Nelnet (NNI) 10-Q 6 Aug 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NELNET INC
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Public Float			$ 1,092,770,730
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	1,258,602
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		33,368,589
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,486,932

Consolidated Balance Sheets (un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets:
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses)	$ 28,095,775	$ 28,005,195
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents - not held at a related party	32,222	37,781
Cash and cash equivalents - held at a related party	150,058	92,700
Total cash and cash equivalents	182,280	130,481
Investments and notes receivable	245,748	235,709
Restricted cash and investments	857,853	850,440
Restricted cash - due to customers	117,820	118,488
Accrued interest receivable	364,211	351,588
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts)	60,893	50,552
Goodwill	126,200	126,200
Intangible assets, net	37,784	42,582
Property and equipment, net	48,047	45,894
Other assets	79,996	76,622
Fair value of derivative instruments	30,216	64,392
Total assets	30,246,823	30,098,143
Liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	28,070,423	28,027,350
Accrued interest payable	28,859	25,904
Other liabilities	157,096	167,881
Due to customers	117,820	118,488
Fair value of derivative instruments	67,133	32,842
Total liabilities	28,441,331	28,372,465
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	0	17,290
Retained earnings	1,801,457	1,702,560
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	3,283	5,135
Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,805,192	1,725,448
Noncontrolling interest	300	230
Total equity	1,805,492	1,725,678
Total liabilities and equity	30,246,823	30,098,143
Common Class A [Member]
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Common stock	337	348
Total equity	337	348
Common Class B [Member]
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Common stock	115	115
Total equity	115	115
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Assets:
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses)	28,234,240	28,181,244
Cash and cash equivalents:
Restricted cash and investments	844,854	846,199
Other assets	364,858	351,934
Liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	28,287,682	28,391,530
Other liabilities	329,055	280,233
Fair value of derivative instruments	53,593	20,455
Equity:
Net assets of consolidated variable interest entities	$ 773,622	$ 687,159

Consolidated Balance Sheets (u3

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for loan losses	$ 50,024	$ 48,900
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,957	$ 1,656
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	33,724,471	34,756,384
Shares Outstanding	33,724,471	34,756,384
Common Class B [Member]
Par Value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Shares Authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000
Shares Issued	11,486,932	11,486,932
Shares Outstanding	11,486,932	11,486,932

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Interest income:
Loan interest	$ 175,835	$ 175,466	$ 347,779	$ 332,362
Investment interest	1,887	1,482	4,092	3,461
Total interest income	177,722	176,948	351,871	335,823
Interest expense:
Interest on bonds and notes payable	72,626	69,235	144,180	129,239
Net interest income	105,096	107,713	207,691	206,584
Less provision for loan losses	2,150	1,500	4,150	4,000
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	102,946	106,213	203,541	202,584
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	63,833	66,460	121,644	131,217
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	27,686	21,834	62,366	47,069
Enrollment services revenue	17,161	20,145	35,024	42,156
Other income	7,504	15,315	14,422	33,446
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	1,515	18	4,390	57
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net	6,502	1,570	3,424	(2,695)
Total other income	124,201	125,342	241,270	251,250
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	58,787	53,888	119,837	106,372
Cost to provide enrollment services	11,162	13,311	22,864	27,786
Loan servicing fees	7,420	7,317	15,036	12,720
Depreciation and amortization	6,501	5,214	12,163	9,997
Other	31,958	33,060	61,156	63,284
Total operating expenses	115,828	112,790	231,056	220,159
Income before income taxes	111,319	118,765	213,755	233,675
Income tax expense	40,356	43,078	77,986	83,689
Net income	70,963	75,687	135,769	149,986
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	54	693	95	1,206
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 70,909	$ 74,994	$ 135,674	$ 148,780
Earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted	$ 1.54	$ 1.61	$ 2.94	$ 3.20
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	45,946,415	46,529,377	46,127,207	46,528,651

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Net income	$ 70,963	$ 75,687	$ 135,769	$ 149,986
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during period, net	(436)	5,826	(649)	9,501
Less reclassification adjustment for gains recognized in net income, net of losses	(2,093)	(1,238)	(2,297)	(8,311)
Income tax effect	940	(1,698)	1,094	(440)
Total other comprehensive loss	(1,589)	2,890	(1,852)	750
Comprehensive income	69,374	78,577	133,917	150,736
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	54	693	95	1,206
Comprehensive income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 69,320	$ 77,884	$ 133,822	$ 149,530

Consolidated Statements of Shar

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Class A [Member]	Common Class B [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Retained earnings [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling interest [Member]
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		0	34,881,338	11,495,377
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,443,990	$ 0	$ 349	$ 115	$ 24,887	$ 1,413,492	$ 4,819	$ 328
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of noncontrolling interest	201							201
Net income	149,986					148,780		1,206
Other comprehensive income (loss)	750						750
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(1,349)							(1,349)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock	(9,284)					(9,284)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)			205,507	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	3,128		$ 2	$ 0	3,126
Compensation expense for stock based awards	2,010				2,010
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)			(230,504)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(9,304)		$ (2)	$ 0	(9,302)
Conversion of Common Stock, Shares Converted			3,445	(3,445)
Conversion of Common Stock, Amount Converted	0		$ 0	$ 0
Balance (in Shares) at Jun. 30, 2014		0	34,859,786	11,491,932
Balance at Jun. 30, 2014	1,580,128	$ 0	$ 349	$ 115	20,721	1,552,988	5,569	386
Balance (in Shares) at Mar. 31, 2014		0	35,019,924	11,491,932
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	1,513,674	$ 0	$ 350	$ 115	27,138	1,482,637	2,679	755
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	75,687					74,994		693
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,890						2,890
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(1,062)							(1,062)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock	(4,643)					(4,643)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)			49,802	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	883		$ 1	$ 0	882
Compensation expense for stock based awards	1,135				1,135
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)			(209,940)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(8,436)		$ (2)	$ 0	(8,434)
Balance (in Shares) at Jun. 30, 2014		0	34,859,786	11,491,932
Balance at Jun. 30, 2014	1,580,128	$ 0	$ 349	$ 115	20,721	1,552,988	5,569	386
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		0	34,756,384	11,486,932
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	1,725,678	$ 0	$ 348	$ 115	17,290	1,702,560	5,135	230
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of noncontrolling interest	19							19
Net income	135,769					135,674		95
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,852)						(1,852)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(44)							(44)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock	(9,173)					(9,173)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)			142,095	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	3,412		$ 1	$ 0	3,411
Compensation expense for stock based awards	2,711				2,711
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)			(1,174,008)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(51,028)		$ (12)	$ 0	(23,412)	(27,604)
Balance (in Shares) at Jun. 30, 2015		0	33,724,471	11,486,932
Balance at Jun. 30, 2015	1,805,492	$ 0	$ 337	$ 115	0	1,801,457	3,283	300
Balance (in Shares) at Mar. 31, 2015		0	34,713,065	11,486,932
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	1,781,493	$ 0	$ 347	$ 115	13,177	1,762,711	4,872	271
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of noncontrolling interest	19							19
Net income	70,963					70,909		54
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,589)						(1,589)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(44)							(44)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock	(4,559)					(4,559)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)			9,616	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	945		$ 0	$ 0	945
Compensation expense for stock based awards	1,353				1,353
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)			(998,210)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(43,089)		$ (10)	$ 0	(15,475)	(27,604)
Balance (in Shares) at Jun. 30, 2015		0	33,724,471	11,486,932
Balance at Jun. 30, 2015	$ 1,805,492	$ 0	$ 337	$ 115	$ 0	$ 1,801,457	$ 3,283	$ 300

Consolidated Statements of Sha7

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (unaudited) (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Common Class A [Member]
Dividends paid per common share	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.20	$ 0.20
Common Class B [Member]
Dividends paid per common share	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.20	$ 0.20

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 135,674	$ 148,780
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	95	1,206
Net income	135,769	149,986
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities, net of acquisitions:
Depreciation and amortization, including debt discounts and student loan premiums and deferred origination costs	60,191	49,206
Student loan discount accretion	(21,506)	(21,087)
Provision for loan losses	4,150	4,000
Derivative market value adjustment	19,457	(7,950)
Foreign currency transaction adjustment	(33,538)	(1,798)
Proceeds from termination of derivative instruments	51,947	0
Payment to enter into interest rate caps	585	0
Gain on sale of loans	(351)	0
Gain from debt repurchases	(4,039)	(57)
Gain from sales of available-for-sale securities, net	(2,297)	(8,311)
Payments for purchases of trading securities, net	(11,697)	0
Deferred income tax expense	3,119	5,653
Other	6,376	4,967
Increase in accrued interest receivable	(743)	(3,567)
Increase in accounts receivable	(10,341)	(695)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(1,967)	1,383
Increase in accrued interest payable	2,566	1,432
Decrease in other liabilities	(4,526)	(16,690)
Net cash provided by operating activities	191,985	156,472
Cash flows from investing activities, net of acquisitions:
Purchases of student loans and student loan residual interests	(1,637,650)	(2,843,236)
Net proceeds from student loan repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other	1,953,437	1,712,350
Proceeds from sale of student loans	3,996	6
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(5,550)	(135,890)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	47,951	195,938
Purchases of investments and issuance of notes receivable	(53,770)	(27,011)
Proceeds from investments and notes receivable	8,824	3,821
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(9,519)	(9,022)
Increase (decrease) in restricted cash and investments, net	16,532	(27,247)
Business and asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(45,583)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	324,251	(1,175,874)
Cash flows from financing activities [Abstract]
Payments on bonds and notes payable	(2,629,565)	(1,821,723)
Proceeds from issuance of bonds and notes payable	2,233,630	2,901,639
Payments of debt issuance costs	(8,707)	(12,241)
Dividends paid	(9,173)	(9,284)
Repurchases of common stock	(51,028)	(9,304)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	431	295
Issuance of noncontrolling interest	19	201
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(44)	(1,349)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(464,437)	1,048,234
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	51,799	28,832
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	130,481	63,267
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	182,280	92,099
Cash disbursements made for:
Interest	108,436	97,668
Income taxes, net of refunds	67,211	83,706
Noncash activity:
Investing activity - student loans and other assets acquired	517,845	2,571,997
Financing activity - borrowings and other liabilities assumed in acquisition of student loans	$ 451,845	$ 2,444,874

Basis of Financial Reporting

Basis of Financial Reporting	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 June 30, 2015 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 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 and six months ended June 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2015 . 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, 2014 (the "2014 Annual Report"). Reclassifications Certain amounts previously reported within the Company's consolidated balance sheet and statements of income have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications include: • Reclassifying certain investments and notes receivable, which were previously included in "other assets" to "investments and notes receivable." • Reclassifying third-party loan servicing fees, which were previously included in "other" operating expenses to "loan servicing fees." The reclassifications had no effect on consolidated net income or consolidated assets and liabilities.

Student Loans Receivable and Al

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Federally insured loans Stafford and other $ 6,574,079 6,030,825 Consolidation 21,564,569 22,165,605 Total 28,138,648 28,196,430 Private education loans 175,202 27,478 28,313,850 28,223,908 Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (a) (168,051 ) (169,813 ) Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans (36,762 ) (39,170 ) Allowance for loan losses – private education loans (13,262 ) (9,730 ) $ 28,095,775 28,005,195 (a) As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $33.1 million and $28.8 million , respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans of $9.5 billion and $8.5 billion , respectively. Private Education Loans On February 5, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with CommonBond, Inc. ("CommonBond"), a student lending company that provides private education loans to graduate students, under which the Company committed to purchase private education loans for a period of 18 months , with the total purchase obligation limited to $150.0 million . As of June 30, 2015 , the Company had purchased $64.2 million in private loans from CommonBond pursuant to this agreement. Acquisition of Student Loan Residual Interest On May 26, 2015, the Company acquired the ownership interest in a federally insured student loan securitization trust (the "Trust"), giving the Company rights to the residual interest in $504.2 million of securitized federally insured loans. The Trust includes loans funded to term with $448.9 million (par value) of bonds and notes payable. The Company has consolidated this Trust on its consolidated balance sheet because management has determined the Company is the primary beneficiary of the Trust. Upon acquisition of the Trust, the Company recorded all assets and liabilities of the Trust at fair value, resulting in the recognition of a student loan fair value discount of $20.7 million and a bonds and notes payable fair value premium of $2.2 million . The discount and premium will be accreted and amortized, respectively, using the effective interest method over the lives of the underlying assets and liabilities. All other assets and liabilities acquired and liabilities assumed (restricted cash, accrued interest receivable /payable, and other assets/liabilities) were recorded at cost, which approximates fair value. Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses The provision for loan losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance sufficient 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 June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Balance at beginning of period $ 51,161 54,628 48,900 55,122 Provision for loan losses: Federally insured loans 2,000 2,000 4,000 5,000 Private education loans 150 (500 ) 150 (1,000 ) Total provision for loan losses 2,150 1,500 4,150 4,000 Charge-offs: Federally insured loans (3,259 ) (4,138 ) (6,408 ) (7,769 ) Private education loans (446 ) (598 ) (1,122 ) (1,019 ) Total charge-offs (3,705 ) (4,736 ) (7,530 ) (8,788 ) Recoveries - private education loans 238 339 492 710 Purchase (sale) of federally insured and private education loans, net — 150 (230 ) 250 Transfer from repurchase obligation related to private education loans repurchased 180 586 4,242 1,173 Balance at end of period $ 50,024 52,467 50,024 52,467 Allocation of the allowance for loan losses: Federally insured loans $ 36,762 40,921 36,762 40,921 Private education loans 13,262 11,546 13,262 11,546 Total allowance for loan losses $ 50,024 52,467 50,024 52,467 Repurchase Obligation The Company has sold various portfolios of private education loans to third-parties. Per the terms of the servicing agreements, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase loans subject to the sale agreements in the event such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the balance of loans subject to these repurchase obligations was $57.0 million and $155.3 million , respectively. The Company repurchased $94.1 million of private education loans during the first quarter of 2015. The Company's estimate related to its obligation to repurchase these loans is included in "other liabilities" in the Company's consolidated balance sheets and was $3.7 million and $11.8 million as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. 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 table below shows the Company’s loan delinquency amounts. As of June 30, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 As of June 30, 2014 Federally insured loans: Loans in-school/grace/deferment $ 2,634,088 $ 2,805,228 $ 3,095,741 Loans in forbearance 3,118,774 3,288,412 3,593,891 Loans in repayment status: Loans current 19,055,994 85.2 % 18,460,279 83.5 % 19,164,660 84.0 % Loans delinquent 31-60 days 950,055 4.2 1,043,119 4.8 1,026,046 4.5 Loans delinquent 61-90 days 612,657 2.7 588,777 2.7 674,918 3.0 Loans delinquent 91-120 days 355,636 1.6 404,905 1.8 376,068 1.5 Loans delinquent 121-270 days 1,051,843 4.7 1,204,405 5.4 1,133,527 5.0 Loans delinquent 271 days or greater 359,601 1.6 401,305 1.8 447,264 2.0 Total loans in repayment 22,385,786 100.0 % 22,102,790 100.0 % 22,822,483 100.0 % Total federally insured loans $ 28,138,648 $ 28,196,430 $ 29,512,115 Private education loans: Loans in-school/grace/deferment $ 5,268 $ 905 $ 2,123 Loans in forbearance 142 — — Loans in repayment status: Loans current 161,355 95.0 % 18,390 69.2 % 57,048 87.1 % Loans delinquent 31-60 days 1,407 0.8 1,078 4.1 1,008 1.5 Loans delinquent 61-90 days 1,647 1.0 1,035 3.9 1,867 2.8 Loans delinquent 91 days or greater 5,383 3.2 6,070 22.8 5,624 8.6 Total loans in repayment 169,792 100.0 % 26,573 100.0 % 65,547 100.0 % Total non-federally insured loans $ 175,202 $ 27,478 $ 67,670

Bonds and Notes Payable

Bonds and Notes Payable	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 June 30, 2015 Carrying amount Interest rate range Final maturity Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations: Bonds and notes based on indices $ 25,754,105 0.10% - 6.90% 8/26/19 - 8/26/52 Bonds and notes based on auction 1,171,515 1.06% - 2.09% 3/22/32 - 11/26/46 Total variable-rate bonds and notes 26,925,620 FFELP warehouse facilities 1,190,705 0.19% - 0.30% 6/11/17 - 4/29/18 Private education loan warehouse facility 89,265 0.31% 12/26/16 Unsecured line of credit 100,000 1.69% 6/30/19 Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities 57,582 3.66% 9/15/61 Other borrowings 79,336 1.69% - 5.10% 11/11/15 - 10/31/16 28,442,508 Discount on bonds and notes payable (372,085 ) Total $ 28,070,423 As of December 31, 2014 Carrying amount Interest rate range Final maturity Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations: Bonds and notes based on indices $ 25,713,431 0.19% - 6.90% 5/25/18 - 8/26/52 Bonds and notes based on auction 1,311,669 0.47% - 2.17% 3/22/32 - 11/26/46 Total variable-rate bonds and notes 27,025,100 FFELP warehouse facilities 1,241,665 0.16% - 0.26% 1/17/16 - 6/11/17 Unsecured line of credit — — 6/30/19 Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities 71,688 3.63% 9/15/61 Other borrowings 81,969 1.67% - 5.10% 11/11/15 - 12/31/18 28,420,422 Discount on bonds and notes payable (393,072 ) Total $ 28,027,350 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 June 30, 2015 , the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below. NHELP-III (a) NFSLW-I (b) NHELP-II Total Maximum financing amount $ 750,000 750,000 500,000 2,000,000 Amount outstanding 282,005 571,084 337,616 1,190,705 Amount available $ 467,995 178,916 162,384 809,295 Expiration of liquidity provisions April 29, 2016 July 30, 2015 December 17, 2015 Final maturity date April 29, 2018 June 11, 2017 December 17, 2017 Maximum advance rates 92.2 - 95.0% 92.0 - 98.0% 91.0 - 97.0% Minimum advance rates 92.2 - 95.0% 84.0 - 90.0% 91.0 - 97.0% Advanced as equity support $ 7,751 27,211 18,808 53,770 (a) On April 30, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to April 29, 2016, and to change the final maturity date to April 29, 2018. (b) On May 14, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to extend the expiration of the liquidity provisions to July 30, 2015. On July 10, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount to $875.0 million , extend the expiration of the liquidity provisions to July 8, 2016 , and extend the maturity date to July 9, 2018 . The maximum financing amount is scheduled to decrease by $125.0 million on March 31, 2016 . Asset-backed Securitizations The following table summarizes the asset-backed securitization transactions completed during the six months ended June 30, 2015 . 2015-1 2015-2 2015-3 Total Class A-1 notes Class A-2 notes 2015-2 total Class A-1 notes Class A-2 notes Class A-3 notes 2015-3 total Date securities issued 2/27/15 3/26/15 3/26/15 3/26/15 5/21/15 5/21/15 5/21/15 5/21/15 Total original principal amount $ 566,346 122,500 584,500 722,000 82,500 270,000 41,400 401,400 $ 1,689,746 Class A senior notes: Total original principal amount $ 553,232 122,500 584,500 707,000 82,500 270,000 41,400 393,900 1,654,132 Bond discount — — — — — (380 ) (1,095 ) (1,475 ) (1,475 ) Issue price $ 553,232 122,500 584,500 707,000 82,500 269,620 40,305 392,425 1,652,657 Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:) 0.59 % 0.27 % 0.60 % 0.30 % 0.60 % 0.90 % Final maturity date 4/25/41 3/25/20 9/25/42 1/27/25 2/26/46 6/25/49 Class B subordinated notes: Total original principal amount $ 13,114 15,000 7,500 35,614 Bond discount (1,157 ) (1,793 ) (968 ) (3,918 ) Issue price $ 11,957 13,207 6,532 31,696 Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:) 1.50 % 1.50 % 1.50 % Final maturity date 6/25/46 5/25/49 6/27/50 Private Education Loan Warehouse Facility On June 26, 2015, the Company entered into a $275.0 million private education loan warehouse facility. As of June 30, 2015, there was $89.3 million outstanding on the facility and $185.7 million was available for future use. The facility has a static advance rate that requires initial equity for loan funding, but does not require increased equity based on market movements. The maximum advance rate on the entire facility is 88 percent and minimum advance rates, depending on loan characteristics and program type, range from 64 percent to 99 percent . As of June 30, 2015, $12.8 million was advanced on the facility as equity support. The facility is supported by liquidity provisions, which have a defined expiration date of June 24, 2016 . In the event the Company is unable to renew the liquidity provisions by such date, the facility would become a term facility at a stepped-up cost, with no additional student loans being eligible for financing, and the Company would be required to refinance the existing loans in the facility by the facility's final maturity date of December 26, 2016 . Unsecured Line of Credit The Company has a $350.0 million line of credit that has a maturity date of June 30, 2019. As of June 30, 2015 , the unsecured line of credit had an outstanding balance of $100.0 million and $250.0 million was available for future use. Debt Repurchases The following table summarizes the Company's repurchases of its own debt. Gains recorded by the Company from the repurchase of debt are included in "gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases" on the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Par value Purchase price Gain Par value Purchase price Gain Three months ended June 30, 2015 June 30, 2014 Unsecured debt - Hybrid Securities $ 2,255 1,781 474 — — — Asset-backed securities 22,146 21,105 1,041 200 182 18 $ 24,401 22,886 1,515 200 182 18 Six months ended June 30, 2015 June 30, 2014 Unsecured debt - Hybrid Securities $ 14,106 11,108 2,998 — — — Asset-backed securities 22,146 21,105 1,041 1,550 1,493 57 $ 36,252 32,213 4,039 1,550 1,493 57

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [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 5 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Annual Report. A tabular presentation of such derivatives outstanding as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is presented below. Basis Swaps The following table summarizes the Company’s basis swaps outstanding as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 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"). As of June 30, As of December 31, 2015 2014 Maturity Notional amount Notional amount 2016 $ 4,000,000 $ — 2021 — 250,000 2022 800,000 1,900,000 2023 1,250,000 3,650,000 2024 — 250,000 2026 300,000 800,000 2028 — 100,000 2036 — 700,000 2039 — 150,000 $ 6,350,000 $ 7,800,000 The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was one-month LIBOR plus 8.5 basis points and 3.5 basis points, respectively. 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 June 30, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Maturity Notional amount Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a) Notional amount Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a) 2015 $ 500,000 0.71 % $ 1,100,000 0.89 % 2016 750,000 0.85 750,000 0.85 2017 1,850,000 0.83 1,250,000 0.86 2018 100,000 1.02 — — 2025 100,000 2.32 — — $ 3,300,000 0.87 % $ 3,100,000 0.87 % (a) For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR. On August 20, 2014, the Company paid $9.1 million for an interest rate swap option to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income. The interest rate swap option gives the Company the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a $250 million notional interest rate swap in which the Company would pay a fixed amount of 3.30% and receive discrete one-month LIBOR. If the interest rate swap option is exercised, the swap would become effective in 2019 and mature in 2024. Interest Rate Swaps – Unsecured Debt Hedges The Company had the following derivatives outstanding as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a portion of the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities to a fixed rate of 7.66% . 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. Interest Rate Caps In June 2015, in conjunction with the entry into the $275.0 million private education loan warehouse facility, the Company paid $2.9 million for two interest rate cap contracts with a total notional amount of $275.0 million . The first interest rate cap has a notional amount of $125.0 million and a one-month LIBOR strike rate of 2.50% , and the second interest rate cap has a notional amount of $150.0 million and a one-month LIBOR strike rate of 4.99% . In the event that the one-month LIBOR rate rises above the applicable strike rate, the Company would receive monthly payments related to the spread difference. Both interest rate cap contracts have a maturity date of July 15, 2020. 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 June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Re-measurement of Euro Notes $ (14,671 ) 2,751 33,538 1,798 Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swap 13,933 (2,999 ) (35,873 ) (3,037 ) Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a) $ (738 ) (248 ) (2,335 ) (1,239 ) (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. The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in fair value of the corresponding cross-currency interest rate swap. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains or losses related to the cross-currency interest rate swap 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 June 30, December 31, June 30, December 31, 1:3 basis swaps $ 14,071 53,549 71 — Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges 7,262 5,165 4,470 5,034 Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge 6,148 5,678 — — Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges — — 6,264 7,353 Interest rate caps 2,735 — — — Cross-currency interest rate swap — — 56,328 20,455 Total $ 30,216 64,392 67,133 32,842 During the six months ended June 30, 2015 , the Company terminated a total notional amount of $5.5 billion of 1:3 Basis Swaps for gross proceeds of $51.9 million . There were no derivative terminations during the first six months 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 pledged (received) Net asset (liability) Balance as of June 30, 2015 $ 30,216 (6,801 ) 2,046 25,461 Balance as of December 31, 2014 64,392 (12,387 ) — 52,005 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 (received) Net asset (liability) Balance as of June 30, 2015 $ (67,133 ) 6,801 (9,091 ) (69,423 ) Balance as of December 31, 2014 (32,842 ) 12,387 (1,454 ) (21,909 ) The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income. Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Settlements: 1:3 basis swaps $ 123 858 389 1,739 Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges (5,019 ) (6,974 ) (10,034 ) (13,924 ) Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges (253 ) (256 ) (505 ) (508 ) Cross-currency interest rate swap (293 ) 158 (507 ) 250 Total settlements - (expense) income (5,442 ) (6,214 ) (10,657 ) (12,443 ) Change in fair value: 1:3 basis swaps 1,428 11,910 12,398 13,020 Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges 7,534 (2,813 ) 2,662 545 Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge 1,381 — 470 — Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges 2,540 (1,065 ) 1,087 (2,578 ) Interest rate caps (201 ) — (201 ) — Cross-currency interest rate swap 13,933 (2,999 ) (35,873 ) (3,037 ) Total change in fair value - income (expense) 26,615 5,033 (19,457 ) 7,950 Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - (expense) income (14,671 ) 2,751 33,538 1,798 Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net - income (expense) $ 6,502 1,570 3,424 (2,695 )

Investments and Notes Receivabl

Investments and Notes Receivable	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	Investments and Notes Receivable A summary of the Company's investments and notes receivable follows: As of June 30, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses (a) Fair value Amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value Investments (at fair value): Available-for-sale investments: Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities (b) $ 92,192 4,137 (608 ) 95,721 131,589 6,204 (236 ) 137,557 Equity securities 846 1,734 (58 ) 2,522 1,553 2,216 (33 ) 3,736 Total available-for-sale investments $ 93,038 5,871 (666 ) 98,243 133,142 8,420 (269 ) 141,293 Trading investments: Student loan asset-backed securities 6,443 7,830 Equity securities 13,084 — Total trading investments 19,527 7,830 Total available-for-sale and trading investments 117,770 149,123 Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value): Investments accounted for under the cost and equity methods 82,281 36,991 Notes receivable 31,321 30,643 Other 14,376 18,952 Total investments and notes receivable $ 245,748 235,709 (a) As of June 30, 2015 , 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 June 30, 2015 , 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.

Intangible Assets Intangible As

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	Intangible Assets and Goodwill Intangible assets consist of the following: Weighted average remaining useful life as of June 30, 2015 (months) As of June 30, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships (net of accumulated amortization of $20,278 and $17,361, respectively) 213 $ 24,413 27,330 Trade names (net of accumulated amortization of $534 and $272, respectively) 227 5,888 6,150 Computer software (net of accumulated amortization of $3,048 and $1,896, respectively) 37 5,817 6,969 Content (net of accumulated amortization of $450 and $0, respectively) 18 1,350 1,800 Covenants not to compete (net of accumulated amortization of $38 and $21, respectively) 107 316 333 Total - amortizable intangible assets 180 $ 37,784 42,582 The Company recorded amortization expense on its intangible assets of $2.4 million and $1.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and $4.8 million and $2.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The Company will continue to amortize intangible assets over their remaining useful lives. As of June 30, 2015 , the Company estimates it will record amortization expense as follows: 2015 (July 1 - December 31) $ 4,797 2016 6,249 2017 3,752 2018 3,533 2019 2,861 2020 and thereafter 16,592 $ 37,784 There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the six months ended June 30, 2015 . The carrying amount of goodwill by reportable operating segment as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is shown in the table below. Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Asset Generation and Management Corporate and Other Activities Total Balance as of December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 $ 8,596 67,168 41,883 8,553 126,200

Earnings per Common Share

Earnings per Common Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 June 30, 2015 2014 Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Numerator: Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 70,146 763 70,909 74,263 731 74,994 Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted 45,451,888 494,527 45,946,415 46,075,869 453,508 46,529,377 Earnings per share - basic and diluted $ 1.54 1.54 1.54 1.61 1.61 1.61 Six months ended June 30, 2015 2014 Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Numerator: Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 134,227 1,447 135,674 147,388 1,392 148,780 Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted 45,635,155 492,052 46,127,207 46,093,314 435,337 46,528,651 Earnings per share - basic and diluted $ 2.94 2.94 2.94 3.20 3.20 3.20 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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	Segment Reporting See note 14 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 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. Effective January 1, 2015, internal reporting to executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") changed to reflect operational changes made within the organization. The operational and internal reporting changes included moving the majority of information technology infrastructure personnel and related functions to Corporate and Other Activities. The associated costs are allocated to the other operating segments based on those segments' actual use of information technology related products and services. Information technology infrastructure personnel and related functions were historically included within the Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment, and associated costs were allocated to the other operating segments based on those segments' actual use of the related products and services. Prior period segment operating results have been reclassified to reflect these changes; however, the reclassifications had no effect on any operating segment's net income. Three months ended June 30, 2015 Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Asset Generation and Management Corporate and Other Activities Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 13 1 176,279 1,814 (385 ) 177,722 Interest expense — — 71,441 1,570 (385 ) 72,626 Net interest income 13 1 104,838 244 — 105,096 Less provision for loan losses — — 2,150 — — 2,150 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 13 1 102,688 244 — 102,946 Other income: Loan and guaranty servicing revenue 63,833 — — — — 63,833 Intersegment servicing revenue 12,223 — — — (12,223 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 27,686 — — — 27,686 Enrollment services revenue — — — 17,161 — 17,161 Other income — — 3,950 3,554 — 7,504 Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases — — 1,041 474 — 1,515 Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net — — 9,404 2,540 — 11,944 Derivative settlements, net — — (5,189 ) (253 ) — (5,442 ) Total other income 76,056 27,686 9,206 23,476 (12,223 ) 124,201 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 31,585 13,583 524 13,095 — 58,787 Cost to provide enrollment services — — — 11,162 — 11,162 Loan servicing fees — — 7,420 — — 7,420 Depreciation and amortization 527 2,195 — 3,779 — 6,501 Other 15,376 4,112 1,270 11,200 — 31,958 Intersegment expenses, net 11,566 2,785 12,398 (14,526 ) (12,223 ) — Total operating expenses 59,054 22,675 21,612 24,710 (12,223 ) 115,828 Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 17,015 5,012 90,282 (990 ) — 111,319 Corporate overhead allocation (2,294 ) (918 ) (1,147 ) 4,359 — — Income before income taxes 14,721 4,094 89,135 3,369 — 111,319 Income tax (expense) benefit (5,594 ) (1,556 ) (33,871 ) 665 — (40,356 ) Net income 9,127 2,538 55,264 4,034 — 70,963 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — 54 — 54 Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 9,127 2,538 55,264 3,980 — 70,909 Three months ended June 30, 2014 Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Asset Generation and Management Corporate and Other Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 9 3 175,562 2,036 (662 ) 176,948 Interest expense — — 67,936 1,961 (662 ) 69,235 Net interest income 9 3 107,626 75 — 107,713 Less provision for loan losses — — 1,500 — — 1,500 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 9 3 106,126 75 — 106,213 Other income: Loan and guaranty servicing revenue 66,460 — — — — 66,460 Intersegment servicing revenue 13,800 — — — (13,800 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 21,834 — — — 21,834 Enrollment services revenue — — — 20,145 — 20,145 Other income — — 4,496 10,819 — 15,315 Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases — — 18 — — 18 Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net — — 8,848 (1,064 ) — 7,784 Derivative settlements, net — — (5,958 ) (256 ) — (6,214 ) Total other income 80,260 21,834 7,404 29,644 (13,800 ) 125,342 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 30,082 11,112 570 12,124 — 53,888 Cost to provide enrollment services — — — 13,311 — 13,311 Loan servicing fees — — 7,317 — — 7,317 Depreciation and amortization 438 1,845 — 2,931 — 5,214 Other 16,975 2,956 1,528 11,601 — 33,060 Intersegment expenses, net 9,356 1,404 13,968 (10,928 ) (13,800 ) — Total operating expenses 56,851 17,317 23,383 29,039 (13,800 ) 112,790 Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 23,418 4,520 90,147 680 — 118,765 Corporate overhead allocation (2,060 ) (687 ) (1,249 ) 3,996 — — Income before income taxes 21,358 3,833 88,898 4,676 — 118,765 Income tax (expense) benefit (8,116 ) (1,456 ) (33,781 ) 275 — (43,078 ) Net income 13,242 2,377 55,117 4,951 — 75,687 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — 693 — 693 Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 13,242 2,377 55,117 4,258 — 74,994 Six months ended June 30, 2015 Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Asset Generation and Management Corporate and Other Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 20 3 348,702 3,967 (821 ) 351,871 Interest expense — — 141,981 3,020 (821 ) 144,180 Net interest income 20 3 206,721 947 — 207,691 Less provision for loan losses — — 4,150 — — 4,150 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 20 3 202,571 947 — 203,541 Other income: Loan and guaranty servicing revenue 121,644 — — — — 121,644 Intersegment servicing revenue 25,094 — — — (25,094 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 62,366 — — — 62,366 Enrollment services revenue — — — 35,024 — 35,024 Other income — — 8,526 5,896 — 14,422 Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases — — 1,392 2,998 — 4,390 Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net — — 12,994 1,087 — 14,081 Derivative settlements, net — — (10,152 ) (505 ) — (10,657 ) Total other income 146,738 62,366 12,760 44,500 (25,094 ) 241,270 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 65,288 26,904 1,065 26,580 — 119,837 Cost to provide enrollment services — — — 22,864 — 22,864 Loan servicing fees — — 15,036 — — 15,036 Depreciation and amortization 973 4,390 — 6,800 — 12,163 Other 29,976 7,914 2,407 20,859 — 61,156 Intersegment expenses, net 21,266 5,399 25,438 (27,009 ) (25,094 ) — Total operating expenses 117,503 44,607 43,946 50,094 (25,094 ) 231,056 Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 29,255 17,762 171,385 (4,647 ) — 213,755 Corporate overhead allocation (4,447 ) (1,780 ) (2,225 ) 8,452 — — Income before income taxes 24,808 15,982 169,160 3,805 — 213,755 Income tax (expense) benefit (9,428 ) (6,074 ) (64,280 ) 1,796 — (77,986 ) Net income 15,380 9,908 104,880 5,601 — 135,769 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — 95 — 95 Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 15,380 9,908 104,880 5,506 — 135,674 Six months ended June 30, 2014 Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Asset Generation and Management Corporate and Other Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 20 3 332,565 4,694 (1,459 ) 335,823 Interest expense — — 127,412 3,286 (1,459 ) 129,239 Net interest income 20 3 205,153 1,408 — 206,584 Less provision for loan losses — — 4,000 — — 4,000 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 20 3 201,153 1,408 — 202,584 Other income: Loan and guaranty servicing revenue 131,217 — — — — 131,217 Intersegment servicing revenue 28,021 — — — (28,021 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 47,069 — — — 47,069 Enrollment services revenue — — — 42,156 — 42,156 Other income — — 8,660 24,786 — 33,446 Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases — — 57 — — 57 Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net — — 12,325 (2,577 ) — 9,748 Derivative settlements, net — — (11,935 ) (508 ) — (12,443 ) Total other income 159,238 47,069 9,107 63,857 (28,021 ) 251,250 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 59,481 21,139 1,179 24,573 — 106,372 Cost to provide enrollment services — — — 27,786 — 27,786 Loan servicing fees — — 12,720 — — 12,720 Depreciation and amortization 857 3,273 — 5,867 — 9,997 Other 32,625 5,603 3,271 21,785 — 63,284 Intersegment expenses, net 18,519 2,824 28,339 (21,661 ) (28,021 ) — Total operating expenses 111,482 32,839 45,509 58,350 (28,021 ) 220,159 Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 47,776 14,233 164,751 6,915 — 233,675 Corporate overhead allocation (3,920 ) (1,307 ) (2,578 ) 7,805 — — Income before income taxes 43,856 12,926 162,173 14,720 — 233,675 Income tax (expense) benefit (16,665 ) (4,911 ) (61,625 ) (488 ) — (83,689 ) Net income 27,191 8,015 100,548 14,232 — 149,986 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — 1,206 — 1,206 Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 27,191 8,015 100,548 13,026 — 148,780

Major Customer

Major Customer	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]	Major Customer The Company earns loan servicing revenue from a servicing contract with the U.S. Department of Education that currently expires on June 16, 2019. Revenue earned by the Company's Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment related to this contract was $33.6 million and $31.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and $66.0 million and $60.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Parties The Company has entered into certain contractual arrangements with related parties as described in note 20 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Annual Report. The following provides an update for related party transactions that occurred during the first six months of 2015 . On March 17, 2015, the Company made a $40.5 million equity investment in Agile Sports Technologies, Inc. (doing business as "Hudl"). David Graff, who has served on the Company's Board of Directors since May 2014, is CEO, co-founder, and a director of Hudl. Prior to the 2015 investment, the Company and Michael Dunlap, the Company's Executive Chairman and a principal shareholder, made separate equity investments in Hudl. Subsequent to the Company's March 2015 investment, the Company and Mr. Dunlap hold combined direct and indirect equity ownership interests in Hudl of 18.7% and 2.8% , respectively. The Company's and Mr. Dunlap's direct and indirect equity ownership interests in Hudl consist of preferred stock with certain liquidation preferences that are considered substantive. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Company's and Mr. Dunlap's equity ownership interests are not considered in-substance common stock and the Company is accounting for its equity investment in Hudl under the cost method. The Company's investment in Hudl is included in "investments and notes receivable" in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. 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"). On May 22, 2015, the Company paid Union Bank $3.1 million to pay off the outstanding loan balance and terminated the subparticipation agreement.

Fair Value

Fair Value	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 six months ended June 30, 2015 . As of June 30, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Assets: Investments (available-for-sale and trading): Student loan asset-backed securities $ — 101,821 101,821 — 145,000 145,000 Equity securities 15,606 — 15,606 3,736 — 3,736 Debt securities 343 — 343 387 — 387 Total investments (available-for-sale and trading) 15,949 101,821 117,770 4,123 145,000 149,123 Fair value of derivative instruments — 30,216 30,216 — 64,392 64,392 Total assets $ 15,949 132,037 147,986 4,123 209,392 213,515 Liabilities: Fair value of derivative instruments $ — 67,133 67,133 — 32,842 32,842 Total liabilities $ — 67,133 67,133 — 32,842 32,842 The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets: As of June 30, 2015 Fair value Carrying value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Financial assets: Student loans receivable $ 28,824,415 28,095,775 — — 28,824,415 Cash and cash equivalents 182,280 182,280 182,280 — — Investments (available-for-sale and trading) 117,770 117,770 15,949 101,821 — Notes receivable 28,644 31,321 — 28,644 — Restricted cash 848,479 848,479 848,479 — — Restricted cash – due to customers 117,820 117,820 117,820 — — Restricted investments 9,374 9,374 9,374 — — Accrued interest receivable 364,211 364,211 — 364,211 — Derivative instruments 30,216 30,216 — 30,216 — Financial liabilities: Bonds and notes payable 27,661,342 28,070,423 — 27,661,342 — Accrued interest payable 28,859 28,859 — 28,859 — Due to customers 117,820 117,820 117,820 — — Derivative instruments 67,133 67,133 — 67,133 — As of December 31, 2014 Fair value Carrying value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Financial assets: Student loans receivable $ 28,954,226 28,005,195 — — 28,954,226 Cash and cash equivalents 130,481 130,481 130,481 — — Investments (available-for-sale and trading) 149,123 149,123 4,123 145,000 — Notes receivable 28,832 30,643 — 28,832 — Restricted cash 800,164 800,164 800,164 — — Restricted cash – due to customers 118,488 118,488 118,488 — — Restricted investments 50,276 50,276 50,276 — — Accrued interest receivable 351,588 351,588 — 351,588 — Derivative instruments 64,392 64,392 — 64,392 — Financial liabilities: Bonds and notes payable 27,809,997 28,027,350 — 27,809,997 — Accrued interest payable 25,904 25,904 — 25,904 — Due to customers 118,488 118,488 118,488 — — Derivative instruments 32,842 32,842 — 32,842 — The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities are described in note 21 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.

Legal Proceedings

Legal Proceedings	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Legal Proceedings	Legal Proceedings Grant Keating v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC et al On August 6, 2012, an Amended Complaint was served on Peterson's Nelnet, LLC, a subsidiary of Nelnet, Inc. ("Nelnet"), CUnet, LLC, 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 “District Court”). The lawsuit was originally instituted on August 24, 2011, and alleged 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 alleged that this text message violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, purportedly entitling the plaintiff to $500 , trebled for a willful violation. The complaint further alleged that the Keating Defendants sent putative class members similar text messages using an automatic telephone dialing system, without such purported class members' consent, and sought to establish a class action. On May 12, 2014, the District Court granted the Keating Defendants' motion for summary judgment, and ordered that the case be dismissed. On September 8, 2014, the named plaintiff filed an appeal brief with the Circuit Court of Appeals. On July 21, 2015, the Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s judgment in favor of the Keating Defendants, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

Subsequent event (Notes)

Subsequent event (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Subsequent Events On August 3, 2015, the Company acquired the residual interests in two securitized student loan trusts. The two trusts collectively own approximately $1.5 billion of FFELP student loans and related assets and have issued a corresponding amount of related student loan asset-backed debt secured by those FFELP student loans and related assets. The purchase was funded from the Company’s operating cash and unsecured line of credit. The acquired FFELP student loans, related assets, and related asset-backed debt will be included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Basis of Financial Reporting Si

Basis of Financial Reporting Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 June 30, 2015 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 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 and six months ended June 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2015 . 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, 2014 (the "2014 Annual Report").

Student Loans Receivable and 23

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	Student loans receivable consisted of the following: As of As of June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Federally insured loans Stafford and other $ 6,574,079 6,030,825 Consolidation 21,564,569 22,165,605 Total 28,138,648 28,196,430 Private education loans 175,202 27,478 28,313,850 28,223,908 Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (a) (168,051 ) (169,813 ) Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans (36,762 ) (39,170 ) Allowance for loan losses – private education loans (13,262 ) (9,730 ) $ 28,095,775 28,005,195 (a) As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $33.1 million and $28.8 million , respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans of $9.5 billion and $8.5 billion , respectively.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables	Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses The provision for loan losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance sufficient 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 June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Balance at beginning of period $ 51,161 54,628 48,900 55,122 Provision for loan losses: Federally insured loans 2,000 2,000 4,000 5,000 Private education loans 150 (500 ) 150 (1,000 ) Total provision for loan losses 2,150 1,500 4,150 4,000 Charge-offs: Federally insured loans (3,259 ) (4,138 ) (6,408 ) (7,769 ) Private education loans (446 ) (598 ) (1,122 ) (1,019 ) Total charge-offs (3,705 ) (4,736 ) (7,530 ) (8,788 ) Recoveries - private education loans 238 339 492 710 Purchase (sale) of federally insured and private education loans, net — 150 (230 ) 250 Transfer from repurchase obligation related to private education loans repurchased 180 586 4,242 1,173 Balance at end of period $ 50,024 52,467 50,024 52,467 Allocation of the allowance for loan losses: Federally insured loans $ 36,762 40,921 36,762 40,921 Private education loans 13,262 11,546 13,262 11,546 Total allowance for loan losses $ 50,024 52,467 50,024 52,467
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 table below shows the Company’s loan delinquency amounts. As of June 30, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 As of June 30, 2014 Federally insured loans: Loans in-school/grace/deferment $ 2,634,088 $ 2,805,228 $ 3,095,741 Loans in forbearance 3,118,774 3,288,412 3,593,891 Loans in repayment status: Loans current 19,055,994 85.2 % 18,460,279 83.5 % 19,164,660 84.0 % Loans delinquent 31-60 days 950,055 4.2 1,043,119 4.8 1,026,046 4.5 Loans delinquent 61-90 days 612,657 2.7 588,777 2.7 674,918 3.0 Loans delinquent 91-120 days 355,636 1.6 404,905 1.8 376,068 1.5 Loans delinquent 121-270 days 1,051,843 4.7 1,204,405 5.4 1,133,527 5.0 Loans delinquent 271 days or greater 359,601 1.6 401,305 1.8 447,264 2.0 Total loans in repayment 22,385,786 100.0 % 22,102,790 100.0 % 22,822,483 100.0 % Total federally insured loans $ 28,138,648 $ 28,196,430 $ 29,512,115 Private education loans: Loans in-school/grace/deferment $ 5,268 $ 905 $ 2,123 Loans in forbearance 142 — — Loans in repayment status: Loans current 161,355 95.0 % 18,390 69.2 % 57,048 87.1 % Loans delinquent 31-60 days 1,407 0.8 1,078 4.1 1,008 1.5 Loans delinquent 61-90 days 1,647 1.0 1,035 3.9 1,867 2.8 Loans delinquent 91 days or greater 5,383 3.2 6,070 22.8 5,624 8.6 Total loans in repayment 169,792 100.0 % 26,573 100.0 % 65,547 100.0 % Total non-federally insured loans $ 175,202 $ 27,478 $ 67,670

Bonds and Notes payable (Tables

Bonds and Notes payable (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Bonds and Notes Payable [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	The following tables summarize the Company’s outstanding debt obligations by type of instrument: As of June 30, 2015 Carrying amount Interest rate range Final maturity Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations: Bonds and notes based on indices $ 25,754,105 0.10% - 6.90% 8/26/19 - 8/26/52 Bonds and notes based on auction 1,171,515 1.06% - 2.09% 3/22/32 - 11/26/46 Total variable-rate bonds and notes 26,925,620 FFELP warehouse facilities 1,190,705 0.19% - 0.30% 6/11/17 - 4/29/18 Private education loan warehouse facility 89,265 0.31% 12/26/16 Unsecured line of credit 100,000 1.69% 6/30/19 Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities 57,582 3.66% 9/15/61 Other borrowings 79,336 1.69% - 5.10% 11/11/15 - 10/31/16 28,442,508 Discount on bonds and notes payable (372,085 ) Total $ 28,070,423 As of December 31, 2014 Carrying amount Interest rate range Final maturity Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations: Bonds and notes based on indices $ 25,713,431 0.19% - 6.90% 5/25/18 - 8/26/52 Bonds and notes based on auction 1,311,669 0.47% - 2.17% 3/22/32 - 11/26/46 Total variable-rate bonds and notes 27,025,100 FFELP warehouse facilities 1,241,665 0.16% - 0.26% 1/17/16 - 6/11/17 Unsecured line of credit — — 6/30/19 Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities 71,688 3.63% 9/15/61 Other borrowings 81,969 1.67% - 5.10% 11/11/15 - 12/31/18 28,420,422 Discount on bonds and notes payable (393,072 ) Total $ 28,027,350
Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities	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 June 30, 2015 , the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below. NHELP-III (a) NFSLW-I (b) NHELP-II Total Maximum financing amount $ 750,000 750,000 500,000 2,000,000 Amount outstanding 282,005 571,084 337,616 1,190,705 Amount available $ 467,995 178,916 162,384 809,295 Expiration of liquidity provisions April 29, 2016 July 30, 2015 December 17, 2015 Final maturity date April 29, 2018 June 11, 2017 December 17, 2017 Maximum advance rates 92.2 - 95.0% 92.0 - 98.0% 91.0 - 97.0% Minimum advance rates 92.2 - 95.0% 84.0 - 90.0% 91.0 - 97.0% Advanced as equity support $ 7,751 27,211 18,808 53,770 (a) On April 30, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to April 29, 2016, and to change the final maturity date to April 29, 2018. (b) On May 14, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to extend the expiration of the liquidity provisions to July 30, 2015. On July 10, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount to $875.0 million , extend the expiration of the liquidity provisions to July 8, 2016 , and extend the maturity date to July 9, 2018 . The maximum financing amount is scheduled to decrease by $125.0 million on March 31, 2016 .
Schedule of asset-backed securitizations [Table Text Block]	Asset-backed Securitizations The following table summarizes the asset-backed securitization transactions completed during the six months ended June 30, 2015 . 2015-1 2015-2 2015-3 Total Class A-1 notes Class A-2 notes 2015-2 total Class A-1 notes Class A-2 notes Class A-3 notes 2015-3 total Date securities issued 2/27/15 3/26/15 3/26/15 3/26/15 5/21/15 5/21/15 5/21/15 5/21/15 Total original principal amount $ 566,346 122,500 584,500 722,000 82,500 270,000 41,400 401,400 $ 1,689,746 Class A senior notes: Total original principal amount $ 553,232 122,500 584,500 707,000 82,500 270,000 41,400 393,900 1,654,132 Bond discount — — — — — (380 ) (1,095 ) (1,475 ) (1,475 ) Issue price $ 553,232 122,500 584,500 707,000 82,500 269,620 40,305 392,425 1,652,657 Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:) 0.59 % 0.27 % 0.60 % 0.30 % 0.60 % 0.90 % Final maturity date 4/25/41 3/25/20 9/25/42 1/27/25 2/26/46 6/25/49 Class B subordinated notes: Total original principal amount $ 13,114 15,000 7,500 35,614 Bond discount (1,157 ) (1,793 ) (968 ) (3,918 ) Issue price $ 11,957 13,207 6,532 31,696 Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:) 1.50 % 1.50 % 1.50 % Final maturity date 6/25/46 5/25/49 6/27/50
Schedule of Extinguishment of Debt [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the Company's repurchases of its own debt. Gains recorded by the Company from the repurchase of debt are included in "gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases" on the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Par value Purchase price Gain Par value Purchase price Gain Three months ended June 30, 2015 June 30, 2014 Unsecured debt - Hybrid Securities $ 2,255 1,781 474 — — — Asset-backed securities 22,146 21,105 1,041 200 182 18 $ 24,401 22,886 1,515 200 182 18 Six months ended June 30, 2015 June 30, 2014 Unsecured debt - Hybrid Securities $ 14,106 11,108 2,998 — — — Asset-backed securities 22,146 21,105 1,041 1,550 1,493 57 $ 36,252 32,213 4,039 1,550 1,493 57

Derivative Financial Instrume25

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest Rate Swaps - 1:3 Basis swaps	Basis Swaps The following table summarizes the Company’s basis swaps outstanding as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 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"). As of June 30, As of December 31, 2015 2014 Maturity Notional amount Notional amount 2016 $ 4,000,000 $ — 2021 — 250,000 2022 800,000 1,900,000 2023 1,250,000 3,650,000 2024 — 250,000 2026 300,000 800,000 2028 — 100,000 2036 — 700,000 2039 — 150,000 $ 6,350,000 $ 7,800,000 The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was one-month LIBOR plus 8.5 basis points and 3.5 basis points, respectively.
Interest Rate Swaps - Floor Income Hedges	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 June 30, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Maturity Notional amount Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a) Notional amount Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a) 2015 $ 500,000 0.71 % $ 1,100,000 0.89 % 2016 750,000 0.85 750,000 0.85 2017 1,850,000 0.83 1,250,000 0.86 2018 100,000 1.02 — — 2025 100,000 2.32 — — $ 3,300,000 0.87 % $ 3,100,000 0.87 % (a) For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
Interest Rate Swaps - Unsecured Debt Hedges	Interest Rate Swaps – Unsecured Debt Hedges The Company had the following derivatives outstanding as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a portion of the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities to a fixed rate of 7.66% . 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	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 June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Re-measurement of Euro Notes $ (14,671 ) 2,751 33,538 1,798 Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swap 13,933 (2,999 ) (35,873 ) (3,037 ) Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a) $ (738 ) (248 ) (2,335 ) (1,239 ) (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.
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 June 30, December 31, June 30, December 31, 1:3 basis swaps $ 14,071 53,549 71 — Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges 7,262 5,165 4,470 5,034 Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge 6,148 5,678 — — Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges — — 6,264 7,353 Interest rate caps 2,735 — — — Cross-currency interest rate swap — — 56,328 20,455 Total $ 30,216 64,392 67,133 32,842 During the six months ended June 30, 2015 , the Company terminated a total notional amount of $5.5 billion of 1:3 Basis Swaps for gross proceeds of $51.9 million . There were no derivative terminations during the first six months 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 pledged (received) Net asset (liability) Balance as of June 30, 2015 $ 30,216 (6,801 ) 2,046 25,461 Balance as of December 31, 2014 64,392 (12,387 ) — 52,005 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 (received) Net asset (liability) Balance as of June 30, 2015 $ (67,133 ) 6,801 (9,091 ) (69,423 ) Balance as of December 31, 2014 (32,842 ) 12,387 (1,454 ) (21,909 )
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 June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Settlements: 1:3 basis swaps $ 123 858 389 1,739 Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges (5,019 ) (6,974 ) (10,034 ) (13,924 ) Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges (253 ) (256 ) (505 ) (508 ) Cross-currency interest rate swap (293 ) 158 (507 ) 250 Total settlements - (expense) income (5,442 ) (6,214 ) (10,657 ) (12,443 ) Change in fair value: 1:3 basis swaps 1,428 11,910 12,398 13,020 Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges 7,534 (2,813 ) 2,662 545 Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge 1,381 — 470 — Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges 2,540 (1,065 ) 1,087 (2,578 ) Interest rate caps (201 ) — (201 ) — Cross-currency interest rate swap 13,933 (2,999 ) (35,873 ) (3,037 ) Total change in fair value - income (expense) 26,615 5,033 (19,457 ) 7,950 Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - (expense) income (14,671 ) 2,751 33,538 1,798 Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net - income (expense) $ 6,502 1,570 3,424 (2,695 )

Investments and Notes Receiva26

Investments and Notes Receivable (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Summary Investment Holdings	A summary of the Company's investments and notes receivable follows: As of June 30, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses (a) Fair value Amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value Investments (at fair value): Available-for-sale investments: Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities (b) $ 92,192 4,137 (608 ) 95,721 131,589 6,204 (236 ) 137,557 Equity securities 846 1,734 (58 ) 2,522 1,553 2,216 (33 ) 3,736 Total available-for-sale investments $ 93,038 5,871 (666 ) 98,243 133,142 8,420 (269 ) 141,293 Trading investments: Student loan asset-backed securities 6,443 7,830 Equity securities 13,084 — Total trading investments 19,527 7,830 Total available-for-sale and trading investments 117,770 149,123 Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value): Investments accounted for under the cost and equity methods 82,281 36,991 Notes receivable 31,321 30,643 Other 14,376 18,952 Total investments and notes receivable $ 245,748 235,709 (a) As of June 30, 2015 , 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 June 30, 2015 , 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.

Intangible Assets Intangible 27

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	Intangible assets consist of the following: Weighted average remaining useful life as of June 30, 2015 (months) As of June 30, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships (net of accumulated amortization of $20,278 and $17,361, respectively) 213 $ 24,413 27,330 Trade names (net of accumulated amortization of $534 and $272, respectively) 227 5,888 6,150 Computer software (net of accumulated amortization of $3,048 and $1,896, respectively) 37 5,817 6,969 Content (net of accumulated amortization of $450 and $0, respectively) 18 1,350 1,800 Covenants not to compete (net of accumulated amortization of $38 and $21, respectively) 107 316 333 Total - amortizable intangible assets 180 $ 37,784 42,582
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	The Company recorded amortization expense on its intangible assets of $2.4 million and $1.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and $4.8 million and $2.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The Company will continue to amortize intangible assets over their remaining useful lives. As of June 30, 2015 , the Company estimates it will record amortization expense as follows: 2015 (July 1 - December 31) $ 4,797 2016 6,249 2017 3,752 2018 3,533 2019 2,861 2020 and thereafter 16,592 $ 37,784
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	The carrying amount of goodwill by reportable operating segment as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is shown in the table below. Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Asset Generation and Management Corporate and Other Activities Total Balance as of December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 $ 8,596 67,168 41,883 8,553 126,200

Earnings per Common Share (Tabl

Earnings per Common Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	Three months ended June 30, 2015 2014 Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Numerator: Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 70,146 763 70,909 74,263 731 74,994 Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted 45,451,888 494,527 45,946,415 46,075,869 453,508 46,529,377 Earnings per share - basic and diluted $ 1.54 1.54 1.54 1.61 1.61 1.61 Six months ended June 30, 2015 2014 Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Numerator: Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 134,227 1,447 135,674 147,388 1,392 148,780 Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted 45,635,155 492,052 46,127,207 46,093,314 435,337 46,528,651 Earnings per share - basic and diluted $ 2.94 2.94 2.94 3.20 3.20 3.20

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	See note 14 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 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. Effective January 1, 2015, internal reporting to executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") changed to reflect operational changes made within the organization. The operational and internal reporting changes included moving the majority of information technology infrastructure personnel and related functions to Corporate and Other Activities. The associated costs are allocated to the other operating segments based on those segments' actual use of information technology related products and services. Information technology infrastructure personnel and related functions were historically included within the Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment, and associated costs were allocated to the other operating segments based on those segments' actual use of the related products and services. Prior period segment operating results have been reclassified to reflect these changes; however, the reclassifications had no effect on any operating segment's net income. Three months ended June 30, 2015 Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Asset Generation and Management Corporate and Other Activities Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 13 1 176,279 1,814 (385 ) 177,722 Interest expense — — 71,441 1,570 (385 ) 72,626 Net interest income 13 1 104,838 244 — 105,096 Less provision for loan losses — — 2,150 — — 2,150 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 13 1 102,688 244 — 102,946 Other income: Loan and guaranty servicing revenue 63,833 — — — — 63,833 Intersegment servicing revenue 12,223 — — — (12,223 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 27,686 — — — 27,686 Enrollment services revenue — — — 17,161 — 17,161 Other income — — 3,950 3,554 — 7,504 Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases — — 1,041 474 — 1,515 Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net — — 9,404 2,540 — 11,944 Derivative settlements, net — — (5,189 ) (253 ) — (5,442 ) Total other income 76,056 27,686 9,206 23,476 (12,223 ) 124,201 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 31,585 13,583 524 13,095 — 58,787 Cost to provide enrollment services — — — 11,162 — 11,162 Loan servicing fees — — 7,420 — — 7,420 Depreciation and amortization 527 2,195 — 3,779 — 6,501 Other 15,376 4,112 1,270 11,200 — 31,958 Intersegment expenses, net 11,566 2,785 12,398 (14,526 ) (12,223 ) — Total operating expenses 59,054 22,675 21,612 24,710 (12,223 ) 115,828 Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 17,015 5,012 90,282 (990 ) — 111,319 Corporate overhead allocation (2,294 ) (918 ) (1,147 ) 4,359 — — Income before income taxes 14,721 4,094 89,135 3,369 — 111,319 Income tax (expense) benefit (5,594 ) (1,556 ) (33,871 ) 665 — (40,356 ) Net income 9,127 2,538 55,264 4,034 — 70,963 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — 54 — 54 Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 9,127 2,538 55,264 3,980 — 70,909 Three months ended June 30, 2014 Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Asset Generation and Management Corporate and Other Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 9 3 175,562 2,036 (662 ) 176,948 Interest expense — — 67,936 1,961 (662 ) 69,235 Net interest income 9 3 107,626 75 — 107,713 Less provision for loan losses — — 1,500 — — 1,500 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 9 3 106,126 75 — 106,213 Other income: Loan and guaranty servicing revenue 66,460 — — — — 66,460 Intersegment servicing revenue 13,800 — — — (13,800 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 21,834 — — — 21,834 Enrollment services revenue — — — 20,145 — 20,145 Other income — — 4,496 10,819 — 15,315 Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases — — 18 — — 18 Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net — — 8,848 (1,064 ) — 7,784 Derivative settlements, net — — (5,958 ) (256 ) — (6,214 ) Total other income 80,260 21,834 7,404 29,644 (13,800 ) 125,342 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 30,082 11,112 570 12,124 — 53,888 Cost to provide enrollment services — — — 13,311 — 13,311 Loan servicing fees — — 7,317 — — 7,317 Depreciation and amortization 438 1,845 — 2,931 — 5,214 Other 16,975 2,956 1,528 11,601 — 33,060 Intersegment expenses, net 9,356 1,404 13,968 (10,928 ) (13,800 ) — Total operating expenses 56,851 17,317 23,383 29,039 (13,800 ) 112,790 Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 23,418 4,520 90,147 680 — 118,765 Corporate overhead allocation (2,060 ) (687 ) (1,249 ) 3,996 — — Income before income taxes 21,358 3,833 88,898 4,676 — 118,765 Income tax (expense) benefit (8,116 ) (1,456 ) (33,781 ) 275 — (43,078 ) Net income 13,242 2,377 55,117 4,951 — 75,687 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — 693 — 693 Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 13,242 2,377 55,117 4,258 — 74,994 Six months ended June 30, 2015 Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Asset Generation and Management Corporate and Other Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 20 3 348,702 3,967 (821 ) 351,871 Interest expense — — 141,981 3,020 (821 ) 144,180 Net interest income 20 3 206,721 947 — 207,691 Less provision for loan losses — — 4,150 — — 4,150 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 20 3 202,571 947 — 203,541 Other income: Loan and guaranty servicing revenue 121,644 — — — — 121,644 Intersegment servicing revenue 25,094 — — — (25,094 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 62,366 — — — 62,366 Enrollment services revenue — — — 35,024 — 35,024 Other income — — 8,526 5,896 — 14,422 Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases — — 1,392 2,998 — 4,390 Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net — — 12,994 1,087 — 14,081 Derivative settlements, net — — (10,152 ) (505 ) — (10,657 ) Total other income 146,738 62,366 12,760 44,500 (25,094 ) 241,270 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 65,288 26,904 1,065 26,580 — 119,837 Cost to provide enrollment services — — — 22,864 — 22,864 Loan servicing fees — — 15,036 — — 15,036 Depreciation and amortization 973 4,390 — 6,800 — 12,163 Other 29,976 7,914 2,407 20,859 — 61,156 Intersegment expenses, net 21,266 5,399 25,438 (27,009 ) (25,094 ) — Total operating expenses 117,503 44,607 43,946 50,094 (25,094 ) 231,056 Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 29,255 17,762 171,385 (4,647 ) — 213,755 Corporate overhead allocation (4,447 ) (1,780 ) (2,225 ) 8,452 — — Income before income taxes 24,808 15,982 169,160 3,805 — 213,755 Income tax (expense) benefit (9,428 ) (6,074 ) (64,280 ) 1,796 — (77,986 ) Net income 15,380 9,908 104,880 5,601 — 135,769 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — 95 — 95 Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 15,380 9,908 104,880 5,506 — 135,674 Six months ended June 30, 2014 Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Asset Generation and Management Corporate and Other Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 20 3 332,565 4,694 (1,459 ) 335,823 Interest expense — — 127,412 3,286 (1,459 ) 129,239 Net interest income 20 3 205,153 1,408 — 206,584 Less provision for loan losses — — 4,000 — — 4,000 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 20 3 201,153 1,408 — 202,584 Other income: Loan and guaranty servicing revenue 131,217 — — — — 131,217 Intersegment servicing revenue 28,021 — — — (28,021 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 47,069 — — — 47,069 Enrollment services revenue — — — 42,156 — 42,156 Other income — — 8,660 24,786 — 33,446 Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases — — 57 — — 57 Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net — — 12,325 (2,577 ) — 9,748 Derivative settlements, net — — (11,935 ) (508 ) — (12,443 ) Total other income 159,238 47,069 9,107 63,857 (28,021 ) 251,250 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 59,481 21,139 1,179 24,573 — 106,372 Cost to provide enrollment services — — — 27,786 — 27,786 Loan servicing fees — — 12,720 — — 12,720 Depreciation and amortization 857 3,273 — 5,867 — 9,997 Other 32,625 5,603 3,271 21,785 — 63,284 Intersegment expenses, net 18,519 2,824 28,339 (21,661 ) (28,021 ) — Total operating expenses 111,482 32,839 45,509 58,350 (28,021 ) 220,159 Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation 47,776 14,233 164,751 6,915 — 233,675 Corporate overhead allocation (3,920 ) (1,307 ) (2,578 ) 7,805 — — Income before income taxes 43,856 12,926 162,173 14,720 — 233,675 Income tax (expense) benefit (16,665 ) (4,911 ) (61,625 ) (488 ) — (83,689 ) Net income 27,191 8,015 100,548 14,232 — 149,986 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — 1,206 — 1,206 Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 27,191 8,015 100,548 13,026 — 148,780

Fair Value (Tables)

Fair Value (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 six months ended June 30, 2015 . As of June 30, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Assets: Investments (available-for-sale and trading): Student loan asset-backed securities $ — 101,821 101,821 — 145,000 145,000 Equity securities 15,606 — 15,606 3,736 — 3,736 Debt securities 343 — 343 387 — 387 Total investments (available-for-sale and trading) 15,949 101,821 117,770 4,123 145,000 149,123 Fair value of derivative instruments — 30,216 30,216 — 64,392 64,392 Total assets $ 15,949 132,037 147,986 4,123 209,392 213,515 Liabilities: Fair value of derivative instruments $ — 67,133 67,133 — 32,842 32,842 Total liabilities $ — 67,133 67,133 — 32,842 32,842
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 June 30, 2015 Fair value Carrying value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Financial assets: Student loans receivable $ 28,824,415 28,095,775 — — 28,824,415 Cash and cash equivalents 182,280 182,280 182,280 — — Investments (available-for-sale and trading) 117,770 117,770 15,949 101,821 — Notes receivable 28,644 31,321 — 28,644 — Restricted cash 848,479 848,479 848,479 — — Restricted cash – due to customers 117,820 117,820 117,820 — — Restricted investments 9,374 9,374 9,374 — — Accrued interest receivable 364,211 364,211 — 364,211 — Derivative instruments 30,216 30,216 — 30,216 — Financial liabilities: Bonds and notes payable 27,661,342 28,070,423 — 27,661,342 — Accrued interest payable 28,859 28,859 — 28,859 — Due to customers 117,820 117,820 117,820 — — Derivative instruments 67,133 67,133 — 67,133 — As of December 31, 2014 Fair value Carrying value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Financial assets: Student loans receivable $ 28,954,226 28,005,195 — — 28,954,226 Cash and cash equivalents 130,481 130,481 130,481 — — Investments (available-for-sale and trading) 149,123 149,123 4,123 145,000 — Notes receivable 28,832 30,643 — 28,832 — Restricted cash 800,164 800,164 800,164 — — Restricted cash – due to customers 118,488 118,488 118,488 — — Restricted investments 50,276 50,276 50,276 — — Accrued interest receivable 351,588 351,588 — 351,588 — Derivative instruments 64,392 64,392 — 64,392 — Financial liabilities: Bonds and notes payable 27,809,997 28,027,350 — 27,809,997 — Accrued interest payable 25,904 25,904 — 25,904 — Due to customers 118,488 118,488 118,488 — — Derivative instruments 32,842 32,842 — 32,842 —

Student Loans Receivable (Detai

Student Loans Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for loan losses		$ 50,024	$ 51,161	$ 48,900	$ 52,467	$ 54,628	$ 55,122
Student loans receivable		28,095,775		28,005,195
Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for loan losses		36,762			40,921
Private education loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for loan losses		13,262			$ 11,546
held for investment [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross		28,313,850		28,223,908
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs	[1]	168,051		169,813
Student loans receivable		28,095,775		28,005,195
held for investment [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross		28,138,648		28,196,430
Allowance for loan losses		36,762		39,170
held for investment [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross		175,202		27,478
Allowance for loan losses		13,262		9,730
held for investment [Member] | Stafford and Other [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross		6,574,079		6,030,825
held for investment [Member] | Consolidation Loans [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross		21,564,569		22,165,605
Non-accretable discount [Member] | held for investment [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross		9,500,000		8,500,000
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs		$ 33,100		$ 28,800
[1]	As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $33.1 million and $28.8 million, respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans of $9.5 billion and $8.5 billion, respectively.

Student Loans Receivable and 32

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses Significant Purchases and Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 28,070,423	$ 28,027,350
CommonBond Purchase Commitment [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period	18 months
Loans and Leases Receivable, Commitments to Purchase or Sell	$ 150,000
Financing Receivable, Significant Purchases	64,200
Federally insured student loan securitization trust [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross	504,200
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	448,900
Unamortized Loan Commitment and Origination Fees and Unamortized Discounts or Premiums	20,700
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium	$ 2,200

Student Loans Receivable and 33

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses Allowance for Loan Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Allowance for loan losses - balance	$ 51,161	$ 54,628	$ 48,900	$ 55,122
Provision for loan losses	2,150	1,500	4,150	4,000
Charge-offs	(3,705)	(4,736)	(7,530)	(8,788)
Purchase (sale) of federally insured and private education loans, net	0	150	(230)	250
Allowance for loan losses - balance	50,024	52,467	50,024	52,467
Federally insured loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Provision for loan losses	2,000	2,000	4,000	5,000
Charge-offs	(3,259)	(4,138)	(6,408)	(7,769)
Allowance for loan losses - balance	36,762	40,921	36,762	40,921
Private education loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Provision for loan losses	150	(500)	150	(1,000)
Charge-offs	(446)	(598)	(1,122)	(1,019)
Recoveries - private education loans	238	339	492	710
Transfer from repurchase obligation related to private education loans purchased, net	180	586	4,242	1,173
Allowance for loan losses - balance	$ 13,262	$ 11,546	$ 13,262	$ 11,546

Student Loans Receivable and 34

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses Repurchase Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Repurchase Obligation [Line Items]
Student loans receivable		$ 28,095,775	$ 28,005,195
Other liabilities		$ 157,096	167,881
Private education loans sold subject to repurchase agreement [Member]
Repurchase Obligation [Line Items]
Days delinquent to trigger repurchase range, minimum		60 days
Days delinquent to trigger repurchase range, maximum		90 days
Student loans receivable		$ 57,000	155,300
Other liabilities		$ 3,700	$ 11,800
Financing Receivable, Significant Purchases	$ 94,100

Student Loans Receivable and 35

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses Student Loan Status and Delinquency (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Federally insured loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$ 2,634,088	$ 3,095,741	$ 2,805,228
Loans in forbearance	3,118,774	3,593,891	3,288,412
Student loans receivable, gross	28,138,648	29,512,115	28,196,430
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	$ 19,055,994	$ 19,164,660	$ 18,460,279
Loans current, percentage	85.20%	84.00%	83.50%
Total loans in repayment	$ 22,385,786	$ 22,822,483	$ 22,102,790
Total loans in repayment, percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Private education loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$ 5,268	$ 2,123	$ 905
Loans in forbearance	142	0	0
Student loans receivable, gross	175,202	67,670	27,478
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	$ 161,355	$ 57,048	$ 18,390
Loans current, percentage	95.00%	87.10%	69.20%
Total loans in repayment	$ 169,792	$ 65,547	$ 26,573
Total loans in repayment, percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Financing Receivables, 31 to 60 Days Past Due [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 950,055	$ 1,026,046	$ 1,043,119
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	4.20%	4.50%	4.80%
Financing Receivables, 31 to 60 Days Past Due [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 1,407	$ 1,008	$ 1,078
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	0.80%	1.50%	4.10%
Financing Receivables, 61 to 90 Days Past Due [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 612,657	$ 674,918	$ 588,777
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	2.70%	3.00%	2.70%
Financing Receivables, 61 to 90 Days Past Due [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 1,647	$ 1,867	$ 1,035
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	1.00%	2.80%	3.90%
Financing receivables, 91-120 days past due [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 355,636	$ 376,068	$ 404,905
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	1.60%	1.50%	1.80%
Financing receivables, 121-270 days past due [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 1,051,843	$ 1,133,527	$ 1,204,405
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	4.70%	5.00%	5.40%
Financing receivables, 271 days or greater past due [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 359,601	$ 447,264	$ 401,305
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	1.60%	2.00%	1.80%
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 91 Days Past Due [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 5,383	$ 5,624	$ 6,070
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	3.20%	8.60%	22.80%

Outstanding Debt Obligations (D

Outstanding Debt Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 28,070,423	$ 28,027,350
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net	372,085	393,072
Bonds and notes payable, gross [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	28,442,508	28,420,422
Variable-rate bonds and notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	26,925,620	27,025,100
Bonds and notes based on indices [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 25,754,105	$ 25,713,431
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.10%	0.19%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	6.90%	6.90%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	Aug. 26, 2019	May 25, 2018
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Aug. 26, 2052	Aug. 26, 2052
Bonds and notes based on auction [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 1,171,515	$ 1,311,669
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	1.06%	0.47%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	2.09%	2.17%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	Mar. 22, 2032	Mar. 22, 2032
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Nov. 26, 2046	Nov. 26, 2046
warehouse facilities [Member] | FFELP Warehouse Total [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 1,190,705	$ 1,241,665
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.19%	0.16%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	0.30%	0.26%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	Jun. 11, 2017	Jan. 17, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Apr. 29, 2018	Jun. 11, 2017
warehouse facilities [Member] | Private Loan Warehouse Total [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 89,265
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.31%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	0.31%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	Dec. 26, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Dec. 26, 2016
Unsecured Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 100,000	$ 0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	1.69%	0.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	1.69%	0.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 57,582	$ 71,688
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	3.66%	3.63%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	3.66%	3.63%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	Sep. 15, 2061	Sep. 15, 2061
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Sep. 15, 2061	Sep. 15, 2061
Other borrowings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 79,336	$ 81,969
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	1.69%	1.67%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	5.10%	5.10%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	Nov. 11, 2015	Nov. 11, 2015
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Oct. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018

Bonds and Notes Payable Outstan

Bonds and Notes Payable Outstanding Lines of Credit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jul. 10, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015
Unsecured Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount			$ 350,000
Amount outstanding			100,000
Amount available			250,000
warehouse facilities [Member] | FFELP Warehouse Total [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount			2,000,000
Amount outstanding			1,190,705
Amount available			809,295
Advanced as equity support			53,770
warehouse facilities [Member] | Private Loan Warehouse Total [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount			275,000
Amount outstanding			89,300
Amount available			$ 185,700
Expiration of liquidity provisions			Jun. 24, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Dec. 26, 2016
Maximum advance rates - range maximum			88.00%
Minimum Advance Rates - range minimum			64.00%
Minimum advance rates - range maximum			99.00%
Advanced as equity support			$ 12,800
warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-III Warehouse [Member] | FFELP Warehouse Total [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount	[1]		750,000
Amount outstanding	[1]		282,005
Amount available	[1]		$ 467,995
Expiration of liquidity provisions	[1]		Apr. 29, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1]		Apr. 29, 2018
Maximum advance rates - range maximum	[1]		95.00%
Minimum Advance Rates - range minimum	[1]		92.15%
Minimum advance rates - range maximum	[1]		95.00%
Maximum Advance Rates - range minimum	[1]		92.15%
Advanced as equity support	[1]		$ 7,751
warehouse facilities [Member] | NFSLW-I Warehouse [Member] | Warehouse terms at quarter end [Member] | FFELP Warehouse Total [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount	[2]		750,000
Amount outstanding	[2]		571,084
Amount available	[2]		$ 178,916
Expiration of liquidity provisions	[2]		Jul. 30, 2015
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2]		Jun. 11, 2017
Maximum advance rates - range maximum	[2]		98.00%
Minimum Advance Rates - range minimum	[2]		84.00%
Minimum advance rates - range maximum	[2]		90.00%
Maximum Advance Rates - range minimum	[2]		92.00%
Advanced as equity support	[2]		$ 27,211
warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-II Warehouse [Member] | FFELP Warehouse Total [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount			500,000
Amount outstanding			337,616
Amount available			$ 162,384
Expiration of liquidity provisions			Dec. 17, 2015
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Dec. 17, 2017
Maximum advance rates - range maximum			97.00%
Minimum Advance Rates - range minimum			91.00%
Minimum advance rates - range maximum			97.00%
Maximum Advance Rates - range minimum			91.00%
Advanced as equity support			$ 18,808
Subsequent Event [Member] | warehouse facilities [Member] | NFSLW-I Warehouse [Member] | Warehouse terms as amended [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount		$ 875,000
Expiration of liquidity provisions		Jul. 8, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Jul. 9, 2018
expected decrease in financing amount		$ 125,000
Date of expected decrease in financing amount		Mar. 31, 2016
[1]	On April 30, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to April 29, 2016, and to change the final maturity date to April 29, 2018.
[2]	(a)On April 30, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to April 29, 2016, and to change the final maturity date to April 29, 2018.(b)On May 14, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to extend the expiration of the liquidity provisions to July 30, 2015. On July 10, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount to $875.0 million, extend the expiration of the liquidity provisions to July 8, 2016, and extend the maturity date to July 9, 2018. The maximum financing amount is scheduled to decrease by $125.0 million on March 31, 2016.

Bonds and Notes Payable Asset-b

Bonds and Notes Payable Asset-backed Securitizations (Details) - Jun. 30, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Basis	1-month LIBOR
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	$ 1,689,746
2015-1 Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization, issuance date	Feb. 27, 2015
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	$ 566,346
2015-2 Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization, issuance date	Mar. 26, 2015
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	$ 722,000
2015-2 Securitization [Member] | 2015-2 Securitization Class A-1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization, issuance date	Mar. 26, 2015
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	$ 122,500
2015-2 Securitization [Member] | 2015-2 Securitization Class A-2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization, issuance date	Mar. 26, 2015
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	$ 584,500
2015-3 Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization, issuance date	May 21, 2015
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	$ 401,400
2015-3 Securitization [Member] | 2015-3 Securitization Class A-1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization, issuance date	May 21, 2015
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	$ 82,500
2015-3 Securitization [Member] | 2015-3 Securitization Class A-2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization, issuance date	May 21, 2015
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	$ 270,000
2015-3 Securitization [Member] | 2015-3 Securitization Class A-3 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization, issuance date	May 21, 2015
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	$ 41,400
Class A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	(1,475)
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	1,654,132
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 1,652,657
Class A [Member] | 2015-1 Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Basis	0.59%
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	$ 0
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	553,232
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 553,232
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Apr. 25, 2041
Class A [Member] | 2015-2 Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	$ 0
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	707,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 707,000
Class A [Member] | 2015-2 Securitization [Member] | 2015-2 Securitization Class A-1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Basis	0.27%
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	$ 0
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	122,500
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 122,500
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Mar. 25, 2020
Class A [Member] | 2015-2 Securitization [Member] | 2015-2 Securitization Class A-2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Basis	0.60%
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	$ 0
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	584,500
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 584,500
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Sep. 25, 2042
Class A [Member] | 2015-3 Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	$ (1,475)
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	393,900
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 392,425
Class A [Member] | 2015-3 Securitization [Member] | 2015-3 Securitization Class A-1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Basis	0.30%
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	$ 0
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	82,500
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 82,500
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Jan. 27, 2025
Class A [Member] | 2015-3 Securitization [Member] | 2015-3 Securitization Class A-2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Basis	0.60%
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	$ (380)
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	270,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 269,620
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Feb. 26, 2046
Class A [Member] | 2015-3 Securitization [Member] | 2015-3 Securitization Class A-3 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Basis	0.90%
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	$ (1,095)
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	41,400
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 40,305
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Jun. 25, 2049
Class B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	$ (3,918)
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	35,614
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 31,696
Class B [Member] | 2015-1 Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Basis	1.50%
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	$ (1,157)
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	13,114
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 11,957
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Jun. 25, 2046
Class B [Member] | 2015-2 Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Basis	1.50%
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	$ (1,793)
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	15,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 13,207
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	May 25, 2049
Class B [Member] | 2015-3 Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Basis	1.50%
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	$ (968)
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	7,500
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 6,532
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Jun. 27, 2050

Bonds and Notes Payable Debt Re

Bonds and Notes Payable Debt Repurchases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	$ 24,401	$ 200	$ 36,252	$ 1,550
Repayments of Debt	22,886	182	32,213	1,493
Gain from debt repurchases	1,515	18	4,039	57
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	2,255	0	14,106	0
Repayments of Debt	1,781	0	11,108	0
Gain from debt repurchases	474	0	2,998	0
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	22,146	200	22,146	1,550
Repayments of Debt	21,105	182	21,105	1,493
Gain from debt repurchases	$ 1,041	$ 18	$ 1,041	$ 57

Derivative Financial Instrume40

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Financial Instruments Used in Operating Activities		$ 585	$ 0
Bonds and notes payable		$ 28,070,423		$ 28,027,350
1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Paid on Swap		one-month LIBOR		one-month LIBOR
Weighted average basis spread on variable rate paid on swap		8.50%		3.50%
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 6,350,000		$ 7,800,000
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Received on Swap		3-month LIBOR		3-month LIBOR
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding - Maturity 2016 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 4,000,000		$ 0
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding - Maturity 2021 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		0		250,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding - Maturity 2022 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		800,000		1,900,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding - Maturity 2023 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		1,250,000		3,650,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding - Maturity 2024 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		0		250,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding - Maturity 2026 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		300,000		800,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding - Maturity 2028 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		0		100,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding - Maturity 2036 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		0		700,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding - Maturity 2039 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		0		150,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 3,300,000		$ 3,100,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]	0.87%		0.87%
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Received on Swap		3-month LIBOR		3-month LIBOR
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap - Maturity 2015 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 500,000		$ 1,100,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]	0.71%		0.89%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap - Maturity 2016 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 750,000		$ 750,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]	0.85%		0.85%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap - Maturity 2017 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 1,850,000		$ 1,250,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]	0.83%		0.86%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap - Maturity 2018 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 100,000		$ 0
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]	1.02%		0.00%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap - Maturity 2025 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 100,000		$ 0
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]	2.32%		0.00%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | unsecured debt hedges [Member] | Maturity 2036 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate		7.66%		7.66%
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 25,000		$ 25,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[2]	4.28%		4.28%
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Received on Swap		3-month LIBOR		3-month LIBOR
Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Financial Instruments Used in Operating Activities				$ 9,100
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 250,000
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Received on Swap		1-month LIBOR
Derivative, Swaption Interest Rate		3.30%
Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Financial Instruments Used in Operating Activities		$ 2,900
Derivative, Notional Amount		275,000
Bonds and notes payable		275,000
Interest Rate Cap [Member] | Interest Rate Cap 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 125,000
Derivative, Description of Terms		one-month LIBOR
Derivative, Cap Interest Rate		2.50%
Interest Rate Cap [Member] | Interest Rate Cap 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 150,000
Derivative, Description of Terms		one-month LIBOR
Derivative, Cap Interest Rate		4.99%
[1]	For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
[2]	For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

Derivative Financial Instrume41

Derivative Financial Instruments Cross-currency Interest Rate Swaps (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable		$ 28,070,423		$ 28,070,423			$ 28,027,350
Change in fair value of cross currency interest rate swaps				(19,457)	$ 7,950
Currency Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable | €						€ 352.7
Derivative, Notional Amount		450,000		450,000		€ 352.7
Re-measurement of Euro Notes		(14,671)	$ 2,751	33,538	1,798
Change in fair value of cross currency interest rate swaps		13,933	(2,999)	(35,873)	(3,037)
Total impact to statements of income - income (expense)	[1]	$ (738)	$ (248)	$ (2,335)	$ (1,239)
[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.

Derivative Financial Instrume42

Derivative Financial Instruments Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	$ 30,216	$ 64,392
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	67,133	32,842
1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	14,071	53,549
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	71	0
notional amount of terminated derivatives	5,500,000
Proceeds to terminate and or amend derivative instruments	51,900
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	7,262	5,165
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	4,470	5,034
Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	6,148	5,678
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	0	0
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	6,264	7,353
Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	2,735	0
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	0	0
Cross-currency interest rate swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	0	0
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	$ 56,328	$ 20,455

Derivative Financial Instrume43

Derivative Financial Instruments Gross/Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	$ 30,216	$ 64,392
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	67,133	32,842
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	30,216	64,392
Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement, asset	(6,801)	(12,387)
Cash collateral pledged	2,046	0
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset, net	25,461	52,005
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	67,133	32,842
Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement, liability	6,801	12,387
Cash collateral received	(9,091)	(1,454)
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability, net	$ 69,423	$ 21,909

Derivative Financial Instrume44

Derivative Financial Instruments Income Statement Effect of Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	$ (5,442)	$ (6,214)	$ (10,657)	$ (12,443)
Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	(5,442)	(6,214)	(10,657)	(12,443)
Change in fair value	26,615	5,033	(19,457)	7,950
Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - income (expense)	(14,671)	2,751	33,538	1,798
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements - income (expense)	6,502	1,570	3,424	(2,695)
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	123	858	389	1,739
Change in fair value	1,428	11,910	12,398	13,020
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	(5,019)	(6,974)	(10,034)	(13,924)
Change in fair value	7,534	(2,813)	2,662	545
Interest rate swap option - floor income hedges [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value	1,381	0	470	0
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	(253)	(256)	(505)	(508)
Change in fair value	2,540	(1,065)	1,087	(2,578)
Interest Rate Cap [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value	(201)	0	(201)	0
Cross-currency interest rate swaps [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	(293)	158	(507)	250
Change in fair value	$ 13,933	$ (2,999)	$ (35,873)	$ (3,037)

Investments and Notes Receiva45

Investments and Notes Receivable Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments and notes receivable		$ 245,748		$ 235,709
Investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		117,770		149,123
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost		93,038		133,142
Gross unrealized gains		5,871		8,420
Gross unrealized losses		(666)	[1]	(269)
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		98,243		141,293
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member] | Student Loan Asset-Backed and Other Debt Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	[2]	92,192		131,589
Gross unrealized gains	[2]	4,137		6,204
Gross unrealized losses	[2]	(608)	[1]	(236)
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	[2]	95,721		137,557
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost		846		1,553
Gross unrealized gains		1,734		2,216
Gross unrealized losses		(58)	[1]	(33)
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		2,522		3,736
Investments [Member] | Trading investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		19,527		7,830
Investments [Member] | Trading investments [Member] | Student Loan Asset-Backed and Other Debt Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		6,443		7,830
Investments [Member] | Trading investments [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		13,084		0
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value) [Member] | Investments accounted for under the cost and equity methods [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other Investments		82,281		36,991
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value) [Member] | Notes Receivable [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other Investments		31,321		30,643
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value) [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other Investments		$ 14,376		$ 18,952
[1]	As of June 30, 2015, 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 June 30, 2015, 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.

Intangible Assets Intangible 46

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	180 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 37,784,000	$ 42,582,000
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 20,278,000	17,361,000
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	213 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 24,413,000	27,330,000
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 534,000	272,000
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	227 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 5,888,000	6,150,000
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 3,048,000	1,896,000
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	37 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 5,817,000	6,969,000
Media Content [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 450,000	0
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	18 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 1,350,000	1,800,000
Covenants not to compete [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 38,000	21,000
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	107 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 316,000	$ 333,000

Intangible Assets Amortization

Intangible Assets Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 2,400	$ 1,400	$ 4,800	$ 2,400
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year	4,797		4,797
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	6,249		6,249
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	3,752		3,752
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	3,533		3,533
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	2,861		2,861
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five	16,592		16,592
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 37,784		$ 37,784		$ 42,582

Intangible Assets Goodwill (Det

Intangible Assets Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 126,200
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill	126,200
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	8,596
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill	8,596
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	67,168
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill	67,168
Asset Generation and Management [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	41,883
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill	41,883
Corporate and Other Activities [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	8,553
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill	$ 8,553

Earnings per Common Share (Deta

Earnings per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 70,909	$ 74,994	$ 135,674	$ 148,780
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	45,946,415	46,529,377	46,127,207	46,528,651
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$ 1.54	$ 1.61	$ 2.94	$ 3.20
Common shareholders [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 70,146	$ 74,263	$ 134,227	$ 147,388
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	45,451,888	46,075,869	45,635,155	46,093,314
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$ 1.54	$ 1.61	$ 2.94	$ 3.20
Unvested restricted stock shareholders [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 763	$ 731	$ 1,447	$ 1,392
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	494,527	453,508	492,052	435,337
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$ 1.54	$ 1.61	$ 2.94	$ 3.20

Segment Reporting (Details)

Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	$ 177,722	$ 176,948	$ 351,871	$ 335,823
Interest expense	72,626	69,235	144,180	129,239
Net interest income	105,096	107,713	207,691	206,584
Less provision for loan losses	2,150	1,500	4,150	4,000
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	102,946	106,213	203,541	202,584
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	63,833	66,460	121,644	131,217
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0	0	0
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	27,686	21,834	62,366	47,069
Enrollment services revenue	17,161	20,145	35,024	42,156
Other income	7,504	15,315	14,422	33,446
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	1,515	18	4,390	57
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	11,944	7,784	14,081	9,748
Derivative settlements, net	(5,442)	(6,214)	(10,657)	(12,443)
Total other income	124,201	125,342	241,270	251,250
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	58,787	53,888	119,837	106,372
Cost to provide enrollment services	11,162	13,311	22,864	27,786
Loan servicing fees	7,420	7,317	15,036	12,720
Depreciation and amortization	6,501	5,214	12,163	9,997
Other	31,958	33,060	61,156	63,284
Intersegment expenses, net	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	115,828	112,790	231,056	220,159
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	111,319	118,765	213,755	233,675
Corporate overhead allocation	0	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	111,319	118,765	213,755	233,675
Income tax (expense) benefit	(40,356)	(43,078)	(77,986)	(83,689)
Net income	70,963	75,687	135,769	149,986
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	54	693	95	1,206
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	70,909	74,994	135,674	148,780
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	13	9	20	20
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Net interest income	13	9	20	20
Less provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	13	9	20	20
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	63,833	66,460	121,644	131,217
Intersegment servicing revenue	12,223	13,800	25,094	28,021
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0	0	0	0
Enrollment services revenue	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	0	0	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0	0	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0	0	0
Total other income	76,056	80,260	146,738	159,238
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	31,585	30,082	65,288	59,481
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	0	0	0
Loan servicing fees	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	527	438	973	857
Other	15,376	16,975	29,976	32,625
Intersegment expenses, net	11,566	9,356	21,266	18,519
Total operating expenses	59,054	56,851	117,503	111,482
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	17,015	23,418	29,255	47,776
Corporate overhead allocation	(2,294)	(2,060)	(4,447)	(3,920)
Income before income taxes	14,721	21,358	24,808	43,856
Income tax (expense) benefit	(5,594)	(8,116)	(9,428)	(16,665)
Net income	9,127	13,242	15,380	27,191
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	9,127	13,242	15,380	27,191
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	1	3	3	3
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Net interest income	1	3	3	3
Less provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	1	3	3	3
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0	0	0
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	27,686	21,834	62,366	47,069
Enrollment services revenue	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	0	0	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0	0	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0	0	0
Total other income	27,686	21,834	62,366	47,069
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	13,583	11,112	26,904	21,139
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	0	0	0
Loan servicing fees	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	2,195	1,845	4,390	3,273
Other	4,112	2,956	7,914	5,603
Intersegment expenses, net	2,785	1,404	5,399	2,824
Total operating expenses	22,675	17,317	44,607	32,839
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	5,012	4,520	17,762	14,233
Corporate overhead allocation	(918)	(687)	(1,780)	(1,307)
Income before income taxes	4,094	3,833	15,982	12,926
Income tax (expense) benefit	(1,556)	(1,456)	(6,074)	(4,911)
Net income	2,538	2,377	9,908	8,015
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	2,538	2,377	9,908	8,015
Asset Generation and Management [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	176,279	175,562	348,702	332,565
Interest expense	71,441	67,936	141,981	127,412
Net interest income	104,838	107,626	206,721	205,153
Less provision for loan losses	2,150	1,500	4,150	4,000
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	102,688	106,126	202,571	201,153
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0	0	0
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0	0	0	0
Enrollment services revenue	0	0	0	0
Other income	3,950	4,496	8,526	8,660
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	1,041	18	1,392	57
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	9,404	8,848	12,994	12,325
Derivative settlements, net	(5,189)	(5,958)	(10,152)	(11,935)
Total other income	9,206	7,404	12,760	9,107
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	524	570	1,065	1,179
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	0	0	0
Loan servicing fees	7,420	7,317	15,036	12,720
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Other	1,270	1,528	2,407	3,271
Intersegment expenses, net	12,398	13,968	25,438	28,339
Total operating expenses	21,612	23,383	43,946	45,509
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	90,282	90,147	171,385	164,751
Corporate overhead allocation	(1,147)	(1,249)	(2,225)	(2,578)
Income before income taxes	89,135	88,898	169,160	162,173
Income tax (expense) benefit	(33,871)	(33,781)	(64,280)	(61,625)
Net income	55,264	55,117	104,880	100,548
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	55,264	55,117	104,880	100,548
Corporate and Other Activities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	1,814	2,036	3,967	4,694
Interest expense	1,570	1,961	3,020	3,286
Net interest income	244	75	947	1,408
Less provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	244	75	947	1,408
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0	0	0
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0	0	0	0
Enrollment services revenue	17,161	20,145	35,024	42,156
Other income	3,554	10,819	5,896	24,786
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	474	0	2,998	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	2,540	(1,064)	1,087	(2,577)
Derivative settlements, net	(253)	(256)	(505)	(508)
Total other income	23,476	29,644	44,500	63,857
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	13,095	12,124	26,580	24,573
Cost to provide enrollment services	11,162	13,311	22,864	27,786
Loan servicing fees	0	0		0
Depreciation and amortization	3,779	2,931	6,800	5,867
Other	11,200	11,601	20,859	21,785
Intersegment expenses, net	(14,526)	(10,928)	(27,009)	(21,661)
Total operating expenses	24,710	29,039	50,094	58,350
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	(990)	680	(4,647)	6,915
Corporate overhead allocation	4,359	3,996	8,452	7,805
Income before income taxes	3,369	4,676	3,805	14,720
Income tax (expense) benefit	665	275	1,796	(488)
Net income	4,034	4,951	5,601	14,232
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	54	693	95	1,206
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	3,980	4,258	5,506	13,026
Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	(385)	(662)	(821)	(1,459)
Interest expense	(385)	(662)	(821)	(1,459)
Net interest income	0	0	0	0
Less provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	(12,223)	(13,800)	(25,094)	(28,021)
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0	0	0	0
Enrollment services revenue	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	0	0	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0	0	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0	0	0
Total other income	(12,223)	(13,800)	(25,094)	(28,021)
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	0	0	0	0
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	0	0	0
Loan servicing fees	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Intersegment expenses, net	(12,223)	(13,800)	(25,094)	(28,021)
Total operating expenses	(12,223)	(13,800)	(25,094)	(28,021)
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	0	0	0	0
Corporate overhead allocation	0	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	0	0	0	0
Income tax (expense) benefit	0	0	0	0
Net income	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Major Customer (Details)

Major Customer (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Customer	Department of Education	Department of Education	Department of Education	Department of Education
Concentration Risk Dollar Value [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	$ 33.6	$ 31	$ 66	$ 60.9

Related Party Transactions Tran

Related Party Transactions Transactions with Related Parties - Jun. 30, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total
Agile Sports Technologies, Inc. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost Method Investments, Original Cost	$ 40.5
Union Bank and Trust Company [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Amount paid to terminate subparticipation agreement	$ 3.1
Parent Company [Member] | Agile Sports Technologies, Inc. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	18.70%
Board of Directors Chairman [Member] | Agile Sports Technologies, Inc. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	2.80%

Assets and Liabilities that are

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 117,770	$ 149,123
Fair value of derivative instruments	30,216	64,392
Total assets	147,986	213,515
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative instruments	67,133	32,842
Total liabilities	67,133	32,842
Student loan asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	101,821	145,000
Equity securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	15,606	3,736
Debt securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	343	387
Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	15,949	4,123
Fair value of derivative instruments	0	0
Total assets	15,949	4,123
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative instruments	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Student loan asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	15,606	3,736
Level 1 [Member] | Debt securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	343	387
Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	101,821	145,000
Fair value of derivative instruments	30,216	64,392
Total assets	132,037	209,392
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative instruments	67,133	32,842
Total liabilities	67,133	32,842
Level 2 [Member] | Student loan asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	101,821	145,000
Level 2 [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Level 2 [Member] | Debt securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	$ 28,095,775,000	$ 28,005,195,000
Cash and cash equivalents	182,280,000	130,481,000	$ 92,099,000	$ 63,267,000
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	245,748,000	235,709,000
Restricted cash - due to customers	117,820,000	118,488,000
Accrued interest receivable	364,211,000	351,588,000
Derivative instruments	30,216,000	64,392,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	28,070,423,000	28,027,350,000
Accrued interest payable	28,859,000	25,904,000
Due to customers	117,820,000	118,488,000
Derivative instruments	67,133,000	32,842,000
Fair value [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	28,824,415,000	28,954,226,000
Cash and cash equivalents	182,280,000	130,481,000
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	117,770,000	149,123,000
Notes Receivable	28,644,000	28,832,000
Restricted cash	848,479,000	800,164,000
Restricted cash - due to customers	117,820,000	118,488,000
Restricted investments	9,374,000	50,276,000
Accrued interest receivable	364,211,000	351,588,000
Derivative instruments	30,216,000	64,392,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	27,661,342,000	27,809,997,000
Accrued interest payable	28,859,000	25,904,000
Due to customers	117,820,000	118,488,000
Derivative instruments	67,133,000	32,842,000
Fair value [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	182,280,000	130,481,000
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	15,949,000	4,123,000
Notes Receivable	0	0
Restricted cash	848,479,000	800,164,000
Restricted cash - due to customers	117,820,000	118,488,000
Restricted investments	9,374,000	50,276,000
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	117,820,000	118,488,000
Derivative instruments	0	0
Fair value [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	101,821,000	145,000,000
Notes Receivable	28,644,000	28,832,000
Restricted cash	0	0
Restricted cash - due to customers	0	0
Restricted investments	0	0
Accrued interest receivable	364,211,000	351,588,000
Derivative instruments	30,216,000	64,392,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	27,661,342,000	27,809,997,000
Accrued interest payable	28,859,000	25,904,000
Due to customers	0	0
Derivative instruments	67,133,000	32,842,000
Fair value [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	28,824,415,000	28,954,226,000
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	0	0
Notes Receivable	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
Carrying value [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	28,095,775,000	28,005,195,000
Cash and cash equivalents	182,280,000	130,481,000
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	117,770,000	149,123,000
Notes Receivable	31,321,000	30,643,000
Restricted cash	848,479,000	800,164,000
Restricted cash - due to customers	117,820,000	118,488,000
Restricted investments	9,374,000	50,276,000
Accrued interest receivable	364,211,000	351,588,000
Derivative instruments	30,216,000	64,392,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	28,070,423,000	28,027,350,000
Accrued interest payable	28,859,000	25,904,000
Due to customers	117,820,000	118,488,000
Derivative instruments	$ 67,133,000	$ 32,842,000

Legal Proceedings (Details)

Legal Proceedings (Details) - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 2015 - Pending Litigation [Member] - Grant Keating v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC et al [Member] - USD ($)	Total
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, damages sought, value	$ 500
Loss Contingency, Actions Taken by Court, Arbitrator or Mediator	On July 21, 2015, the Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s judgment in favor of the Keating Defendants, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

Subsequent event Subsequent eve

Subsequent event Subsequent events (Details) $ in Billions	Aug. 03, 2015USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Purchase of Student loans receivable, gross	$ 1.5