614
Loans:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	9,307	'	'	'	7,629	'	'	'	9,307	7,629	5,406
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	134,808	'	'	'	156,792	'	'	'	134,808	156,792	170,834
FFELP Loans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Allowance for Loan Losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	'	159	'	'	'	187	159	187	189
Total provision	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	52	72	86
Charge-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-78	-92	-78
Student loan sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-14	-8	-10
Ending balance	119	'	'	'	159	'	'	'	119	159	187
Allowance:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	119	'	'	'	159	'	'	'	119	159	187
Loans:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	103,672	'	'	'	124,335	'	'	'	103,672	124,335	136,643
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.10%	0.10%	0.08%
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.08%	0.08%	0.07%
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.12%	0.13%	0.14%
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.16%	0.18%	0.20%
Allowance coverage of charge-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.5	1.7	2.4
Ending total loans	103,672	'	'	'	124,335	'	'	'	103,672	124,335	136,643
Average loans in repayment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	80,822	91,653	94,359
Ending loans in repayment	76,504	'	'	'	90,731	'	'	'	76,504	90,731	94,181
Private Education Loans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Allowance for Loan Losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	'	2,171	'	'	'	2,171	2,171	2,171	2,022
Total provision	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	787	1,008	1,179
Charge-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-878	-1,037	-1,072
Reclassification of interest reserve	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	17	29	42
Ending balance	2,097	'	'	'	2,171	'	'	'	2,097	2,171	2,171
Allowance:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	1,048	'	'	'	1,126	'	'	'	1,048	1,126	762
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	1,049	'	'	'	1,045	'	'	'	1,049	1,045	1,409
Loans:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	9,262	'	'	'	7,560	'	'	'	9,262	7,560	5,313
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	31,051	'	'	'	32,341	'	'	'	31,051	32,341	34,021
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2.78%	3.37%	3.72%
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2.69%	3.24%	3.55%
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5.20%	5.44%	5.52%
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6.68%	6.89%	7.19%
Allowance coverage of charge-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2.4	2.1	2
Ending total loans	40,313	'	'	'	39,901	'	'	'	40,313	39,901	39,334
Average loans in repayment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	31,556	30,750	28,790
Ending loans in repayment	31,370	'	'	'	31,514	'	'	'	31,370	31,514	30,185
Other Loans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Allowance for Loan Losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	'	47	'	'	'	69	47	69	72
Total provision	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	30
Charge-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-19	-22	-33
Ending balance	28	'	'	'	47	'	'	'	28	47	69
Allowance:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	20	'	'	'	35	'	'	'	20	35	51
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	8	'	'	'	12	'	'	'	8	12	18
Loans:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	45	'	'	'	69	'	'	'	45	69	93
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	85	'	'	'	116	'	'	'	85	116	170
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	12.28%	9.51%	11.30%
Charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment and forbearance	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	12.28%	9.51%	11.30%
Allowance as a percentage of the ending total loan balance	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21.42%	25.39%	26.26%
Allowance as a percentage of the ending loans in repayment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21.42%	25.39%	26.26%
Allowance coverage of charge-offs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.5	2.1	2.1
Ending total loans	130	'	'	'	185	'	'	'	130	185	263
Average loans in repayment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	156	231	294
Ending loans in repayment	$130	'	'	'	$185	'	'	'	$130	$185	$263

Allowance_for_Loan_Losses_Priv

Allowance for Loan Losses - Private Education Loan Portfolio Stratified by Key Credit Quality Indicators (Detail) (Private Education Loans [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
School Type/FICO Scores [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
School type FICO scores traditional recorded investment	$36,140	$35,347
School type FICO scores traditional recorded investment, in percent	93.00%	92.00%
School type FICO scores non- traditional recorded investment	2,860	3,207
School type FICO scores non- traditional recorded investment, in percent	7.00%	8.00%
Total	39,000	38,554
Total in percent	100.00%	100.00%
Cosigners [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Private Education Loans with cosigner	26,321	24,907
Private Education Loans with cosigner in percent	67.00%	65.00%
Private Education Loans without cosigner	12,679	13,647
Private Education Loans without cosigner in percent	33.00%	35.00%
Total	39,000	38,554
Total in percent	100.00%	100.00%
Seasoning [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Seasoning - based on monthly scheduled payments due from 1-12 payments	5,171	7,371
Seasoning - based on monthly scheduled payments due from 13-24 payments	5,511	6,137
Seasoning - based on monthly scheduled payments due from 25-36 payments	5,506	6,037
Seasoning - based on monthly scheduled payments due from 37-48 payments	5,103	4,780
Seasoning - based on monthly scheduled payments due from more than 48 payments	11,181	8,325
Seasoning - based on monthly scheduled payments due from not yet in repayment	6,528	5,904
Total	$39,000	$38,554
Seasoning based on monthly scheduled payments due from 1-12 payments, in percent	14.00%	19.00%
Seasoning based on monthly scheduled payments due from 13 - 24 payments, in percent	14.00%	16.00%
Seasoning based on monthly scheduled payments due from 25 - 36 payments, in percent	14.00%	16.00%
Seasoning based on monthly scheduled payments due from 37 - 48 payments, in percent	13.00%	12.00%
Seasoning based on monthly scheduled payments due from more than 48 payments, in percent	29.00%	22.00%
Seasoning - based on monthly scheduled payments due from not yet in repayment, in percent	16.00%	15.00%
Total in percent	100.00%	100.00%

Allowance_for_Loan_Losses_Age_

Allowance for Loan Losses - Age Analysis of Past Due Loans Delinquencies (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:	'	'	'	'
Loans allowance for losses	($2,244)	($2,377)	($2,427)	($2,283)
Loans, net	142,100	162,546	'	'
FFELP Loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	13,678	17,702	22,887	'
Loans in forbearance	13,490	15,902	19,575	'
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:	'	'	'	'
Loans current	63,330	75,499	77,093	'
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	3,746	4,710	5,419	'
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	2,207	2,788	3,438	'
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days	7,221	7,734	8,231	'
Total loans in repayment	76,504	90,731	94,181	'
Total loans, gross	103,672	124,335	136,643	'
Loans unamortized premium (discount)	1,035	1,436	1,674	'
Total loans	104,707	125,771	138,317	'
Loans allowance for losses	-119	-159	-187	'
Loans, net	104,588	125,612	138,130	'
Loans current, in percentage	82.80%	83.20%	81.90%	'
Loans delinquent 31-60 days, in percentage	4.90%	5.20%	5.80%	'
Loans delinquent 61-90 days, in percentage	2.90%	3.10%	3.70%	'
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days, in percentage	9.40%	8.50%	8.60%	'
Total loans in repayment, in percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	'
Percentage of loans in repayment	73.80%	73.00%	68.90%	'
Delinquencies as a percentage of loans in repayment	17.20%	16.80%	18.10%	'
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance	15.00%	14.90%	17.20%	'
Private Education Traditional Loan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	6,088	5,421	5,866	'
Loans in forbearance	969	996	1,195	'
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:	'	'	'	'
Loans current	26,977	26,597	25,110	'
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	674	837	868	'
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	420	375	393	'
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days	1,012	1,121	1,096	'
Total loans in repayment	29,083	28,930	27,467	'
Total loans, gross	36,140	35,347	34,528	'
Loans unamortized premium (discount)	-629	-713	-792	'
Total loans	35,511	34,634	33,736	'
Loans receivable for partially charged-off loans	799	797	705	'
Loans allowance for losses	-1,592	-1,637	-1,542	'
Loans, net	34,718	33,794	32,899	'
Loans current, in percentage	92.80%	91.90%	91.40%	'
Loans delinquent 31-60 days, in percentage	2.30%	2.90%	3.20%	'
Loans delinquent 61-90 days, in percentage	1.40%	1.30%	1.40%	'
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days, in percentage	3.50%	3.90%	4.00%	'
Total loans in repayment, in percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	'
Percentage of loans in repayment	80.50%	81.90%	80.00%	'
Delinquencies as a percentage of loans in repayment	7.20%	8.10%	8.60%	'
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance	3.20%	3.30%	4.20%	'
Private Education Non-Traditional Loan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	440	483	656	'
Loans in forbearance	133	140	191	'
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:	'	'	'	'
Loans current	1,791	1,978	2,012	'
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	128	175	208	'
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	93	106	127	'
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days	275	325	371	'
Total loans in repayment	2,287	2,584	2,718	'
Total loans, gross	2,860	3,207	3,565	'
Loans unamortized premium (discount)	-75	-83	-81	'
Total loans	2,785	3,124	3,484	'
Loans receivable for partially charged-off loans	514	550	536	'
Loans allowance for losses	-505	-534	-629	'
Loans, net	2,794	3,140	3,391	'
Loans current, in percentage	78.30%	76.50%	74.00%	'
Loans delinquent 31-60 days, in percentage	5.60%	6.80%	7.70%	'
Loans delinquent 61-90 days, in percentage	4.10%	4.10%	4.70%	'
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days, in percentage	12.00%	12.60%	13.60%	'
Total loans in repayment, in percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	'
Percentage of loans in repayment	80.00%	80.60%	76.20%	'
Delinquencies as a percentage of loans in repayment	21.70%	23.40%	26.00%	'
Loans in forbearance as a percentage of loans in repayment and forbearance	5.50%	5.10%	6.60%	'
Troubled Debt Restructuring Loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	913	574	285	'
Loans in forbearance	740	544	696	'
Loans in repayment and percentage of each status:	'	'	'	'
Loans current	5,613	4,619	3,018	'
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	469	478	427	'
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	330	254	215	'
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days	921	908	672	'
Total loans in repayment	7,333	6,259	4,332	'
Total loans, gross	$8,986	$7,377	$5,313	'
Loans current, in percentage	76.50%	73.80%	69.70%	'
Loans delinquent 31-60 days, in percentage	6.40%	7.60%	9.80%	'
Loans delinquent 61-90 days, in percentage	4.50%	4.10%	5.00%	'
Loans delinquent greater than 90 days, in percentage	12.60%	14.50%	15.50%	'
Total loans in repayment, in percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	'

Allowance_for_Loan_Losses_Rece

Allowance for Loan Losses - Receivable for Partially Charged-Off Loans (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'	'
Receivable at beginning of period	$1,347	$1,241	$1,040
Expected future recoveries of current period defaults	290	351	391
Recoveries	-230	-189	-155
Charge-offs	-94	-56	-35
Receivable at end of period	1,313	1,347	1,241
Allowance for estimated recovery shortfalls	-336	-198	-148
Net receivable at end of period	$977	$1,149	$1,093

Allowance_for_Loan_Losses_Rece1

Allowance for Loan Losses - Receivable for Partially Charged-Off Loans (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'	'
Allowance for private education loans losses	$2,097	$2,171	$2,200

Allowance_for_Loan_Losses_Reco

Allowance for Loan Losses - Recorded Investment, Unpaid Principal Balance and Related Allowance for TDR Loans (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
TDR Loans, Recorded Investment	$8,949	$7,294
TDR loans, unpaid principal balance	8,986	7,377
TDR Loans, Related Allowance	1,048	1,126
Private Education Loans - Traditional [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
TDR Loans, Recorded Investment	7,515	5,999
TDR loans, unpaid principal balance	7,559	6,074
TDR Loans, Related Allowance	812	844
Private Education Loans - Non-Traditional [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
TDR Loans, Recorded Investment	1,434	1,295
TDR loans, unpaid principal balance	1,427	1,303
TDR Loans, Related Allowance	$236	$282

Allowance_for_Loan_Losses_Aver

Allowance for Loan Losses - Average Recorded Investment and Interest Income Recognized for TDR (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'	'	'
Impaired financing receivable, Average Recorded Investment	$8,181	$6,386	$2,520
Impaired financing receivable, Interest Income Recognized	530	439	169
Private Education Loans - Traditional [Member]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'	'	'
Impaired financing receivable, Average Recorded Investment	6,805	5,181	1,960
Impaired financing receivable, Interest Income Recognized	418	333	121
Private Education Loans - Non-Traditional [Member]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'	'	'
Impaired financing receivable, Average Recorded Investment	1,376	1,205	560
Impaired financing receivable, Interest Income Recognized	$112	$106	$48

Allowance_for_Loan_Losses_Modi

Allowance for Loan Losses - Modified Loans Accounts for TDR (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]	'	'	'
Modified Loans	$2,428	$2,818	$5,054
Charge-Offs	504	541	154
Payment Default	864	1,771	1,450
Private Education Loans - Traditional [Member]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]	'	'	'
Modified Loans	2,114	2,375	4,103
Charge-Offs	372	389	99
Payment Default	680	1,351	1,036
Private Education Loans - Non-Traditional [Member]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]	'	'	'
Modified Loans	314	443	951
Charge-Offs	132	152	55
Payment Default	$184	$420	$414

Allowance_for_Loan_Losses_Accr

Allowance for Loan Losses - Accrued Interest Receivable (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Accrued Interest Receivable	$1,023	$904	$1,018
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	48	55	54
Allowance for Uncollectible Interest	66	67	72
Private Education Loans - Traditional [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Accrued Interest Receivable	926	798	870
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	35	39	36
Allowance for Uncollectible Interest	46	45	44
Private Education Loans - Non-Traditional [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Accrued Interest Receivable	97	106	148
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	13	16	18
Allowance for Uncollectible Interest	$20	$22	$28

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib2

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 02, 2012
	Segment			Contingency Services [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	4	'	'	'
Goodwill deemed to be impaired	$0	'	'	$0
Number of year projections that reflect the anticipated cash flow fluctuations	'5 years	'	'	'
Residual value	0	'	'	'
Amortization of acquired intangible assets	13,000,000	18,000,000	21,000,000	'
2014	9,000,000	'	'	'
2015	7,000,000	'	'	'
2016	5,000,000	'	'	'
2017	2,000,000	'	'	'
2018	$2,000,000	'	'	'

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib3

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets - Summary of Goodwill, Accumulated Impairments and Net Goodwill for Each Reporting Units and Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Intangible Assets By Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	$835	$932
Accumulated Impairments	-441	-538
Net	394	394
Consumer Lending [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Intangible Assets By Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	147	147
Net	147	147
Business Services [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Intangible Assets By Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	494	591
Accumulated Impairments	-437	-534
Net	57	57
Total FFELP Loans Reportable Segment [Member] | FFELP Loans [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Intangible Assets By Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	194	194
Accumulated Impairments	-4	-4
Net	190	190
Servicing [Member] | Business Services [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Intangible Assets By Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	50	50
Net	50	50
Contingency Services [Member] | Business Services [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Intangible Assets By Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	136	136
Accumulated Impairments	-129	-129
Net	7	7
Wind-down Guarantor Servicing [Member] | Business Services [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Intangible Assets By Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	256	256
Accumulated Impairments	-256	-256
Insurance Services [Member] | Business Services [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Intangible Assets By Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	9	9
Accumulated Impairments	-9	-9
Upromise [Member] | Business Services [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Intangible Assets By Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	43	140
Accumulated Impairments	($43)	($140)

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib4

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets - Carrying Value and Excess Percentage of Fair Value Over Carrying Value for Reporting Units (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
FFELP Loans [Member]	'
Schedule Of Impaired Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Carrying Value of Equity	$930
% of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Value	202.00%
Consumer Lending [Member]	'
Schedule Of Impaired Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Carrying Value of Equity	4,335
% of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Value	80.00%
Servicing [Member]	'
Schedule Of Impaired Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Carrying Value of Equity	137
% of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Value	966.00%
Contingency Services [Member]	'
Schedule Of Impaired Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Carrying Value of Equity	$53
% of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Value	193.00%

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib5

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets - Acquired Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Cost Basis	$391	$450
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Impairment and Amortization	-361	-397
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net	30	53
Customer, Services and Lending Relationships [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Cost Basis	278	303
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Impairment and Amortization	-261	-270
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net	17	33
Software and Technology [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Cost Basis	79	93
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Impairment and Amortization	-79	-93
Tradenames and Trademarks [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Cost Basis	34	54
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Accumulated Impairment and Amortization	-21	-34
Intangible assets subject to amortization, Net	$13	$20

Goodwill_and_Acquired_Intangib6

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets - Acquired Intangible Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Tradenames and Trademarks [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Tradenames and Trademarks [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets not subject to amortization, net	$6	$10

Borrowings_Companys_Borrowings

Borrowings - Company's Borrowings (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Long Term And Short Term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings	$13,795	$19,856
Long-term borrowings	136,648	152,401
Total	150,443	172,257
Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]	'	'
Long Term And Short Term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings	2,213	2,319
Long-term borrowings	16,056	15,446
Total	18,269	17,765
Bank Deposits [Member]	'	'
Long Term And Short Term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings	6,133	4,226
Long-term borrowings	2,807	3,088
Total	8,940	7,314
Other [Member]	'	'
Long Term And Short Term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings	691	1,609
Total	691	1,609
Total Unsecured Borrowings [Member]	'	'
Long Term And Short Term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings	9,037	8,154
Long-term borrowings	18,863	18,534
Total	27,900	26,688
FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]	'	'
Long Term And Short Term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	90,756	105,525
Total	90,756	105,525
Private Education Loan Securitizations [Member]	'	'
Long Term And Short Term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	18,835	19,656
Total	18,835	19,656
FFELP Loan - Other Facilities [Member]	'	'
Long Term And Short Term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings	4,715	11,651
Long-term borrowings	5,311	4,827
Total	10,026	16,478
Private Education Loan - Other Facilities [Member]	'	'
Long Term And Short Term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	843	1,070
Total	843	1,070
Total Secured Borrowings [Member]	'	'
Long Term And Short Term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings	4,715	11,651
Long-term borrowings	115,745	131,078
Total	120,460	142,729
Total Before Hedge Accounting Adjustments [Member]	'	'
Long Term And Short Term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings	13,752	19,805
Long-term borrowings	134,608	149,612
Total	148,360	169,417
Hedge Accounting Adjustments [Member]	'	'
Long Term And Short Term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings	43	51
Long-term borrowings	2,040	2,789
Total	$2,083	$2,840

Borrowings_Outstanding_ShortTe

Borrowings - Outstanding Short-Term Borrowings (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum outstanding at any month end	$20,038	$29,160
Short-term borrowings, Ending Balance	13,795	19,856
Weighted Average Interest Rate	1.09%	1.25%
Short-term borrowings, Average Balance	16,730	24,831
Weighted Average Interest Rate, Average Balance	1.46%	1.19%
Bank Deposits [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings, Ending Balance	6,133	4,226
Weighted Average Interest Rate	1.14%	1.40%
Short-term borrowings, Average Balance	5,221	3,537
Weighted Average Interest Rate, Average Balance	1.44%	1.54%
FFELP Loan - Other Facilities [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings, Ending Balance	4,715	11,651
Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.21%	0.72%
Short-term borrowings, Average Balance	7,386	17,606
Weighted Average Interest Rate, Average Balance	0.84%	0.78%
Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings, Ending Balance	2,256	2,370
Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.09%	4.24%
Short-term borrowings, Average Balance	2,814	2,214
Weighted Average Interest Rate, Average Balance	3.59%	4.49%
Other Interest Bearing Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings, Ending Balance	691	1,609
Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.07%	0.31%
Short-term borrowings, Average Balance	1,037	1,474
Weighted Average Interest Rate, Average Balance	0.14%	0.21%
Private Education Loan - Other Facilities [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings, Average Balance	$272	'
Weighted Average Interest Rate, Average Balance	1.86%	'

Borrowings_LongTerm_Borrowings

Borrowings - Long-Term Borrowings (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	$136,648	$152,401
Weighted Average Interest Rate	1.63%	1.57%
Long-term borrowings, Average Balance	138,682	151,397
U.S. Dollar-Denominated Interest Bearing, Due 2015-2048 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	96,724	'
Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.99%	'
Long-term borrowings, Average Balance	102,241	'
Non-U.S. Dollar-Denominated Interest Bearing, Due 2021-2041 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	9,249	10,819
Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.62%	0.53%
Long-term borrowings, Average Balance	9,525	11,463
Total Floating Rate Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	105,973	123,227
Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.96%	1.00%
Long-term borrowings, Average Balance	111,766	124,699
U.S. Dollar Denominated Interest Bearing, Due 2015-2047 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	18,510	'
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.61%	'
Long-term borrowings, Average Balance	16,149	'
Non-U.S. Dollar Denominated Interest Bearing, Due 2015-2039 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	3,204	'
Weighted Average Interest Rate	2.72%	'
Long-term borrowings, Average Balance	2,420	'
Total Fixed Rate Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	21,714	20,157
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.18%	5.13%
Long-term borrowings, Average Balance	18,569	17,085
Brokered Deposits - U.S. Dollar-Denominated, Due 2015-2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	2,807	'
Weighted Average Interest Rate	1.32%	'
Long-term borrowings, Average Balance	2,488	'
U.S. Dollar-Denominated Interest Bearing, Due 2014-2048 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	'	112,408
Weighted Average Interest Rate	'	1.04%
Long-term borrowings, Average Balance	'	113,236
U.S. Dollar-Denominated Interest Bearing, Due 2014-2046 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	'	16,096
Weighted Average Interest Rate	'	5.57%
Long-term borrowings, Average Balance	'	14,203
Non-U.S.-Dollar Denominated Interest Bearing, Due 2014-2039 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	'	4,061
Weighted Average Interest Rate	'	3.39%
Long-term borrowings, Average Balance	'	2,882
Brokered Deposits - U.S. Dollar-Denominated, Due 2014-2017 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	'	3,120
Weighted Average Interest Rate	'	1.77%
Long-term borrowings, Average Balance	'	2,216
FFELP Loan - Other Facilities [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	5,311	4,827
Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.76%	1.29%
Long-term borrowings, Average Balance	5,504	5,517
Private Education Loan - Other Facilities [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	843	1,070
Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.96%	1.45%
Long-term borrowings, Average Balance	$355	$1,880

Borrowings_Additional_Informat

Borrowings - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 13, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 11, 2013

Feb. 13, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Private Education Loan Secured Facility [Member]

Securitization Trust [Member]

Securitization Trust [Member]

Securitization Trust [Member]

Securitization Trust [Member]

Call Option [Member]

Private Education Loan Facility [Member]

FFELP Loans [Member]

FFELP Loans [Member]

FFELP Loans [Member]

Pre-Payable Debt [Member]

Sallie Mae Bank [Member]

ResidualInterest

Long-Term Debt [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Long-Term Debt [Member]

Secured Borrowings [Member]

Debt [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding long-term borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,700,000,000

'

'

'

'

$6,200,000,000

'

Assets

159,543,000,000

181,260,000,000

'

'

'

6,600,000,000

58,000,000

2,030,000,000

3,820,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities

153,901,000,000

176,194,000,000

'

'

'

6,420,000,000

'

1,990,000,000

3,680,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of residual interest sold

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding borrowings under facility

'

'

'

'

843,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000,000

'

'

'

'

Assets securing facility

'

'

'

'

1,600,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,400,000,000

'

'

'

'

Facility maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2016-01

'2014-06

'

'

Maximum unused capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,600,000,000

'

'

'

Unencumbered FFELP Loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,700,000,000

'

'

'

'

Maturity date of the facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Aug-15

'

'

'

'

'

Bank Deposits

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,200,000,000

Brokered term deposits

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,500,000,000

Retail Deposits of Sallie Mae Bank

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,400,000,000

Deposits from Affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

299,000,000

Cash and liquid investments

5,190,000,000

3,900,000,000

2,794,000,000

4,343,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,200,000,000

Borrowing capacity with Federal Reserve Bank

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

900,000,000

Outstanding borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

Issuance of unsecured debt

$3,750,000,000

$2,700,000,000

$2,000,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowings_Stated_Maturities_a

Borrowings - Stated Maturities and Maturities to Call Dates (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2014	$14,500	'
2015	14,400	'
2016	12,500	'
2017	12,600	'
2018	11,900	'
2019 and after	69,600	'
Total, long-term debt	136,648	152,401
Stated Maturity [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2014	14,408	'
2015	14,373	'
2016	12,430	'
2017	12,524	'
2018	11,819	'
2019 and after	69,054	'
Long term debt maturities total	134,608	'
Hedge accounting adjustments	2,040	'
Total, long-term debt	136,648	'
Stated Maturity [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2015	1,506	'
2016	2,284	'
2017	1,829	'
2018	2,796	'
2019 and after	7,641	'
Long term debt maturities total	16,056	'
Hedge accounting adjustments	727	'
Total, long-term debt	16,783	'
Stated Maturity [Member] | Brokered Deposits [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2015	1,195	'
2016	648	'
2017	538	'
2018	426	'
Long term debt maturities total	2,807	'
Total, long-term debt	2,807	'
Stated Maturity [Member] | Secured Borrowings [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2014	14,408	'
2015	11,672	'
2016	9,498	'
2017	10,157	'
2018	8,597	'
2019 and after	61,413	'
Long term debt maturities total	115,745	'
Hedge accounting adjustments	1,313	'
Total, long-term debt	117,058	'
Maturity to Call Date [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2014	16,019	'
2015	14,462	'
2016	12,429	'
2017	12,502	'
2018	11,570	'
2019 and after	67,626	'
Long term debt maturities total	134,608	'
Hedge accounting adjustments	2,040	'
Total, long-term debt	136,648	'
Maturity to Call Date [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2014	1,611	'
2015	1,595	'
2016	2,283	'
2017	1,807	'
2018	2,547	'
2019 and after	6,213	'
Long term debt maturities total	16,056	'
Hedge accounting adjustments	727	'
Total, long-term debt	16,783	'
Maturity to Call Date [Member] | Brokered Deposits [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2015	1,195	'
2016	648	'
2017	538	'
2018	426	'
Long term debt maturities total	2,807	'
Total, long-term debt	2,807	'
Maturity to Call Date [Member] | Secured Borrowings [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2014	14,408	'
2015	11,672	'
2016	9,498	'
2017	10,157	'
2018	8,597	'
2019 and after	61,413	'
Long term debt maturities total	115,745	'
Hedge accounting adjustments	1,313	'
Total, long-term debt	$117,058	'

Borrowings_Stated_Maturities_a1

Borrowings - Stated Maturities and Maturities to Call Dates (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
On-balance sheet securitization trust debt included in projected principal paydowns in 2014	$14.40
Aggregate principal amount of debt maturing in 2014	14.5
Aggregate principal amount of debt maturing in 2015	14.4
Aggregate principal amount of debt maturing in 2016	12.5
Aggregate principal amount of debt maturing in 2017	12.6
Aggregate principal amount of debt maturing in 2018	11.9
Aggregate principal amount of debt maturing in 2019 and after	$69.60

Borrowings_Financing_VIEs_Deta

Borrowings - Financing VIEs (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings	$13,795	$19,856
Long-term borrowings	136,648	152,401
Total	150,443	172,257
Cash	3,650	5,011
Other assets	7,287	8,273
Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member]	'	'
Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings	3,655	9,551
Long-term borrowings	115,538	131,518
Total	119,193	141,069
Loans	124,784	147,131
Cash	3,395	4,826
Other assets	2,322	2,312
Total Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt Outstanding	130,501	154,269
Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member] | FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]	'	'
Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	90,756	105,525
Total	90,756	105,525
Loans	91,535	107,009
Cash	2,913	3,652
Other assets	683	608
Total Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt Outstanding	95,131	111,269
Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member] | Private Education Loan Securitizations [Member]	'	'
Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	18,835	19,656
Total	18,835	19,656
Loans	23,947	24,618
Cash	338	385
Other assets	540	545
Total Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt Outstanding	24,825	25,548
Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member] | FFELP Loan - Other Facilities [Member]	'	'
Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings	3,655	9,551
Long-term borrowings	3,791	4,154
Total	7,446	13,705
Loans	7,719	14,050
Cash	128	487
Other assets	91	197
Total Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt Outstanding	7,938	14,734
Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member] | Private Education Loan - Other Facilities [Member]	'	'
Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	843	1,070
Total	843	1,070
Loans	1,583	1,454
Cash	16	302
Other assets	30	33
Total Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt Outstanding	1,629	1,789
Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member] | Total Before Hedge Accounting Adjustments [Member]	'	'
Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term borrowings	3,655	9,551
Long-term borrowings	114,225	130,405
Total	117,880	139,956
Loans	124,784	147,131
Cash	3,395	4,826
Other assets	1,344	1,383
Total Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt Outstanding	129,523	153,340
Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member] | Hedge Accounting Adjustments [Member]	'	'
Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term borrowings	1,313	1,113
Total	1,313	1,113
Other assets	978	929
Total Carrying Amount of Assets Securing Debt Outstanding	$978	$929

Borrowings_Summary_of_Securiti

Borrowings - Summary of Securitization Transactions (Detail) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 30, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

31-May-12

Mar. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

31-May-13

Mar. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

31-May-12

Apr. 30, 2012

Feb. 29, 2012

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

FFELP ABS Transactions [Member]

FFELP ABS Transactions [Member]

Private Education ABS Transactions [Member]

Private Education ABS Transactions [Member]

FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]

FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]

FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]

FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]

FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]

FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]

FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]

FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]

FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]

FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]

FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]

FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]

FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]

FFELP Loan Securitizations [Member]

Issuance 2011-3 [Member]

Issuance 2012-4 [Member]

Issuance 2012-5 [Member]

Private Education Loan Securitizations [Member]

Private Education Loan Securitizations [Member]

Private Education Loan Securitizations [Member]

Private Education Loan Securitizations [Member]

Private Education Loan Securitizations [Member]

Private Education Loan Securitizations [Member]

Private Education Loan Securitizations [Member]

Private Education Loan Securitizations [Member]

Private Education Loan Securitizations [Member]

Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items]

'

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ABS transaction, total

$7,109

$9,680

$3,121

$4,189

$996

$629

$996

$747

$1,246

$1,246

$1,249

$1,527

$1,251

$1,249

$1,491

$1,252

$824

$765

$24

$45

$1,252

$624

$1,135

$1,108

$254

$976

$640

$1,135

$891

$547

Weighted average interest rate of ABS transaction

'

'

'

'

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.60%

'N/A (Retained B Notes sold

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.64%

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.55%

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.54%

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.45%

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.46%

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.90%

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.55%

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.62%

'1 month LIBOR plus 1.10%

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.65%

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.70%

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.91%

'N/A (Retained B Notes sold

'N/A (Retained B Notes sold

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.67%

'1 month LIBOR plus 1.21%

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.89%

'1 month LIBOR plus 0.81%

'1 month LIBOR plus 1.75%

'1 month LIBOR plus 1.22%

'1 month LIBOR plus 1.69%

'1 month LIBOR plus 1.77%

'1 month LIBOR plus 2.12%

'1 month LIBOR plus 2.17%

Basis points on variable rate debt

'

'

'

'

0.60%

'

0.64%

0.55%

0.54%

0.45%

0.46%

0.90%

0.55%

0.62%

1.10%

0.65%

0.70%

0.91%

'

'

0.67%

1.21%

0.89%

0.81%

1.75%

1.22%

1.69%

1.77%

2.12%

2.17%

Weighted Average Life

'

'

'

'

'4 years 7 months 6 days

'

'4 years 7 months 6 days

'4 years 4 months 24 days

'4 years 6 months

'4 years 4 months 24 days

'4 years 3 months 18 days

'7 years 9 months 18 days

'4 years 6 months

'4 years 7 months 6 days

'8 years 2 months 12 days

'4 years 7 months 6 days

'4 years 8 months 12 days

'4 years 7 months 6 days

'

'

'4 years 6 months

'3 years 1 month 6 days

'2 years 8 months 12 days

'2 years 7 months 6 days

'6 years 3 months 18 days

'2 years 7 months 6 days

'2 years 6 months

'2 years 7 months 6 days

'2 years 10 months 24 days

'3 years

Total loan amount securitized

$6,495

$9,565

$3,387

$5,557

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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'

Borrowings_Summary_of_Securiti1

Borrowings - Summary of Securitization Transactions (Parenthetical) (Detail) (FFELP Loan Securitizations Subordinated Trust [Member], USD $)	Jun. 30, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
FFELP Loan Securitizations Subordinated Trust [Member]	'
Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items]	'
ABS transaction, total	$45

Borrowings_Gains_on_Debt_Repur

Borrowings - Gains on Debt Repurchases (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Debt principal repurchased	$1,279	$711	$894
Gains on debt repurchases	$42	$145	$38

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Net positive exposure related to corporate derivatives	$83,000,000	$79,000,000
Euro and British Pound Sterling denominated bonds outstanding in securitization trusts	10,700,000,000	'
Interest rate swaps entered into by the trusts to swap Prime to LIBOR	12,800,000,000	'
Net positive exposure on foreign currency swaps	968,000,000	'
Amount guaranteed by French government on French net positive exposure on foreign currency swaps	577,000,000	'
Notional amount of cross-currency interest rate swaps causing exposure	5,100,000,000	'
Decrease in derivative asset value as a result of derivatives with French institutions	63,000,000	'
Basis swap terms	'13 years and are primarily indexed to LIBOR or Prime rates	'
Maximum term of basis swap (in years)	'13 years	'
Decrease in valuation due to net credit risk adjustment	91,000,000	111,000,000
Decrease in valuation due to liquidity adjustments	84,000,000	107,000,000
Derivative liability position including accrued interest, net of premium receivable with counterparty	762,000,000	'
Liability position with derivative counterparties	148,000,000	'
Collateral posted to counterparties	148,000,000	'
France [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Net positive exposure on foreign currency swaps	772,000,000	'
Notional amount of cross-currency interest rate swaps causing exposure	$3,400,000,000	'

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments - Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Derivative assets	$2,010	$2,785
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	-1,957	-2,499
Net total derivatives	53	286
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Derivative assets	823	1,546
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	-364	-209
Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Derivative assets	1,185	1,235
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	-186	-136
Other [Member]	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Derivative assets	2	4
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	-23	'
Floor Income Contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	-1,384	-2,154
Cash Flow [Member]	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Derivative assets	24	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	'	-11
Net total derivatives	24	-11
Cash Flow [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Derivative assets	24	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	'	-11
Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Derivative assets	1,923	2,561
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	-304	-137
Net total derivatives	1,619	2,424
Fair Value [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Derivative assets	738	1,396
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	-149	-1
Fair Value [Member] | Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Derivative assets	1,185	1,165
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	-155	-136
Trading [Member]	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Derivative assets	63	224
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	-1,653	-2,351
Net total derivatives	-1,590	-2,127
Trading [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Derivative assets	61	150
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	-215	-197
Trading [Member] | Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Derivative assets	'	70
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	-31	'
Trading [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Derivative assets	2	4
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	-23	'
Trading [Member] | Floor Income Contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	($1,384)	($2,154)

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments - Gross Positions with Impact of Netting Agreements (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Other Assets [Member]	Other Assets [Member]	Other Liabilities [Member]	Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross position, Assets	$2,010	$2,785	$2,010	$2,785	'	'
Impact of master netting agreements, Assets	'	'	-386	-544	'	'
Derivative values with impact of master netting agreements (as carried on balance sheet), Assets	'	'	1,624	2,241	'	'
Cash collateral (held) pledged, Assets	'	'	-687	-1,423	'	'
Net position, Assets	'	'	937	818	'	'
Gross position, Liabilities	-1,957	-2,499	'	'	-1,957	-2,499
Impact of master netting agreements, Liabilities	'	'	'	'	386	544
Derivative values with impact of master netting agreements (as carried on balance sheet), Liabilities	'	'	'	'	-1,571	-1,955
Cash collateral (held) pledged, Liabilities	'	'	'	'	777	973
Net position, Liabilities	'	'	'	'	($794)	($982)

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen5

Derivative Financial Instruments - Derivative Notional Values (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	$110.10	$140.40
Cash Flow [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	0.7	0.7
Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	27.1	29.5
Trading [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	82.3	110.2
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	63	73.4
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Cash Flow [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	0.7	0.7
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	16	15.8
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Trading [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	46.3	56.9
Floor Income Contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	31.8	51.6
Floor Income Contracts [Member] | Trading [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	31.8	51.6
Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	11.4	14
Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	11.1	13.7
Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Trading [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	0.3	0.3
Other [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	3.9	1.4
Other [Member] | Trading [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total Derivative Notional Values	$3.90	$1.40

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen6

Derivative Financial Instruments - Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($247)	$258	($254)
Realized Gain (Loss) on derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-208	-155	-59
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	690	-141	110
Derivative Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Net, Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	235	-38	-203
Less: realized gains (losses) recorded in interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	503	590	756
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives, Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-247	258	-254
Realized Gain (Loss) on derivatives, Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-711	-745	-815
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item, Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	690	-141	110
Total Gain (Loss)	-128	-127	18	-31	-28	-233	6	-372	-268	-628	-959
Fair Value [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-805	-33	-220
Realized Gain (Loss) on derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	512	616	795
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	690	-141	110
Derivative Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Net, Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	397	442	685
Fair Value [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-806	-75	503
Realized Gain (Loss) on derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	414	449	481
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	873	41	-554
Derivative Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Net, Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	481	415	430
Fair Value [Member] | Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	42	-723
Realized Gain (Loss) on derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	98	167	314
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-183	-182	664
Derivative Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Net, Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-84	27	255
Cash Flow [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1	-1
Realized Gain (Loss) on derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-9	-26	-39
Derivative Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Net, Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-9	-27	-40
Cash Flow [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1	-1
Realized Gain (Loss) on derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-9	-26	-39
Derivative Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Net, Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-9	-27	-40
Trading [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	558	292	-33
Realized Gain (Loss) on derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-711	-745	-815
Derivative Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Net, Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-153	-453	-848
Trading [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-107	-66	183
Realized Gain (Loss) on derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	71	108	69
Derivative Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Net, Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-36	42	252
Trading [Member] | Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-101	-59	29
Realized Gain (Loss) on derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	35	7	8
Derivative Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Net, Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-66	-52	37
Trading [Member] | Floor Income Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	785	412	-267
Realized Gain (Loss) on derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-815	-859	-903
Derivative Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Net, Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-30	-447	-1,170
Trading [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-19	5	22
Realized Gain (Loss) on derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2	-1	11
Derivative Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Net, Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($21)	$4	$33

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen7

Derivative Financial Instruments - Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total gain (losses) on cash flow hedges	$16	($7)	($4)
Realized losses recognized in interest expense	2,210	2,561	2,401
Total change in stockholders' equity for unrealized gains on derivatives	22	9	31
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Realized losses recognized in interest expense	$6	$16	$35

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen8

Derivative Financial Instruments - Impact of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Offsetting [Abstract]	'
Amount of after-tax net losses to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings in the next 12 months	$0.30

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen9

Derivative Financial Instruments - Collateral Held and Pledged (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Collateral held:	'	'
Cash (obligation to return cash collateral is recorded in short-term borrowings)	$687	$1,423
Securities at fair value - on-balance sheet securitization derivatives (not recorded in financial statements)	629	613
Total collateral held	1,316	2,036
Derivative asset at fair value including accrued interest	1,878	2,570
Collateral pledged to others:	'	'
Cash (right to receive return of cash collateral is recorded in investments)	777	973
Total collateral pledged	777	973
Derivative liability at fair value including accrued interest and premium receivable	$948	$1,204

Recovered_Sheet1

Derivative Financial Instruments - Collateral Held and Pledged (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Collateral held in restricted cash	$0	$9

Other_Assets_Schedule_of_Other

Other Assets - Schedule of Other Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total	$7,287	$8,273
Total as a percentage of total other assets	100.00%	100.00%
Other Assets [Member]	'	'
Other Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Accrued interest receivable, net	2,161	2,147
Derivatives at fair value	1,624	2,241
Income tax asset, net current and deferred	1,299	1,478
Accounts receivable	881	1,111
Benefit and insurance-related investments	477	474
Fixed assets, net	237	215
Other loans, net	101	137
Other	$507	$470
Accrued interest receivable, net as a percentage of total other assets	30.00%	26.00%
Derivatives at fair value as a percentage of total other assets	22.00%	27.00%
Income tax asset, net current and deferred as a percentage of total other assets	18.00%	18.00%
Accounts receivable as a percentage of total other assets	12.00%	13.00%
Benefit and insurance-related investments as a percentage of total other assets	7.00%	6.00%
Fixed assets, net as a percentage of total other assets	3.00%	3.00%
Other loans, net as a percentage of total other assets	1.00%	2.00%
Other, as a percentage of total other assets	7.00%	5.00%

Other_Assets_Additional_Inform

Other Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Cross-currency interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges	$1.60	$2.40
Cumulative mark-to-market adjustment to the hedged debt	($2.10)	($2.80)

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends, variable rate for series B preferred stock	'	'3-month LIBOR plus 170 basis points per annum	'	'
Shareholders authorized the issuance of common stock	'	1,125,000,000	1,125,000,000	'
Common stock, par or stated value per share	'	0.2	0.2	'
Common stock, shares, outstanding	'	429,000,000	'	'
Common shares unissued but encumbered	'	31,000,000	'	'
Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation	'	0.6	0.5	$0.30
Common stock authorized to be repurchased in open market transactions	'	800,000,000	900,000,000	$300,000,000
Common shares repurchased	'	27,000,000	58,000,000	19,000,000
Purchase price of common stock repurchased on open market	'	600,000,000	900,000,000	300,000,000
Closing price of the company's common stock	'	26.28	'	'
Current Year Quarterly Dividend [Member]	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation	'	0.15	'	'
Previous Year Quarterly Dividend [Member]	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation	'	'	0.125	'
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Retired common stock held in treasury, shares	70,000,000	'	'	-70,074,369
Retired common stock held in treasury	'	'	'	-14,000,000
Common shares repurchased	'	26,987,043	58,038,239	19,054,115
Treasury Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Retired common stock held in treasury, shares	'	'	'	70,074,369
Retired common stock held in treasury	'	'	'	1,904,000,000
Common shares repurchased	'	26,987,043	58,038,239	19,054,115
Purchase price of common stock repurchased on open market	'	600,000,000	900,000,000	300,000,000
Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Retired common stock held in treasury	'	'	'	-1,890,000,000
Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements [Member] | Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Decrease in common stock due to retirement of treasury stock	14,000,000	'	'	'
Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements [Member] | Treasury Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Retired common stock held in treasury	1,900,000,000	'	'	'
Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements [Member] | Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Decrease in additional paid in capital due to retirement of treasury stock	1,900,000,000	'	'	'
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cumulative redeemable and non-cumulative preferred stock shares outstanding	'	3,300,000	'	'
Preferred stock, dividend rate, percentage	'	6.97%	'	'
Cash dividends per preferred share	'	3.49	3.49	$3.49
Liquidation preference value of preferred stock	'	50	'	'
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cumulative redeemable and non-cumulative preferred stock shares outstanding	'	4,000,000	'	'
Cash dividends per preferred share	'	2	2.22	$1.59
Basis points used to calculate Series B Preferred Stock dividend	'	1.70%	'	'
Liquidation preference value of preferred stock	'	100	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Common_Sha

Stockholders' Equity - Common Share Repurchases and Issuances (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common stock repurchased	27,000,000	58,000,000	19,000,000
Average purchase price per share	$22.26	$15.52	$15.77
Shares repurchased related to employee stock-based compensation plans	6,365,002	4,547,785	3,024,662
Average purchase price per share	$21.76	$15.86	$15.71
Common shares issued	9,702,976	6,432,643	3,886,217
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common stock repurchased	26,987,043	58,038,239	19,054,115
Common shares issued	9,702,976	6,432,643	3,886,217

Stockholders_Equity_Common_Sha1

Stockholders' Equity - Common Share Repurchases and Issuances (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Authority remaining at end of period for repurchases	$200

Earnings_Loss_Per_Common_Share2

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Schedule of Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Numerator:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation	$270	$260	$543	$346	$348	$188	$292	$112	$1,418	$939	$633
Preferred stock dividends	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	20	20	18
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock	$265	$255	$538	$341	$343	$183	$287	$107	$1,398	$919	$615
Denominator:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average shares used to compute basic EPS	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	440	476	517
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dilutive effect of stock options, non-vested deferred compensation and restricted stock, restricted stock units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP")	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9	7	6
Dilutive potential common shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9	7	6
Weighted average shares used to compute diluted EPS	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	449	483	523
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations	$0.47	$0.56	$1.14	$0.76	$0.75	$0.39	$0.59	$0.21	$2.94	$1.93	$1.12
Discontinued operations	$0.14	$0.02	$0.08	'	'	'	'	'	$0.24	'	$0.07
Total	$0.61	$0.58	$1.22	$0.76	$0.75	$0.39	$0.59	$0.21	$3.18	$1.93	$1.19
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations	$0.47	$0.55	$1.12	$0.74	$0.74	$0.39	$0.59	$0.21	$2.89	$1.90	$1.11
Discontinued operations	$0.13	$0.02	$0.08	'	'	'	'	'	$0.23	'	$0.07
Total	$0.60	$0.57	$1.20	$0.74	$0.74	$0.39	$0.59	$0.21	$3.12	$1.90	$1.18

Earnings_Loss_Per_Common_Share3

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Schedule of Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Securities [Member])	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted By Common Class [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock awards not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share	3	12	16

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_2

Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation cost	$47	$47	$56
Unrecognized compensation cost	19	'	'
Weighted average period for total unrecognized compensation cost	'1 year 9 months 18 days	'	'
Offering period of employee stock purchase plan	'12 months	'	'
Maximum contribution amount per employee to ESPP	'$7,500 plus accrued interest	'	'
Shares of the company's common stock purchased by ESPP participants	218,389	192,755	278,266
SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Approval date	24-May-12	'	'
Shares authorized to be issued under plan	20,000,000	'	'
Grants Made Prior to 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maximum term for stock options (in years)	'10 years	'	'
Grants Made since 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maximum term for stock options (in years)	'5 years	'	'
Time Vested Stock Options [Member] | Management Employee [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'Vest over three years	'	'
Time Vested Stock Options [Member] | Non Management Employee [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'Vest over three years	'	'
Time Vested Stock Options [Member] | Non Employee Director [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'Vest upon the director's election to the Board	'	'
Performance-Vested Stock Options [Member] | Management Employee [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'Vest one-third per year for three years based on corporate earnings-related performance targets	'	'
Price Vested Stock Options [Member] | Management Employee [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'Vest upon our common stock reaching a targeted closing price for a set number of days	'	'
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Approval date	24-May-12	'	'
Shares authorized to be issued under plan	6,000,000	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	0.1	'	'
Vesting period	'One-year	'	'
Percentage of discount available to employees under ESPP	15.00%	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	$0.01	'	'
Weighted average period for total unrecognized compensation cost	'1 month 6 days	'	'
Vesting period	'Vest over three years and in some cases based on corporate earnings-related performance targets	'	'
Restricted Stock Units, RSUs [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'RSUs may be time-vested over three years or vested at grant but subject to transfer restrictions	'	'
Performance Stock Units, PSUs [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Vesting period	'PSUs vest based on corporate earnings-related performance targets over a three-year period	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_3

Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements - Black-Scholes Model Assumptions for Calculating Stock Option and ESPP Fair Values (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	0.65%	0.60%	1.57%
Expected volatility	31.00%	44.00%	54.00%
Expected dividend rate	3.35%	3.13%	2.58%
Expected life of the option	'2 years 9 months 18 days	'2 years 9 months 18 days	'4 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$3.11	$4.12	$5.18
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	0.15%	0.13%	0.27%
Expected volatility	29.00%	29.00%	42.00%
Expected dividend rate	3.51%	3.27%	1.87%
Expected life of the option	'1 year	'1 year	'1 year
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$2.95	$3.01	$3.63

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_4

Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements - Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Number of Options, Outstanding, beginning balance	25,992,747
Granted, Options	3,980,008
Exercised, Options	-7,614,500
Canceled, Options	-2,085,495
Number of Options, Outstanding, ending balance	20,272,760
Number of Options, Exercisable, ending balance	14,426,174
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Outstanding, beginning balance	$19.84
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$17.92
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$12.81
Canceled, Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$34.94
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Outstanding, ending balance	$20.55
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Exercisable, ending balance	$21.84
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding, ending balance	'4 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable, ending balance	'4 years 1 month 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding, ending balance	$198
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable, ending balance	$145

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_5

Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements - Stock Option Activity (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$73	$27	$14
Cash received from option exercises	0	'	'
Actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from option exercises	28	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	19	'	'
Weighted average period for total unrecognized compensation cost	'1 year 9 months 18 days	'	'
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	$4	'	'
Weighted average period for total unrecognized compensation cost	'1 year 6 months	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_6

Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements - Restricted Stock and Performance Stock Unit Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of Shares, Non-vested, beginning balance	187,792
Granted, Shares	51,073
Vested, Shares	-193,370
Canceled, Shares	-6,140
Number of Shares, Non-vested, ending balance	39,355
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Non-vested, beginning balance	$11.55
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$17.91
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$12.47
Canceled, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$17.91
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Non-vested, ending balance	$14.29
Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of Shares, Non-vested, beginning balance	4,473,464
Granted, Shares	2,457,570
Vested, Shares	-1,730,669
Canceled, Shares	-73,478
Number of Shares, Non-vested, ending balance	5,126,887
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Non-vested, beginning balance	$15.49
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$17.98
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$15.32
Canceled, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$16.52
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Non-vested, ending balance	$16.72

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_7

Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements - Restricted Stock and Performance Stock Unit Activity (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	$19	'	'
Weighted average period for total unrecognized compensation cost	'1 year 9 months 18 days	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total fair value of restricted stock units that vested and converted to common stock	2	4	6
Unrecognized compensation cost	0.01	'	'
Weighted average period for total unrecognized compensation cost	'1 month 6 days	'	'
Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total fair value of restricted stock units that vested and converted to common stock	27	13	0.4
Unrecognized compensation cost	$15	'	'
Weighted average period for total unrecognized compensation cost	'1 year 9 months 18 days	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Maximum remaining term for investment purchased for estimating at cost	'90 days	'
Decrease in valuation due to net credit risk adjustment	$91	$111
Decrease in valuation due to liquidity adjustments	$84	$107

Fair_Value_Measurements_Valuat

Fair Value Measurements - Valuation of Financial Instruments that are Marked-to-Market on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Available-for-sale investments	$109	$72
Derivative assets	2,010	2,785
Derivative liabilities	-1,957	-2,499
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Available-for-sale investments	109	81
Derivative assets	2,010	2,785
Total	2,119	2,866
Derivative liabilities	-1,957	-2,499
Total	-1,957	-2,499
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Agency Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Available-for-sale investments	102	63
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Guaranteed Investment Contracts [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Available-for-sale investments	'	9
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Available-for-sale investments	7	9
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative assets	823	1,546
Derivative liabilities	-364	-209
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative assets	1,185	1,235
Derivative liabilities	-186	-136
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative assets	2	4
Derivative liabilities	-23	'
Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Floor Income Contracts [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	-1,384	-2,154
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Available-for-sale investments	'	'
Derivative assets	'	'
Total	'	'
Derivative liabilities	'	'
Total	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Agency Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Available-for-sale investments	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Guaranteed Investment Contracts [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Available-for-sale investments	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Available-for-sale investments	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative assets	'	'
Derivative liabilities	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative assets	'	'
Derivative liabilities	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative assets	'	'
Derivative liabilities	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Floor Income Contracts [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	'	'
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Available-for-sale investments	109	81
Derivative assets	812	1,492
Total	921	1,573
Derivative liabilities	-1,658	-2,190
Total	-1,658	-2,190
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Agency Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Available-for-sale investments	102	63
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Guaranteed Investment Contracts [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Available-for-sale investments	'	9
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Available-for-sale investments	7	9
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative assets	785	1,444
Derivative liabilities	-239	-34
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative assets	27	48
Derivative liabilities	-35	-2
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Floor Income Contracts [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	-1,384	-2,154
Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative assets	1,198	1,293
Total	1,198	1,293
Derivative liabilities	-299	-309
Total	-299	-309
Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative assets	38	102
Derivative liabilities	-125	-175
Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative assets	1,158	1,187
Derivative liabilities	-151	-134
Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments:	'	'
Derivative assets	2	4
Derivative liabilities	($23)	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Change

Fair Value Measurements - Change in Balance Sheet Carrying Value Associated with Level 3 Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	($73)	($40)	($90)
Total gains/(losses) (realized and unrealized):	'	'	'
Included in earnings	9	-5	69
Included in other comprehensive income	'	'	'
Settlements	-23	-28	-19
Transfers in and/or out of level 3	'	'	'
Balance, end of period	-87	-73	-40
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held at the reporting date	-2	-31	6
Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	1,053	1,021	1,427
Total gains/(losses) (realized and unrealized):	'	'	'
Included in earnings	63	159	-176
Included in other comprehensive income	'	'	'
Settlements	-109	-127	-230
Transfers in and/or out of level 3	'	'	'
Balance, end of period	1,007	1,053	1,021
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held at the reporting date	116	55	-408
Other [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	4	1	26
Total gains/(losses) (realized and unrealized):	'	'	'
Included in earnings	-22	3	33
Included in other comprehensive income	'	'	'
Settlements	-3	'	-58
Transfers in and/or out of level 3	'	'	'
Balance, end of period	-21	4	1
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held at the reporting date	-19	4	11
Total Derivative Instruments [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	984	982	1,363
Total gains/(losses) (realized and unrealized):	'	'	'
Included in earnings	50	157	-74
Included in other comprehensive income	'	'	'
Settlements	-135	-155	-307
Transfers in and/or out of level 3	'	'	'
Balance, end of period	899	984	982
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held at the reporting date	$95	$28	($391)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Includ

Fair Value Measurements - Included in Earnings (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net	($27)	$37	($298)
Interest expense	77	120	224
Total	$50	$157	($74)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Unobse

Fair Value Measurements - Unobservable Data Used in Recurring Valuations of Level 3 (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Level 3 [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Derivative financial instruments	$899
Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Derivative financial instruments	1,007
Discounted cash flow	'Discounted cash flow
Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Constant prepayment rate	'Constant Prepayment Rate
Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Constant Prepayment Rate [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.60%
Other [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Derivative financial instruments	-21
Consumer Price Index/LIBOR Basis Swaps [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Derivative financial instruments	33
Discounted cash flow	'Discounted cash flow
Consumer Price Index/LIBOR Basis Swaps [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Bid/ask adjustment to discount rate	'Bid/ask adjustment to discount rate
Consumer Price Index/LIBOR Basis Swaps [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Bid/Ask Adjustment to Discount Rate [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Derivative, Lower Range of Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.05%
Derivative, Higher Range of Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.05%
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.05%
Prime/LIBOR Basis Swaps [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Derivative financial instruments	($120)
Discounted cash flow	'Discounted cash flow
Prime/LIBOR Basis Swaps [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Constant prepayment rate	'Constant Prepayment Rate
Bid/ask adjustment to discount rate	'Bid/ask adjustment to discount rate
Prime/LIBOR Basis Swaps [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Bid/Ask Adjustment to Discount Rate [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Derivative, Lower Range of Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.08%
Derivative, Higher Range of Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.08%
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.08%
Prime/LIBOR Basis Swaps [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Constant Prepayment Rate [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	4.20%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Values of Financial Assets and Liabilities, Including Derivative Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total earning assets	$151,698	$171,117
Total interest-bearing liabilities	147,385	166,071
Fair Value [Member] | Floor Income Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	-1,384	-2,154
Fair Value [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	459	1,337
Fair Value [Member] | Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	999	1,099
Fair Value [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	-21	4
Fair Value [Member] | Short-Term Borrowings [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest-bearing liabilities	13,807	19,861
Fair Value [Member] | Long-Term Borrowings [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest-bearing liabilities	133,578	146,210
Fair Value [Member] | FFELP Loans [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total earning assets	104,481	125,042
Fair Value [Member] | Private Education Loans [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total earning assets	37,485	36,081
Fair Value [Member] | Cash and Investments [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total earning assets	9,732	9,994
Carrying Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total earning assets	151,832	172,540
Total interest-bearing liabilities	150,443	172,257
Carrying Value [Member] | Floor Income Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	-1,384	-2,154
Carrying Value [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	459	1,337
Carrying Value [Member] | Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	999	1,099
Carrying Value [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	-21	4
Carrying Value [Member] | Short-Term Borrowings [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest-bearing liabilities	13,795	19,856
Carrying Value [Member] | Long-Term Borrowings [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest-bearing liabilities	136,648	152,401
Carrying Value [Member] | FFELP Loans [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total earning assets	104,588	125,612
Carrying Value [Member] | Private Education Loans [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total earning assets	37,512	36,934
Carrying Value [Member] | Cash and Investments [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total earning assets	9,732	9,994
Difference [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total earning assets	-134	-1,423
Total interest-bearing liabilities	3,058	6,186
Excess of net asset fair value over carrying value	2,924	4,763
Difference [Member] | Short-Term Borrowings [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest-bearing liabilities	-12	-5
Difference [Member] | Long-Term Borrowings [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest-bearing liabilities	3,070	6,191
Difference [Member] | FFELP Loans [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total earning assets	-107	-570
Difference [Member] | Private Education Loans [Member]	'	'
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'
Total earning assets	($27)	($853)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V1

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Values of Financial Assets and Liabilities, Including Derivative Financial Instruments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale investments, cost basis	$113	$78
Available-for-sale investments, fair value	$109	$81

Commitments_Contingencies_and_1

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Amount reserved for expected compliance remediation	$70

Income_Taxes_Reconciliations_o

Income Taxes - Reconciliations of Statutory U.S. Federal Income Tax Rates to Our Effective Tax Rate for Continuing Operations (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State tax, net of federal benefit	2.00%	0.10%	0.80%
Other, net	0.10%	-0.50%	-0.50%
Effective tax rate	37.10%	34.60%	35.30%

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rates for discontinued operations	16.20%	40.70%	37.70%	'
Statutory U.S. federal rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	'
Valuation allowance, deferred tax assets	$19	$29	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards	438	'	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	'2024	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	56	41.2	45.9	41.7
Unrecognized tax benefits recognition impact on effective tax rate	28.1	'	'	'
International [Member]	'	'	'	'
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards	$0.30	'	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	'2032	'	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Statute of limitation period for open tax reviews	'3 years	'	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Statute of limitation period for open tax reviews	'4 years	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Pro

Income Taxes - Components of Provision for Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Continuing operations current provision/(benefit):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Federal	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$567	$474	$436
State	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	47	27	38
Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total continuing operations current provision/(benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	614	501	474
Continuing operations deferred provision/(benefit):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Federal	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	142	23	-121
State	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	20	-26	-25
Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total continuing operations deferred provision/(benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	162	-3	-146
Continuing operations provision for income tax expense/(benefit)	129	136	299	211	157	104	169	68	776	498	328
Discontinued operations current provision/(benefit):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Federal	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	32	1	-49
State	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	-5
Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total discontinued operations current provision/(benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	33	1	-54
Discontinued operations deferred provision/(benefit):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Federal	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-12	-2	68
State	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1	'	6
Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total discontinued operations deferred provision/(benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-13	-2	74
Discontinued operations provision for income tax expense/(benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	20	-1	20
Provision for income tax expense/(benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$796	$497	$348

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_Defer

Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Loan reserves	$893	$940
Market value adjustments on student loans, investments and derivatives	572	671
Stock-based compensation plans	66	77
Accrued expenses not currently deductible	61	34
Deferred revenue	57	60
Other	55	42
Total deferred tax assets	1,704	1,824
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Gains/(losses) on repurchased debt	304	306
Other	81	65
Total deferred tax liabilities	385	371
Net deferred tax assets	$1,319	$1,453

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Change

Income Taxes - Summary of Changes in Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$41.20	$45.90	$41.70
Increases resulting from tax positions taken during a prior period	5.8	20	20.5
Decreases resulting from tax positions taken during a prior period	-7.7	-18	-2.1
Increases/(decreases) resulting from tax positions taken during the current period	28.1	11.3	-9.1
Decreases related to settlements with taxing authorities	-7.7	-14.7	'
Increases related to settlements with taxing authorities	'	'	0.4
Reductions related to the lapse of statute of limitations	-3.7	-3.3	-5.5
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$56	$41.20	$45.90

Segment_Reporting_Additional_I

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Agency

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Sallie Mae Bank [Member]

Business Services [Member]

Business Services [Member]

Business Services [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Deconsolidation [Member]

Segment

Business Services [Member]

Business Services [Member]

Business Services [Member]

Business Services [Member]

Consumer Lending [Member]

Consumer Lending [Member]

Consumer Lending [Member]

FFELP Loans [Member]

FFELP Loans [Member]

FFELP Loans [Member]

Other Segment [Member]

Other Segment [Member]

Other Segment [Member]

CollectionOperation

Accounts

CollectionOperation

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of primary operating segments

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Private Education Loan originations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,800,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage increase of Private Education Loan originations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14.00%

39.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Private Education Loans, net

'

37,512,000,000

36,934,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,500,000,000

36,900,000,000

36,300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Charge-offs as percentage of average loans in repayment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.80%

3.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total assets of Sallie Mae Bank

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,700,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total deposits of Sallie Mae Bank

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Private Education Loans of SLM Bank

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,700,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

FFELP Loans

'

104,588,000,000

125,612,000,000

'

'

'

1,400,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

104,588,000,000

125,612,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Intercompany loan servicing revenue on FFELP Loans

'

530,000,000

670,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Account maintenance fees and default aversion fees earned on FFELP loans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

38,000,000

44,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of guarantor agencies

'

30

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Default aversion provided

'

15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contingency collection revenue from guarantor clients

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

303,000,000

264,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fee income on FFELP default collections

'

283,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

FFELP-related revenue as percentage of Business Services revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

77.00%

82.00%

82.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Services segment revenue

'

886,000,000

244,000,000

-271,000,000

'

'

'

1,160,000,000

1,200,000,000

'

'

1,164,000,000

1,202,000,000

1,274,000,000

34,000,000

46,000,000

55,000,000

388,000,000

90,000,000

86,000,000

42,000,000

160,000,000

58,000,000

'

Number of other collection providers to ED

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21

21

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of competitive ED collection providers for account allocation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16

16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of small business collection providers to ED issued allocation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share of allocated accounts of ED collection contract

'

'

'

'

6.00%

8.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Span of ED servicing contract

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Renewal option

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum percentage of loans serviced for ED in contract year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of new loans serviced under ED Servicing Contract

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18.00%

18.00%

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from servicing contract

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

109,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of contracts under ED servicing contract

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

'

159,543,000,000

181,260,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

892,000,000

892,000,000

867,000,000

'

43,001,000,000

42,940,000,000

'

112,648,000,000

135,664,000,000

'

3,000,000,000

1,800,000,000

'

12,500,000,000

College savings rewards on which company earns transaction fees

'

800,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

After-tax gain on sale of business

38,000,000

38,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

65,000,000

65,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of general guarantees of FFELP loans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

97.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of guarantee on FFELP Loan principal and interest if death, disability or bankruptcy

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities

'

153,901,000,000

176,194,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,100,000,000

Gain from trust sale

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$312,000,000

FFELP loan portfolio amortization period

'

'20 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'20 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment_Reporting_Asset_Inform

Segment Reporting - Asset Information for Company's Consumer Lending Business Segment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Other	$7,287	$8,273
Total assets	159,543	181,260
Operating Segments [Member] | Consumer Lending [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Private Education Loans, net	37,512	36,934
Cash and investments	2,555	2,731
Other	2,934	3,275
Total assets	$43,001	$42,940

Segment_Reporting_Asset_Inform1

Segment Reporting - Asset Information for Company's FFELP Loans Business Segment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
FFELP Loans	$104,588	$125,612
Other	7,287	8,273
Total assets	159,543	181,260
Operating Segments [Member] | FFELP Loans [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
FFELP Loans	104,588	125,612
Cash and investments	4,473	5,766
Other	3,587	4,286
Total assets	$112,648	$135,664

Segment_Reporting_Segment_Resu

Segment Reporting - Segment Results and Reconciliations to GAAP (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Interest income:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Student loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$5,349	$5,732	$5,890
Other loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11	16	21
Cash and investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	17	21	19
Total interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,377	5,769	5,930
Total interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,210	2,561	2,401
Net interest income (loss)	789	799	784	795	832	819	746	811	3,167	3,208	3,529
Less: provisions for loan losses	190	207	201	241	314	270	243	253	839	1,080	1,295
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses	599	592	583	554	518	549	503	558	2,328	2,128	2,234
Other income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain (losses) on sales of loans and investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	302	'	-35
Servicing revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	290	279	283
Contingency revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	420	356	333
Gains on debt repurchases	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	42	145	38
Other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-168	-536	-890
Total other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	886	244	-271
Expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Direct operating expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	806	673	736
Overhead expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	236	224	269
Total operating expenses	305	257	244	235	226	220	216	236	1,042	897	1,005
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense	3	4	3	3	14	5	5	5	13	27	21
Restructuring and other reorganization expenses	26	12	23	10	1	2	3	4	72	11	12
Total expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,127	935	1,038
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,087	1,437	925
Income tax expense (benefit)	129	136	299	211	157	104	169	68	776	498	328
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	211	252	504	345	348	187	292	111	1,311	939	597
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)	59	8	38	1	'	'	-1	'	106	-2	35
Net income (loss)	270	260	542	346	348	187	291	111	1,417	937	632
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	-1	'	'	-1	-1	-1	-1	-2	-1
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation	270	260	543	346	348	188	292	112	1,418	939	633
Reclassifications [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Student loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	816	858	902
Total interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	816	858	902
Total interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	55	115	71
Net interest income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	761	743	831
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	761	743	831
Other income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gains on debt repurchases	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-6	'	-26
Other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-755	-743	-805
Total other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-761	-743	-831
Additions/ (Subtractions) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Student loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-307	-351	-355
Total interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-307	-351	-355
Total interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1	2	11
Net interest income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-306	-353	-366
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-306	-353	-366
Other income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	549	159	-174
Total other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	549	159	-174
Expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13	27	21
Total expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13	27	21
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	230	-221	-561
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	96	-99	-219
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	134	-122	-342
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-6	-1	-2
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	128	-123	-344
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	128	-123	-344
Total Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Student loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	509	507	547
Total interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	509	507	547
Total interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	54	117	82
Net interest income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	455	390	465
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	455	390	465
Other income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gains on debt repurchases	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-6	'	-26
Other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-206	-584	-979
Total other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-212	-584	-1,005
Expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13	27	21
Total expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13	27	21
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	230	-221	-561
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	96	-99	-219
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	134	-122	-342
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-6	-1	-2
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	128	-123	-344
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	128	-123	-344
Business Services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,160	1,200	'
Total Core Earnings [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Student loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,840	5,225	5,343
Other loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11	16	21
Cash and investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	17	21	19
Total interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,868	5,262	5,383
Total interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,156	2,444	2,319
Net interest income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,712	2,818	3,064
Less: provisions for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	839	1,080	1,295
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,873	1,738	1,769
Other income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain (losses) on sales of loans and investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	302	'	-35
Servicing revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	290	279	283
Contingency revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	420	356	333
Gains on debt repurchases	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	48	145	64
Other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	38	48	89
Total other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,098	828	734
Expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Direct operating expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	806	673	736
Overhead expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	236	224	269
Total operating expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,042	897	1,005
Restructuring and other reorganization expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	72	11	12
Total expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,114	908	1,017
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,857	1,658	1,486
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	680	597	547
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,177	1,061	939
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	112	-1	37
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,289	1,060	976
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1	-2	-1
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,290	1,062	977
Operating Segments [Member] | Consumer Lending [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Student loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,527	2,481	2,429
Cash and investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7	7	9
Total interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,534	2,488	2,438
Total interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	825	822	801
Net interest income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,709	1,666	1,637
Less: provisions for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	787	1,008	1,179
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	922	658	458
Other income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain (losses) on sales of loans and investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-9
Servicing revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	34	46	64
Total other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	34	46	55
Expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Direct operating expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	299	265	291
Overhead expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1	'	'
Total operating expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	298	265	291
Restructuring and other reorganization expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6	3	3
Total expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	304	268	294
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	652	436	219
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	239	157	81
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	413	279	138
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1	-2	-2
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	412	277	136
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	412	277	136
Operating Segments [Member] | Business Services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5	7	8
Total interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5	7	8
Net interest income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5	7	8
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5	7	8
Other income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Servicing revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	710	813	872
Contingency revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	420	356	333
Other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	34	33	69
Total other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,164	1,202	1,274
Expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Direct operating expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	400	364	393
Total operating expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	400	364	393
Restructuring and other reorganization expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	3	5
Total expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	402	367	398
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	767	842	884
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	281	303	325
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	486	539	559
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	112	'	5
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	598	539	564
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1	-2	-1
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	599	541	565
Operating Segments [Member] | FFELP Loans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Student loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,313	2,744	2,914
Cash and investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6	11	5
Total interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,319	2,755	2,919
Total interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,285	1,591	1,472
Net interest income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,034	1,164	1,447
Less: provisions for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	52	72	86
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	982	1,092	1,361
Other income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain (losses) on sales of loans and investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	312	'	'
Servicing revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	76	90	86
Total other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	388	90	86
Expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Direct operating expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	557	702	772
Total operating expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	557	702	772
Restructuring and other reorganization expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1
Total expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	557	702	773
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	813	480	674
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	298	173	248
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	515	307	426
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	515	307	426
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	515	307	426
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11	16	21
Cash and investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4	2	5
Total interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15	18	26
Total interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	51	37	54
Net interest income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-36	-19	-28
Less: provisions for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	30
Net interest income (loss) after provisions for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-36	-19	-58
Other income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain (losses) on sales of loans and investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-10	'	-26
Gains on debt repurchases	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	48	145	64
Other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4	15	20
Total other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	42	160	58
Expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Direct operating expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	80	12	19
Overhead expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	237	224	269
Total operating expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	317	236	288
Restructuring and other reorganization expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	64	5	3
Total expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	381	241	291
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-375	-100	-291
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-138	-36	-107
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-237	-64	-184
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	1	34
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-236	-63	-150
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-236	-63	-150
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-5	-6	-8
Total interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-5	-6	-8
Total interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-5	-6	-8
Other income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Servicing revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-530	-670	-739
Total other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-530	-670	-739
Expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Direct operating expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-530	-670	-739
Total operating expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-530	-670	-739
Total expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($530)	($670)	($739)

Segment_Reporting_Segment_Resu1

Segment Reporting - Segment Result and Reconciliations to GAAP - Core Earnings Adjustments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Results And Reconciliations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	$599	$592	$583	$554	$518	$549	$503	$558	$2,328	$2,128	$2,234
Total other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	886	244	-271
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense	3	4	3	3	14	5	5	5	13	27	21
Income tax expense (benefit)	129	136	299	211	157	104	169	68	776	498	328
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)	59	8	38	1	'	'	-1	'	106	-2	35
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation	270	260	543	346	348	188	292	112	1,418	939	633
Total Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Results And Reconciliations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	455	390	465
Total other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-212	-584	-1,005
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13	27	21
Total "Core Earnings" adjustments to GAAP	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	230	-221	-561
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	96	-99	-219
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-6	-1	-2
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	128	-123	-344
Net Impact of Derivative Accounting [Member] | Total Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Results And Reconciliations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	455	390	465
Total other income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-212	-584	-1,005
Total "Core Earnings" adjustments to GAAP	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	243	-194	-540
Net Impact of Goodwill and Acquired Intangibles [Member] | Total Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Results And Reconciliations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13	27	21
Total "Core Earnings" adjustments to GAAP	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($13)	($27)	($21)

Segment_Reporting_Segment_Resu2

Segment Reporting - Segment Result and Reconciliations to GAAP - Core Earnings Adjustments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'	'
Other derivative accounting adjustments	$63	$42	($32)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net	$487	$115	($153)

Segment_Reporting_Core_Earning

Segment Reporting - Core Earnings Adjustments to GAAP (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of "Core Earnings" Adjustments to GAAP	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income tax (expense) benefit	($129)	($136)	($299)	($211)	($157)	($104)	($169)	($68)	($776)	($498)	($328)
Net effect from discontinued operations	59	8	38	1	'	'	-1	'	106	-2	35
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation	270	260	543	346	348	188	292	112	1,418	939	633
Total Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of "Core Earnings" Adjustments to GAAP	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Core Earnings adjustments to GAAP	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	230	-221	-561
Income tax (expense) benefit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-96	99	219
Net effect from discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-6	-1	-2
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	128	-123	-344
Total Adjustments [Member] | Net Impact of Derivative Accounting [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of "Core Earnings" Adjustments to GAAP	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Core Earnings adjustments to GAAP	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	243	-194	-540
Total Adjustments [Member] | Net Impact of Goodwill and Acquired Intangibles [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of "Core Earnings" Adjustments to GAAP	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Core Earnings adjustments to GAAP	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($13)	($27)	($21)

Segment_Reporting_Core_Earning1

Segment Reporting - Core Earnings Adjustments to GAAP (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Amount that will be equal to cumulative net unrealized gain or loss over the life of the contract	$0

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
			Operating Segments [Member]	Operating Segments [Member]
			Business Services [Member]	Business Services [Member]
				Plans
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
After-tax gain on sale of business	$38	$38	$65	$65
Type of college savings plan	'	'	'	529

Discontinued_Operations_Discon

Discontinued Operations - Discontinued Assets and Liabilities of Business Held for Sale (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Cash and equivalents	$5	$33
Other assets	98	202
Assets of discontinued operations	103	235
Liabilities:	'	'
Liabilities of discontinued operations	$94	$168

Discontinued_Operations_Summar

Discontinued Operations - Summary of Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operations:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	$126	($3)	$55
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	20	-1	20
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)	$59	$8	$38	$1	($1)	$106	($2)	$35

Concentrations_of_Risk_Additio

Concentrations of Risk - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
	PrivateSectorCompany
	PrivateSectorInstitution
	Clients
Risks And Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
Net interest margin earned on FFELP Loans portfolio	$1,500,000,000
Maintenance fees earned on FFELP Loans	38,000,000
Number of guarantors as clients	15
Total collection revenue from guarantor clients	$303,000,000
Number of private sector institutions servicing DSLP	4
Number of private sector companies collecting defaulted direct loans	22

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio2

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) - Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net interest income	$789	$799	$784	$795	$832	$819	$746	$811	$3,167	$3,208	$3,529
Less: provisions for loan losses	190	207	201	241	314	270	243	253	839	1,080	1,295
Net interest income after provisions for loan losses	599	592	583	554	518	549	503	558	2,328	2,128	2,234
Gains (losses) on derivative and hedging activities, net	-128	-127	18	-31	-28	-233	6	-372	-268	-628	-959
Other income	203	196	472	281	256	202	176	238	'	'	'
Operating expenses	305	257	244	235	226	220	216	236	1,042	897	1,005
Goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment and amortization expense	3	4	3	3	14	5	5	5	13	27	21
Restructuring and other reorganization expenses	26	12	23	10	1	2	3	4	72	11	12
Income tax expense	129	136	299	211	157	104	169	68	776	498	328
Net income from continuing operations	211	252	504	345	348	187	292	111	1,311	939	597
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	59	8	38	1	'	'	-1	'	106	-2	35
Net income	270	260	542	346	348	187	291	111	1,417	937	632
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	-1	'	'	-1	-1	-1	-1	-2	-1
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation	270	260	543	346	348	188	292	112	1,418	939	633
Preferred stock dividends	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	20	20	18
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock	$265	$255	$538	$341	$343	$183	$287	$107	$1,398	$919	$615
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations	$0.47	$0.56	$1.14	$0.76	$0.75	$0.39	$0.59	$0.21	$2.94	$1.93	$1.12
Discontinued operations	$0.14	$0.02	$0.08	'	'	'	'	'	$0.24	'	$0.07
Total	$0.61	$0.58	$1.22	$0.76	$0.75	$0.39	$0.59	$0.21	$3.18	$1.93	$1.19
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations	$0.47	$0.55	$1.12	$0.74	$0.74	$0.39	$0.59	$0.21	$2.89	$1.90	$1.11
Discontinued operations	$0.13	$0.02	$0.08	'	'	'	'	'	$0.23	'	$0.07
Total	$0.60	$0.57	$1.20	$0.74	$0.74	$0.39	$0.59	$0.21	$3.12	$1.90	$1.18