Nelnet (NNI) 10-Q 8 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
		Common Class A [Member]	Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'NELNET INC	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	35,018,015	11,491,932
Entity Public Float	$940,529,760.75	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001258602	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses)	$25,607,143	$25,907,589
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents - not held at a related party	18,374	8,537
Cash and cash equivalents - held at a related party	88,728	54,730
Total cash and cash equivalents	107,102	63,267
Investments	166,201	192,040
Restricted cash and investments	705,889	735,123
Restricted cash - due to customers	180,469	167,576
Accrued interest receivable	305,672	314,553
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts)	62,423	56,072
Goodwill	117,118	117,118
Intangible assets, net	9,089	6,132
Property and equipment, net	33,302	33,829
Other assets	128,597	115,043
Fair value of derivative instruments	64,002	62,507
Total assets	27,487,007	27,770,849
Liabilities:	'	'
Bonds and notes payable	25,589,287	25,955,289
Accrued interest payable	22,338	21,725
Other liabilities	164,692	164,300
Due to customers	180,469	167,576
Fair value of derivative instruments	16,547	17,969
Total liabilities	25,973,333	26,326,859
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock:	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	27,138	24,887
Retained earnings	1,482,637	1,413,492
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	2,679	4,819
Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,512,919	1,443,662
Noncontrolling interest	755	328
Total equity	1,513,674	1,443,990
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	27,487,007	27,770,849
Common Class A [Member]	'	'
Common stock:	'	'
Common stock	350	349
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Common stock:	'	'
Common stock	115	115
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses)	25,716,871	26,020,629
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'
Restricted cash and investments	704,370	732,771
Other assets	303,511	313,748
Fair value of derivative instruments	36,795	36,834
Liabilities:	'	'
Bonds and notes payable	25,909,892	26,244,222
Other liabilities	287,703	303,142
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Net assets of consolidated variable interest entities	563,952	556,618
held for investment [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses)	$25,607,143	$25,907,589

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_un1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for loan losses	$54,628	$55,122
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$2,556	$3,845
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, authorized shares	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, issued shares	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding shares	0	0
Common Class A [Member]	'	'
Par Value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Shares Authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000
Shares Issued	35,019,924	34,881,338
Shares Outstanding	35,019,924	34,881,338
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Par Value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Shares Authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000
Shares Issued	11,491,932	11,495,377
Shares Outstanding	11,491,932	11,495,377

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Interest income:	'	'
Loan interest	$156,896	$155,539
Investment interest	1,979	1,617
Total interest income	158,875	157,156
Interest expense:	'	'
Interest on bonds and notes payable	60,004	58,358
Net interest income	98,871	98,798
Less provision for loan losses	2,500	5,000
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	96,371	93,798
Other income (expense):	'	'
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	64,757	55,601
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	25,235	23,411
Enrollment services revenue	22,011	28,957
Other income	18,131	9,416
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	39	1,407
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net	-4,265	1,072
Total other income (expense)	125,908	119,864
Operating expenses:	'	'
Salaries and benefits	52,484	47,905
Cost to provide enrollment services	14,475	19,642
Depreciation and amortization	4,783	4,377
Other	35,627	34,941
Total operating expenses	107,369	106,865
Income before income taxes	114,910	106,797
Income tax expense	-40,611	-38,447
Net income	74,299	68,350
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	513	271
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	73,786	68,079
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted	$1.59	$1.46
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	46,527,917	46,658,031
Common shareholders [Member]	'	'
Operating expenses:	'	'
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$73,125	$67,517
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted	$1.59	$1.46
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	46,110,952	46,272,324

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net income	$74,299	$68,350
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period, net	3,675	4,520
Less reclassification adjustment for gains recognized in net income, net	-7,073	-957
Income tax effect	1,258	-1,326
Total other comprehensive loss	-2,140	2,237
Comprehensive income	72,159	70,587
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	513	271
Comprehensive income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$71,646	$70,316

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (unaudited) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class A [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

Common Class B [Member]

Additional paid-in capital [Member]

Additional paid-in capital [Member]

Additional paid-in capital [Member]

Additional paid-in capital [Member]

Retained earnings [Member]

Retained earnings [Member]

Retained earnings [Member]

Retained earnings [Member]

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings [Member]

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings [Member]

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings [Member]

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings [Member]

Noncontrolling interest [Member]

Noncontrolling interest [Member]

Noncontrolling interest [Member]

Noncontrolling interest [Member]

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.

$73,786

$68,079

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$73,786

$68,079

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

513

271

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-513

271

'

'

Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance (in Shares)

'

'

0

0

0

0

34,881,338

35,116,913

35,019,924

35,029,341

11,495,377

11,495,377

11,491,932

11,495,377

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance

1,443,990

1,165,213

0

0

0

0

349

351

350

350

115

115

115

115

24,887

32,540

27,138

27,786

1,413,492

1,129,389

1,482,637

1,192,822

4,819

2,813

2,679

5,050

328

5

755

281

Net income

74,299

68,350

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other comprehensive income (loss)

-2,140

2,237

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,140

2,237

'

'

'

'

'

'

Distribution to noncontrolling interest

-287

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

287

'

'

'

Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock

-4,641

-4,646

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-4,641

-4,646

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures

2,246

1,273

'

'

'

'

2

1

'

'

0

0

'

'

2,244

1,272

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

155,705

125,963

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Compensation expense for stock based awards

875

676

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

875

676

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repurchase of common stock

-869

-6,704

'

'

'

'

-1

-2

'

'

0

0

'

'

-868

-6,702

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities

'

'

'

'

'

'

-3,445

'

'

'

-3,445

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

-20,564

-213,535

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Sale of Parent Equity Interest

$201

$5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$201

$5

'

'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha1

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Common Class A [Member]	'	'
Dividends paid per common share	$0.10	$0.10
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Dividends paid per common share	$0.10	$0.10

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$73,786	$68,079
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	513	271
Net income	74,299	68,350
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization, including debt discounts and student loan premiums and deferred origination costs	21,999	20,079
Student loan discount accretion	-10,023	-9,075
Provision for loan losses	2,500	5,000
Derivative market value adjustment	-2,916	19,507
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	-39	-34,844
Foreign currency transaction adjustment	952	-28,763
Gain on sale of loans	0	-33
Gain from debt repurchases	-39	-1,374
Gain from sales of available-for-sale securities, net	-7,073	-957
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	2,497	4,874
Purchases of trading investments	-731	0
Other	2,285	-355
Decrease in accrued interest receivable	8,881	2,341
Increase in accounts receivable	-5,758	-9,601
(Increase) decrease in other assets	1,303	293
Decrease in accrued interest payable	613	1,091
(Increase) decrease in other liabilities	-185	13,614
Net cash provided by operating activities	88,604	84,991
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of student loans	-385,963	-758,508
Purchases Of Student Loans From Related Party	-137	0
Net proceeds from student loan repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other	686,908	688,387
Proceeds from sale of student loans	0	11,284
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	-69,930	-86,776
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	99,799	13,405
Purchases of other investments, net	-14,467	0
Purchases of property and equipment, net	-3,146	-2,778
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	29,356	695
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired	-1,909	0
Net cash provided by investing activities	340,511	-134,291
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Payments on bonds and notes payable	-1,347,517	-2,244,266
Proceeds from issuance of bonds and notes payable	972,384	2,295,865
Payments of debt issuance costs	-4,700	-7,093
Dividends paid	-4,641	-4,646
Repurchases of common stock	-869	-6,704
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	149	174
Issuance of noncontrolling interest	201	5
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	-287	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-385,280	33,335
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	43,835	-15,965
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	63,267	66,031
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	107,102	50,066
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	'	'
Interest paid	48,750	48,696
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	13,378	5,489
Retained Earnings [Member]	'	'
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$73,786	$68,079

Basis_of_Financial_Reporting

Basis of Financial Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Financial Reporting	'
	Basis of Financial Reporting
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2014 and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 and, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2014. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the "2013 Annual Report").

Student_Loans_Receivable_and_A

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Financing Receivables [Text Block]	'
	Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses
	Student loans receivable consisted of the following:
		As of			As of
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Federally insured loans
	Stafford and other	$	6,606,814		6,686,626
	Consolidation	19,138,841			19,363,577
	Total	25,745,655			26,050,203
	Non-federally insured loans	68,540			71,103
		25,814,195			26,121,306
	Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (a)	(152,424		)	(158,595	)
	Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans	(42,909		)	(43,440	)
	Allowance for loan losses – non-federally insured loans	(11,719		)	(11,682	)
		$	25,607,143		25,907,589
	(a)	For loans purchased where there is evidence of credit deterioration since the origination of the loan, the Company records a credit discount, separate from the allowance for loan losses, which is non-accretable to interest income. Remaining discounts and premiums for purchased loans are recognized in interest income over the remaining estimated lives of the loans. The Company continues to evaluate credit losses associated with purchased loans based on current information and changes in expectations to determine the need for any additional allowance for loan losses. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $20.0 million and $20.2 million, respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans.
	Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses
	The provision for loan losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance appropriate to absorb losses, net of recoveries, inherent in the portfolio of student loans. Activity in the allowance for loan losses is shown below.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	55,122		51,902
	Provision for loan losses:
	Federally insured loans	3,000			6,000
	Non-federally insured loans	(500		)	(1,000	)
	Total provision for loan losses	2,500			5,000
	Charge-offs:
	Federally insured loans	(3,631		)	(5,990	)
	Non-federally insured loans	(421		)	(772	)
	Total charge-offs	(4,052		)	(6,762	)
	Recoveries - non-federally insured loans	371			368
	Purchase (sale) of federally insured loans, net	100			(2,218	)
	Transfer from repurchase obligation related to non-federally insured loans repurchased, net	587			1,119
	Balance at end of period	$	54,628		49,409
	Allocation of the allowance for loan losses:
	Federally insured loans	$	42,909		37,913
	Non-federally insured loans	11,719			11,496
	Total allowance for loan losses	$	54,628		49,409
	Repurchase Obligations
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company had participated a cumulative amount of $119.6 million (par value) of non-federally insured loans to third parties. Loans participated under these agreements have been accounted for by the Company as loan sales. Accordingly, the participation interests sold are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Per the terms of the servicing agreements, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase loans subject to the participation interests in the event such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent.
	In addition, in 2011, the Company sold a portfolio of non-federally insured loans for proceeds of $91.3 million (100% of par value).  The Company retained credit risk related to this portfolio and will pay cash to purchase back any loans which become 60 days delinquent. As of March 31, 2014, the balance of this portfolio was $61.1 million (par value).
	The Company’s estimate related to its obligation to repurchase these loans is included in “other liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The activity related to this accrual is detailed below.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	16,143		16,130
	Loans repurchased	(730		)	(1,119	)
	Ending balance	$	15,413		15,011
	Student Loan Status and Delinquencies
	Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact the Company’s earnings through increased servicing and collection costs and account charge-offs.  The percent of non-federally insured loans that were delinquent 31 days or greater as of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013 was 12.8 percent, 12.7 percent, and 20.5 percent, respectively. The table below shows the Company’s federally insured student loan delinquency amounts.
	Rehabilitation Loans and Delinquent Loans Funded in FFELP Warehouse Facilities
	Rehabilitation loans are student loans that have previously defaulted, but for which the borrower has made a specified number of on-time payments.  Although rehabilitation loans benefit from the same guarantees as other federally insured student loans, rehabilitation loans have generally experienced re-default rates that are higher than default rates for federally insured student loans that have not previously defaulted.  The Company has purchased a significant amount of rehabilitation loans.  Upon purchase, these loans are recorded at fair value, which generally approximates the federal guarantee rate under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (the "FFEL Program" or "FFELP").  As such, there is minimal credit risk related to rehabilitation loans purchased; therefore, these loans are presented separately in the following delinquency tables.
	In addition, the Company has purchased delinquent federally insured loans that are funded in the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities. Upon purchase, these loans are recorded at fair value, which generally approximates the federal guarantee rate. As such, there is minimal credit risk related to these loans. Loans delinquent 121 days or greater and funded in the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities are included with rehabilitation loans purchased in the following delinquency tables.
		As of March 31, 2014					As of December 31, 2013				As of March 31, 2013
	Federally insured loans, excluding rehabilitation loans:
	Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$	2,617,628				$	2,618,390			$	2,933,416
	Loans in forbearance	2,797,432					2,954,495				2,890,574
	Loans in repayment status:
	Loans current	15,293,299			87.2	%	15,251,869		86.1	%	14,501,802		87.8	%
	Loans delinquent 31-60 days	669,238			3.8		768,600		4.3		621,296		3.8
	Loans delinquent 61-90 days	407,779			2.3		426,089		2.5		409,209		2.5
	Loans delinquent 91-120 days	252,413			1.4		281,991		1.6		241,113		1.5
	Loans delinquent 121-270 days	640,214			3.7		712,204		4		512,875		3.1
	Loans delinquent 271 days or greater	272,159			1.6		269,066		1.5		211,461		1.3
	Total loans in repayment	17,535,102			100	%	17,709,819		100	%	16,497,756		100	%
	Total federally insured loans, excluding rehabilitation loans	$	22,950,162				$	23,282,704			$	22,321,746
Rehabilitation loans:
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$	261,754				$	254,115			$	213,101
Loans in forbearance	416,206					415,530				394,733
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	1,205,261			56.9	%	1,086,053		51.8	%	877,800		42.4	%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	163,143			7.7		198,718		9.5		138,249		6.7
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	114,920			5.4		124,244		5.9		109,129		5.3
Loans delinquent 91-120 days	91,730			4.3		108,800		5.2		121,468		5.9
Loans delinquent 121-270 days	344,434			16.3		405,732		19.3		573,054		27.7
Loans delinquent 271 days or greater	198,045			9.4		174,307		8.3		249,011		12
Total loans in repayment	2,117,533			100	%	2,097,854		100	%	2,068,711		100	%
Total rehabilitation loans	2,795,493					2,767,499				2,676,545
Total federally insured loans	$	25,745,655				$	26,050,203			$	24,998,291

Bonds_and_Notes_Payable

Bonds and Notes Payable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Bonds and Notes Payable	'
	Bonds and Notes Payable
	The following tables summarize the Company’s outstanding debt obligations by type of instrument:
		As of March 31, 2014
		Carrying				Interest rate		Final maturity
		amount				range
	Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
	Bonds and notes based on indices	$	23,780,072			0.24% - 6.90%		5/25/18 - 8/26/52
	Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing	1,132,900				0.07% - 2.18%		5/1/28 - 11/26/46
	Total variable-rate bonds and notes	24,912,972
	FFELP warehouse facilities	772,435				0.16% - 0.24%		1/17/16 - 9/30/16
	Unsecured line of credit	—				—		3/28/18
	Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	96,457				3.61%		9/15/61
	Other borrowings	61,374				1.65% - 5.10%		8/11/14 - 11/11/15
		25,843,238
	Discount on bonds and notes payable	(253,951		)
	Total	$	25,589,287
		As of December 31, 2013
		Carrying				Interest rate		Final maturity
		amount				range
	Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
	Bonds and notes based on indices	$	23,479,893			0.25% - 6.90%		5/25/18 - 8/26/52
	Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing	1,134,250				0.07% - 2.17%		5/1/28 - 11/26/46
	Total variable-rate bonds and notes	24,614,143
	FFELP warehouse facilities	1,396,344				0.17% - 0.25%		1/17/16 - 6/12/16
	Unsecured line of credit	45,000				1.67%		3/28/18
	Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	96,457				3.62%		9/15/61
	Other borrowings	61,401				1.67% - 5.10%		4/11/14 - 11/11/15
		26,213,345
	Discount on bonds and notes payable	(258,056		)
	Total	$	25,955,289
	FFELP Warehouse Facilities
	The Company funds a portion of its FFELP loan acquisitions using its FFELP warehouse facilities. Student loan warehousing allows the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements.
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below.
			NHELP-III				NFSLW-I (a)		NHELP-II		Total
	Maximum financing amount		$	750,000			500,000		500,000		1,750,000
	Amount outstanding		377,995				276,915		117,525		772,435
	Amount available		$	372,005			223,085		382,475		977,565
	Expiration of liquidity provisions		February 5, 2015				June 12, 2014		September 30, 2014
	Final maturity date		January 17, 2016				June 12, 2016		September 30, 2016
	Maximum advance rates		92.2 - 95.0%				92.0 - 98.0%		84.5 - 94.5%
	Minimum advance rates		92.2 - 95.0%				84.0 - 90.0%		84.5 - 94.5%
	Advanced as equity support		$	22,912			16,847		11,745		51,504
	(a) On April 15, 2014, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount to $1.0 billion, change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to June 11, 2015, and change the maturity date to June 11, 2017. The maximum financing amount is scheduled to decrease $100.0 million a month beginning in June 2014 until it returns to $500.0 million in size.
	Asset-backed Securitizations
	The following table summarizes the asset-backed securitization transactions completed during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
			2014-1				2014-2								Total
							Class A-1 notes		Class A-2 notes		Class A-3 notes		2014-2 total
	Date securities issued		2/6/14				3/12/14		3/12/14		3/12/14		3/12/14
	Total original principal amount		$	458,500									509,000		$	967,500
	Class A senior notes:
	Total original principal amount		$	445,000			191,000		222,000		84,000		497,000		942,000
	Bond discount		—				—		—		(535	)	(535	)	(535		)
	Issue price		$	445,000			191,000		222,000		83,465		496,465		941,465
	Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:)		0.57		%		0.28	%	0.6	%	0.85	%
	Final maturity date		9/25/41				6/25/21		3/25/30		7/27/37
	Class B subordinated notes:
	Total original principal amount		$	13,500									12,000		25,500
	Bond discount		(1,132		)								(1,046	)	(2,178		)
	Issue price		$	12,368									10,954		23,322
	Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:)		1.5		%								1.5	%
	Final maturity date		10/25/47										6/25/41
	Unsecured Line of Credit
	The Company has a $275.0 million unsecured line of credit that matures on March 28, 2018. As of March 31, 2014, no amounts were outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $275.0 million was available for future use.
Debt Repurchases
The Company repurchased $1.4 million (face amount) and $13.0 million (face amount) of its own asset-backed debt securities during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and recognized gains on such purchases of approximately $39,000 and $1.4 million, respectively.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to manage interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk. Derivative instruments used as part of the Company's risk management strategy are further described in note 6 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2013 Annual Report. A tabular presentation of such derivatives outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is presented below.
	Basis Swaps
	The following table summarizes the Company’s basis swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR set discretely in advance and pays one-month LIBOR plus or minus a spread as defined in the agreements (the "1:3 Basis Swaps").
		Maturity			Notional amount
		2021			$	250,000
		2022			1,900,000
		2023			3,650,000
		2024			250,000
		2026			800,000
		2028			100,000
		2036			700,000
		2039	(a)		150,000
		2040	(b)		200,000
					$	8,000,000		(c)
	(a)This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2015.
	(b)This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2020.
	(c)	The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was one-month LIBOR plus 3.5 basis points.
	Interest Rate Swaps – Floor Income Hedges
	The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	Maturity		Notional amount				Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
	2014		$	1,750,000			0.71	%
	2015		1,100,000				0.89
	2016		750,000				0.85
	2017		1,250,000				0.86
			$	4,850,000			0.81	%
	(a)	For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
	Interest Rate Swaps – Unsecured Debt Hedges
	The Company had the following derivatives outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a portion of the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities ("Hybrid Securities") to a fixed rate.
	Maturity		Notional amount				Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
	2036		$	25,000			4.28	%
	(a)	For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
	Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
	In 2006, the Company issued €352.7 million of student loan asset-backed Euro Notes (the "Euro Notes") with an interest rate based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result of the Euro Notes, the Company is exposed to market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The principal and accrued interest on these notes are re-measured at each reporting period and recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date.
	The Company entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. Under the terms of the cross-currency interest rate swap, the Company receives from the counterparty a spread to the EURIBOR index based on a notional amount of €352.7 million and pays a spread to the LIBOR index based on a notional amount of $450.0 million. In addition, under the terms of this agreement, all principal payments on the Euro Notes will effectively be paid at the exchange rate in effect between the U.S. dollar and Euro as of the issuance of the notes.
	The following table shows the income statement impact as a result of the re-measurement of the Euro Notes and the change in the fair value of the related derivative instrument.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013 (b)
	Re-measurement of Euro Notes	$	(952	)		28,763
	Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swaps	(39		)		(34,844	)
	Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a)	$	(991	)		(6,081	)
	(a)	The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income.
	(b)	The 2013 operating results includes the re-measurement of €420.5 million of student loan asset-backed Euro notes and the change in fair value of a related cross-currency interest rate swap entered into in connection with the issuance of such notes. In November 2013, the notional amount outstanding on the notes was changed to U.S. dollars and the cross-currency interest swap was terminated.
	The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in fair value of the cross-currency interest rate swaps. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains or losses related to the cross-currency interest rate swaps if the two underlying indices (and related forward curve) do not move in parallel.
	Consolidated Financial Statement Impact Related to Derivatives
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivatives as reflected in the consolidated balance sheets:
		Fair value of asset derivatives							Fair value of liability derivatives
		As of				As of			As of			As of
		March 31,				December 31,			March 31,			December 31,
		2014				2013			2014			2013
	1:3 basis swaps	$	19,600			18,490			—			—
	Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	7,607				7,183			12,915			15,849
	Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	—				—			3,632			2,120
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps	36,795				36,834			—			—
	Total	$	64,002			62,507			16,547			17,969
	During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company terminated certain derivatives for gross proceeds and payments of $2.7 million and $2.9 million, respectively. There were no derivative terminations during the first quarter of 2014.
	Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities
	The Company records derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Certain of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. The following tables include the gross amounts related to the Company's derivative portfolio recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, reconciled to the net amount when excluding derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and cash collateral received/pledged:
							Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
	Derivative assets		Gross amounts of recognized assets presented in the consolidated balance sheets				Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement			Cash collateral received			Net asset (liability)
	Balance as of March 31, 2014		$	64,002			(15,313	)		(323	)		48,366
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		62,507				(15,437	)		(15,959	)		31,111
							Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
Derivative liabilities		Gross amounts of recognized liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets				Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement			Cash collateral pledged			Net asset (liability)
Balance as of March 31, 2014		$	(16,547	)		15,313			3,140			1,906
Balance as of December 31, 2013		(17,969		)		15,437			3,630			1,098
The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income.
	Three months ended March 31,
	2014				2013
Settlements:
1:3 basis swaps	$	881			911
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	(6,950		)		(8,304	)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	(252		)		(645	)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	92				(146	)
Total settlements - expense	(6,229		)		(8,184	)
Change in fair value:
1:3 basis swaps	1,110				1,933
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	3,358				9,422
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	(1,513		)		3,640
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	(39		)		(34,844	)
Other	—				342
Total change in fair value - income (expense)	2,916				(19,507	)
Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - (expense) income	(952		)		28,763
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net - (expense) income	$	(4,265	)		1,072

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Investments
	A summary of the Company's investments and restricted investments follows:
		As of March 31, 2014											As of December 31, 2013
		Amortized cost				Gross unrealized gains			Gross unrealized losses (a)		Fair value		Amortized cost	Gross unrealized gains	Gross unrealized losses		Fair value
	Investments:
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities (b)	$	149,016			3,192			(824	)	151,384		171,931	7,111	(1,241	)	177,801
	Equity securities	1,308				1,884			—		3,192		1,502	1,783	(3	)	3,282
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	150,324			5,076			(824	)	154,576		173,433	8,894	(1,244	)	181,083
	Trading investments:
	Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities										11,625						10,957
	Total available-for-sale and trading investments										$	166,201					192,040
	Restricted Investments (c):
	Guaranteed investment contracts - held-to-maturity										$	6,742					7,285
	(a)	As of March 31, 2014, the Company considered the decline in market value of its available-for-sale investments to be temporary in nature and did not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired.
	(b)	As of March 31, 2014, the stated maturities of the majority of the Company's student loan asset-backed and other debt securities classified as available-for-sale were greater than 10 years.
	(c)	Restricted investments are included in "restricted cash and investments" in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
	The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income related to the realized gains and losses on available-for-sale-securities is summarized below.
			Three months ended March 31,
	Affected line item in the consolidated statements of income - income (expense):		2014				2013
	Other income		$	7,073			957
	Income tax expense		(2,617		)		(354	)
	Net		$	4,456			603

Earnings_per_Common_Share

Earnings per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Common Share	'
	Earnings per Common Share
	Presented below is a summary of the components used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share. The Company applies the two-class method in computing both basic and diluted earnings per share, which requires the calculation of separate earnings per share amounts for common stock and unvested share based awards. Unvested share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered securities which participate in undistributed earnings with common stock.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
		Common shareholders		Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total	Common shareholders	Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	73,125	661	73,786	67,517	562	68,079
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	46,110,952		416,965	46,527,917	46,272,324	385,707	46,658,031
	Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$	1.59	1.59	1.59	1.46	1.46	1.46
	Unvested restricted stock awards are the Company's only potential common shares and, accordingly, there were no awards that were antidilutive and not included in average shares outstanding for the diluted earnings per share calculation.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	Segment Reporting
	See note 13 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2013 Annual Report for a description of the Company's operating segments. The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements.
		Three months ended March 31, 2014
		Fee-Based
		Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Enrollment		Total Fee-		Asset		Corporate		Eliminations		Total
							Services		Based		Generation and		Activity
											Management		and
													Overhead
	Total interest income	$	11		—		—		11		157,003		2,658		(797	)	158,875
	Interest expense	—			—		—		—		59,476		1,325		(797	)	60,004
	Net interest income	11			—		—		11		97,527		1,333		—		98,871
	Less provision for loan losses	—			—		—		—		2,500		—		—		2,500
	Net interest income after provision for loan losses	11			—		—		11		95,027		1,333		—		96,371
	Other income (expense):
	Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	64,757			—		—		64,757		—		—		—		64,757
	Intersegment servicing revenue	14,221			—		—		14,221		—		—		(14,221	)	—
	Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	—			25,235		—		25,235		—		—		—		25,235
	Enrollment services revenue	—			—		22,011		22,011		—		—		—		22,011
	Other income	—			—		—		—		4,164		13,967		—		18,131
	Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	—			—		—		—		39		—		—		39
	Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		—		—		3,477		(1,513	)	—		1,964
	Derivative settlements, net	—			—		—		—		(5,977	)	(252	)	—		(6,229	)
	Total other income (expense)	78,978			25,235		22,011		126,224		1,703		12,202		(14,221	)	125,908
	Operating expenses:
	Salaries and benefits	32,307			10,027		4,380		46,714		609		5,161		—		52,484
	Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		14,475		14,475		—		—		—		14,475
	Depreciation and amortization	2,789			1,428		47		4,264		—		519		—		4,783
	Other	18,452			2,647		1,449		22,548		7,146		5,933		—		35,627
	Intersegment expenses, net	1,083			1,420		1,006		3,509		14,371		(3,659	)	(14,221	)	—
	Total operating expenses	54,631			15,522		21,357		91,510		22,126		7,954		(14,221	)	107,369
	Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	24,358			9,713		654		34,725		74,604		5,581		—		114,910
	Corporate overhead allocation	(1,860		)	(620	)	(620	)	(3,100	)	(1,329	)	4,429		—		—
	Income before income taxes	22,498			9,093		34		31,625		73,275		10,010		—		114,910
	Income tax expense	(8,549		)	(3,455	)	(13	)	(12,017	)	(27,844	)	(750	)	—		(40,611	)
	Net income	13,949			5,638		21		19,608		45,431		9,260		—		74,299
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—		—		—		—		513		—		513
	Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	13,949		5,638		21		19,608		45,431		8,747		—		73,786
		Three months ended March 31, 2013
		Fee-Based
		Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Enrollment		Total Fee-		Asset		Corporate		Eliminations		Total
							Services		Based		Generation and		Activity
											Management		and
													Overhead
	Total interest income	$	10		—		—		10		155,654		2,311		(819	)	157,156
	Interest expense	—			—		—		—		57,482		1,695		(819	)	58,358
	Net interest income	10			—		—		10		98,172		616		—		98,798
	Less provision for loan losses	—			—		—		—		5,000		—		—		5,000
	Net interest income after provision for loan losses	10			—		—		10		93,172		616		—		93,798
	Other income (expense):
	Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	55,601			—		—		55,601		—		—		—		55,601
	Intersegment servicing revenue	14,953			—		—		14,953		—		—		(14,953	)	—
	Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	—			23,411		—		23,411		—		—		—		23,411
	Enrollment services revenue	—			—		28,957		28,957		—		—		—		28,957
	Other income	—			—		—		—		4,196		5,220		—		9,416
	Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	—			—		—		—		1,407		—		—		1,407
	Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		—		—		5,275		3,981		—		9,256
	Derivative settlements, net	—			—		—		—		(7,539	)	(645	)	—		(8,184	)
	Total other income (expense)	70,554			23,411		28,957		122,922		3,339		8,556		(14,953	)	119,864
	Operating expenses:
	Salaries and benefits	28,444			9,359		5,767		43,570		562		3,773		—		47,905
	Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		19,642		19,642		—		—		—		19,642
	Depreciation and amortization	2,789			1,138		61		3,988		—		389		—		4,377
	Other	18,390			2,287		1,651		22,328		7,513		5,100		—		34,941
Intersegment expenses, net	935			1,425		1,149		3,509		15,142		(3,698	)	(14,953	)	—
Total operating expenses	50,558			14,209		28,270		93,037		23,217		5,564		(14,953	)	106,865
Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	20,006			9,202		687		29,895		73,294		3,608		—		106,797
Corporate overhead allocation	(997		)	(332	)	(332	)	(1,661	)	(712	)	2,373		—		—
Income before income taxes	19,009			8,870		355		28,234		72,582		5,981		—		106,797
Income tax expense	(7,223		)	(3,371	)	(135	)	(10,729	)	(27,581	)	(137	)	—		(38,447	)
Net income	11,786			5,499		220		17,505		45,001		5,844		—		68,350
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—		—		—		—		271		—		271
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	11,786		5,499		220		17,505		45,001		5,573		—		68,079

Major_Customer

Major Customer	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Major Customer
	The Company earns loan servicing revenue from a servicing contract with the U.S. Department of Education ("Department") that spans five years (through June 2014).  Revenue earned by the Company's Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment related to this contract was $29.9 million and $20.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Department has the option to extend the contract for an additional five years. On October 25, 2013, the Company received a letter from the Department notifying the Company of the Department's intent to exercise its optional ordering period to extend the contract for an additional five years through June 16, 2019, with actual extension subject to the availability of government funds.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions
	The Company has entered into certain contractual arrangements with related parties as described in note 19 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Company's 2013 Annual Report.  The following provides an update for a related party transaction that occurred during the first quarter of 2014.
	On January 1, 2014, the Company subparticipated the Company's participation interest in a loan receivable from an unrelated third party to Union Bank and Trust Company ("Union Bank"), an entity under common control with the Company. The participated portion of the loan was $1.7 million, with an obligation to fund an additional $1.4 million. As part of this agreement, Union Bank will pay the Company monthly servicing fees equal to 40 basis points on the participated portion of the outstanding principal balance of the loan.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value	'
	Fair Value
	The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers into or out of level 1, level 2, or level 3 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
		As of March 31, 2014				As of December 31, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2	Total	Level 1	Level 2	Total
	Assets:
	Investments:
	Student loan asset-backed securities	$	—	162,553	162,553	—	188,279	188,279
	Equity securities	3,192		—	3,192	3,282	—	3,282
	Debt securities	456		—	456	479	—	479
	Total investments	3,648		162,553	166,201	3,761	188,279	192,040
	Fair value of derivative instruments	—		64,002	64,002	—	62,507	62,507
	Total assets	$	3,648	226,555	230,203	3,761	250,786	254,547
	Liabilities:
	Fair value of derivative instruments	$	—	16,547	16,547	—	17,969	17,969
	Total liabilities	$	—	16,547	16,547	—	17,969	17,969
	The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets:
		As of March 31, 2014
		Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	Financial assets:
	Student loans receivable	$	26,671,284	25,607,143	—	—	26,671,284
	Cash and cash equivalents	107,102		107,102	107,102	—	—
	Investments	166,201		166,201	3,648	162,553	—
	Restricted cash	699,147		699,147	699,147	—	—
	Restricted cash – due to customers	180,469		180,469	180,469	—	—
	Restricted investments	6,742		6,742	6,742	—	—
	Accrued interest receivable	305,672		305,672	—	305,672	—
	Derivative instruments	64,002		64,002	—	64,002	—
	Financial liabilities:
	Bonds and notes payable	25,461,183		25,589,287	—	25,461,183	—
	Accrued interest payable	22,338		22,338	—	22,338	—
	Due to customers	180,469		180,469	180,469	—	—
	Derivative instruments	16,547		16,547	—	16,547	—
		As of December 31, 2013
		Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	Financial assets:
	Student loans receivable	$	26,641,383	25,907,589	—	—	26,641,383
	Cash and cash equivalents	63,267		63,267	63,267	—	—
	Investments	192,040		192,040	3,761	188,279	—
	Restricted cash	727,838		727,838	727,838	—	—
	Restricted cash – due to customers	167,576		167,576	167,576	—	—
	Restricted investments	7,285		7,285	7,285	—	—
	Accrued interest receivable	314,553		314,553	—	314,553	—
	Derivative instruments	62,507		62,507	—	62,507	—
	Financial liabilities:
	Bonds and notes payable	25,577,250		25,955,289	—	25,577,250	—
	Accrued interest payable	21,725		21,725	—	21,725	—
	Due to customers	167,576		167,576	167,576	—	—
	Derivative instruments	17,969		17,969	—	17,969	—
	The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities are described in note 20 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2013 Annual Report.

Legal_Proceedings

Legal Proceedings	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Legal Proceedings	'
	Legal Proceedings
	General
	The Company is subject to various legal proceedings that arise in the normal course of business, including the legal proceedings discussed below. These matters frequently involve claims by student loan borrowers disputing the manner in which their student loans have been serviced or the accuracy of reports to credit bureaus, claims by student loan borrowers or other consumers alleging that state or Federal consumer protection laws have been violated in the process of collecting loans or conducting other business activities, and disputes with other business entities. From time to time, lawsuits may be brought as, or subsequently amended to assert claims in the form of, putative class action cases.
	In evaluating each of its legal proceedings, the Company considers many factors that involve significant risks and uncertainties inherent in the overall litigation process, including (i) the amount of damages and the nature of any other relief sought in the proceeding, if specified; (ii) whether the proceeding is at an early stage; (iii) the impact of discovery; (iv) whether novel or unsettled legal theories are at issue; (v) the outcome of pending motions or appeals; (vi) whether there are significant factual issues to be resolved; (vii) whether class action status is sought and the Company's views of the likelihood of a class being certified by the court and the ultimate size of the class; (viii) the jurisdiction in which the proceeding is pending; (ix) the Company's views of the merits of the claims and of the strength of the Company's defenses; and (x) the progress of any negotiations with opposing parties. In assessing whether a legal proceeding may be material, the Company considers these and other quantitative and qualitative factors, including whether disclosure of the proceeding might be important to a reader of the Company's financial statements in light of all of the information about the Company that is available to the reader.
	Actions Requesting Certifications of Classes
	Proceedings or complaints that involve or ask for certifications of classes generally expand the scope of legal defense costs, as well as alleged potential claim amounts. The Company is currently subject to legal proceedings in which the plaintiffs have made allegations that one or more putative classes should be certified by the applicable court. With respect to the three proceedings discussed below, it is significant to note that no putative class has actually been certified in any of these proceedings, the Company's position is that class certification would be inappropriate in each such proceeding, the Company has entered into agreements in principle to resolve two of the matters for immaterial amounts through a court-approved class-wide settlement, and the Company intends to vigorously contest class certification in the remaining matter. The Company has accrued an immaterial amount related to the legal proceedings described below. However, due to the relatively early stage of these matters and the uncertainty and risks inherent in class determination and the overall litigation process, the Company believes that a meaningful estimate of its exposure to any reasonably possible losses or range of reasonably possible losses, in excess of the amount accrued, cannot currently be made.
	Bais Yaakov of Spring Valley v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC
	On January 4, 2011, a complaint against Peterson's Nelnet, LLC (“Peterson's”), a subsidiary of Nelnet, Inc. ("Nelnet"), was filed in the U.S. Federal District Court for the District of New Jersey (the “New Jersey District Court”). The complaint alleges that Peterson's sent six advertising faxes to the named plaintiff in 2008-2009 that were not the result of express invitation or permission granted by the plaintiff and did not include certain opt out language. The complaint also alleges that such faxes violated the Federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (the “TCPA”), purportedly entitling the plaintiff to $500 per violation, trebled for willful violations for each of the six faxes. The complaint further alleges that Peterson's had sent putative class members more than 10,000 faxes that violated the TCPA, amounting to more than $5 million in statutory penalty damages and more than $15 million if trebled for willful violations. The complaint seeks to establish a class action. On September 13, 2013, the named plaintiff filed a motion for class certification, and on October 7, 2013, Peterson's filed a motion to dismiss the named plaintiff's motion for class certification. As of the filing date of this report, the New Jersey District Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class. On January 23, 2014, Peterson's and the named plaintiff reached an agreement in principle whereby Peterson's would, without admitting any wrongdoing or liability, settle all claims in the lawsuit, including potential class action claims, for payment of an immaterial amount. The settlement agreement in principle is subject to finalization and court approval.
	Than Zaw v. Nelnet, Inc.
	On January 18, 2013, a Third Amended Complaint was served on Nelnet in connection with a lawsuit by Than Zaw against Nelnet (erroneously referred to in the lawsuit as Nelnet Business Solutions, Inc.) in the Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County (the “California State Court”). The lawsuit was originally instituted on December 30, 2010, and alleges that Nelnet violated the California Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in its interactions with the plaintiff, a California resident. The plaintiff's Third Amended Complaint added additional allegations claiming that Nelnet violated Section 632 of the California Penal Code by allegedly recording one or more telephone calls to the plaintiff without the plaintiff's consent, and sought $5,000 in statutory damages per alleged violation. The Third Amended Complaint further alleged that Nelnet improperly recorded telephone calls to other California residents without such persons' consent, and sought to establish a class action with respect to the California Section 632 claim. As of the filing date of this report, the California State Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class. On October 16, 2013, Nelnet and the named plaintiff reached an agreement in principle whereby Nelnet would, without admitting any wrongdoing or liability, settle all claims in the lawsuit, including potential class action claims, for payment of an immaterial amount. The settlement agreement in principle is subject to finalization and court approval.
	Grant Keating v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC et al
	On August 6, 2012, an Amended Complaint was served on Peterson's, CUnet, LLC (“CUnet”), a subsidiary of Nelnet, and on Nelnet (collectively, the "Keating Defendants"), in connection with a lawsuit by Grant Keating in the U.S. Federal District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (the “Ohio District Court”). The lawsuit was originally instituted on August 24, 2011, and alleges that the Keating Defendants sent an advertising text message to the named plaintiff in June 2011 using an automatic telephone dialing system, and without the plaintiff's express consent. The complaint also alleges that this text message violated the TCPA, purportedly entitling the plaintiff to $500, trebled for a willful violation. The complaint further alleges that the Keating Defendants sent putative class members similar text messages using an automatic telephone dialing system, without such purported class members' consent. The complaint seeks to establish a class action. On August 29, 2013, the Keating Defendants filed motions for summary judgment, and the named plaintiff filed a motion for class certification. As of the filing date of this report, the Ohio District Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class. The Keating Defendants intend to defend themselves vigorously in this lawsuit.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	12. Subsequent Events
	On April 25, 2014, the Company completed the purchase of a total of $3.6 billion of FFELP student loans and related assets. The transaction included the purchase of residual interests in a total of $2.6 billion of securitized student loans and related assets under a stock purchase agreement, and the purchase of a total of approximately $950 million of unsecuritized student loans under three separate loan sale agreements.
	The assets acquired under the stock purchase agreement include the rights to the residual interests in three FFELP student loan securitization trusts, which hold a total of $2.6 billion of FFELP student loans and related assets and have issued a corresponding amount of related student loan asset-backed debt.  In addition, under the loan sale agreements, the Company purchased for cash unsecuritized FFELP loans totaling approximately $950 million, consisting primarily of FFELP consolidation loans, which were initially funded through the Company’s existing student loan warehouse facilities.  The aggregate cash purchase price for the assets acquired under the stock purchase agreement and the cash amount paid over the par value of the student loan portfolio and related accrued interest under the loan sale agreements was $139 million, and was funded from the Company’s operating cash and unsecured line of credit. All acquired student loan assets and related debt will be included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	On April 30, 2014, the Company completed an asset-backed securitization totaling $719.8 million, which provided permanent funding for loans that were previously funded in the Company's warehouse facilities, including a portion of the $950 million of unsecuritized loans purchased in April 2014. As of April 30, 2014, after the completion of this asset-backed securitization, $1.1 billion was outstanding on the Company's warehouse facilities and $1.2 billion was available for future use.

Basis_of_Financial_Reporting_S

Basis of Financial Reporting Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Financial Reporting	'
	Basis of Financial Reporting
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2014 and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 and, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2014. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the "2013 Annual Report").

Student_Loans_Receivable_and_A1

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	'
	Student loans receivable consisted of the following:
		As of			As of
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Federally insured loans
	Stafford and other	$	6,606,814		6,686,626
	Consolidation	19,138,841			19,363,577
	Total	25,745,655			26,050,203
	Non-federally insured loans	68,540			71,103
		25,814,195			26,121,306
	Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (a)	(152,424		)	(158,595	)
	Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans	(42,909		)	(43,440	)
	Allowance for loan losses – non-federally insured loans	(11,719		)	(11,682	)
		$	25,607,143		25,907,589
	(a)	For loans purchased where there is evidence of credit deterioration since the origination of the loan, the Company records a credit discount, separate from the allowance for loan losses, which is non-accretable to interest income. Remaining discounts and premiums for purchased loans are recognized in interest income over the remaining estimated lives of the loans. The Company continues to evaluate credit losses associated with purchased loans based on current information and changes in expectations to determine the need for any additional allowance for loan losses. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $20.0 million and $20.2 million, respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables	'
	The provision for loan losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance appropriate to absorb losses, net of recoveries, inherent in the portfolio of student loans. Activity in the allowance for loan losses is shown below.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	55,122		51,902
	Provision for loan losses:
	Federally insured loans	3,000			6,000
	Non-federally insured loans	(500		)	(1,000	)
	Total provision for loan losses	2,500			5,000
	Charge-offs:
	Federally insured loans	(3,631		)	(5,990	)
	Non-federally insured loans	(421		)	(772	)
	Total charge-offs	(4,052		)	(6,762	)
	Recoveries - non-federally insured loans	371			368
	Purchase (sale) of federally insured loans, net	100			(2,218	)
	Transfer from repurchase obligation related to non-federally insured loans repurchased, net	587			1,119
	Balance at end of period	$	54,628		49,409
	Allocation of the allowance for loan losses:
	Federally insured loans	$	42,909		37,913
	Non-federally insured loans	11,719			11,496
	Total allowance for loan losses	$	54,628		49,409
Accrual Related to Repurchase Obligation Rollforward	'
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company had participated a cumulative amount of $119.6 million (par value) of non-federally insured loans to third parties. Loans participated under these agreements have been accounted for by the Company as loan sales. Accordingly, the participation interests sold are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Per the terms of the servicing agreements, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase loans subject to the participation interests in the event such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent.
	In addition, in 2011, the Company sold a portfolio of non-federally insured loans for proceeds of $91.3 million (100% of par value).  The Company retained credit risk related to this portfolio and will pay cash to purchase back any loans which become 60 days delinquent. As of March 31, 2014, the balance of this portfolio was $61.1 million (par value).
	The Company’s estimate related to its obligation to repurchase these loans is included in “other liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The activity related to this accrual is detailed below.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	16,143		16,130
	Loans repurchased	(730		)	(1,119	)
	Ending balance	$	15,413		15,011
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators	'
	Student Loan Status and Delinquencies
	Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact the Company’s earnings through increased servicing and collection costs and account charge-offs.  The percent of non-federally insured loans that were delinquent 31 days or greater as of March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2013 was 12.8 percent, 12.7 percent, and 20.5 percent, respectively. The table below shows the Company’s federally insured student loan delinquency amounts.
	Rehabilitation Loans and Delinquent Loans Funded in FFELP Warehouse Facilities
	Rehabilitation loans are student loans that have previously defaulted, but for which the borrower has made a specified number of on-time payments.  Although rehabilitation loans benefit from the same guarantees as other federally insured student loans, rehabilitation loans have generally experienced re-default rates that are higher than default rates for federally insured student loans that have not previously defaulted.  The Company has purchased a significant amount of rehabilitation loans.  Upon purchase, these loans are recorded at fair value, which generally approximates the federal guarantee rate under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (the "FFEL Program" or "FFELP").  As such, there is minimal credit risk related to rehabilitation loans purchased; therefore, these loans are presented separately in the following delinquency tables.
	In addition, the Company has purchased delinquent federally insured loans that are funded in the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities. Upon purchase, these loans are recorded at fair value, which generally approximates the federal guarantee rate. As such, there is minimal credit risk related to these loans. Loans delinquent 121 days or greater and funded in the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities are included with rehabilitation loans purchased in the following delinquency tables.
		As of March 31, 2014					As of December 31, 2013				As of March 31, 2013
	Federally insured loans, excluding rehabilitation loans:
	Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$	2,617,628				$	2,618,390			$	2,933,416
	Loans in forbearance	2,797,432					2,954,495				2,890,574
	Loans in repayment status:
	Loans current	15,293,299			87.2	%	15,251,869		86.1	%	14,501,802		87.8	%
	Loans delinquent 31-60 days	669,238			3.8		768,600		4.3		621,296		3.8
	Loans delinquent 61-90 days	407,779			2.3		426,089		2.5		409,209		2.5
	Loans delinquent 91-120 days	252,413			1.4		281,991		1.6		241,113		1.5
	Loans delinquent 121-270 days	640,214			3.7		712,204		4		512,875		3.1
	Loans delinquent 271 days or greater	272,159			1.6		269,066		1.5		211,461		1.3
	Total loans in repayment	17,535,102			100	%	17,709,819		100	%	16,497,756		100	%
	Total federally insured loans, excluding rehabilitation loans	$	22,950,162				$	23,282,704			$	22,321,746
	Rehabilitation loans:
	Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$	261,754				$	254,115			$	213,101
	Loans in forbearance	416,206					415,530				394,733
	Loans in repayment status:
	Loans current	1,205,261			56.9	%	1,086,053		51.8	%	877,800		42.4	%
	Loans delinquent 31-60 days	163,143			7.7		198,718		9.5		138,249		6.7
	Loans delinquent 61-90 days	114,920			5.4		124,244		5.9		109,129		5.3
	Loans delinquent 91-120 days	91,730			4.3		108,800		5.2		121,468		5.9
	Loans delinquent 121-270 days	344,434			16.3		405,732		19.3		573,054		27.7
	Loans delinquent 271 days or greater	198,045			9.4		174,307		8.3		249,011		12
	Total loans in repayment	2,117,533			100	%	2,097,854		100	%	2,068,711		100	%
	Total rehabilitation loans	2,795,493					2,767,499				2,676,545
	Total federally insured loans	$	25,745,655				$	26,050,203			$	24,998,291

Bonds_and_Notes_payable_Tables

Bonds and Notes payable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Bonds and Notes Payable [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Debt	'
	The following tables summarize the Company’s outstanding debt obligations by type of instrument:
		As of March 31, 2014
		Carrying				Interest rate		Final maturity
		amount				range
	Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
	Bonds and notes based on indices	$	23,780,072			0.24% - 6.90%		5/25/18 - 8/26/52
	Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing	1,132,900				0.07% - 2.18%		5/1/28 - 11/26/46
	Total variable-rate bonds and notes	24,912,972
	FFELP warehouse facilities	772,435				0.16% - 0.24%		1/17/16 - 9/30/16
	Unsecured line of credit	—				—		3/28/18
	Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	96,457				3.61%		9/15/61
	Other borrowings	61,374				1.65% - 5.10%		8/11/14 - 11/11/15
		25,843,238
	Discount on bonds and notes payable	(253,951		)
	Total	$	25,589,287
		As of December 31, 2013
		Carrying				Interest rate		Final maturity
		amount				range
	Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
	Bonds and notes based on indices	$	23,479,893			0.25% - 6.90%		5/25/18 - 8/26/52
	Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing	1,134,250				0.07% - 2.17%		5/1/28 - 11/26/46
	Total variable-rate bonds and notes	24,614,143
	FFELP warehouse facilities	1,396,344				0.17% - 0.25%		1/17/16 - 6/12/16
	Unsecured line of credit	45,000				1.67%		3/28/18
	Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	96,457				3.62%		9/15/61
	Other borrowings	61,401				1.67% - 5.10%		4/11/14 - 11/11/15
		26,213,345
	Discount on bonds and notes payable	(258,056		)
	Total	$	25,955,289
Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities	'
	The Company funds a portion of its FFELP loan acquisitions using its FFELP warehouse facilities. Student loan warehousing allows the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements.
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below.
			NHELP-III				NFSLW-I (a)		NHELP-II		Total
	Maximum financing amount		$	750,000			500,000		500,000		1,750,000
	Amount outstanding		377,995				276,915		117,525		772,435
	Amount available		$	372,005			223,085		382,475		977,565
	Expiration of liquidity provisions		February 5, 2015				June 12, 2014		September 30, 2014
	Final maturity date		January 17, 2016				June 12, 2016		September 30, 2016
	Maximum advance rates		92.2 - 95.0%				92.0 - 98.0%		84.5 - 94.5%
	Minimum advance rates		92.2 - 95.0%				84.0 - 90.0%		84.5 - 94.5%
	Advanced as equity support		$	22,912			16,847		11,745		51,504
	(a) On April 15, 2014, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount to $1.0 billion, change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to June 11, 2015, and change the maturity date to June 11, 2017.
Schedule of asset-backed securitizations [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the asset-backed securitization transactions completed during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
			2014-1				2014-2								Total
							Class A-1 notes		Class A-2 notes		Class A-3 notes		2014-2 total
	Date securities issued		2/6/14				3/12/14		3/12/14		3/12/14		3/12/14
	Total original principal amount		$	458,500									509,000		$	967,500
	Class A senior notes:
	Total original principal amount		$	445,000			191,000		222,000		84,000		497,000		942,000
	Bond discount		—				—		—		(535	)	(535	)	(535		)
	Issue price		$	445,000			191,000		222,000		83,465		496,465		941,465
	Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:)		0.57		%		0.28	%	0.6	%	0.85	%
	Final maturity date		9/25/41				6/25/21		3/25/30		7/27/37
	Class B subordinated notes:
	Total original principal amount		$	13,500									12,000		25,500
	Bond discount		(1,132		)								(1,046	)	(2,178		)
	Issue price		$	12,368									10,954		23,322
	Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:)		1.5		%								1.5	%
	Final maturity date		10/25/47										6/25/41

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Interest Rate Swaps - 1:3 Basis swaps	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s basis swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR set discretely in advance and pays one-month LIBOR plus or minus a spread as defined in the agreements (the "1:3 Basis Swaps").
		Maturity			Notional amount
		2021			$	250,000
		2022			1,900,000
		2023			3,650,000
		2024			250,000
		2026			800,000
		2028			100,000
		2036			700,000
		2039	(a)		150,000
		2040	(b)		200,000
					$	8,000,000		(c)
	(a)This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2015.
	(b)This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2020.
	(c)	The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was one-month LIBOR plus 3.5 basis points
Interest Rate Swaps - Floor Income Hedges	'
	The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	Maturity		Notional amount				Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
	2014		$	1,750,000			0.71	%
	2015		1,100,000				0.89
	2016		750,000				0.85
	2017		1,250,000				0.86
			$	4,850,000			0.81	%
	(a)	For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
Interest Rate Swaps - Unsecured Debt Hedges	'
	The Company had the following derivatives outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a portion of the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities ("Hybrid Securities") to a fixed rate.
	Maturity		Notional amount				Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
	2036		$	25,000			4.28	%
	(a)	For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
Impact of Foreign Exchange Contracts on the Statement of Income	'
	Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
	In 2006, the Company issued €352.7 million of student loan asset-backed Euro Notes (the "Euro Notes") with an interest rate based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result of the Euro Notes, the Company is exposed to market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The principal and accrued interest on these notes are re-measured at each reporting period and recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date.
	The Company entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. Under the terms of the cross-currency interest rate swap, the Company receives from the counterparty a spread to the EURIBOR index based on a notional amount of €352.7 million and pays a spread to the LIBOR index based on a notional amount of $450.0 million. In addition, under the terms of this agreement, all principal payments on the Euro Notes will effectively be paid at the exchange rate in effect between the U.S. dollar and Euro as of the issuance of the notes.
	The following table shows the income statement impact as a result of the re-measurement of the Euro Notes and the change in the fair value of the related derivative instrument.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013 (b)
	Re-measurement of Euro Notes	$	(952	)		28,763
	Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swaps	(39		)		(34,844	)
	Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a)	$	(991	)		(6,081	)
	(a)	The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income.
	(b)	The 2013 operating results includes the re-measurement of €420.5 million of student loan asset-backed Euro notes and the change in fair value of a related cross-currency interest rate swap entered into in connection with the issuance of such notes. In November 2013, the notional amount outstanding on the notes was changed to U.S. dollars and the cross-currency interest swap was terminated.
	The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in fair value of the cross-currency interest rate swaps. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains or losses related to the cross-currency interest rate swaps if the two underlying indices (and related forward curve) do not move in parallel.
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	'
	Consolidated Financial Statement Impact Related to Derivatives
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivatives as reflected in the consolidated balance sheets:
		Fair value of asset derivatives							Fair value of liability derivatives
		As of				As of			As of			As of
		March 31,				December 31,			March 31,			December 31,
		2014				2013			2014			2013
	1:3 basis swaps	$	19,600			18,490			—			—
	Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	7,607				7,183			12,915			15,849
	Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	—				—			3,632			2,120
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps	36,795				36,834			—			—
	Total	$	64,002			62,507			16,547			17,969
	During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company terminated certain derivatives for gross proceeds and payments of $2.7 million and $2.9 million, respectively. There were no derivative terminations during the first quarter of 2014.
Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]	'
	Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities
	The Company records derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Certain of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. The following tables include the gross amounts related to the Company's derivative portfolio recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, reconciled to the net amount when excluding derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and cash collateral received/pledged:
							Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
	Derivative assets		Gross amounts of recognized assets presented in the consolidated balance sheets				Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement			Cash collateral received			Net asset (liability)
	Balance as of March 31, 2014		$	64,002			(15,313	)		(323	)		48,366
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		62,507				(15,437	)		(15,959	)		31,111
							Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
	Derivative liabilities		Gross amounts of recognized liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets				Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement			Cash collateral pledged			Net asset (liability)
	Balance as of March 31, 2014		$	(16,547	)		15,313			3,140			1,906
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		(17,969		)		15,437			3,630			1,098
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance	'
	The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Settlements:
	1:3 basis swaps	$	881			911
	Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	(6,950		)		(8,304	)
	Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	(252		)		(645	)
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps	92				(146	)
	Total settlements - expense	(6,229		)		(8,184	)
	Change in fair value:
	1:3 basis swaps	1,110				1,933
	Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	3,358				9,422
	Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	(1,513		)		3,640
	Cross-currency interest rate swaps	(39		)		(34,844	)
	Other	—				342
	Total change in fair value - income (expense)	2,916				(19,507	)
	Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - (expense) income	(952		)		28,763
	Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net - (expense) income	$	(4,265	)		1,072

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Summary Investment Holdings	'
	A summary of the Company's investments and restricted investments follows:
		As of March 31, 2014											As of December 31, 2013
		Amortized cost				Gross unrealized gains			Gross unrealized losses (a)		Fair value		Amortized cost	Gross unrealized gains	Gross unrealized losses		Fair value
	Investments:
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities (b)	$	149,016			3,192			(824	)	151,384		171,931	7,111	(1,241	)	177,801
	Equity securities	1,308				1,884			—		3,192		1,502	1,783	(3	)	3,282
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	150,324			5,076			(824	)	154,576		173,433	8,894	(1,244	)	181,083
	Trading investments:
	Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities										11,625						10,957
	Total available-for-sale and trading investments										$	166,201					192,040
	Restricted Investments (c):
	Guaranteed investment contracts - held-to-maturity										$	6,742					7,285
	(a)	As of March 31, 2014, the Company considered the decline in market value of its available-for-sale investments to be temporary in nature and did not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired.
	(b)	As of March 31, 2014, the stated maturities of the majority of the Company's student loan asset-backed and other debt securities classified as available-for-sale were greater than 10 years.
	(c)	Restricted investments are included in "restricted cash and investments" in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income related to the realized gains and losses on available-for-sale-securities is summarized below.
			Three months ended March 31,
	Affected line item in the consolidated statements of income - income (expense):		2014				2013
	Other income		$	7,073			957
	Income tax expense		(2,617		)		(354	)
	Net		$	4,456			603

Earnings_per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	'
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
		Common shareholders		Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total	Common shareholders	Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	73,125	661	73,786	67,517	562	68,079
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	46,110,952		416,965	46,527,917	46,272,324	385,707	46,658,031
	Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$	1.59	1.59	1.59	1.46	1.46	1.46

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
	See note 13 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2013 Annual Report for a description of the Company's operating segments. The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements.
		Three months ended March 31, 2014
		Fee-Based
		Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Enrollment		Total Fee-		Asset		Corporate		Eliminations		Total
							Services		Based		Generation and		Activity
											Management		and
													Overhead
	Total interest income	$	11		—		—		11		157,003		2,658		(797	)	158,875
	Interest expense	—			—		—		—		59,476		1,325		(797	)	60,004
	Net interest income	11			—		—		11		97,527		1,333		—		98,871
	Less provision for loan losses	—			—		—		—		2,500		—		—		2,500
	Net interest income after provision for loan losses	11			—		—		11		95,027		1,333		—		96,371
	Other income (expense):
	Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	64,757			—		—		64,757		—		—		—		64,757
	Intersegment servicing revenue	14,221			—		—		14,221		—		—		(14,221	)	—
	Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	—			25,235		—		25,235		—		—		—		25,235
	Enrollment services revenue	—			—		22,011		22,011		—		—		—		22,011
	Other income	—			—		—		—		4,164		13,967		—		18,131
	Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	—			—		—		—		39		—		—		39
	Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		—		—		3,477		(1,513	)	—		1,964
	Derivative settlements, net	—			—		—		—		(5,977	)	(252	)	—		(6,229	)
	Total other income (expense)	78,978			25,235		22,011		126,224		1,703		12,202		(14,221	)	125,908
	Operating expenses:
	Salaries and benefits	32,307			10,027		4,380		46,714		609		5,161		—		52,484
	Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		14,475		14,475		—		—		—		14,475
	Depreciation and amortization	2,789			1,428		47		4,264		—		519		—		4,783
	Other	18,452			2,647		1,449		22,548		7,146		5,933		—		35,627
	Intersegment expenses, net	1,083			1,420		1,006		3,509		14,371		(3,659	)	(14,221	)	—
	Total operating expenses	54,631			15,522		21,357		91,510		22,126		7,954		(14,221	)	107,369
	Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	24,358			9,713		654		34,725		74,604		5,581		—		114,910
	Corporate overhead allocation	(1,860		)	(620	)	(620	)	(3,100	)	(1,329	)	4,429		—		—
	Income before income taxes	22,498			9,093		34		31,625		73,275		10,010		—		114,910
	Income tax expense	(8,549		)	(3,455	)	(13	)	(12,017	)	(27,844	)	(750	)	—		(40,611	)
	Net income	13,949			5,638		21		19,608		45,431		9,260		—		74,299
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—		—		—		—		513		—		513
	Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	13,949		5,638		21		19,608		45,431		8,747		—		73,786
		Three months ended March 31, 2013
		Fee-Based
		Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Enrollment		Total Fee-		Asset		Corporate		Eliminations		Total
							Services		Based		Generation and		Activity
											Management		and
													Overhead
	Total interest income	$	10		—		—		10		155,654		2,311		(819	)	157,156
	Interest expense	—			—		—		—		57,482		1,695		(819	)	58,358
	Net interest income	10			—		—		10		98,172		616		—		98,798
	Less provision for loan losses	—			—		—		—		5,000		—		—		5,000
	Net interest income after provision for loan losses	10			—		—		10		93,172		616		—		93,798
	Other income (expense):
	Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	55,601			—		—		55,601		—		—		—		55,601
	Intersegment servicing revenue	14,953			—		—		14,953		—		—		(14,953	)	—
	Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	—			23,411		—		23,411		—		—		—		23,411
	Enrollment services revenue	—			—		28,957		28,957		—		—		—		28,957
	Other income	—			—		—		—		4,196		5,220		—		9,416
	Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	—			—		—		—		1,407		—		—		1,407
	Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		—		—		5,275		3,981		—		9,256
	Derivative settlements, net	—			—		—		—		(7,539	)	(645	)	—		(8,184	)
	Total other income (expense)	70,554			23,411		28,957		122,922		3,339		8,556		(14,953	)	119,864
	Operating expenses:
	Salaries and benefits	28,444			9,359		5,767		43,570		562		3,773		—		47,905
	Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		19,642		19,642		—		—		—		19,642
	Depreciation and amortization	2,789			1,138		61		3,988		—		389		—		4,377
	Other	18,390			2,287		1,651		22,328		7,513		5,100		—		34,941
	Intersegment expenses, net	935			1,425		1,149		3,509		15,142		(3,698	)	(14,953	)	—
Total operating expenses	50,558			14,209		28,270		93,037		23,217		5,564		(14,953	)	106,865
Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	20,006			9,202		687		29,895		73,294		3,608		—		106,797
Corporate overhead allocation	(997		)	(332	)	(332	)	(1,661	)	(712	)	2,373		—		—
Income before income taxes	19,009			8,870		355		28,234		72,582		5,981		—		106,797
Income tax expense	(7,223		)	(3,371	)	(135	)	(10,729	)	(27,581	)	(137	)	—		(38,447	)
Net income	11,786			5,499		220		17,505		45,001		5,844		—		68,350
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—		—		—		—		271		—		271
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	11,786		5,499		220		17,505		45,001		5,573		—		68,079

Related_Party_Transactions_Rel

Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions with Union Bank (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]	'
	The Company has entered into certain contractual arrangements with related parties as described in note 19 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Company's 2013 Annual Report.  The following provides an update for a related party transaction that occurred during the first quarter of 2014.
	On January 1, 2014, the Company subparticipated the Company's participation interest in a loan receivable from an unrelated third party to Union Bank and Trust Company ("Union Bank"), an entity under common control with the Company. The participated portion of the loan was $1.7 million, with an obligation to fund an additional $1.4 million. As part of this agreement, Union Bank will pay the Company monthly servicing fees equal to 40 basis points on the participated portion of the outstanding principal balance of the loan.

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers into or out of level 1, level 2, or level 3 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
		As of March 31, 2014				As of December 31, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2	Total	Level 1	Level 2	Total
	Assets:
	Investments:
	Student loan asset-backed securities	$	—	162,553	162,553	—	188,279	188,279
	Equity securities	3,192		—	3,192	3,282	—	3,282
	Debt securities	456		—	456	479	—	479
	Total investments	3,648		162,553	166,201	3,761	188,279	192,040
	Fair value of derivative instruments	—		64,002	64,002	—	62,507	62,507
	Total assets	$	3,648	226,555	230,203	3,761	250,786	254,547
	Liabilities:
	Fair value of derivative instruments	$	—	16,547	16,547	—	17,969	17,969
	Total liabilities	$	—	16,547	16,547	—	17,969	17,969
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	'
	The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets:
		As of March 31, 2014
		Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	Financial assets:
	Student loans receivable	$	26,671,284	25,607,143	—	—	26,671,284
	Cash and cash equivalents	107,102		107,102	107,102	—	—
	Investments	166,201		166,201	3,648	162,553	—
	Restricted cash	699,147		699,147	699,147	—	—
	Restricted cash – due to customers	180,469		180,469	180,469	—	—
	Restricted investments	6,742		6,742	6,742	—	—
	Accrued interest receivable	305,672		305,672	—	305,672	—
	Derivative instruments	64,002		64,002	—	64,002	—
	Financial liabilities:
	Bonds and notes payable	25,461,183		25,589,287	—	25,461,183	—
	Accrued interest payable	22,338		22,338	—	22,338	—
	Due to customers	180,469		180,469	180,469	—	—
	Derivative instruments	16,547		16,547	—	16,547	—
		As of December 31, 2013
		Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	Financial assets:
	Student loans receivable	$	26,641,383	25,907,589	—	—	26,641,383
	Cash and cash equivalents	63,267		63,267	63,267	—	—
	Investments	192,040		192,040	3,761	188,279	—
	Restricted cash	727,838		727,838	727,838	—	—
	Restricted cash – due to customers	167,576		167,576	167,576	—	—
	Restricted investments	7,285		7,285	7,285	—	—
	Accrued interest receivable	314,553		314,553	—	314,553	—
	Derivative instruments	62,507		62,507	—	62,507	—
	Financial liabilities:
	Bonds and notes payable	25,577,250		25,955,289	—	25,577,250	—
	Accrued interest payable	21,725		21,725	—	21,725	—
	Due to customers	167,576		167,576	167,576	—	—
	Derivative instruments	17,969		17,969	—	17,969	—

Student_Loans_Receivable_Detai

Student Loans Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	$54,628	$55,122	$49,409	$51,902
Student loans receivable	25,607,143	25,907,589	'	'
Federally insured loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	42,909	'	37,913	'
Non-federally insured loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	11,719	'	11,496	'
held for investment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable, gross	25,814,195	26,121,306	'	'
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs	152,424	158,595	'	'
Student loans receivable	25,607,143	25,907,589	'	'
held for investment [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable, gross	25,745,655	26,050,203	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	42,909	43,440	'	'
held for investment [Member] | Non-federally insured loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable, gross	68,540	71,103	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	11,719	11,682	'	'
held for investment [Member] | Stafford and Other [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable, gross	6,606,814	6,686,626	'	'
held for investment [Member] | Consolidation Loans [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable, gross	19,138,841	19,363,577	'	'
Non-accretable discount [Member] | held for investment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs	20,000	20,200	'	'
Federally insured loans, excluding rehabiliation loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loans in Repayment - Current, in Percentage	87.20%	86.10%	87.80%	'
Loans Delinquent Greater than 271 Days Past Due	272,159	269,066	211,461	'
Student loans receivable, gross	22,950,162	23,282,704	22,321,746	'
Rehabilitation loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loans in Repayment - Current, in Percentage	56.90%	51.80%	42.40%	'
Loans Delinquent Greater than 271 Days Past Due	198,045	174,307	249,011	'
Student loans receivable, gross	$2,795,493	$2,767,499	$2,676,545	'

Student_Loans_Receivable_and_A2

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses Allowance for Loan Losses (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Allowance for loan losses - balance	$55,122	$51,902	$54,628	$49,409
Provision for loan losses	2,500	5,000	'	'
Charge-offs	-4,052	-6,762	'	'
Transfer from repurchase obligation related to non-federally insured loans purchased, net	730	1,119	'	'
Federally insured loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Allowance for loan losses - balance	'	'	42,909	37,913
Provision for loan losses	3,000	6,000	'	'
Charge-offs	-3,631	-5,990	'	'
Purchase (sale) of federally insured loans and other, net	100	-2,218	'	'
Non-federally insured loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Allowance for loan losses - balance	'	'	11,719	11,496
Provision for loan losses	-500	-1,000	'	'
Charge-offs	-421	-772	'	'
Recoveries - non-federally insured loans	371	368	'	'
Transfer from repurchase obligation related to non-federally insured loans purchased, net	$587	$1,119	'	'

Student_Loans_Receivable_and_A3

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses Repurchase Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2014
				Cumulative non-federally insured loans participated subject to repurchase agreement [Member]	Non-federally insured loans sold subject to repurchase agreement [Member]	Non-federally insured loans sold subject to repurchase agreement [Member]
Repurchase Obligation [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cumulative amount of participated non-federally insured student loans	'	'	'	$119,600,000	'	'
Days delinquent to trigger repurchase range, minimum	'	'	'	60	'	'
Days delinquent to trigger repurchase range, maximum	'	'	'	90	'	'
Proceeds from sale of non-federally insured student loans subject to repurchase agreements	'	'	'	'	91,300,000	'
Percent of par value of non-federally insured student loans subject to repurchase agreements	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'
Days delinquent to trigger repurchase	'	'	'	'	60	'
Change in Repurchase Obligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	16,143,000	16,130,000	'	'	'	'
Transfer to or from the Repurchase Obligation Related to Loans Sold or Purchased and other, net	730,000	1,119,000	'	'	'	'
Ending balance	15,413,000	15,011,000	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable	$25,607,143,000	'	$25,907,589,000	'	'	$61,100,000

Student_Loans_Receivable_and_A4

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses Student Loan Status and Delinquency (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Federally insured loans, excluding rehabiliation loans [Member]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$2,617,628	$2,618,390	$2,933,416
Loans in forbearance	2,797,432	2,954,495	2,890,574
Student loans receivable, gross	22,950,162	23,282,704	22,321,746
Loans in repayment status:	'	'	'
Loans current	15,293,299	15,251,869	14,501,802
Loans current, percentage	87.20%	86.10%	87.80%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	669,238	768,600	621,296
Loans delinquent 31-60 days, percentage	3.80%	4.30%	3.80%
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	407,779	426,089	409,209
Loans delinquent 61-90 days, percentage	2.30%	2.50%	2.50%
Loans delinquent 91-120 days	252,413	281,991	241,113
Loans delinquent 91-120 days, percentage	1.40%	1.60%	1.50%
Loans delinquent 121-270 days	640,214	712,204	512,875
Loans delinquent 121-270 days, percentage	3.70%	4.00%	3.10%
Loans Delinquent Greater than 271 Days Past Due	272,159	269,066	211,461
Loans delinquent 271 days or greater, percentage	1.60%	1.50%	1.30%
Total loans in repayment	17,535,102	17,709,819	16,497,756
Total loans in repayment, percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Rehabilitation loans [Member]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	261,754	254,115	213,101
Loans in forbearance	416,206	415,530	394,733
Student loans receivable, gross	2,795,493	2,767,499	2,676,545
Loans in repayment status:	'	'	'
Loans current	1,205,261	1,086,053	877,800
Loans current, percentage	56.90%	51.80%	42.40%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	163,143	198,718	138,249
Loans delinquent 31-60 days, percentage	7.70%	9.50%	6.70%
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	114,920	124,244	109,129
Loans delinquent 61-90 days, percentage	5.40%	5.90%	5.30%
Loans delinquent 91-120 days	91,730	108,800	121,468
Loans delinquent 91-120 days, percentage	4.30%	5.20%	5.90%
Loans delinquent 121-270 days	344,434	405,732	573,054
Loans delinquent 121-270 days, percentage	16.30%	19.30%	27.70%
Loans Delinquent Greater than 271 Days Past Due	198,045	174,307	249,011
Loans delinquent 271 days or greater, percentage	9.40%	8.30%	12.00%
Total loans in repayment	2,117,533	2,097,854	2,068,711
Total loans in repayment, percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Federally insured loans [Member]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'	'
Student loans receivable, gross	$25,745,655	$26,050,203	$24,998,291
Non-federally insured loans [Member]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans Delinquent 31 Days or Greater in Percentage	12.80%	12.70%	20.50%

Outstanding_Debt_Obligations_D

Outstanding Debt Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Bonds and notes payable	$25,589,287	$25,955,289
Variable-rate bonds and notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Bonds and notes payable	24,912,972	24,614,143
Bonds and notes based on indices [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	6.90%	6.90%
Bonds and notes payable	23,780,072	23,479,893
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	25-May-18	25-May-18
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	26-Aug-52	26-Aug-52
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.24%	0.25%
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	2.18%	2.17%
Bonds and notes payable	1,132,900	1,134,250
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	1-May-28	1-May-28
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	26-Nov-46	26-Nov-46
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.07%	0.07%
FFELP warehouse facilities [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	0.24%	0.25%
Bonds and notes payable	772,435	1,396,344
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	17-Jan-16	17-Jan-16
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	30-Sep-16	12-Jun-16
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.16%	0.17%
Line of Credit [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	0.00%	1.67%
Bonds and notes payable	'	45,000
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	28-Mar-18	28-Mar-18
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	28-Mar-18	28-Mar-18
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.00%	1.67%
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	3.61%	3.62%
Bonds and notes payable	96,457	96,457
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	15-Sep-61	15-Sep-61
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	15-Sep-61	15-Sep-61
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	3.61%	3.62%
Other borrowings [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	5.10%	5.10%
Bonds and notes payable	61,374	61,401
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	11-Aug-14	11-Apr-14
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	11-Nov-15	11-Nov-15
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	1.65%	1.67%
Bonds and notes payable, gross [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Bonds and notes payable	25,843,238	26,213,345
Discount on bonds and notes payable [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Bonds and notes payable	($253,951)	($258,056)
Department of education conduit [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	'	0.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	'	NaN, NaN
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	'	NaN, NaN
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	'	0.00%

Bonds_and_Notes_Payable_Outsta

Bonds and Notes Payable Outstanding Lines of Credit (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

8-May-14

Apr. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Apr. 15, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Apr. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 15, 2014

Apr. 15, 2014

Line of Credit [Member]

NHELP-II Warehouse [Member]

NFSLW-I Warehouse [Member]

NFSLW-I Warehouse [Member]

NHELP-III Warehouse [Member]

FFELP Warehouse Total [Member]

FFELP Warehouse Total [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

amendment to maturity date [Member]

amendment to maturity date [Member]

NFSLW-I Warehouse [Member]

NFSLW-I Warehouse [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum financing amount

'

'

$275,000,000

$500,000,000

[1]

$500,000,000

[1]

$1,000,000,000

[1]

$750,000,000

[1]

'

$1,750,000,000

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End

'

'

'

30-Sep-16

[1]

12-Jun-16

[1]

'

17-Jan-16

[1]

'

'

28-Mar-18

28-Mar-18

11-Jun-17

[1]

11-Jun-17

[1]

Amount outstanding

'

'

'

117,525,000

[1]

276,915,000

[1]

'

377,995,000

[1]

1,100,000,000

772,435,000

0

'

'

'

Amount available

'

'

275,000,000

382,475,000

[1]

223,085,000

[1]

'

372,005,000

[1]

1,200,000,000

977,565,000

'

'

'

'

Expiration of liquidity provisions

'

'

'

30-Sep-14

[1]

12-Jun-14

[1]

'

5-Feb-15

[1]

'

'

'

'

11-Jun-15

[1]

11-Jun-15

[1]

Advanced as equity support

'

'

'

11,745,000

[1]

16,847,000

[1]

'

22,912,000

[1]

'

51,504,000

'

'

'

'

Minimum Advance Rates - range minimum

'

'

'

84.50%

[1]

84.00%

[1]

'

92.15%

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum advance rates - range maximum

'

'

'

94.50%

[1]

90.00%

[1]

'

95.00%

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum Advance Rates - range minimum

'

'

'

84.50%

[1]

92.00%

[1]

'

92.15%

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum advance rates - range maximum

'

'

'

94.50%

[1]

98.00%

[1]

'

95.00%

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Other, Net

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit, future maximum

'

$500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

.

Bonds_and_Notes_Payable_Assetb

Bonds and Notes Payable Asset-backed Securitizations (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Apr. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

2014-1 Securitization [Member]

2014-2 Securitization Class A-1 [Member]

2014-2 Securitization Class A-2 [Member]

2014-2 Securitization Class A-3 [Member]

2014-2 Securitization [Member]

2014 Securitization [Member]

Class A [Member]

Class A [Member]

Class A [Member]

Class A [Member]

Class A [Member]

Class A [Member]

Class A [Member]

Class B [Member]

Class B [Member]

Class B [Member]

2014-1 Securitization [Member]

2014-2 Securitization Class A-1 [Member]

2014-2 Securitization Class A-2 [Member]

2014-2 Securitization Class A-3 [Member]

2014-2 Securitization [Member]

2014 Securitization [Member]

2014 Securitization [Member]

2014-1 Securitization [Member]

2014-2 Securitization [Member]

2014 Securitization [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$0

$0

($535)

($535)

'

($535)

$1,132

($1,046)

($2,178)

Asset-backed securitization, issuance date

6-Feb-14

12-Mar-14

12-Mar-14

12-Mar-14

12-Mar-14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount

458,500

'

'

'

509,000

967,500

445,000

191,000

222,000

84,000

497,000

'

942,000

13,500

12,000

25,500

Long-term Debt, Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

$445,000

$191,000

[1]

$222,000

$83,465

$496,465

$719,800

$941,465

$12,368

$10,954

$23,322

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.57%

0.28%

0.60%

0.85%

'

'

'

1.50%

1.50%

'

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End

'

'

'

'

'

'

25-Sep-41

25-Jun-21

25-Mar-30

27-Jul-37

'

'

'

25-Oct-47

25-Jun-41

'

[1]

{F|ahBzfndlYmZpbGluZ3MtaHJkcmoLEgZYTUxEb2MiXlhCUkxEb2NHZW5JbmZvOjlkOWM5ZjEzNjY0OTRmOTg5Y2U1NGZiYWU3YjhhODU1fFRleHRTZWxlY3Rpb246QUMwNkQ3QzZDOEUwQTZBOTg0N0JEMEU3NjY3QTc1MTMM}

Bonds_and_Notes_Payable_Debt_R

Bonds and Notes Payable Debt Repurchases (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases net	$39,000	$1,407,000
Debt [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases net	39,000	1,400,000
Debt [Member] | Quarter to date [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount	$1,400,000	$13,000,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding (Details) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities [Member]

Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities [Member]

Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities [Member]

Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

1:3 basis swaps [Member]

Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Maturity 2036 [Member]

Maturity 2036 [Member]

Maturity 2021 [Member]

Maturity 2021 [Member]

Maturity 2022 [Member]

Maturity 2022 [Member]

Maturity 2023 [Member]

Maturity 2023 [Member]

Maturity 2024 [Member]

Maturity 2024 [Member]

Maturity 2026 [Member]

Maturity 2026 [Member]

Maturity 2028 [Member]

Maturity 2028 [Member]

Maturity 2036 [Member]

Maturity 2036 [Member]

Maturity 2039 [Member]

Maturity 2039 [Member]

Maturity 2040 [Member]

Maturity 2040 [Member]

Maturity 2014 [Member]

Maturity 2014 [Member]

Maturity 2015 [Member]

Maturity 2015 [Member]

Maturity 2016 [Member]

Maturity 2016 [Member]

Maturity 2017 [Member]

Maturity 2017 [Member]

Derivative [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bonds and notes payable

$25,589,287

$25,955,289

$96,457

$96,457

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Notional Amount

'

'

'

'

$25,000

$25,000

$8,000,000

[1]

$250,000

$250,000

$1,900,000

$1,900,000

$3,650,000

$3,650,000

$250,000

$250,000

$800,000

$800,000

$100,000

$100,000

$700,000

$700,000

$150,000

[2]

$150,000

$200,000

[3]

$200,000

$4,850,000

$4,850,000

$1,750,000

$1,750,000

$1,100,000

$1,100,000

$750,000

$750,000

$1,250,000

$1,250,000

Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

4.28%

[4]

4.28%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.81%

0.81%

0.71%

0.71%

0.89%

0.89%

0.85%

0.85%

0.86%

0.86%

Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Paid on Swap

'

'

'

'

'

'

'one-month LIBOR

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average basis spread on variable rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of MarchB 31, 2014 and DecemberB 31, 2013 was one-month LIBOR plus 3.5 basis points

[2]

This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2015.

[3]

This derivative has a forward effective start date in 2020.

[4]

For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments Cross-currency Interest Rate Swaps (Details)

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Currency Swap [Member]

Currency Swap [Member]

Cross-currency interest rate swap 1 [Member]

Cross currency interest rate swap 2 [Member]

Cross currency interest rate swap 2 [Member]

Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.81%

0.81%

Bonds and notes payable

$25,589,287

'

$25,955,289

'

'

€ 420,500

'

€ 352,700

'

'

Re-measurement of Euro Notes

-952

28,763

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Change in fair value of cross currency interest rate swaps

-39

-34,844

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total impact to statements of income - income (expense)

2,916

-19,507

'

-991

[1],[2]

-6,081

[1],[2]

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Notional Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

$450,000

€ 352,700

$4,850,000

$4,850,000

[1]

The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

[2]

(a)For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'
Proceeds to terminate and or amend derivative instruments	($2,700,000)	'	'
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	'	64,002,000	62,507,000
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	'	16,547,000	17,969,000
Cash collateral received	'	323,000	15,959,000
Cash collateral pledged	'	3,140,000	3,630,000
Payments to terminate and/or amend derivative instruments	2,900,000	'	'
1:3 basis swaps [Member]	'	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	'	19,600,000	18,490,000
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	'	0	0
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member]	'	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	'	7,607,000	7,183,000
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	'	12,915,000	15,849,000
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges [Member]	'	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	'	0	0
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	'	3,632,000	2,120,000
Cross-currency interest rate swaps [Member]	'	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	'	36,795,000	36,834,000
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	'	$0	$0

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen5

Derivative Financial Instruments Gross/Net (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	$64,002	$62,507
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	-16,547	-17,969
Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement, asset	-15,313	-15,437
Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement, liability	15,313	15,437
Cash collateral received	-323	-15,959
Cash collateral pledged	3,140	3,630
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset, net	48,366	31,111
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability, net	($1,906)	($1,098)

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen6

Derivative Financial Instruments Income Statement Effect of Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative settlements, net	($6,229)	($8,184)
Change in fair value	2,916	-19,507
Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - income (expense)	-952	28,763
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements - income (expense)	-4,265	1,072
1:3 basis swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative settlements, net	881	911
Change in fair value	1,110	1,933
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative settlements, net	-6,950	-8,304
Change in fair value	3,358	9,422
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative settlements, net	-252	-645
Change in fair value	-1,513	3,640
Cross-currency interest rate swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative settlements, net	92	-146
Change in fair value	-39	-34,844
Other [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Change in fair value	$0	$342

Investments_and_Restricted_Inv

Investments and Restricted Investments Summary (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Investments [Member]	'		'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$166,201		$192,040
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member]	'		'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Amortized cost	150,324		173,433
Gross unrealized gains	5,076		8,894
Gross unrealized losses	-824	[1]	-1,244
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	154,576		181,083
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member] | Student Loan Asset-Backed and Other Debt Securities [Member]	'		'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Amortized cost	149,016	[2]	171,931	[2]
Gross unrealized gains	3,192	[2]	7,111	[2]
Gross unrealized losses	-824	[1],[2]	-1,241	[2]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	151,384	[2]	177,801	[2]
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member] | Equity securities [Member]	'		'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Amortized cost	1,308		1,502
Gross unrealized gains	1,884		1,783
Gross unrealized losses	0	[1]	-3
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	'		3,282
Investments [Member] | Trading investments [Member] | Student Loan Asset-Backed and Other Debt Securities [Member]	'		'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	11,625		10,957
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'		'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Restricted Investments	6,742		7,285
Guaranteed investment contracts - held-to-maturity	'		$7,285
[1]	As of MarchB 31, 2014, the Company considered the decline in market value of its available-for-sale investments to be temporary in nature and did not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired.
[2]	As of MarchB 31, 2014, the stated maturities of the majority of the Company's student loan asset-backed and other debt securities classified as available-for-sale were greater than 10 years.

Investments_Realized_Gains_Los

Investments Realized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Other income	$7,073	$957
Income tax expense	-2,617	-354
Net	$4,456	$603

Earnings_per_Common_Share_Deta

Earnings per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$73,786	$68,079
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	46,527,917	46,658,031
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$1.59	$1.46
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	0	0
Common shareholders [Member]	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	73,125	67,517
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	46,110,952	46,272,324
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$1.59	$1.46
Unvested restricted stock shareholders [Member]	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$661	$562
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	416,965	385,707
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$1.59	$1.46

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest income	$158,875	$157,156
Interest expense	60,004	58,358
Net interest income	98,871	98,798
Less provision for loan losses	-2,500	-5,000
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	96,371	93,798
Other income (expense):	'	'
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	64,757	55,601
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	25,235	23,411
Enrollment services revenue	22,011	28,957
Other income	18,131	9,416
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	39	1,407
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	1,964	9,256
Derivative settlements, net	-6,229	-8,184
Total other income (expense)	125,908	119,864
Operating expenses:	'	'
Salaries and benefits	52,484	47,905
Cost to provide enrollment services	14,475	19,642
Depreciation and amortization	4,783	4,377
Other	35,627	34,941
Intersegment expenses, net	0	0
Total operating expenses	107,369	106,865
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	114,910	106,797
Corporate overhead allocation	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	114,910	106,797
Income tax (expense) benefit	-40,611	-38,447
Net income (loss)	74,299	68,350
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	513	271
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	73,786	68,079
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest income	11	10
Interest expense	0	0
Net interest income	11	10
Less provision for loan losses	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	11	10
Other income (expense):	'	'
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	64,757	55,601
Intersegment servicing revenue	14,221	14,953
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	0	0
Enrollment services revenue	0	0
Other income	0	0
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0
Total other income (expense)	78,978	70,554
Operating expenses:	'	'
Salaries and benefits	32,307	28,444
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	2,789	2,789
Other	18,452	18,390
Intersegment expenses, net	1,083	935
Total operating expenses	54,631	50,558
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	24,358	20,006
Corporate overhead allocation	-1,860	-997
Income (loss) before income taxes	22,498	19,009
Income tax (expense) benefit	-8,549	-7,223
Net income (loss)	13,949	11,786
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	13,949	11,786
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Net interest income	0	0
Less provision for loan losses	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	0	0
Other income (expense):	'	'
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	25,235	23,411
Enrollment services revenue	0	0
Other income	0	0
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0
Total other income (expense)	25,235	23,411
Operating expenses:	'	'
Salaries and benefits	10,027	9,359
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	1,428	1,138
Other	2,647	2,287
Intersegment expenses, net	1,420	1,425
Total operating expenses	15,522	14,209
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	9,713	9,202
Corporate overhead allocation	-620	-332
Income (loss) before income taxes	9,093	8,870
Income tax (expense) benefit	-3,455	-3,371
Net income (loss)	5,638	5,499
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	5,638	5,499
Enrollment Services [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Net interest income	0	0
Less provision for loan losses	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	0	0
Other income (expense):	'	'
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	0	0
Enrollment services revenue	22,011	28,957
Other income	0	0
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0
Total other income (expense)	22,011	28,957
Operating expenses:	'	'
Salaries and benefits	4,380	5,767
Cost to provide enrollment services	14,475	19,642
Depreciation and amortization	47	61
Other	1,449	1,651
Intersegment expenses, net	1,006	1,149
Total operating expenses	21,357	28,270
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	654	687
Corporate overhead allocation	-620	-332
Income (loss) before income taxes	34	355
Income tax (expense) benefit	-13	-135
Net income (loss)	21	220
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	21	220
Total Fee-Based [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest income	11	10
Interest expense	0	0
Net interest income	11	10
Less provision for loan losses	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	11	10
Other income (expense):	'	'
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	64,757	55,601
Intersegment servicing revenue	14,221	14,953
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	25,235	23,411
Enrollment services revenue	22,011	28,957
Other income	0	0
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0
Total other income (expense)	126,224	122,922
Operating expenses:	'	'
Salaries and benefits	46,714	43,570
Cost to provide enrollment services	14,475	19,642
Depreciation and amortization	4,264	3,988
Other	22,548	22,328
Intersegment expenses, net	3,509	3,509
Total operating expenses	91,510	93,037
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	34,725	29,895
Corporate overhead allocation	-3,100	-1,661
Income (loss) before income taxes	31,625	28,234
Income tax (expense) benefit	-12,017	-10,729
Net income (loss)	19,608	17,505
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	19,608	17,505
Asset Generation and Management [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest income	157,003	155,654
Interest expense	59,476	57,482
Net interest income	97,527	98,172
Less provision for loan losses	-2,500	-5,000
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	95,027	93,172
Other income (expense):	'	'
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	0	0
Enrollment services revenue	0	0
Other income	4,164	4,196
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	39	1,407
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	3,477	5,275
Derivative settlements, net	-5,977	-7,539
Total other income (expense)	1,703	3,339
Operating expenses:	'	'
Salaries and benefits	609	562
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Other	7,146	7,513
Intersegment expenses, net	14,371	15,142
Total operating expenses	22,126	23,217
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	74,604	73,294
Corporate overhead allocation	-1,329	-712
Income (loss) before income taxes	73,275	72,582
Income tax (expense) benefit	-27,844	-27,581
Net income (loss)	45,431	45,001
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	45,431	45,001
Corporate Activity and Overhead [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest income	2,658	2,311
Interest expense	1,325	1,695
Net interest income	1,333	616
Less provision for loan losses	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	1,333	616
Other income (expense):	'	'
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	0	0
Enrollment services revenue	0	0
Other income	13,967	5,220
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	-1,513	3,981
Derivative settlements, net	-252	-645
Total other income (expense)	12,202	8,556
Operating expenses:	'	'
Salaries and benefits	5,161	3,773
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	519	389
Other	5,933	5,100
Intersegment expenses, net	-3,659	-3,698
Total operating expenses	7,954	5,564
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	5,581	3,608
Corporate overhead allocation	4,429	2,373
Income (loss) before income taxes	10,010	5,981
Income tax (expense) benefit	-750	-137
Net income (loss)	9,260	5,844
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	513	271
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	8,747	5,573
Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total interest income	-797	-819
Interest expense	-797	-819
Net interest income	0	0
Less provision for loan losses	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	0	0
Other income (expense):	'	'
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	-14,221	-14,953
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	0	0
Enrollment services revenue	0	0
Other income	0	0
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0
Total other income (expense)	-14,221	-14,953
Operating expenses:	'	'
Salaries and benefits	0	0
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Other	0	0
Intersegment expenses, net	-14,221	-14,953
Total operating expenses	-14,221	-14,953
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	0	0
Corporate overhead allocation	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	0	0
Income tax (expense) benefit	0	0
Net income (loss)	0	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$0	$0

Major_Customer_Details

Major Customer (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration Risk, Customer	'	'Department
Concentration Risk Dollar Value [Member]	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	$29.90	$20.30

Related_Party_Transactions_Tra

Related Party Transactions Transactions with Union Bank and Trust (Details) (Union Bank and Trust Company [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
Union Bank and Trust Company [Member]	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Amount of Participation	$1,700,000
Contractual Obligation	1,400,000
basis points earned on outstanding balance	$40

Assets_and_Liabilities_that_ar

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Investments, at Fair Value	$6,742	$7,285
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Investments, at Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Investments	166,201	192,040
Fair value of derivative instruments	64,002	62,507
Total assets	230,203	254,547
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of derivative instruments	16,547	17,969
Total liabilities	16,547	17,969
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Student loan asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Investments	162,553	188,279
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Investments	3,192	3,282
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Debt securities [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Investments	456	479
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Investments	3,648	3,761
Fair value of derivative instruments	0	0
Total assets	3,648	3,761
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of derivative instruments	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Student loan asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Investments	3,192	3,282
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Debt securities [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Investments	456	479
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Investments	162,553	188,279
Fair value of derivative instruments	64,002	62,507
Total assets	226,555	250,786
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of derivative instruments	16,547	17,969
Total liabilities	16,547	17,969
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Student loan asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Investments	162,553	188,279
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Debt securities [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Investments	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted Investments, at Fair Value	$6,742	$7,285

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable	$25,607,143	$25,907,589	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	107,102	63,267	50,066	66,031
Investments	166,201	192,040	'	'
Restricted cash - due to customers	180,469	167,576	'	'
Accrued interest receivable	305,672	314,553	'	'
Derivative instruments	64,002	62,507	'	'
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Bonds and notes payable	25,589,287	25,955,289	'	'
Accrued interest payable	22,338	21,725	'	'
Due to customers	180,469	167,576	'	'
Derivative instruments	16,547	17,969	'	'
Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	107,102	63,267	'	'
Investments	3,648	3,761	'	'
Restricted cash	699,147	727,838	'	'
Restricted cash - due to customers	180,469	167,576	'	'
Restricted investments	-6,742	-7,285	'	'
Accrued interest receivable	0	0	'	'
Derivative instruments	0	0	'	'
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Bonds and notes payable	0	0	'	'
Accrued interest payable	0	0	'	'
Due to customers	180,469	167,576	'	'
Derivative instruments	0	0	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	'	'
Investments	162,553	188,279	'	'
Restricted cash	0	0	'	'
Restricted cash - due to customers	0	0	'	'
Restricted investments	0	0	'	'
Accrued interest receivable	305,672	314,553	'	'
Derivative instruments	64,002	62,507	'	'
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Bonds and notes payable	25,461,183	25,577,250	'	'
Accrued interest payable	22,338	21,725	'	'
Due to customers	0	0	'	'
Derivative instruments	16,547	17,969	'	'
Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	'	'
Investments	0	0	'	'
Restricted cash	0	0	'	'
Restricted cash - due to customers	0	0	'	'
Restricted investments	0	0	'	'
Accrued interest receivable	0	0	'	'
Derivative instruments	0	0	'	'
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Bonds and notes payable	0	0	'	'
Accrued interest payable	0	0	'	'
Due to customers	0	0	'	'
Derivative instruments	0	0	'	'
Fair value [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	107,102	63,267	'	'
Investments	166,201	192,040	'	'
Restricted cash	699,147	727,838	'	'
Restricted cash - due to customers	180,469	167,576	'	'
Restricted investments	-6,742	-7,285	'	'
Accrued interest receivable	305,672	314,553	'	'
Derivative instruments	64,002	62,507	'	'
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Bonds and notes payable	25,461,183	25,577,250	'	'
Accrued interest payable	22,338	21,725	'	'
Due to customers	180,469	167,576	'	'
Derivative instruments	16,547	17,969	'	'
Carrying value [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	107,102	63,267	'	'
Investments	166,201	192,040	'	'
Restricted cash	699,147	727,838	'	'
Restricted cash - due to customers	180,469	167,576	'	'
Restricted investments	-6,742	-7,285	'	'
Accrued interest receivable	'	314,553	'	'
Derivative instruments	64,002	62,507	'	'
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Bonds and notes payable	25,589,287	25,955,289	'	'
Accrued interest payable	22,338	21,725	'	'
Due to customers	180,469	167,576	'	'
Derivative instruments	16,547	17,969	'	'
held for investment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable	25,607,143	25,907,589	'	'
held for investment [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable	0	0	'	'
held for investment [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable	0	0	'	'
held for investment [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable	26,671,284	26,641,383	'	'
held for investment [Member] | Fair value [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable	26,671,284	26,641,383	'	'
held for investment [Member] | Carrying value [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable	$25,607,143	$25,907,589	'	'

Legal_Proceedings_Details

Legal Proceedings (Details) (Pending or Threatened Litigation [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Loss contingency, inestimable loss	'The Company has accrued an immaterial amount related to the legal proceedings described below. However, due to the relatively early stage of these matters and the uncertainty and risks inherent in class determination and the overall litigation process, the Company believes that a meaningful estimate of its exposure to any reasonably possible losses or range of reasonably possible losses, in excess of the amount accrued, cannot currently be made.
Bais Yaakov of Spring Valley v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Loss contingency, actions taken by court, arbitrator or mediator	'As of the filing date of this report, the New Jersey District Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class.
Bais Yaakov of Spring Valley v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC [Member] | Named plaintiff [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Advertising faxes	6
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value, Per Violation	500
Bais Yaakov of Spring Valley v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC [Member] | Class action members [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Advertising faxes	10,000
Loss contingency, damages sought, value	5,000,000
Loss contingency, damages sought, value if trebled	15,000,000
Than Zaw v. Nelnet, Inc. [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Loss contingency, actions taken by court, arbitrator or mediator	'As of the filing date of this report, the California State Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class.
Than Zaw v. Nelnet, Inc. [Member] | Named plaintiff [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value, Per Violation	5,000
Grant Keating v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC et al [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Loss contingency, actions taken by court, arbitrator or mediator	'As of the filing date of this report, the Ohio District Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class.
Grant Keating v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC et al [Member] | Named plaintiff [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value, Per Violation	500

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 25, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	'	'	$25,589,287,000	$25,955,289,000
Financing Receivable, Significant Purchases	3,600,000,000	'	'	'
Asset Purchase Price	'	139,000,000	'	'
Securitized Student Loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Significant Purchases	2,600,000,000	'	'	'
Unsecuritized Student Loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Significant Purchases	950,000,000	'	'	'
2014 Securitization [Member] | Class A [Member]	'	'	'	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	719,800,000	'	941,465,000	'
FFELP Warehouse Total [Member]	'	'	'	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	1,100,000,000	'	772,435,000	'
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	$1,200,000,000	'	$977,565,000	'