Nelnet (NNI) 10-Q 7 Aug 17 2017 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NELNET INC
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Public Float			$ 781,008,370
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, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		30,062,906
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,476,932

Consolidated Balance Sheets (un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets:
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses)	$ 23,202,294	$ 24,903,724
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents - not held at a related party	8,538	7,841
Cash and cash equivalents - held at a related party	60,701	61,813
Total cash and cash equivalents	69,239	69,654
Investments And Other Receivables	290,304	254,144
Restricted cash	780,141	980,961
Restricted cash - due to customers	136,900	119,702
Accrued interest receivable	395,734	391,264
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts)	60,246	43,972
Goodwill	147,312	147,312
Intangible assets, net	43,077	47,813
Property and equipment, net	181,098	123,786
Other assets	15,123	10,245
Fair value of derivative instruments	1,619	87,531
Total assets	25,323,087	27,180,108
Liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	22,790,780	24,668,490
Accrued interest payable	47,064	45,677
Other liabilities	171,528	197,488
Due to customers	136,900	119,702
Fair value of derivative instruments	46,406	77,826
Total liabilities	23,192,678	25,109,183
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	366	420
Retained earnings	2,110,158	2,056,084
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	4,251	4,730
Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity	2,115,194	2,061,655
Noncontrolling interests	15,215	9,270
Total equity	2,130,409	2,070,925
Total liabilities and equity	25,323,087	27,180,108
Common Class A [Member]
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Common stock	304	306
Total equity	304	306
Common Class B [Member]
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Common stock	115	115
Total equity	115	115
Supplemental information - assets and liabilities of concolidated education lending variable interest entities: [Member]
Assets:
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses)	23,382,949	25,090,530
Cash and cash equivalents:
Restricted cash	740,544	970,306
Other assets	395,900	390,504
Liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	23,179,144	25,105,704
Other liabilities	284,408	290,996
Fair value of derivative instruments	39,031	66,453
Equity:
Net assets of consolidated education lending variable interest entities	$ 1,016,810	$ 988,187

Consolidated Balance Sheets (u3

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Allowance for loan losses	$ 49,708	$ 51,842
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,704	$ 1,549
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, authorized shares (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, issued shares (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding shares (in shares)	0	0
Common Class A [Member]
Par Value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Shares Authorized (in shares)	600,000,000	600,000,000
Shares Issued (in shares)	30,373,691	30,628,112
Shares Outstanding (in shares)	30,373,691	30,628,112
Common Class B [Member]
Par Value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Shares Authorized (in shares)	60,000,000	60,000,000
Shares Issued (in shares)	11,476,932	11,476,932
Shares Outstanding (in shares)	11,476,932	11,476,932

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Interest income:
Loan interest	$ 189,488	$ 184,067	$ 370,695	$ 374,055
Investment interest	3,589	2,185	6,206	4,214
Total interest income	193,077	186,252	376,901	378,269
Interest expense:
Interest on bonds and notes payable	113,236	94,052	220,135	184,460
Net interest income	79,841	92,200	156,766	193,809
Less provision for loan losses	2,000	2,000	3,000	4,500
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	77,841	90,200	153,766	189,309
Other income:
Loan systems and servicing revenue	56,899	54,402	111,128	106,732
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	34,224	30,483	77,844	69,140
Communications revenue	5,719	4,478	10,826	8,824
Enrollment services revenue	0	0	0	4,326
Other income	12,485	9,765	25,118	23,559
Gain from debt repurchases	442	0	5,421	101
Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments and derivative settlements, net	(27,910)	(40,702)	(32,741)	(69,392)
Total other income	81,859	58,426	197,596	143,290
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	74,628	60,923	146,491	124,165
Depreciation and amortization	9,038	8,183	17,636	15,823
Loan servicing fees	5,620	7,216	11,645	14,144
Cost to provide communications services	2,203	1,681	4,157	3,384
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	0	0	3,623
Other expenses	27,528	29,409	54,075	57,783
Total operating expenses	119,017	107,412	234,004	218,922
Income before income taxes	40,683	41,214	117,358	113,677
Income tax expense	16,032	15,036	44,787	39,469
Net income	24,651	26,178	72,571	74,208
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,086	(28)	6,192	(97)
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 28,737	$ 26,150	$ 78,763	$ 74,111
Earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted	$ 0.68	$ 0.61	$ 1.86	$ 1.73
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)	42,326,540	42,635,700	42,309,295	42,861,896

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 24,651	$ 26,178	$ 72,571	$ 74,208
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding losses arising during period, net of gains	(1,281)	(6,138)	(22)	(7,648)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses recognized in net income, net	(409)	277	(740)	409
Income tax effect	626	2,168	283	2,678
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,064)	(3,693)	(479)	(4,561)
Comprehensive income	23,587	22,485	72,092	69,647
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,086	(28)	6,192	(97)
Comprehensive income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 27,673	$ 22,457	$ 78,284	$ 69,550

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 interests [Member]
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		0	32,476,528	11,476,932
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 1,892,158	$ 0	$ 325	$ 115	$ 0	$ 1,881,708	$ 2,284	$ 7,726
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of noncontrolling interests	1,312							1,312
Net income	74,208					74,111
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(97)							97
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(4,561)						(4,561)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(219)							(219)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock	(10,192)					(10,192)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)			158,743	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	3,662		$ 1	$ 0	3,661
Compensation expense for stock based awards	2,316				2,316
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)			(1,611,041)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(52,468)		$ (16)	$ 0	(1,376)	(51,076)
Balance (in Shares) at Jun. 30, 2016		0	31,024,230	11,476,932
Balance at Jun. 30, 2016	1,906,216	$ 0	$ 310	$ 115	4,601	1,894,551	(2,277)	8,916
Balance (in Shares) at Mar. 31, 2016		0	31,008,226	11,476,932
Balance at Mar. 31, 2016	1,886,926	$ 0	$ 310	$ 115	2,913	1,873,500	1,416	8,672
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of noncontrolling interests	338							338
Net income	26,178					26,150
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(28)							28
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(3,693)						(3,693)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(122)							(122)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock	(5,099)					(5,099)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)			27,946	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	954		$ 0	$ 0	954
Compensation expense for stock based awards	1,133				1,133
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)			(11,942)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(399)		$ 0	$ 0	(399)	0
Balance (in Shares) at Jun. 30, 2016		0	31,024,230	11,476,932
Balance at Jun. 30, 2016	1,906,216	$ 0	$ 310	$ 115	4,601	1,894,551	(2,277)	8,916
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		0	30,628,112	11,476,932
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	2,070,925	$ 0	$ 306	$ 115	420	2,056,084	4,730	9,270
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of noncontrolling interests	12,652							12,652
Net income	72,571					78,763
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	6,192							(6,192)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(479)						(479)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(515)							(515)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock	(11,803)					(11,803)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)			161,356	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	3,083		$ 2	$ 0	3,081
Compensation expense for stock based awards	2,170				2,170
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)			(415,777)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(18,195)		$ (4)	$ 0	(5,305)	(12,886)
Balance (in Shares) at Jun. 30, 2017		0	30,373,691	11,476,932
Balance at Jun. 30, 2017	2,130,409	$ 0	$ 304	$ 115	366	2,110,158	4,251	15,215
Balance (in Shares) at Mar. 31, 2017		0	30,740,185	11,476,932
Balance at Mar. 31, 2017	2,127,667	$ 0	$ 307	$ 115	2,236	2,100,214	5,315	19,480
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of noncontrolling interests	26							26
Net income	24,651					28,737
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,086							(4,086)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(1,064)						(1,064)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(205)							(205)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock	(5,907)					(5,907)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)			17,567	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	992		$ 0	$ 0	992
Compensation expense for stock based awards	1,075				1,075
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)			(384,061)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(16,826)		$ (3)	$ 0	(3,937)	(12,886)
Balance (in Shares) at Jun. 30, 2017		0	30,373,691	11,476,932
Balance at Jun. 30, 2017	$ 2,130,409	$ 0	$ 304	$ 115	$ 366	$ 2,110,158	$ 4,251	$ 15,215

Consolidated Statements of Sha7

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (unaudited) (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Common Class A [Member]
Dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.12	$ 0.28	$ 0.24
Common Class B [Member]
Dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.12	$ 0.28	$ 0.24

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 78,763	$ 74,111
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	6,192	(97)
Net income	72,571	74,208
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization, including debt discounts and student loan premiums and deferred origination costs	66,805	62,298
Student loan discount accretion	(22,934)	(21,524)
Provision for loan losses	3,000	4,500
Derivative market value adjustment	(951)	48,649
Unrealized foreign currency transaction adjustment	31,951	8,712
Proceeds from termination of derivative instruments	3,013	3,523
Payments to enter into derivative instruments	929	0
Proceeds from clearinghouse to settle variation margin, net	25,927	0
Gain from debt repurchases	(5,421)	(101)
(Gain) loss from sales of available-for-sale securities, net	(740)	409
Proceeds (purchases) related to trading securities, net	23	(235)
Deferred income tax benefit	(15,249)	(20,260)
Non-cash compensation expense	2,260	2,388
Other	2,209	3,681
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable	(4,470)	3,685
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable	(16,274)	9,462
Increase in other assets	(2,155)	(2,579)
Increase in accrued interest payable	1,387	8,419
Decrease in other liabilities	(7,891)	(10,006)
Net cash provided by operating activities	132,132	175,229
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of student loans	(100,843)	(183,375)
Net proceeds from student loan repayments, claims, capitalized interest, and other	1,807,765	1,927,319
Proceeds from sale of student loans	0	44,738
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(77,118)	(51,735)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	66,492	58,232
Purchases of investments and loans receivable and issuance of notes receivable	(33,131)	(10,222)
Proceeds From Investments And Other Receivables	5,551	5,360
Purchases of property and equipment	(70,814)	(29,577)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash, net	226,409	(131,325)
Net cash provided by investing activities	1,824,311	1,629,415
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on bonds and notes payable	(2,549,189)	(1,972,880)
Proceeds from issuance of bonds and notes payable	612,279	226,194
Payments of debt issuance costs	(2,256)	(1,084)
Dividends paid	(11,803)	(10,192)
Repurchases of common stock	(18,195)	(52,468)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	221	417
Issuance of noncontrolling interests	12,600	1,312
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(515)	(219)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,956,858)	(1,808,920)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(415)	(4,276)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	69,654	63,529
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	69,239	59,253
Cash disbursements made for:
Interest	183,821	142,446
Income taxes, net of refunds	$ 46,193	$ 55,988

Basis of Financial Reporting

Basis of Financial Reporting	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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, 2017 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 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, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2017 . 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, 2016 (the " 2016 Annual Report"). Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nelnet, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. In addition, the accounts of all variable interest entities (“VIEs”) of which the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary are included in the consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Variable Interest Entities The following entities are VIEs of which the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity which has both: (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company's education lending subsidiaries are engaged in the securitization of education finance assets. These education lending subsidiaries hold beneficial interests in eligible loans, subject to creditors with specific interests. The liabilities of the Company's education lending subsidiaries are not the direct obligations of Nelnet, Inc. or any of its other subsidiaries. Each education lending subsidiary is structured to be bankruptcy remote, meaning that it should not be consolidated in the event of bankruptcy of the parent company or any other subsidiary. The Company is generally the administrator and master servicer of the securitized assets held in its education lending subsidiaries and owns the residual interest of the securitization trusts. As a result, for accounting purposes, the transfers of student loans to the securitization trusts do not qualify as sales. Accordingly, all the financial activities and related assets and liabilities, including debt, of the securitizations are reflected in the Company's consolidated financial statements and are summarized as supplemental information on the balance sheet. The Company owns 91.5 percent of the economic rights of Allo Communications LLC and has a disproportional 80 percent of the voting rights related to all operating decisions for Allo's business. Allo management, as current minority members, has the opportunity to earn an additional 11.5 percent of the total ownership interests based on the financial performance of Allo. In addition to the Company’s equity investment, Nelnet, Inc. (the parent) issued a $200.0 million line of credit to Allo on December 30, 2015. The line of credit had $114.0 million outstanding as of June 30, 2017. Nelnet, Inc.’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with Allo is equal to its equity investment and the balance of the line of credit. The amounts owed by Allo to Nelnet, Inc., including the interest costs incurred by Allo and interest earnings recognized by Nelnet, Inc., are not reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as they were eliminated in consolidation. All of Allo’s financial activities and related assets and liabilities, excluding the line of credit, are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See note 10, "Segment Reporting," for disclosure of Allo's total assets and results of operations (included in the "Communications" operating segment), note 7, "Goodwill," for disclosure of Allo's goodwill, and note 8, “Property and Equipment,” for disclosure of Allo’s fixed assets. Allo's goodwill and property and equipment comprise the majority of its assets. The assets recognized as a result of consolidating Allo are the property of Allo and are not available for any other purpose, other than to Nelnet, Inc. as a secured lender under Allo's line of credit. Noncontrolling Interest Nelnet Servicing, LLC ("Nelnet Servicing"), a subsidiary of the Company, and Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc. ("Great Lakes") created a joint venture to respond to the U.S. Department of Education’s initiative to procure a contract for federal student loan servicing to acquire a single servicing platform to service all loans owned by the Department. The joint venture operates as a new legal entity called GreatNet Solutions, LLC (“GreatNet”). Nelnet Servicing and Great Lakes each own 50 percent of the ownership interests in GreatNet. See note 11 for additional information on the contract procurement process. During the first quarter of 2017, Nelnet Servicing and Great Lakes each contributed $12.6 million to GreatNet and GreatNet began to incur certain operating costs. For financial reporting purposes, the balance sheet and operating results of GreatNet are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and presented in the Company’s Loan Systems and Servicing operating segment. The proportionate share of membership interest (equity) and net loss of GreatNet that is attributable to Great Lakes is reflected as noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements. For a description of other entities in which the Company reflects noncontrolling interests in its consolidated financial statements, see note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.

Student Loans Receivable and Al

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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, 2017 December 31, 2016 Federally insured loans: Stafford and other $ 4,704,409 5,186,047 Consolidation 18,442,998 19,643,937 Total 23,147,407 24,829,984 Private education loans 242,893 273,659 23,390,300 25,103,643 Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (123,326 ) (129,507 ) Non-accretable discount (a) (14,972 ) (18,570 ) Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans (35,862 ) (37,268 ) Allowance for loan losses – private education loans (13,846 ) (14,574 ) $ 23,202,294 24,903,724 (a) For loans purchased where there is evidence of credit deterioration since the origination of the loan, the Company records a credit discount, separate from the allowance for loan losses, which is non-accretable to interest income. The Company recognizes student loan interest income as earned, net of amortization of loan premiums and deferred origination costs and the accretion of loan discounts. Loan interest income is recognized based upon the expected yield of the loan after giving effect to interest rate reductions resulting from borrower utilization of incentives such as timely payments ("borrower benefits") and other yield adjustments. Loan premiums or discounts, deferred origination costs, and borrower benefits are amortized/accreted over the estimated life of the loans, which includes an estimate of forecasted payments in excess of contractually required payments. The Company periodically evaluates the assumptions used to estimate the life of the loans and prepayment rates. In instances where there are changes to the assumptions, amortization/accretion is adjusted on a cumulative basis to reflect the change since the acquisition of the loan. In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and deferred origination costs and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. Previously, the Company amortized premiums and deferred origination costs and accreted discounts by including in its prepayment assumption forecasted payments in excess of contractually required payments as well as forecasted defaults. The Company has determined that only payments in excess of contractually required payments (excluding forecasted defaults) should be included in the prepayment assumption. Under the Company's revised policy, as of September 30, 2016, the constant prepayment rate used by the Company to amortize/accrete student loan premiums/discounts was decreased. The constant prepayment rates under the Company's revised policy are 5 percent for Stafford loans and 3 percent for Consolidation loans. The constant prepayment rates under the Company's prior policy in effect before this correction were 6 percent and 4 percent , respectively. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an adjustment to reflect the cumulative net impact on prior periods for the correction of this error that resulted in an $8.2 million reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance and a corresponding pre-tax increase to interest income. The Company concluded this error had an immaterial impact on 2016 results as well as the results for prior periods. 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, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ 50,526 50,084 51,842 50,498 Provision for loan losses: Federally insured loans 2,000 2,000 4,000 4,000 Private education loans — — (1,000 ) 500 Total provision for loan losses 2,000 2,000 3,000 4,500 Charge-offs: Federally insured loans (2,825 ) (3,217 ) (5,406 ) (6,266 ) Private education loans (288 ) (514 ) (370 ) (915 ) Total charge-offs (3,113 ) (3,731 ) (5,776 ) (7,181 ) Recoveries - private education loans 245 250 442 526 Purchase of private education loans — 100 — 260 Transfer from repurchase obligation related to private education loans repurchased 50 50 200 150 Balance at end of period $ 49,708 48,753 49,708 $ 48,753 Allocation of the allowance for loan losses: Federally insured loans $ 35,862 33,224 35,862 33,224 Private education loans 13,846 15,529 13,846 15,529 Total allowance for loan losses $ 49,708 48,753 49,708 48,753 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, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 As of June 30, 2016 Federally insured loans: Loans in-school/grace/deferment $ 1,454,802 $ 1,606,468 $ 1,936,064 Loans in forbearance 2,065,167 2,295,367 2,672,241 Loans in repayment status: Loans current 17,106,921 87.2 % 18,125,768 86.6 % 18,957,457 86.7 % Loans delinquent 31-60 days 743,738 3.8 818,976 3.9 828,885 3.8 Loans delinquent 61-90 days 479,552 2.4 487,647 2.3 482,379 2.2 Loans delinquent 91-120 days 267,139 1.4 335,291 1.6 320,213 1.5 Loans delinquent 121-270 days 772,875 3.9 854,432 4.1 918,788 4.2 Loans delinquent 271 days or greater 257,213 1.3 306,035 1.5 350,363 1.6 Total loans in repayment 19,627,438 100.0 % 20,928,149 100.0 % 21,858,085 100.0 % Total federally insured loans $ 23,147,407 $ 24,829,984 $ 26,466,390 Private education loans: Loans in-school/grace/deferment $ 32,016 $ 35,146 $ 54,597 Loans in forbearance 1,814 3,448 1,610 Loans in repayment status: Loans current 202,155 96.7 % 228,612 97.2 % 225,585 97.2 % Loans delinquent 31-60 days 2,066 1.0 1,677 0.7 1,361 0.6 Loans delinquent 61-90 days 1,323 0.6 1,110 0.5 929 0.4 Loans delinquent 91 days or greater 3,519 1.7 3,666 1.6 4,088 1.8 Total loans in repayment 209,063 100.0 % 235,065 100.0 % 231,963 100.0 % Total private education loans $ 242,893 $ 273,659 $ 288,170

Bonds and Notes Payable

Bonds and Notes Payable	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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, 2017 Carrying amount Interest rate range Final maturity Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in FFELP loan asset-backed securitizations: Bonds and notes based on indices $ 21,063,700 0.22% - 6.90% 8/25/21 - 9/25/65 Bonds and notes based on auction 796,140 1.82% - 2.36% 3/22/32 - 11/26/46 Total FFELP variable-rate bonds and notes 21,859,840 FFELP warehouse facilities 1,058,413 1.08% - 1.29% 9/7/18 - 4/27/20 Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in private education loan asset-backed securitization 93,727 2.97% 12/26/40 Fixed-rate bonds and notes issued in private education loan asset-backed securitization 98,076 3.60% / 5.35% 12/26/40 / 12/28/43 Unsecured line of credit — — 12/12/21 Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities 20,526 4.67% 9/15/61 Other borrowings 60,169 1.96% - 3.38% 7/17/17 - 12/15/45 23,190,751 Discount on bonds and notes payable and debt issuance costs (399,971 ) Total $ 22,790,780 As of December 31, 2016 Carrying amount Interest rate range Final maturity Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in FFELP loan asset-backed securitizations: Bonds and notes based on indices $ 22,130,063 0.24% - 6.90% 6/25/21 - 9/25/65 Bonds and notes based on auction 998,415 1.61% - 2.28% 3/22/32 - 11/26/46 Total FFELP variable-rate bonds and notes 23,128,478 FFELP warehouse facilities 1,677,443 0.63% - 1.09% 9/7/18 - 12/13/19 Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in private education loan asset-backed securitization 112,582 2.60% 12/26/40 Fixed-rate bonds and notes issued in private education loan asset-backed securitization 113,378 3.60% / 5.35% 12/26/40 / 12/28/43 Unsecured line of credit — — 12/12/21 Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities 50,184 4.37% 9/15/61 Other borrowings 18,355 3.38% 3/31/23 / 12/15/45 25,100,420 Discount on bonds and notes payable and debt issuance costs (431,930 ) Total $ 24,668,490 Asset-Backed Securitizations On May 24, 2017, the Company completed an asset-backed securitization totaling $535.0 million (par value). The interest rate and final maturity of these notes are 1-month LIBOR plus 0.78 percent and June 25, 2065, respectively. 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, 2017 , the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below. NFSLW-I (a) NHELP-II NHELP-III (b) Total Maximum financing amount $ 700,000 500,000 200,000 1,400,000 Amount outstanding 511,846 357,461 189,106 1,058,413 Amount available $ 188,154 142,539 10,894 341,587 Expiration of liquidity provisions July 10, 2018 December 15, 2017 April 27, 2018 Final maturity date September 7, 2018 December 13, 2019 April 27, 2020 Maximum advance rates 92.0 - 98.0% 85.0 - 95.0% 92.2 - 95.0% Minimum advance rates 84.0 - 90.0% 85.0 - 95.0% 92.2 - 95.0% Advanced as equity support $ 13,260 26,440 5,668 45,368 (a) On May 25, 2017, the Company decreased the maximum financing amount for this warehouse facility from $875.0 million to $700.0 million . (b) On April 3, 2017, the Company entered into a letter agreement for this warehouse facility to decrease the maximum financing amount from $750.0 million to $600.0 million . On April 28, 2017, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility, which changed the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to April 27, 2018 and changed the final maturity date to April 27, 2020. On May 5, 2017, May 25, 2017, and June 2, 2017, the Company decreased the maximum financing amount for this warehouse facility by $200.0 million , $100.0 million , and $100.0 million , respectively. As of June 30, 2017, the maximum financing amount for this warehouse facility was $200.0 million , as reflected in this table. Unsecured Line of Credit The Company has a $350.0 million unsecured line of credit that has a maturity date of December 12, 2021 . As of June 30, 2017 , no amounts were outstanding on the line of credit and $350.0 million was available for future use. Repurchase Agreement Included in "other borrowings" as of June 30, 2017 is $41.8 million that is subject to a repurchase agreement. Proceeds from this agreement are collateralized by FFELP asset-backed security investments. Debt Repurchases During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company initiated a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of its outstanding Hybrid Securities, including a related consent solicitation to effect certain amendments to the indenture governing the notes to eliminate a provision requiring a minimum principal amount of the notes to remain outstanding after a partial redemption. The aggregate principal amount of notes tendered to the Company was $29.7 million . The Company paid $25.3 million to redeem these notes and recognized a gain of $4.4 million . In addition, the amendments described above were made to the indenture. After the completion of this tender offer, the Company has $20.5 million of Hybrid Securities that remain outstanding. In addition, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recognized gains of $0.4 million and $1.0 million , respectively, on the repurchase of its own FFELP asset-backed securities.

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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 2016 Annual Report. A tabular presentation of such derivatives outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is presented below. Basis Swaps The following table summarizes the Company’s basis swaps outstanding 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, 2017 2016 Maturity Notional amount Notional amount 2018 $ 4,000,000 $ — 2019 2,000,000 — 2024 250,000 — 2026 1,150,000 1,150,000 2027 375,000 — 2028 325,000 325,000 2029 100,000 — 2031 300,000 300,000 $ 8,500,000 $ 1,775,000 The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was one-month LIBOR plus 13.9 basis points and 10.1 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, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Maturity Notional amount Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a) Notional amount Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a) 2017 $ 250,000 1.04 % $ 750,000 0.99 % 2018 1,350,000 1.07 1,350,000 1.07 2019 3,250,000 0.97 3,250,000 0.97 2020 1,500,000 1.01 1,500,000 1.01 2025 100,000 2.32 100,000 2.32 $ 6,450,000 1.02 % $ 6,950,000 1.02 % (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 $250.0 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 Caps In June 2015, in conjunction with the entry into a $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 had a notional amount of $125.0 million and a one-month LIBOR strike rate of 2.50% , and the second interest rate cap had 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 rose above the applicable strike rate, the Company would receive monthly payments related to the spread difference. Both interest rate cap contracts had a maturity date of July 15, 2020. The private education loan warehouse facility was terminated by the Company on December 21, 2016. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company received $913,000 to terminate the interest rate cap contracts that were held in the private education loan warehouse legal entity and paid $929,000 to enter into new interest rate cap contracts with identical terms at Nelnet, Inc. (the parent company). The Company currently intends to keep these derivatives outstanding to partially mitigate a rise in interest rates and its impact on earnings related to its student loan portfolio earning a fixed rate. Interest Rate Swaps – Unsecured Debt Hedges As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the Company had $20.5 million and $50.2 million , respectively, of unsecured Hybrid Securities outstanding. The interest rate on the Hybrid Securities through September 29, 2036 is equal to three-month LIBOR plus 3.375% , payable quarterly. The Company had the following derivatives outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a designated notional amount with respect to the 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. 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. Changes in the principal and accrued interest amounts as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. 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 unrealized 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, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Re-measurement of Euro Notes $ (27,261 ) 9,768 (31,951 ) (8,712 ) Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swap 27,639 (12,008 ) 28,574 20,693 Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a) $ 378 (2,240 ) (3,377 ) 11,981 (a) The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income. Management has structured the cross-currency interest rate swap to economically hedge the Euro Notes to effectively convert the Euro Notes to U.S. dollars and pay a spread on these notes based on the LIBOR index. However, the cross-currency interest rate swap does not qualify for hedge accounting. The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in the fair value of the corresponding cross-currency interest rate swap. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains and losses between these financial instruments due to the principal and accrued interest on the Euro Notes being re-measured to U.S. dollars at each reporting date based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date, while the cross-currency interest rate swap is measured at fair value at each reporting date with the change in fair value recognized in the current period earnings. Consolidated Financial Statement Impact Related to Derivatives Effective June 10, 2013, all over-the-counter derivative contracts executed by the Company are cleared post-execution at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”), a regulated clearinghouse. Clearing is a process by which a third-party, the clearinghouse, steps in between the original counterparties and guarantees the performance of both, by requiring that each post liquid collateral on an initial (initial margin) and mark-to-market (variation margin) basis to cover the clearinghouse’s potential future exposure in the event of default. Prior to January 3, 2017, the Company accounted for variation margin payments to the CME as collateral against its derivative position. As such, these payments were treated as a separate unit of account from the derivative instrument and reported as a liability for cash collateral received and an asset (restricted cash) for cash collateral paid. Effective January 3, 2017, the CME amended its rulebooks to legally characterize variation margin payments for over-the-counter derivatives they clear as settlements of the derivatives’ exposure rather than collateral against the exposure. Based on these rulebook changes, for accounting and presentation purposes, the Company considers variation margin and the corresponding derivative instrument a single unit of account. As such, effective January 3, 2017, the variation margin received or paid is no longer accounted for separately as a liability or asset ("collateralized-to-market"). Instead, these payments are considered in determining the fair value of the centrally cleared derivative portfolio ("settled-to-market"). The principal difference for accounting and presentation purposes is that prior to January 3, 2017, the Company recorded the fair value of collateralized-to-market derivative contracts on its balance sheet as "fair value of derivative instruments" with an equal amount of variation margin collateral accounted for separately as an asset or liability. Subsequent to January 3, 2017, the Company records settled-to-market derivative contracts on its balance sheet with a fair value of zero and no collateral posted due to the payment or receipt of variation margin between the Company and the CME settling the outstanding mark-to-market exposure on such derivatives to a balance of zero on a daily basis, and records the underlying daily changes in the market value of such derivative contracts that result in such receipts or payments on its income statement as realized derivative market value adjustments in "Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments and derivative settlements, net." The new clearinghouse requirements did not alter or affect the accounting and presentation of the Company’s derivative instruments executed prior to June 10, 2013 and those derivatives that are not required to be cleared at a clearinghouse (non-centrally cleared derivatives). The Company records these derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Certain non-centrally cleared derivatives are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. For these derivatives, the Company does not offset fair value amounts executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement. In addition, the Company does not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments with respect to the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable). Balance Sheet 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 $ — — — 2,624 Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges 20 81,159 — 256 Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge 1,265 2,977 — — Interest rate caps 334 1,152 — — Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges — — 7,375 7,341 Cross-currency interest rate swap — — 39,031 67,605 Other — 2,243 — — Total $ 1,619 87,531 46,406 77,826 During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company received proceeds of $2.1 million from the termination of derivatives that were included in "other" in the preceding table. Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities 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 Net asset (liability) Balance as of June 30, 2017 $ 1,619 — — 1,619 Balance as of December 31, 2016 87,531 (2,880 ) 475 85,126 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 (received) pledged, net (a) Net asset (liability) Balance as of $ (46,406 ) — (13,252 ) (59,658 ) Balance as of (77,826 ) 2,880 7,292 (67,654 ) (a) As of June 30, 2017, the Company had received $21.4 million of collateral from the counterparty on the Company's cross-currency interest rate swap. Income Statement Impact The following table summarizes the components of "derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments and derivative settlements, net" included in the consolidated statements of income. Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Settlements: 1:3 basis swaps $ (362 ) 743 336 414 Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges 2,114 (4,841 ) 1,994 (10,084 ) Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges (198 ) (231 ) (402 ) (463 ) Cross-currency interest rate swap (1,917 ) (1,166 ) (3,669 ) (1,898 ) Total settlements - (expense) income (363 ) (5,495 ) (1,741 ) (12,031 ) Change in fair value: 1:3 basis swaps (8,841 ) (586 ) (11,416 ) 183 Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges (17,810 ) (27,276 ) (13,485 ) (59,985 ) Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge (828 ) (856 ) (1,712 ) (2,272 ) Interest rate caps (311 ) (453 ) (833 ) (1,215 ) Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges (453 ) (1,464 ) (34 ) (4,014 ) Cross-currency interest rate swap 27,639 (12,008 ) 28,574 20,693 Other 318 (2,332 ) (143 ) (2,039 ) Total change in fair value - (expense) income (286 ) (44,975 ) 951 (48,649 ) Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - (expense) income (27,261 ) 9,768 (31,951 ) (8,712 ) Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments and derivative settlements, net - (expense) income $ (27,910 ) (40,702 ) (32,741 ) (69,392 )

Investments and Notes Receivabl

Investments and Notes Receivable	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	Investments and Other Receivables A summary of the Company's investments and other receivables follows: As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 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) $ 109,624 5,436 (678 ) 114,382 98,260 6,280 (641 ) 103,899 Equity securities 804 2,050 (62 ) 2,792 720 1,930 (61 ) 2,589 Total available-for-sale investments $ 110,428 7,486 (740 ) 117,174 98,980 8,210 (702 ) 106,488 Trading investments - equity securities — 105 Total available-for-sale and trading investments 117,174 106,593 Other Investments and Other Receivables (not measured at fair value): Venture capital and funds 74,413 69,789 Real estate 46,862 48,379 Notes and loans receivable 41,065 17,031 Tax liens and affordable housing 10,790 12,352 Total investments and other receivables $ 290,304 254,144 (a) As of June 30, 2017 , the aggregate fair value of available-for-sale investments with unrealized losses was $30.4 million , of which $11.0 million had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months. Because the Company currently has the intent and ability to retain these investments for an anticipated recovery in fair value, as of June 30, 2017 , 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, 2017 , the stated maturities of substantially all 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, 2017
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	Intangible Assets Intangible assets consist of the following: Weighted average remaining useful life as of June 30, 2017 (months) As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships (net of accumulated amortization of $10,676 and $8,548, respectively) 164 $ 26,208 28,335 Trade names (net of accumulated amortization of $2,075 and $1,653, respectively) 183 9,497 9,919 Computer software (net of accumulated amortization of $7,844 and $5,675, respectively) 20 7,127 9,296 Covenants not to compete (net of accumulated amortization of $109 and $91, respectively) 83 245 263 Total - amortizable intangible assets 144 $ 43,077 47,813 The Company recorded amortization expense on its intangible assets of $2.4 million and $2.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and $4.7 million and $5.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company will continue to amortize intangible assets over their remaining useful lives. As of June 30, 2017 , the Company estimates it will record amortization expense as follows: 2017 (July 1 - December 31) $ 4,650 2018 8,605 2019 5,147 2020 4,231 2021 3,480 2022 and thereafter 16,964 $ 43,077

Goodwill Goodwill (Notes)

Goodwill Goodwill (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]	Goodwill The carrying amount of goodwill as of December 31, 2016 and June 30, 2017 by reportable operating segment was as follows: Loan Systems and Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Communications Asset Generation and Management Corporate and Other Activities Total Goodwill balance $ 8,596 67,168 21,112 41,883 8,553 147,312

Property Plant and Equipment Pr

Property Plant and Equipment Property Plant and Equipment (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	Property and Equipment Property and equipment consisted of the following: As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Useful life Non-communications: Computer equipment and software 1-5 years $ 104,946 97,317 Office furniture and equipment 3-7 years 12,514 12,344 Building and building improvements 5-39 years 13,383 13,363 Transportation equipment 4-10 years 3,813 3,809 Leasehold improvements 5-20 years 3,627 3,579 Land — 1,682 1,682 Construction in progress — 29,491 16,346 169,456 148,440 Accumulated depreciation - non-communications 99,718 91,285 Non-communications, net property and equipment 69,738 57,155 Communications: Network plant and fiber 5-15 years 64,337 40,844 Central office 5-15 years 8,115 6,448 Customer located property 5-10 years 8,811 5,138 Transportation equipment 4-10 years 4,620 2,966 Computer equipment and software 1-5 years 3,048 2,026 Other 1-39 years 1,581 1,268 Land — 70 70 Construction in progress — 29,726 12,537 120,308 71,297 Accumulated depreciation - communications 8,948 4,666 Communications, net property and equipment 111,360 66,631 Total property and equipment, net $ 181,098 123,786 The Company recorded depreciation expense on its property and equipment of $6.7 million and $5.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $12.9 million and $10.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Earnings per Common Share

Earnings per Common Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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, 2017 2016 Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Numerator: Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 28,457 280 28,737 25,879 271 26,150 Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted 41,913,990 412,550 42,326,540 42,193,769 441,931 42,635,700 Earnings per share - basic and diluted $ 0.68 0.68 0.68 0.61 0.61 0.61 Six months ended June 30, 2017 2016 Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Numerator: Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 77,969 794 78,763 73,334 777 74,111 Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted 41,882,702 426,593 42,309,295 42,412,287 449,609 42,861,896 Earnings per share - basic and diluted $ 1.86 1.86 1.86 1.73 1.73 1.73

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	See note 14 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2016 Annual Report for a description of the Company's operating segments. The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements. Three months ended June 30, 2017 Loan Systems and Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Communications Asset Corporate and Other Activities Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 120 3 1 191,367 3,362 (1,776 ) 193,077 Interest expense — — 1,104 113,073 835 (1,776 ) 113,236 Net interest income 120 3 (1,103 ) 78,294 2,527 — 79,841 Less provision for loan losses — — — 2,000 — — 2,000 Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses 120 3 (1,103 ) 76,294 2,527 — 77,841 Other income: Loan systems and servicing revenue 56,899 — — — — — 56,899 Intersegment servicing revenue 9,952 — — — — (9,952 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 34,224 — — — — 34,224 Communications revenue — — 5,719 — — — 5,719 Other income — — — 3,057 9,429 — 12,485 Gain from debt repurchases — — — 442 — — 442 Derivative settlements, net — — — (165 ) (198 ) — (363 ) Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net — — — (27,412 ) (135 ) — (27,547 ) Total other income 66,851 34,224 5,719 (24,078 ) 9,096 (9,952 ) 81,859 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 40,506 16,901 3,411 363 13,447 — 74,628 Depreciation and amortization 546 2,346 2,600 — 3,547 — 9,038 Loan servicing fees — — — 5,620 — — 5,620 Cost to provide communications services — — 2,203 — — — 2,203 Other expenses 8,879 4,853 1,772 1,827 10,195 — 27,528 Intersegment expenses, net 8,324 2,136 496 10,043 (11,046 ) (9,952 ) — Total operating expenses 58,255 26,236 10,482 17,853 16,143 (9,952 ) 119,017 Income (loss) before income taxes 8,716 7,991 (5,866 ) 34,363 (4,520 ) — 40,683 Income tax (expense) benefit (4,918 ) (3,037 ) 2,229 (13,057 ) 2,751 — (16,032 ) Net income (loss) 3,798 4,954 (3,637 ) 21,306 (1,769 ) — 24,651 Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests 4,226 — — — (141 ) — 4,086 Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 8,024 4,954 (3,637 ) 21,306 (1,910 ) — 28,737 Total assets as of June 30, 2017 $ 99,841 230,145 150,809 24,433,881 684,840 (276,429 ) 25,323,087 Three months ended June 30, 2016 Loan Systems and Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Communications Asset Generation and Management Corporate and Other Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 22 3 — 184,966 2,064 (802 ) 186,252 Interest expense — — 205 92,769 1,881 (802 ) 94,052 Net interest income 22 3 (205 ) 92,197 183 — 92,200 Less provision for loan losses — — — 2,000 — — 2,000 Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses 22 3 (205 ) 90,197 183 — 90,200 Other income: Loan systems and servicing revenue 54,402 — — — — — 54,402 Intersegment servicing revenue 11,408 — — — — (11,408 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 30,483 — — — — 30,483 Communications revenue — — 4,478 — — — 4,478 Enrollment services revenue — — — — — — — Other income — — — 3,834 5,931 — 9,765 Gain from debt repurchases — — — — — — — Derivative settlements, net — — — (5,264 ) (231 ) — (5,495 ) Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net — — — (31,411 ) (3,797 ) — (35,207 ) Total other income 65,810 30,483 4,478 (32,841 ) 1,903 (11,408 ) 58,426 Operating expenses: . Salaries and benefits 31,380 15,444 1,377 499 12,222 — 60,923 Depreciation and amortization 445 2,511 1,378 — 3,848 — 8,183 Loan servicing fees — — — 7,216 — — 7,216 Cost to provide communications services — — 1,681 — — — 1,681 Cost to provide enrollment services — — — — — — — Other expenses 11,380 4,815 813 1,481 10,920 — 29,409 Intersegment expenses, net 6,102 1,562 187 11,539 (7,981 ) (11,408 ) — Total operating expenses 49,307 24,332 5,436 20,735 19,009 (11,408 ) 107,412 Income (loss) before income taxes 16,525 6,154 (1,163 ) 36,621 (16,923 ) — 41,214 Income tax (expense) benefit (6,280 ) (2,338 ) 442 (13,916 ) 7,057 — (15,036 ) Net income (loss) 10,245 3,816 (721 ) 22,705 (9,866 ) — 26,178 Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — (28 ) — (28 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 10,245 3,816 (721 ) 22,705 (9,894 ) — 26,150 Total assets as of June 30, 2016 $ 71,403 230,308 78,578 27,856,952 730,122 (251,565 ) 28,715,798 Six months ended June 30, 2017 Loan Systems and Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Communications Asset Corporate and Other Activities Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 214 5 1 373,692 6,123 (3,135 ) 376,901 Interest expense — — 1,816 219,824 1,630 (3,135 ) 220,135 Net interest income 214 5 (1,815 ) 153,868 4,493 — 156,766 Less provision for loan losses — — — 3,000 — — 3,000 Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses 214 5 (1,815 ) 150,868 4,493 — 153,766 Other income: Loan systems and servicing revenue 111,128 — — — — — 111,128 Intersegment servicing revenue 20,275 — — — — (20,275 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 77,844 — — — — 77,844 Communications revenue — — 10,826 — — — 10,826 Other income — — — 6,399 18,719 — 25,118 Gain from debt repurchases — — — 981 4,440 — 5,421 Derivative settlements, net — — — (1,339 ) (402 ) — (1,741 ) Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net — — — (30,823 ) (177 ) — (31,000 ) Total other income 131,403 77,844 10,826 (24,782 ) 22,580 (20,275 ) 197,596 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 78,497 33,553 6,390 763 27,287 — 146,491 Depreciation and amortization 1,095 4,737 4,735 — 7,069 — 17,636 Loan servicing fees — — — 11,645 — — 11,645 Cost to provide communications services — — 4,157 — — — 4,157 Other expenses 18,015 9,847 3,144 2,819 20,249 — 54,075 Intersegment expenses, net 15,722 4,210 1,002 20,455 (21,114 ) (20,275 ) — Total operating expenses 113,329 52,347 19,428 35,682 33,491 (20,275 ) 234,004 Income (loss) before income taxes 18,288 25,502 (10,417 ) 90,404 (6,418 ) — 117,358 Income tax (expense) benefit (9,473 ) (9,690 ) 3,959 (34,354 ) 4,772 — (44,787 ) Net income (loss) 8,815 15,812 (6,458 ) 56,050 (1,646 ) — 72,571 Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests 6,641 — — — (450 ) — 6,192 Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 15,456 15,812 (6,458 ) 56,050 (2,096 ) — 78,763 Total assets as of June 30, 2017 $ 99,841 230,145 150,809 24,433,881 684,840 (276,429 ) 25,323,087 Six months ended June 30, 2016 Loan Systems and Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Communications Asset Corporate and Other Activities Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 43 5 — 375,689 4,157 (1,625 ) 378,269 Interest expense — — 352 182,647 3,087 (1,625 ) 184,460 Net interest income 43 5 (352 ) 193,042 1,070 — 193,809 Less provision for loan losses — — — 4,500 — — 4,500 Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses 43 5 (352 ) 188,542 1,070 — 189,309 Other income: Loan systems and servicing revenue 106,732 — — — — — 106,732 Intersegment servicing revenue 23,415 — — — — (23,415 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 69,140 — — — — 69,140 Communications revenue — — 8,824 — — — 8,824 Enrollment services revenue — — — — 4,326 — 4,326 Other income — — — 8,097 15,462 — 23,559 Gain from debt repurchases — — — 101 — — 101 Derivative settlements, net — — — (11,568 ) (463 ) — (12,031 ) Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net — — — (51,308 ) (6,053 ) — (57,361 ) Total other income 130,147 69,140 8,824 (54,678 ) 13,272 (23,415 ) 143,290 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 64,346 29,880 2,467 1,018 26,454 — 124,165 Depreciation and amortization 883 4,782 2,507 — 7,650 — 15,823 Loan servicing fees — — — 14,144 — — 14,144 Cost to provide communications services — — 3,384 — — — 3,384 Cost to provide enrollment services — — — — 3,623 — 3,623 Other expenses 22,850 8,973 1,566 2,997 21,397 — 57,783 Intersegment expenses, net 12,343 3,074 331 23,646 (15,978 ) (23,415 ) — Total operating expenses 100,422 46,709 10,255 41,805 43,146 (23,415 ) 218,922 Income (loss) before income taxes 29,768 22,436 (1,783 ) 92,059 (28,804 ) — 113,677 Income tax (expense) benefit (11,312 ) (8,526 ) 678 (34,983 ) 14,674 — (39,469 ) Net income (loss) 18,456 13,910 (1,105 ) 57,076 (14,130 ) — 74,208 Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — (97 ) — (97 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 18,456 13,910 (1,105 ) 57,076 (14,227 ) — 74,111 Total assets as of June 30, 2016 $ 71,403 230,308 78,578 27,856,952 730,122 (251,565 ) 28,715,798

Major Customer

Major Customer	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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 (the "Department") that currently is set to expire on June 16, 2019. Revenue earned by the Company's Loan Systems and Servicing operating segment related to this contract was $39.8 million and $37.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and $78.8 million and $72.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In April 2016, the Department's Office of Federal Student Aid ("FSA") released information regarding a new contract procurement process for the Department to acquire a single servicing platform with multiple customer service providers to manage all student loans owned by the Department. The contract solicitation process was divided into two phases. On May 6, 2016, Nelnet Servicing, a subsidiary of the Company, and Great Lakes submitted a joint response to Phase I as part of a newly created joint venture to respond to the contract solicitation process and to provide services under the new contract in the event that the Department selects it to be awarded with the contract. The joint venture operates as a new legal entity called GreatNet. Nelnet Servicing and Great Lakes each own 50 percent of the ownership interests of GreatNet. In addition to Nelnet Servicing, Great Lakes is currently one of four private sector companies (referred to as Title IV Additional Servicers, or "TIVAS") that has a student loan servicing contract with the Department to provide servicing for loans owned by the Department. On June 30, 2016, the Department announced which entities were selected to respond to Phase II of the procurement selection process. GreatNet was one of three entities selected. Navient Corporation and FedLoan Servicing (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency ("PHEAA")), the other two TIVAS, were also selected to respond to Phase II. On January 6, 2017, GreatNet submitted its Phase II response to the Department. On April 11, 2017, the Department announced it was withdrawing certain policy memos to FSA from the prior administration regarding factors to be considered in the procurement process. On May 19, 2017, the Department announced it had amended the contract procurement process to provide that the single servicing platform to be acquired by the Department will be utilized by a single customer service provider to be selected by the Department to manage all student loans owned by the Department. This amendment required another response by the Phase II participants, and on July 7, 2017, GreatNet submitted its response to the Department. On August 1, 2017, the Department announced it was canceling the current procurement process for a single servicing platform and customer service provider and that it intends to develop a new contract procurement proposal. The Department indicated that its new approach is expected to require separate contract acquisitions for database housing, system processing, and customer account servicing.

Related Parties Related Parties

Related Parties Related Parties	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Parties	Related Parties The Company has entered into certain contractual arrangements with related parties as described in note 19 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2016 Annual Report. The following provides an update for related party transactions that occurred during the first six months of 2017. Transactions with Union Bank and Trust Company During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company purchased $4.9 million (par value) of consumer loans from Union Bank and Trust Company. The Company's investment in consumer loans is included in "investments and other receivables" in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. Transactions with Agile Sports Technologies, Inc. (doing business as "Hudl") David Graff, who currently serves as an independent director on the Company's Board of Directors, is CEO, co-founder, and a director of Hudl. On July 7, 2017, the Company made an additional $10.4 million preferred stock investment in Hudl. Prior to this investment, the Company and Michael Dunlap, the Company's Executive Chairman and a principal shareholder, made separate equity investments in Hudl. The additional preferred stock investment made by the Company in July 2017 slightly increased the Company's direct and indirect equity ownership in Hudl. 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 other receivables" in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

Fair Value

Fair Value	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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, 2017 . As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Assets: Investments (available-for-sale and trading): Student loan and other asset-backed securities $ — 114,267 114,267 — 103,780 103,780 Equity securities 2,793 — 2,793 2,694 — 2,694 Debt securities 114 — 114 119 — 119 Total investments (available-for-sale and trading) 2,907 114,267 117,174 2,813 103,780 106,593 Derivative instruments — 1,619 1,619 — 87,531 87,531 Total assets $ 2,907 115,886 118,793 2,813 191,311 194,124 Liabilities: Derivative instruments $ — 46,406 46,406 — 77,826 77,826 Total liabilities $ — 46,406 46,406 — 77,826 77,826 The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets: As of June 30, 2017 Fair value Carrying value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Financial assets: Student loans receivable $ 24,278,179 23,202,294 — — 24,278,179 Cash and cash equivalents 69,239 69,239 69,239 — — Investments (available-for-sale) 117,174 117,174 2,907 114,267 — Notes receivable 16,563 16,563 — 16,563 — Loans receivable 25,502 24,502 — — 25,502 Restricted cash 780,141 780,141 780,141 — — Restricted cash – due to customers 136,900 136,900 136,900 — — Accrued interest receivable 395,734 395,734 — 395,734 — Derivative instruments 1,619 1,619 — 1,619 — Financial liabilities: Bonds and notes payable 22,744,128 22,790,780 — 22,744,128 — Accrued interest payable 47,064 47,064 — 47,064 — Due to customers 136,900 136,900 136,900 — — Derivative instruments 46,406 46,406 — 46,406 — As of December 31, 2016 Fair value Carrying value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Financial assets: Student loans receivable $ 25,653,581 24,903,724 — — 25,653,581 Cash and cash equivalents 69,654 69,654 69,654 — — Investments (available-for-sale and trading) 106,593 106,593 2,813 103,780 — Notes receivable 17,031 17,031 — 17,031 — Restricted cash 980,961 980,961 980,961 — — Restricted cash – due to customers 119,702 119,702 119,702 — — Accrued interest receivable 391,264 391,264 — 391,264 — Derivative instruments 87,531 87,531 — 87,531 — Financial liabilities: Bonds and notes payable 24,220,996 24,668,490 — 24,220,996 — Accrued interest payable 45,677 45,677 — 45,677 — Due to customers 119,702 119,702 119,702 — — Derivative instruments 77,826 77,826 — 77,826 — The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities are described in note 20 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.

Basis of Financial Reporting Si

Basis of Financial Reporting Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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, 2017 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 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, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2017 . 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, 2016 (the " 2016 Annual Report").
Consolidation	Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nelnet, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. In addition, the accounts of all variable interest entities (“VIEs”) of which the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary are included in the consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Variable Interest Entities	Variable Interest Entities The following entities are VIEs of which the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity which has both: (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company's education lending subsidiaries are engaged in the securitization of education finance assets. These education lending subsidiaries hold beneficial interests in eligible loans, subject to creditors with specific interests. The liabilities of the Company's education lending subsidiaries are not the direct obligations of Nelnet, Inc. or any of its other subsidiaries. Each education lending subsidiary is structured to be bankruptcy remote, meaning that it should not be consolidated in the event of bankruptcy of the parent company or any other subsidiary. The Company is generally the administrator and master servicer of the securitized assets held in its education lending subsidiaries and owns the residual interest of the securitization trusts. As a result, for accounting purposes, the transfers of student loans to the securitization trusts do not qualify as sales. Accordingly, all the financial activities and related assets and liabilities, including debt, of the securitizations are reflected in the Company's consolidated financial statements and are summarized as supplemental information on the balance sheet. The Company owns 91.5 percent of the economic rights of Allo Communications LLC and has a disproportional 80 percent of the voting rights related to all operating decisions for Allo's business. Allo management, as current minority members, has the opportunity to earn an additional 11.5 percent of the total ownership interests based on the financial performance of Allo. In addition to the Company’s equity investment, Nelnet, Inc. (the parent) issued a $200.0 million line of credit to Allo on December 30, 2015. The line of credit had $114.0 million outstanding as of June 30, 2017. Nelnet, Inc.’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with Allo is equal to its equity investment and the balance of the line of credit. The amounts owed by Allo to Nelnet, Inc., including the interest costs incurred by Allo and interest earnings recognized by Nelnet, Inc., are not reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as they were eliminated in consolidation. All of Allo’s financial activities and related assets and liabilities, excluding the line of credit, are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See note 10, "Segment Reporting," for disclosure of Allo's total assets and results of operations (included in the "Communications" operating segment), note 7, "Goodwill," for disclosure of Allo's goodwill, and note 8, “Property and Equipment,” for disclosure of Allo’s fixed assets. Allo's goodwill and property and equipment comprise the majority of its assets. The assets recognized as a result of consolidating Allo are the property of Allo and are not available for any other purpose, other than to Nelnet, Inc. as a secured lender under Allo's line of credit.
Noncontrolling Interest Disclosure	Noncontrolling Interest Nelnet Servicing, LLC ("Nelnet Servicing"), a subsidiary of the Company, and Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc. ("Great Lakes") created a joint venture to respond to the U.S. Department of Education’s initiative to procure a contract for federal student loan servicing to acquire a single servicing platform to service all loans owned by the Department. The joint venture operates as a new legal entity called GreatNet Solutions, LLC (“GreatNet”). Nelnet Servicing and Great Lakes each own 50 percent of the ownership interests in GreatNet. See note 11 for additional information on the contract procurement process. During the first quarter of 2017, Nelnet Servicing and Great Lakes each contributed $12.6 million to GreatNet and GreatNet began to incur certain operating costs. For financial reporting purposes, the balance sheet and operating results of GreatNet are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and presented in the Company’s Loan Systems and Servicing operating segment. The proportionate share of membership interest (equity) and net loss of GreatNet that is attributable to Great Lakes is reflected as noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements. For a description of other entities in which the Company reflects noncontrolling interests in its consolidated financial statements, see note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.

Student Loans Receivable and 23

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses Constant Prepayment Rate Policy (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Revenue Recognition, Interest [Abstract]
Student Loan Interest Income	The Company recognizes student loan interest income as earned, net of amortization of loan premiums and deferred origination costs and the accretion of loan discounts. Loan interest income is recognized based upon the expected yield of the loan after giving effect to interest rate reductions resulting from borrower utilization of incentives such as timely payments ("borrower benefits") and other yield adjustments. Loan premiums or discounts, deferred origination costs, and borrower benefits are amortized/accreted over the estimated life of the loans, which includes an estimate of forecasted payments in excess of contractually required payments. The Company periodically evaluates the assumptions used to estimate the life of the loans and prepayment rates. In instances where there are changes to the assumptions, amortization/accretion is adjusted on a cumulative basis to reflect the change since the acquisition of the loan. In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and deferred origination costs and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. Previously, the Company amortized premiums and deferred origination costs and accreted discounts by including in its prepayment assumption forecasted payments in excess of contractually required payments as well as forecasted defaults. The Company has determined that only payments in excess of contractually required payments (excluding forecasted defaults) should be included in the prepayment assumption. Under the Company's revised policy, as of September 30, 2016, the constant prepayment rate used by the Company to amortize/accrete student loan premiums/discounts was decreased. The constant prepayment rates under the Company's revised policy are 5 percent for Stafford loans and 3 percent for Consolidation loans. The constant prepayment rates under the Company's prior policy in effect before this correction were 6 percent and 4 percent , respectively.

Student Loans Receivable and 24

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	Student loans receivable consisted of the following: As of As of June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Federally insured loans: Stafford and other $ 4,704,409 5,186,047 Consolidation 18,442,998 19,643,937 Total 23,147,407 24,829,984 Private education loans 242,893 273,659 23,390,300 25,103,643 Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (123,326 ) (129,507 ) Non-accretable discount (a) (14,972 ) (18,570 ) Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans (35,862 ) (37,268 ) Allowance for loan losses – private education loans (13,846 ) (14,574 ) $ 23,202,294 24,903,724 (a)
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, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ 50,526 50,084 51,842 50,498 Provision for loan losses: Federally insured loans 2,000 2,000 4,000 4,000 Private education loans — — (1,000 ) 500 Total provision for loan losses 2,000 2,000 3,000 4,500 Charge-offs: Federally insured loans (2,825 ) (3,217 ) (5,406 ) (6,266 ) Private education loans (288 ) (514 ) (370 ) (915 ) Total charge-offs (3,113 ) (3,731 ) (5,776 ) (7,181 ) Recoveries - private education loans 245 250 442 526 Purchase of private education loans — 100 — 260 Transfer from repurchase obligation related to private education loans repurchased 50 50 200 150 Balance at end of period $ 49,708 48,753 49,708 $ 48,753 Allocation of the allowance for loan losses: Federally insured loans $ 35,862 33,224 35,862 33,224 Private education loans 13,846 15,529 13,846 15,529 Total allowance for loan losses $ 49,708 48,753 49,708 48,753
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, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 As of June 30, 2016 Federally insured loans: Loans in-school/grace/deferment $ 1,454,802 $ 1,606,468 $ 1,936,064 Loans in forbearance 2,065,167 2,295,367 2,672,241 Loans in repayment status: Loans current 17,106,921 87.2 % 18,125,768 86.6 % 18,957,457 86.7 % Loans delinquent 31-60 days 743,738 3.8 818,976 3.9 828,885 3.8 Loans delinquent 61-90 days 479,552 2.4 487,647 2.3 482,379 2.2 Loans delinquent 91-120 days 267,139 1.4 335,291 1.6 320,213 1.5 Loans delinquent 121-270 days 772,875 3.9 854,432 4.1 918,788 4.2 Loans delinquent 271 days or greater 257,213 1.3 306,035 1.5 350,363 1.6 Total loans in repayment 19,627,438 100.0 % 20,928,149 100.0 % 21,858,085 100.0 % Total federally insured loans $ 23,147,407 $ 24,829,984 $ 26,466,390 Private education loans: Loans in-school/grace/deferment $ 32,016 $ 35,146 $ 54,597 Loans in forbearance 1,814 3,448 1,610 Loans in repayment status: Loans current 202,155 96.7 % 228,612 97.2 % 225,585 97.2 % Loans delinquent 31-60 days 2,066 1.0 1,677 0.7 1,361 0.6 Loans delinquent 61-90 days 1,323 0.6 1,110 0.5 929 0.4 Loans delinquent 91 days or greater 3,519 1.7 3,666 1.6 4,088 1.8 Total loans in repayment 209,063 100.0 % 235,065 100.0 % 231,963 100.0 % Total private education loans $ 242,893 $ 273,659 $ 288,170

Bonds and Notes payable (Tables

Bonds and Notes payable (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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, 2017 Carrying amount Interest rate range Final maturity Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in FFELP loan asset-backed securitizations: Bonds and notes based on indices $ 21,063,700 0.22% - 6.90% 8/25/21 - 9/25/65 Bonds and notes based on auction 796,140 1.82% - 2.36% 3/22/32 - 11/26/46 Total FFELP variable-rate bonds and notes 21,859,840 FFELP warehouse facilities 1,058,413 1.08% - 1.29% 9/7/18 - 4/27/20 Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in private education loan asset-backed securitization 93,727 2.97% 12/26/40 Fixed-rate bonds and notes issued in private education loan asset-backed securitization 98,076 3.60% / 5.35% 12/26/40 / 12/28/43 Unsecured line of credit — — 12/12/21 Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities 20,526 4.67% 9/15/61 Other borrowings 60,169 1.96% - 3.38% 7/17/17 - 12/15/45 23,190,751 Discount on bonds and notes payable and debt issuance costs (399,971 ) Total $ 22,790,780 As of December 31, 2016 Carrying amount Interest rate range Final maturity Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in FFELP loan asset-backed securitizations: Bonds and notes based on indices $ 22,130,063 0.24% - 6.90% 6/25/21 - 9/25/65 Bonds and notes based on auction 998,415 1.61% - 2.28% 3/22/32 - 11/26/46 Total FFELP variable-rate bonds and notes 23,128,478 FFELP warehouse facilities 1,677,443 0.63% - 1.09% 9/7/18 - 12/13/19 Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in private education loan asset-backed securitization 112,582 2.60% 12/26/40 Fixed-rate bonds and notes issued in private education loan asset-backed securitization 113,378 3.60% / 5.35% 12/26/40 / 12/28/43 Unsecured line of credit — — 12/12/21 Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities 50,184 4.37% 9/15/61 Other borrowings 18,355 3.38% 3/31/23 / 12/15/45 25,100,420 Discount on bonds and notes payable and debt issuance costs (431,930 ) Total $ 24,668,490
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, 2017 , the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below. NFSLW-I (a) NHELP-II NHELP-III (b) Total Maximum financing amount $ 700,000 500,000 200,000 1,400,000 Amount outstanding 511,846 357,461 189,106 1,058,413 Amount available $ 188,154 142,539 10,894 341,587 Expiration of liquidity provisions July 10, 2018 December 15, 2017 April 27, 2018 Final maturity date September 7, 2018 December 13, 2019 April 27, 2020 Maximum advance rates 92.0 - 98.0% 85.0 - 95.0% 92.2 - 95.0% Minimum advance rates 84.0 - 90.0% 85.0 - 95.0% 92.2 - 95.0% Advanced as equity support $ 13,260 26,440 5,668 45,368 (a) On May 25, 2017, the Company decreased the maximum financing amount for this warehouse facility from $875.0 million to $700.0 million . (b) On April 3, 2017, the Company entered into a letter agreement for this warehouse facility to decrease the maximum financing amount from $750.0 million to $600.0 million . On April 28, 2017, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility, which changed the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to April 27, 2018 and changed the final maturity date to April 27, 2020. On May 5, 2017, May 25, 2017, and June 2, 2017, the Company decreased the maximum financing amount for this warehouse facility by $200.0 million , $100.0 million , and $100.0 million , respectively. As of June 30, 2017, the maximum financing amount for this warehouse facility was $200.0 million , as reflected in this table.

Derivative Financial Instrume26

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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 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, 2017 2016 Maturity Notional amount Notional amount 2018 $ 4,000,000 $ — 2019 2,000,000 — 2024 250,000 — 2026 1,150,000 1,150,000 2027 375,000 — 2028 325,000 325,000 2029 100,000 — 2031 300,000 300,000 $ 8,500,000 $ 1,775,000 The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was one-month LIBOR plus 13.9 basis points and 10.1 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, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Maturity Notional amount Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a) Notional amount Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a) 2017 $ 250,000 1.04 % $ 750,000 0.99 % 2018 1,350,000 1.07 1,350,000 1.07 2019 3,250,000 0.97 3,250,000 0.97 2020 1,500,000 1.01 1,500,000 1.01 2025 100,000 2.32 100,000 2.32 $ 6,450,000 1.02 % $ 6,950,000 1.02 % (a) For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
Interest Rate Swaps - Unsecured Debt Hedges	The Company had the following derivatives outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a designated notional amount with respect to the 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 %
Impact of Remeasurement of Euro Bonds and Foreign Exchange Contracts on the Statement of Income	Foreign Currency Exchange Risk In 2006, the Company issued €352.7 million of student loan asset-backed Euro Notes (the "Euro Notes") with an interest rate based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result of the Euro Notes, the Company is exposed to market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The principal and accrued interest on these notes are re-measured at each reporting period and recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date. Changes in the principal and accrued interest amounts as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. 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 unrealized 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, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Re-measurement of Euro Notes $ (27,261 ) 9,768 (31,951 ) (8,712 ) Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swap 27,639 (12,008 ) 28,574 20,693 Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a) $ 378 (2,240 ) (3,377 ) 11,981 (a) The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income. Management has structured the cross-currency interest rate swap to economically hedge the Euro Notes to effectively convert the Euro Notes to U.S. dollars and pay a spread on these notes based on the LIBOR index. However, the cross-currency interest rate swap does not qualify for hedge accounting. The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in the fair value of the corresponding cross-currency interest rate swap. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains and losses between these financial instruments due to the principal and accrued interest on the Euro Notes being re-measured to U.S. dollars at each reporting date based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date, while the cross-currency interest rate swap is measured at fair value at each reporting date with the change in fair value recognized in the current period earnings.
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	Consolidated Financial Statement Impact Related to Derivatives Effective June 10, 2013, all over-the-counter derivative contracts executed by the Company are cleared post-execution at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”), a regulated clearinghouse. Clearing is a process by which a third-party, the clearinghouse, steps in between the original counterparties and guarantees the performance of both, by requiring that each post liquid collateral on an initial (initial margin) and mark-to-market (variation margin) basis to cover the clearinghouse’s potential future exposure in the event of default. Prior to January 3, 2017, the Company accounted for variation margin payments to the CME as collateral against its derivative position. As such, these payments were treated as a separate unit of account from the derivative instrument and reported as a liability for cash collateral received and an asset (restricted cash) for cash collateral paid. Effective January 3, 2017, the CME amended its rulebooks to legally characterize variation margin payments for over-the-counter derivatives they clear as settlements of the derivatives’ exposure rather than collateral against the exposure. Based on these rulebook changes, for accounting and presentation purposes, the Company considers variation margin and the corresponding derivative instrument a single unit of account. As such, effective January 3, 2017, the variation margin received or paid is no longer accounted for separately as a liability or asset ("collateralized-to-market"). Instead, these payments are considered in determining the fair value of the centrally cleared derivative portfolio ("settled-to-market"). The principal difference for accounting and presentation purposes is that prior to January 3, 2017, the Company recorded the fair value of collateralized-to-market derivative contracts on its balance sheet as "fair value of derivative instruments" with an equal amount of variation margin collateral accounted for separately as an asset or liability. Subsequent to January 3, 2017, the Company records settled-to-market derivative contracts on its balance sheet with a fair value of zero and no collateral posted due to the payment or receipt of variation margin between the Company and the CME settling the outstanding mark-to-market exposure on such derivatives to a balance of zero on a daily basis, and records the underlying daily changes in the market value of such derivative contracts that result in such receipts or payments on its income statement as realized derivative market value adjustments in "Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments and derivative settlements, net." The new clearinghouse requirements did not alter or affect the accounting and presentation of the Company’s derivative instruments executed prior to June 10, 2013 and those derivatives that are not required to be cleared at a clearinghouse (non-centrally cleared derivatives). The Company records these derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Certain non-centrally cleared derivatives are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. For these derivatives, the Company does not offset fair value amounts executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement. In addition, the Company does not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments with respect to the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable). Balance Sheet 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 $ — — — 2,624 Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges 20 81,159 — 256 Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge 1,265 2,977 — — Interest rate caps 334 1,152 — — Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges — — 7,375 7,341 Cross-currency interest rate swap — — 39,031 67,605 Other — 2,243 — — Total $ 1,619 87,531 46,406 77,826 During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company received proceeds of $2.1 million from the termination of derivatives that were included in "other" in the preceding table.
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities 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 Net asset (liability) Balance as of June 30, 2017 $ 1,619 — — 1,619 Balance as of December 31, 2016 87,531 (2,880 ) 475 85,126 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 (received) pledged, net (a) Net asset (liability) Balance as of $ (46,406 ) — (13,252 ) (59,658 ) Balance as of (77,826 ) 2,880 7,292 (67,654 )
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance	Income Statement Impact The following table summarizes the components of "derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments and derivative settlements, net" included in the consolidated statements of income. Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Settlements: 1:3 basis swaps $ (362 ) 743 336 414 Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges 2,114 (4,841 ) 1,994 (10,084 ) Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges (198 ) (231 ) (402 ) (463 ) Cross-currency interest rate swap (1,917 ) (1,166 ) (3,669 ) (1,898 ) Total settlements - (expense) income (363 ) (5,495 ) (1,741 ) (12,031 ) Change in fair value: 1:3 basis swaps (8,841 ) (586 ) (11,416 ) 183 Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges (17,810 ) (27,276 ) (13,485 ) (59,985 ) Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge (828 ) (856 ) (1,712 ) (2,272 ) Interest rate caps (311 ) (453 ) (833 ) (1,215 ) Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges (453 ) (1,464 ) (34 ) (4,014 ) Cross-currency interest rate swap 27,639 (12,008 ) 28,574 20,693 Other 318 (2,332 ) (143 ) (2,039 ) Total change in fair value - (expense) income (286 ) (44,975 ) 951 (48,649 ) Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - (expense) income (27,261 ) 9,768 (31,951 ) (8,712 ) Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments and derivative settlements, net - (expense) income $ (27,910 ) (40,702 ) (32,741 ) (69,392 )

Investments and Notes Receiva27

Investments and Notes Receivable (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Investments [Abstract]
Summary Investment Holdings	A summary of the Company's investments and other receivables follows: As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 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) $ 109,624 5,436 (678 ) 114,382 98,260 6,280 (641 ) 103,899 Equity securities 804 2,050 (62 ) 2,792 720 1,930 (61 ) 2,589 Total available-for-sale investments $ 110,428 7,486 (740 ) 117,174 98,980 8,210 (702 ) 106,488 Trading investments - equity securities — 105 Total available-for-sale and trading investments 117,174 106,593 Other Investments and Other Receivables (not measured at fair value): Venture capital and funds 74,413 69,789 Real estate 46,862 48,379 Notes and loans receivable 41,065 17,031 Tax liens and affordable housing 10,790 12,352 Total investments and other receivables $ 290,304 254,144 (a) As of June 30, 2017 , the aggregate fair value of available-for-sale investments with unrealized losses was $30.4 million , of which $11.0 million had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months. Because the Company currently has the intent and ability to retain these investments for an anticipated recovery in fair value, as of June 30, 2017 , 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, 2017 , the stated maturities of substantially all 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 28

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [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, 2017 (months) As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships (net of accumulated amortization of $10,676 and $8,548, respectively) 164 $ 26,208 28,335 Trade names (net of accumulated amortization of $2,075 and $1,653, respectively) 183 9,497 9,919 Computer software (net of accumulated amortization of $7,844 and $5,675, respectively) 20 7,127 9,296 Covenants not to compete (net of accumulated amortization of $109 and $91, respectively) 83 245 263 Total - amortizable intangible assets 144 $ 43,077 47,813
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 $2.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and $4.7 million and $5.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company will continue to amortize intangible assets over their remaining useful lives. As of June 30, 2017 , the Company estimates it will record amortization expense as follows: 2017 (July 1 - December 31) $ 4,650 2018 8,605 2019 5,147 2020 4,231 2021 3,480 2022 and thereafter 16,964 $ 43,077

Goodwill Goodwil (Tables)

Goodwill Goodwil (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Goodwill [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	The carrying amount of goodwill as of December 31, 2016 and June 30, 2017 by reportable operating segment was as follows: Loan Systems and Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Communications Asset Generation and Management Corporate and Other Activities Total Goodwill balance $ 8,596 67,168 21,112 41,883 8,553 147,312

Property Plant and Equipment 30

Property Plant and Equipment Property Plant and Equipment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	Property and equipment consisted of the following: As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Useful life Non-communications: Computer equipment and software 1-5 years $ 104,946 97,317 Office furniture and equipment 3-7 years 12,514 12,344 Building and building improvements 5-39 years 13,383 13,363 Transportation equipment 4-10 years 3,813 3,809 Leasehold improvements 5-20 years 3,627 3,579 Land — 1,682 1,682 Construction in progress — 29,491 16,346 169,456 148,440 Accumulated depreciation - non-communications 99,718 91,285 Non-communications, net property and equipment 69,738 57,155 Communications: Network plant and fiber 5-15 years 64,337 40,844 Central office 5-15 years 8,115 6,448 Customer located property 5-10 years 8,811 5,138 Transportation equipment 4-10 years 4,620 2,966 Computer equipment and software 1-5 years 3,048 2,026 Other 1-39 years 1,581 1,268 Land — 70 70 Construction in progress — 29,726 12,537 120,308 71,297 Accumulated depreciation - communications 8,948 4,666 Communications, net property and equipment 111,360 66,631 Total property and equipment, net $ 181,098 123,786

Earnings per Common Share (Tabl

Earnings per Common Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	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, 2017 2016 Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Common shareholders Unvested restricted stock shareholders Total Numerator: Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 28,457 280 28,737 25,879 271 26,150 Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted 41,913,990 412,550 42,326,540 42,193,769 441,931 42,635,700 Earnings per share - basic and diluted $ 0.68 0.68 0.68 0.61 0.61 0.61

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	See note 14 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2016 Annual Report for a description of the Company's operating segments. The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements. Three months ended June 30, 2017 Loan Systems and Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Communications Asset Corporate and Other Activities Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 120 3 1 191,367 3,362 (1,776 ) 193,077 Interest expense — — 1,104 113,073 835 (1,776 ) 113,236 Net interest income 120 3 (1,103 ) 78,294 2,527 — 79,841 Less provision for loan losses — — — 2,000 — — 2,000 Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses 120 3 (1,103 ) 76,294 2,527 — 77,841 Other income: Loan systems and servicing revenue 56,899 — — — — — 56,899 Intersegment servicing revenue 9,952 — — — — (9,952 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 34,224 — — — — 34,224 Communications revenue — — 5,719 — — — 5,719 Other income — — — 3,057 9,429 — 12,485 Gain from debt repurchases — — — 442 — — 442 Derivative settlements, net — — — (165 ) (198 ) — (363 ) Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net — — — (27,412 ) (135 ) — (27,547 ) Total other income 66,851 34,224 5,719 (24,078 ) 9,096 (9,952 ) 81,859 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 40,506 16,901 3,411 363 13,447 — 74,628 Depreciation and amortization 546 2,346 2,600 — 3,547 — 9,038 Loan servicing fees — — — 5,620 — — 5,620 Cost to provide communications services — — 2,203 — — — 2,203 Other expenses 8,879 4,853 1,772 1,827 10,195 — 27,528 Intersegment expenses, net 8,324 2,136 496 10,043 (11,046 ) (9,952 ) — Total operating expenses 58,255 26,236 10,482 17,853 16,143 (9,952 ) 119,017 Income (loss) before income taxes 8,716 7,991 (5,866 ) 34,363 (4,520 ) — 40,683 Income tax (expense) benefit (4,918 ) (3,037 ) 2,229 (13,057 ) 2,751 — (16,032 ) Net income (loss) 3,798 4,954 (3,637 ) 21,306 (1,769 ) — 24,651 Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests 4,226 — — — (141 ) — 4,086 Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 8,024 4,954 (3,637 ) 21,306 (1,910 ) — 28,737 Total assets as of June 30, 2017 $ 99,841 230,145 150,809 24,433,881 684,840 (276,429 ) 25,323,087 Three months ended June 30, 2016 Loan Systems and Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Communications Asset Generation and Management Corporate and Other Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 22 3 — 184,966 2,064 (802 ) 186,252 Interest expense — — 205 92,769 1,881 (802 ) 94,052 Net interest income 22 3 (205 ) 92,197 183 — 92,200 Less provision for loan losses — — — 2,000 — — 2,000 Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses 22 3 (205 ) 90,197 183 — 90,200 Other income: Loan systems and servicing revenue 54,402 — — — — — 54,402 Intersegment servicing revenue 11,408 — — — — (11,408 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 30,483 — — — — 30,483 Communications revenue — — 4,478 — — — 4,478 Enrollment services revenue — — — — — — — Other income — — — 3,834 5,931 — 9,765 Gain from debt repurchases — — — — — — — Derivative settlements, net — — — (5,264 ) (231 ) — (5,495 ) Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net — — — (31,411 ) (3,797 ) — (35,207 ) Total other income 65,810 30,483 4,478 (32,841 ) 1,903 (11,408 ) 58,426 Operating expenses: . Salaries and benefits 31,380 15,444 1,377 499 12,222 — 60,923 Depreciation and amortization 445 2,511 1,378 — 3,848 — 8,183 Loan servicing fees — — — 7,216 — — 7,216 Cost to provide communications services — — 1,681 — — — 1,681 Cost to provide enrollment services — — — — — — — Other expenses 11,380 4,815 813 1,481 10,920 — 29,409 Intersegment expenses, net 6,102 1,562 187 11,539 (7,981 ) (11,408 ) — Total operating expenses 49,307 24,332 5,436 20,735 19,009 (11,408 ) 107,412 Income (loss) before income taxes 16,525 6,154 (1,163 ) 36,621 (16,923 ) — 41,214 Income tax (expense) benefit (6,280 ) (2,338 ) 442 (13,916 ) 7,057 — (15,036 ) Net income (loss) 10,245 3,816 (721 ) 22,705 (9,866 ) — 26,178 Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — (28 ) — (28 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 10,245 3,816 (721 ) 22,705 (9,894 ) — 26,150 Total assets as of June 30, 2016 $ 71,403 230,308 78,578 27,856,952 730,122 (251,565 ) 28,715,798 Six months ended June 30, 2017 Loan Systems and Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Communications Asset Corporate and Other Activities Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 214 5 1 373,692 6,123 (3,135 ) 376,901 Interest expense — — 1,816 219,824 1,630 (3,135 ) 220,135 Net interest income 214 5 (1,815 ) 153,868 4,493 — 156,766 Less provision for loan losses — — — 3,000 — — 3,000 Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses 214 5 (1,815 ) 150,868 4,493 — 153,766 Other income: Loan systems and servicing revenue 111,128 — — — — — 111,128 Intersegment servicing revenue 20,275 — — — — (20,275 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 77,844 — — — — 77,844 Communications revenue — — 10,826 — — — 10,826 Other income — — — 6,399 18,719 — 25,118 Gain from debt repurchases — — — 981 4,440 — 5,421 Derivative settlements, net — — — (1,339 ) (402 ) — (1,741 ) Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net — — — (30,823 ) (177 ) — (31,000 ) Total other income 131,403 77,844 10,826 (24,782 ) 22,580 (20,275 ) 197,596 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 78,497 33,553 6,390 763 27,287 — 146,491 Depreciation and amortization 1,095 4,737 4,735 — 7,069 — 17,636 Loan servicing fees — — — 11,645 — — 11,645 Cost to provide communications services — — 4,157 — — — 4,157 Other expenses 18,015 9,847 3,144 2,819 20,249 — 54,075 Intersegment expenses, net 15,722 4,210 1,002 20,455 (21,114 ) (20,275 ) — Total operating expenses 113,329 52,347 19,428 35,682 33,491 (20,275 ) 234,004 Income (loss) before income taxes 18,288 25,502 (10,417 ) 90,404 (6,418 ) — 117,358 Income tax (expense) benefit (9,473 ) (9,690 ) 3,959 (34,354 ) 4,772 — (44,787 ) Net income (loss) 8,815 15,812 (6,458 ) 56,050 (1,646 ) — 72,571 Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests 6,641 — — — (450 ) — 6,192 Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 15,456 15,812 (6,458 ) 56,050 (2,096 ) — 78,763 Total assets as of June 30, 2017 $ 99,841 230,145 150,809 24,433,881 684,840 (276,429 ) 25,323,087 Six months ended June 30, 2016 Loan Systems and Servicing Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Communications Asset Corporate and Other Activities Eliminations Total Total interest income $ 43 5 — 375,689 4,157 (1,625 ) 378,269 Interest expense — — 352 182,647 3,087 (1,625 ) 184,460 Net interest income 43 5 (352 ) 193,042 1,070 — 193,809 Less provision for loan losses — — — 4,500 — — 4,500 Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses 43 5 (352 ) 188,542 1,070 — 189,309 Other income: Loan systems and servicing revenue 106,732 — — — — — 106,732 Intersegment servicing revenue 23,415 — — — — (23,415 ) — Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue — 69,140 — — — — 69,140 Communications revenue — — 8,824 — — — 8,824 Enrollment services revenue — — — — 4,326 — 4,326 Other income — — — 8,097 15,462 — 23,559 Gain from debt repurchases — — — 101 — — 101 Derivative settlements, net — — — (11,568 ) (463 ) — (12,031 ) Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net — — — (51,308 ) (6,053 ) — (57,361 ) Total other income 130,147 69,140 8,824 (54,678 ) 13,272 (23,415 ) 143,290 Operating expenses: Salaries and benefits 64,346 29,880 2,467 1,018 26,454 — 124,165 Depreciation and amortization 883 4,782 2,507 — 7,650 — 15,823 Loan servicing fees — — — 14,144 — — 14,144 Cost to provide communications services — — 3,384 — — — 3,384 Cost to provide enrollment services — — — — 3,623 — 3,623 Other expenses 22,850 8,973 1,566 2,997 21,397 — 57,783 Intersegment expenses, net 12,343 3,074 331 23,646 (15,978 ) (23,415 ) — Total operating expenses 100,422 46,709 10,255 41,805 43,146 (23,415 ) 218,922 Income (loss) before income taxes 29,768 22,436 (1,783 ) 92,059 (28,804 ) — 113,677 Income tax (expense) benefit (11,312 ) (8,526 ) 678 (34,983 ) 14,674 — (39,469 ) Net income (loss) 18,456 13,910 (1,105 ) 57,076 (14,130 ) — 74,208 Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — (97 ) — (97 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. $ 18,456 13,910 (1,105 ) 57,076 (14,227 ) — 74,111 Total assets as of June 30, 2016 $ 71,403 230,308 78,578 27,856,952 730,122 (251,565 ) 28,715,798

Fair Value (Tables)

Fair Value (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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, 2017 . As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Assets: Investments (available-for-sale and trading): Student loan and other asset-backed securities $ — 114,267 114,267 — 103,780 103,780 Equity securities 2,793 — 2,793 2,694 — 2,694 Debt securities 114 — 114 119 — 119 Total investments (available-for-sale and trading) 2,907 114,267 117,174 2,813 103,780 106,593 Derivative instruments — 1,619 1,619 — 87,531 87,531 Total assets $ 2,907 115,886 118,793 2,813 191,311 194,124 Liabilities: Derivative instruments $ — 46,406 46,406 — 77,826 77,826 Total liabilities $ — 46,406 46,406 — 77,826 77,826
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, 2017 Fair value Carrying value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Financial assets: Student loans receivable $ 24,278,179 23,202,294 — — 24,278,179 Cash and cash equivalents 69,239 69,239 69,239 — — Investments (available-for-sale) 117,174 117,174 2,907 114,267 — Notes receivable 16,563 16,563 — 16,563 — Loans receivable 25,502 24,502 — — 25,502 Restricted cash 780,141 780,141 780,141 — — Restricted cash – due to customers 136,900 136,900 136,900 — — Accrued interest receivable 395,734 395,734 — 395,734 — Derivative instruments 1,619 1,619 — 1,619 — Financial liabilities: Bonds and notes payable 22,744,128 22,790,780 — 22,744,128 — Accrued interest payable 47,064 47,064 — 47,064 — Due to customers 136,900 136,900 136,900 — — Derivative instruments 46,406 46,406 — 46,406 — As of December 31, 2016 Fair value Carrying value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Financial assets: Student loans receivable $ 25,653,581 24,903,724 — — 25,653,581 Cash and cash equivalents 69,654 69,654 69,654 — — Investments (available-for-sale and trading) 106,593 106,593 2,813 103,780 — Notes receivable 17,031 17,031 — 17,031 — Restricted cash 980,961 980,961 980,961 — — Restricted cash – due to customers 119,702 119,702 119,702 — — Accrued interest receivable 391,264 391,264 — 391,264 — Derivative instruments 87,531 87,531 — 87,531 — Financial liabilities: Bonds and notes payable 24,220,996 24,668,490 — 24,220,996 — Accrued interest payable 45,677 45,677 — 45,677 — Due to customers 119,702 119,702 119,702 — — Derivative instruments 77,826 77,826 — 77,826 —

Basis of Financial Reporting No

Basis of Financial Reporting Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 30, 2015
Allo Communications [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Percent ownership in VIE		91.50%
Percent of operating decision voting power		80.00%
Potential additional percent earned by VIE management		11.50%
GreatNet, LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent		50.00%
Contribution to non-controlling interest	$ 12,600,000
Line of Credit [Member] | Allo Communications [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Line of credit issued to VIE			$ 200,000,000
VIE line of credit amount outstanding		$ 114,000,000

Student Loans Receivable (Detai

Student Loans Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for loan losses	$ (49,708)	$ (50,526)	$ (51,842)	$ (48,753)	$ (50,084)	$ (50,498)
Student loans receivable	23,202,294		24,903,724
Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for loan losses	(35,862)			(33,224)
Private education loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for loan losses	(13,846)			$ (15,529)
held for investment [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross	23,390,300		25,103,643
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs	(123,326)		(129,507)
Student loans receivable	23,202,294		24,903,724
held for investment [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross	23,147,407		24,829,984
Allowance for loan losses	(35,862)		(37,268)
held for investment [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross	242,893		273,659
Allowance for loan losses	(13,846)		(14,574)
held for investment [Member] | Stafford and Other [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross	4,704,409		5,186,047
held for investment [Member] | Consolidation Loans [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross	18,442,998		19,643,937
Non-accretable discount [Member] | held for investment [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs	$ (14,972)		$ (18,570)

Student Loans Receivable and 36

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 29, 2016
Stafford Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Constant prepayment rate	5.00%		6.00%
Consolidation Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Constant prepayment rate	3.00%		4.00%
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs		$ 8.2

Student Loans Receivable and 37

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses Allowance for Loan Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Allowance for loan losses - balance	$ 50,526	$ 50,084	$ 51,842	$ 50,498
Provision for loan losses	2,000	2,000	3,000	4,500
Charge-offs	(3,113)	(3,731)	(5,776)	(7,181)
Purchase of private education loans	0	100	0	260
Allowance for loan losses - balance	49,708	48,753	49,708	48,753
Federally insured loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Provision for loan losses	2,000	2,000	4,000	4,000
Charge-offs	(2,825)	(3,217)	(5,406)	(6,266)
Allowance for loan losses - balance	35,862	33,224	35,862	33,224
Private education loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Provision for loan losses	0	0	(1,000)	500
Charge-offs	(288)	(514)	(370)	(915)
Recoveries - private education loans	245	250	442	526
Transfer from repurchase obligation related to private education loans repurchased	50	50	200	150
Allowance for loan losses - balance	$ 13,846	$ 15,529	$ 13,846	$ 15,529

Student Loans Receivable and 38

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, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Federally insured loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$ 1,454,802	$ 1,936,064	$ 1,606,468
Loans in forbearance	2,065,167	2,672,241	2,295,367
Student loans receivable, gross	23,147,407	26,466,390	24,829,984
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	$ 17,106,921	$ 18,957,457	$ 18,125,768
Loans current, percentage	87.20%	86.70%	86.60%
Total loans in repayment	$ 19,627,438	$ 21,858,085	$ 20,928,149
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	$ 32,016	$ 54,597	$ 35,146
Loans in forbearance	1,814	1,610	3,448
Student loans receivable, gross	242,893	288,170	273,659
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	$ 202,155	$ 225,585	$ 228,612
Loans current, percentage	96.70%	97.20%	97.20%
Total loans in repayment	$ 209,063	$ 231,963	$ 235,065
Total loans in repayment, percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Financing Receivables, 31 to 60 Days Past Due [Member] [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 743,738	$ 828,885	$ 818,976
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	3.80%	3.80%	3.90%
Financing Receivables, 31 to 60 Days Past Due [Member] [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 2,066	$ 1,361	$ 1,677
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	1.00%	0.60%	0.70%
Financing Receivables, 61 to 90 Days Past Due [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 479,552	$ 482,379	$ 487,647
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	2.40%	2.20%	2.30%
Financing Receivables, 61 to 90 Days Past Due [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 1,323	$ 929	$ 1,110
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	0.60%	0.40%	0.50%
Financing receivables, 91-120 days past due [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 267,139	$ 320,213	$ 335,291
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	1.40%	1.50%	1.60%
Financing receivables, 121-270 days past due [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 772,875	$ 918,788	$ 854,432
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	3.90%	4.20%	4.10%
Financing receivables, 271 days or greater past due [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 257,213	$ 350,363	$ 306,035
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	1.30%	1.60%	1.50%
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	$ 3,519	$ 4,088	$ 3,666
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	1.70%	1.80%	1.60%

Outstanding Debt Obligations (D

Outstanding Debt Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 22,790,780	$ 24,668,490
Discount on bonds and notes payable and debt issuance costs	(399,971)	(431,930)
Variable-rate bonds and notes [Member] | Private education [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable		112,582
Warehouse facilities [Member] | FFELP Warehouse Total [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 1,058,413	$ 1,677,443
Warehouse facilities [Member] | FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.08%	0.63%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Sep. 7, 2018	Sep. 7, 2018
Warehouse facilities [Member] | FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.29%	1.09%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Apr. 27, 2020	Dec. 13, 2019
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 0	$ 0
Line of Credit [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.00%	0.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 21, 2021	Dec. 12, 2021
Line of Credit [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.00%	0.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 12, 2021	Dec. 12, 2021
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 20,500	$ 50,184
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.671%	4.373%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Sep. 15, 2061	Sep. 15, 2061
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.671%	4.373%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Sep. 15, 2061	Sep. 15, 2061
Other borrowings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 60,200	$ 18,355
Other borrowings [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.38%	3.38%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Jul. 28, 2017	Mar. 31, 2023
Other borrowings [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.38%	3.38%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 15, 2045	Dec. 15, 2045
Bonds and notes payable, gross [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 23,190,751	$ 25,100,420
Federally insured [Member] | Variable-rate bonds and notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	21,859,840	23,128,478
Federally insured [Member] | Bonds and notes based on indices [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 21,063,700	$ 22,130,063
Federally insured [Member] | Bonds and notes based on indices [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.22%	0.24%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Aug. 25, 2021	Jun. 25, 2021
Federally insured [Member] | Bonds and notes based on indices [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.90%	6.90%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Sep. 25, 2065	Sep. 25, 2065
Federally insured [Member] | Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 796,140	$ 998,415
Federally insured [Member] | Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.82%	1.61%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Mar. 22, 2032	Mar. 22, 2032
Federally insured [Member] | Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.36%	2.28%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Nov. 26, 2046	Nov. 26, 2046
Private education [Member] | Variable-rate bonds and notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 93,727
Private education [Member] | Variable-rate bonds and notes [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.97%	2.60%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 26, 2040	Dec. 26, 2040
Private education [Member] | Variable-rate bonds and notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.97%	2.60%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 26, 2040	Dec. 26, 2040
Private education [Member] | fixed rate bonds and notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 98,076	$ 113,378
Private education [Member] | fixed rate bonds and notes [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.60%	3.60%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 26, 2040	Dec. 26, 2040
Private education [Member] | fixed rate bonds and notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.35%	5.35%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 28, 2043	Dec. 28, 2043

Bonds and Notes Payable Outstan

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

May 24, 2017

Mar. 31, 2017

Jun. 30, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Jun. 02, 2017

May 25, 2017

[1]

May 05, 2017

[1]

Apr. 03, 2017

Apr. 02, 2017

Unsecured Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Maximum financing amount

$ 350,000,000

Amount available

350,000,000

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

Dec. 12, 2021

FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Maximum financing amount

1,400,000,000

Amount outstanding

1,058,413,000

Amount available

341,587,000

Advanced as equity support

45,368,000

FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-III Warehouse [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Maximum financing amount

[1]

200,000,000

$ 600,000,000

$ 750,000,000

Amount outstanding

[1]

189,106,000

Amount available

[1]

$ 10,894,000

Expiration of liquidity provisions

[1]

Apr. 27, 2018

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

[1]

Apr. 27, 2020

Advanced as equity support

[1]

$ 5,668,000

Decrease to maximum borrowing capacity

$ 100,000,000

$ 100,000,000

$ 200,000,000

FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NFSLW-I Warehouse [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Maximum financing amount

$ 875,000,000

700,000,000

Amount outstanding

511,846,000

Amount available

$ 188,154,000

Expiration of liquidity provisions

Jul. 10, 2018

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

Sep. 7, 2018

Advanced as equity support

$ 13,260,000

FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-II Warehouse [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Maximum financing amount

500,000,000

Amount outstanding

357,461,000

Amount available

$ 142,539,000

Expiration of liquidity provisions

Dec. 15, 2017

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

Dec. 13, 2019

Advanced as equity support

$ 26,440,000

FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

Sep. 7, 2018

Sep. 7, 2018

FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-III Warehouse [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Minimum advance rates

[1]

92.15%

Maximum advance rates

[1]

92.15%

FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NFSLW-I Warehouse [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Minimum advance rates

84.00%

Maximum advance rates

92.00%

FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-II Warehouse [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Minimum advance rates

85.00%

Maximum advance rates

85.00%

FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

Apr. 27, 2020

Dec. 13, 2019

FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-III Warehouse [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Minimum advance rates

[1]

95.00%

Maximum advance rates

[1]

95.00%

FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NFSLW-I Warehouse [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Minimum advance rates

90.00%

Maximum advance rates

98.00%

FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-II Warehouse [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Minimum advance rates

95.00%

Maximum advance rates

95.00%

Secured Debt | Asset Backed Securitization [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Asset backed securitization

$ 535,000,000

Secured Debt | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Asset Backed Securitization [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Variable interest rate on asset backed security

0.78%

[1]

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Bonds and Notes Payable Gain on

Bonds and Notes Payable Gain on debt repurchases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Debt included in other borrowings subject to repurchase agreement			$ 41,800
Gain (Loss) on Repurchase of Debt Instrument			5,421	$ 101
Debt outstanding after extinguishment	$ 22,790,780		22,790,780		$ 24,668,490
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		$ 29,700
Debt Instrument, Repurchase price		25,300
Gain (Loss) on Repurchase of Debt Instrument		$ 4,400
Debt outstanding after extinguishment	20,500		20,500		$ 50,184
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Repurchase of Debt Instrument	$ 400		$ 1,000

Derivative Financial Instrume42

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding (Details) - USD ($)		Aug. 20, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative [Line Items]
Payments to enter into derivative instruments					$ 929,000	$ 0
Bonds and notes payable					$ 22,790,780,000			$ 24,668,490,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Paid on Swap				one-month LIBOR	one-month LIBOR
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					0.139%			0.101%
Derivative, Notional Amount					$ 8,500,000,000			$ 1,775,000,000
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]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					$ 6,450,000,000			$ 6,950,000,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]				1.02%			1.02%
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] | Maturity 2017 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					$ 250,000,000			$ 750,000,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]				1.04%			0.99%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Maturity 2018 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					$ 1,350,000,000			$ 1,350,000,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]				1.07%			1.07%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Maturity 2019 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					$ 3,250,000,000			$ 3,250,000,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]				0.97%			0.97%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Maturity 2020 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					$ 1,500,000,000			$ 1,500,000,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]				1.01%			1.01%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Maturity 2025 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					$ 100,000,000			$ 100,000,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]				2.32%			2.32%
Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Payments to enter into derivative instruments			$ 2,900,000
Derivative, Notional Amount			275,000,000				$ 275,000,000
Proceeds (payments) to terminate and or amend derivative instruments				$ 913,000
Swaption [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Payments to enter into derivative instruments		$ 9,100,000
Derivative, Notional Amount					$ 250,000,000
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Received on Swap					1-month LIBOR			1-month LIBOR
Derivative, Swaption Interest Rate					3.30%
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable					$ 20,500,000			$ 50,184,000
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | unsecured debt hedges [Member] | Maturity 2036 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted average basis spread on variable rate paid on swap					3.375%
Derivative, Notional Amount					$ 25,000,000			$ 25,000,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate					4.28%			4.28%
Bonds and notes payable					$ 20,500,000			$ 50,200,000
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Received on Swap					3-month LIBOR			3-month LIBOR
Fixed interest rate on derivatives and debt, net					7.66%			7.66%
Unsecured Debt Scheduled Interest Rate Change Date					Sep. 29, 2036
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis					three-month LIBOR
Private Loan Warehouse Total [Member] | Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable			275,000,000				275,000,000
2015 Interest Rate Cap 1 [Member] | Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount			$ 125,000,000				$ 125,000,000
Derivative, Description of Terms			one-month LIBOR
Derivative, Cap Interest Rate			2.50%				2.50%
2015 Interest Rate Cap 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount			$ 150,000,000				$ 150,000,000
Derivative, Description of Terms							one-month LIBOR
Derivative, Cap Interest Rate			4.99%				4.99%
2017 Interest Rate Cap [Member] | Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Payments to enter into derivative instruments				$ 929,000
Maturity 2018 | 1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					$ 4,000,000,000
Maturity 2019 | 1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					2,000,000,000
Maturity 2024 | 1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					250,000,000
Maturity 2026 | 1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					1,150,000,000			$ 1,150,000,000
Maturity 2027 | 1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					375,000,000
Maturity 2028 | 1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					325,000,000			325,000,000
Maturity 2029 | 1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					100,000,000
Maturity 2031 | 1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					$ 300,000,000			$ 300,000,000
[1]	For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

Derivative Financial Instrume43

Derivative Financial Instruments Cross-currency Interest Rate Swaps (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2006EUR (€)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable		$ 22,790,780		$ 22,790,780			$ 24,668,490
Change in fair value of cross currency interest rate swaps				951	$ (48,649)
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		(27,261)	$ 9,768	(31,951)	(8,712)
Change in fair value of cross currency interest rate swaps		27,639	(12,008)	28,574	20,693
Total impact to statements of income - income (expense)	[1]	$ 378	$ (2,240)	$ (3,377)	$ 11,981
[1]	The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

Derivative Financial Instrume44

Derivative Financial Instruments Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedging instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	$ 1,619	$ 1,619		$ 87,531
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	46,406	46,406		77,826
Proceeds from Derivative Instrument, Investing Activities		(3,013)	$ (3,523)
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedging instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	1,619	1,619		87,531
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | 1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedging instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	0	0		0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedging instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	20	20		81,159
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Swaption [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedging instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	1,265	1,265		2,977
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedging instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	0	0		0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedging instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	334	334		1,152
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Cross-currency interest rate swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedging instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	0	0		0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Other Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedging instruments, Asset, at Fair Value	0	0		2,243
Proceeds from Derivative Instrument, Investing Activities	2,100
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	46,406	46,406		77,826
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | 1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	0	0		2,624
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	0	0		256
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Swaption [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	0	0		0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	7,375	7,375		7,341
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	0	0		0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Cross-currency interest rate swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	39,031	39,031		67,605
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Other Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	$ 0	$ 0		$ 0

Derivative Financial Instrume45

Derivative Financial Instruments Gross/Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets Not Designated As Hedging Instruments, Net	$ 1,619	$ 85,126
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset, net	(59,658)	67,654
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	1,619	87,531
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability and Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	0	(2,880)
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash	0
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash		475
Cross Currency Interest Rate Swap
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash	21,400
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash	(13,252)
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash		7,292
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement	(46,406)	(77,826)
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset and Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	$ 0	$ 2,880

Derivative Financial Instrume46

Derivative Financial Instruments Income Statement Effect of Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	$ (363)	$ (5,495)	$ (1,741)	$ (12,031)
Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	(363)	(5,495)	(1,741)	(12,031)
Change in fair value	(286)	(44,975)	951	(48,649)
Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - income (expense)	(27,261)	9,768	(31,951)	(8,712)
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements - income (expense)	(27,910)	(40,702)	(32,741)	(69,392)
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	(362)	743	336	414
Change in fair value	(8,841)	(586)	(11,416)	183
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	2,114	(4,841)	1,994	(10,084)
Change in fair value	(17,810)	(27,276)	(13,485)	(59,985)
Interest rate swap option - floor income hedges [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value	(828)	(856)	(1,712)	(2,272)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	(198)	(231)	(402)	(463)
Change in fair value	(453)	(1,464)	(34)	(4,014)
Interest Rate Cap [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value	(311)	(453)	(833)	(1,215)
Cross-currency interest rate swap [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	(1,917)	(1,166)	(3,669)	(1,898)
Change in fair value	27,639	(12,008)	28,574	20,693
Other Contract [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value	$ 318	$ (2,332)	$ (143)	$ (2,039)

Investments and Notes Receiva47

Investments and Notes Receivable Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments And Other Receivables		$ 290,304		$ 254,144
Investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		117,174		106,593
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost		110,428		98,980
Gross Unrealized Gain		7,486		8,210
Gross Unrealized Loss		(740)	[1]	(702)
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		117,174		106,488
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member] | aggregate fair value of available-for-sale investments with unrealized losses [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		30,400
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member] | aggregate fair value of available-for-sale investments with unrealized losses in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		11,000
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member] | Student Loan Asset-Backed and Other Debt Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	[2]	109,624		98,260
Gross Unrealized Gain	[2]	5,436		6,280
Gross Unrealized Loss	[2]	(678)	[1]	(641)
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	[2]	114,382		103,899
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost		804		720
Gross Unrealized Gain		2,050		1,930
Gross Unrealized Loss		(62)	[1]	(61)
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		2,792		2,589
Investments [Member] | Trading investments [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		0		105
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value) [Member] | Venture Capital and Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other Investments		74,413		69,789
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value) [Member] | Real Estate Investment [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other Investments		46,862		48,379
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value) [Member] | Notes Receivable [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other Investments		41,065		17,031
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value) [Member] | Tax liens and affordable housing investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other Investments		$ 10,790		$ 12,352
[1]	As of June 30, 2017, the aggregate fair value of available-for-sale investments with unrealized losses was $30.4 million, of which $11.0 million had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months. Because the Company currently has the intent and ability to retain these investments for an anticipated recovery in fair value, as of June 30, 2017, 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, 2017, the stated maturities of substantially all 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 48

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 2,400	$ 2,700	$ 4,700	$ 5,200
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)			144 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	43,077		$ 43,077		$ 47,813
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	10,676		$ 10,676		8,548
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)			164 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	26,208		$ 26,208		28,335
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	2,075		$ 2,075		1,653
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)			183 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	9,497		$ 9,497		9,919
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	7,844		$ 7,844		5,675
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)			20 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	7,127		$ 7,127		9,296
Covenants not to compete [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	109		$ 109		91
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)			83 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 245		$ 245		$ 263

Intangible Assets Amortization

Intangible Assets Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 2,400	$ 2,700	$ 4,700	$ 5,200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year	4,650		4,650
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	8,605		8,605
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	5,147		5,147
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	4,231		4,231
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	3,480		3,480
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five	16,964		16,964
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 43,077		$ 43,077		$ 47,813

Goodwill Goodwill (Details)

Goodwill Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 147,312	$ 147,312
Loan Systems and Servicing [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	8,596	8,596
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	67,168	67,168
Communications [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	21,112	21,112
Asset Generation and Management [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	41,883	41,883
Corporate and Other Activities [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 8,553	$ 8,553

Property Plant and Equipment 51

Property Plant and Equipment Property Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation	$ 6,700	$ 5,400	$ 12,900	$ 10,600
Property and equipment, net	181,098		181,098		$ 123,786
non-communications [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	169,456		169,456		148,440
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	99,718		99,718		91,285
Property and equipment, net	69,738		69,738		57,155
non-communications [Member] | Computer Equipment and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	104,946		$ 104,946		97,317
non-communications [Member] | Computer Equipment and Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			1 year
non-communications [Member] | Computer Equipment and Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
non-communications [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	12,514		$ 12,514		12,344
non-communications [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			3 years
non-communications [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			7 years
non-communications [Member] | Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	13,383		$ 13,383		13,363
non-communications [Member] | Building [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
non-communications [Member] | Building [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			39 years
non-communications [Member] | Transportation Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	3,813		$ 3,813		3,809
non-communications [Member] | Transportation Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			4 years
non-communications [Member] | Transportation Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			10 years
non-communications [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	3,627		$ 3,627		3,579
non-communications [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
non-communications [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			20 years
non-communications [Member] | Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,682		$ 1,682		1,682
non-communications [Member] | Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	29,491		29,491		16,346
Communications [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	120,308		120,308		71,297
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	8,948		8,948		4,666
Property and equipment, net	111,360		111,360		66,631
Communications [Member] | Computer Equipment and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	3,048		$ 3,048		2,026
Communications [Member] | Computer Equipment and Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			1 year
Communications [Member] | Computer Equipment and Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
Communications [Member] | Transportation Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	4,620		$ 4,620		2,966
Communications [Member] | Transportation Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			4 years
Communications [Member] | Transportation Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			10 years
Communications [Member] | Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	70		$ 70		70
Communications [Member] | Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	29,726		29,726		12,537
Communications [Member] | network plant and fiber [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	64,337		$ 64,337		40,844
Communications [Member] | network plant and fiber [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
Communications [Member] | network plant and fiber [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			15 years
Communications [Member] | central office [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	8,115		$ 8,115		6,448
Communications [Member] | central office [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
Communications [Member] | central office [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			15 years
Communications [Member] | Customer located property [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	8,811		$ 8,811		5,138
Communications [Member] | Customer located property [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
Communications [Member] | Customer located property [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			10 years
Communications [Member] | Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 1,581		$ 1,581		$ 1,268
Communications [Member] | Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			1 year
Communications [Member] | Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			39 years

Earnings per Common Share (Deta

Earnings per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
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.	$ 28,737	$ 26,150	$ 78,763	$ 74,111
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)	42,326,540	42,635,700	42,309,295	42,861,896
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$ 0.68	$ 0.61	$ 1.86	$ 1.73
Common shareholders [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 28,457	$ 25,879	$ 77,969	$ 73,334
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)	41,913,990	42,193,769	41,882,702	42,412,287
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$ 0.68	$ 0.61	$ 1.86	$ 1.73
Unvested restricted stock shareholders [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 280	$ 271	$ 794	$ 777
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)	412,550	441,931	426,593	449,609
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$ 0.68	$ 0.61	$ 1.86	$ 1.73

Segment Reporting (Details)

Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	$ 193,077	$ 186,252	$ 376,901	$ 378,269
Interest expense	113,236	94,052	220,135	184,460
Net interest income	79,841	92,200	156,766	193,809
Less provision for loan losses	(2,000)	(2,000)	(3,000)	(4,500)
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	77,841	90,200	153,766	189,309
Other income:
Loan systems and servicing revenue	56,899	54,402	111,128	106,732
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0	0	0
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	34,224	30,483	77,844	69,140
Communications revenue	5,719	4,478	10,826	8,824
Enrollment services revenue	0	0	0	4,326
Gain from debt repurchases	442	0	5,421	101
Derivative settlements, net	(363)	(5,495)	(1,741)	(12,031)
Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net	(27,547)	(35,207)	(31,000)	(57,361)
Other income	12,485	9,765	25,118	23,559
Total other income	81,859	58,426	197,596	143,290
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	74,628	60,923	146,491	124,165
Depreciation and amortization	9,038	8,183	17,636	15,823
Loan servicing fees	5,620	7,216	11,645	14,144
Cost to provide communications services	2,203	1,681	4,157	3,384
Cost to provide enrollment services		0		3,623
Other expenses	27,528	29,409	54,075	57,783
Intersegment expenses, net	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	119,017	107,412	234,004	218,922
Income (loss) before income taxes	40,683	41,214	117,358	113,677
Income tax (expense) benefit	(16,032)	(15,036)	(44,787)	(39,469)
Net income (loss)	24,651	26,178	72,571	74,208
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,086	(28)	6,192	(97)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	28,737	26,150	78,763	74,111
Total assets	25,323,087	28,715,798	25,323,087	28,715,798	$ 27,180,108
Loan Systems and Servicing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	120	22	214	43
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Net interest income	120	22	214	43
Less provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	120	22	214	43
Other income:
Loan systems and servicing revenue	56,899	54,402	111,128	106,732
Intersegment servicing revenue	9,952	11,408	20,275	23,415
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0	0	0	0
Communications revenue	0	0	0	0
Enrollment services revenue		0		0
Gain from debt repurchases	0	0	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Total other income	66,851	65,810	131,403	130,147
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	40,506	31,380	78,497	64,346
Depreciation and amortization	546	445	1,095	883
Loan servicing fees	0	0	0	0
Cost to provide communications services	0	0	0	0
Cost to provide enrollment services		0		0
Other expenses	8,879	11,380	18,015	22,850
Intersegment expenses, net	8,324	6,102	15,722	12,343
Total operating expenses	58,255	49,307	113,329	100,422
Income (loss) before income taxes	8,716	16,525	18,288	29,768
Income tax (expense) benefit	(4,918)	(6,280)	(9,473)	(11,312)
Net income (loss)	3,798	10,245	8,815	18,456
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,226	0	6,641	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	8,024	10,245	15,456	18,456
Total assets	99,841	71,403	99,841	71,403
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	3	3	5	5
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Net interest income	3	3	5	5
Less provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	3	3	5	5
Other income:
Loan systems and servicing revenue	0	0	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0	0	0
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	34,224	30,483	77,844	69,140
Communications revenue	0	0	0	0
Enrollment services revenue		0		0
Gain from debt repurchases	0	0	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Total other income	34,224	30,483	77,844	69,140
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	16,901	15,444	33,553	29,880
Depreciation and amortization	2,346	2,511	4,737	4,782
Loan servicing fees	0	0	0	0
Cost to provide communications services	0	0	0	0
Cost to provide enrollment services		0		0
Other expenses	4,853	4,815	9,847	8,973
Intersegment expenses, net	2,136	1,562	4,210	3,074
Total operating expenses	26,236	24,332	52,347	46,709
Income (loss) before income taxes	7,991	6,154	25,502	22,436
Income tax (expense) benefit	(3,037)	(2,338)	(9,690)	(8,526)
Net income (loss)	4,954	3,816	15,812	13,910
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	4,954	3,816	15,812	13,910
Total assets	230,145	230,308	230,145	230,308
Communications [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	1	0	1	0
Interest expense	1,104	205	1,816	352
Net interest income	(1,103)	(205)	(1,815)	(352)
Less provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	(1,103)	(205)	(1,815)	(352)
Other income:
Loan systems and 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
Communications revenue	5,719	4,478	10,826	8,824
Enrollment services revenue		0		0
Gain from debt repurchases	0	0	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Total other income	5,719	4,478	10,826	8,824
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	3,411	1,377	6,390	2,467
Depreciation and amortization	2,600	1,378	4,735	2,507
Loan servicing fees	0	0	0	0
Cost to provide communications services	2,203	1,681	4,157	3,384
Cost to provide enrollment services		0		0
Other expenses	1,772	813	3,144	1,566
Intersegment expenses, net	496	187	1,002	331
Total operating expenses	10,482	5,436	19,428	10,255
Income (loss) before income taxes	(5,866)	(1,163)	(10,417)	(1,783)
Income tax (expense) benefit	2,229	442	3,959	678
Net income (loss)	(3,637)	(721)	(6,458)	(1,105)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	(3,637)	(721)	(6,458)	(1,105)
Total assets	150,809	78,578	150,809	78,578
Asset Generation and Management [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	191,367	184,966	373,692	375,689
Interest expense	113,073	92,769	219,824	182,647
Net interest income	78,294	92,197	153,868	193,042
Less provision for loan losses	(2,000)	(2,000)	(3,000)	(4,500)
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	76,294	90,197	150,868	188,542
Other income:
Loan systems and 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
Communications revenue	0	0	0	0
Enrollment services revenue		0		0
Gain from debt repurchases	442	0	981	101
Derivative settlements, net	(165)	(5,264)	(1,339)	(11,568)
Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net	(27,412)	(31,411)	(30,823)	(51,308)
Other income	3,057	3,834	6,399	8,097
Total other income	(24,078)	(32,841)	(24,782)	(54,678)
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	363	499	763	1,018
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Loan servicing fees	5,620	7,216	11,645	14,144
Cost to provide communications services	0	0	0	0
Cost to provide enrollment services		0		0
Other expenses	1,827	1,481	2,819	2,997
Intersegment expenses, net	10,043	11,539	20,455	23,646
Total operating expenses	17,853	20,735	35,682	41,805
Income (loss) before income taxes	34,363	36,621	90,404	92,059
Income tax (expense) benefit	(13,057)	(13,916)	(34,354)	(34,983)
Net income (loss)	21,306	22,705	56,050	57,076
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	21,306	22,705	56,050	57,076
Total assets	24,433,881	27,856,952	24,433,881	27,856,952
Corporate and Other Activities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	3,362	2,064	6,123	4,157
Interest expense	835	1,881	1,630	3,087
Net interest income	2,527	183	4,493	1,070
Less provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	2,527	183	4,493	1,070
Other income:
Loan systems and 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
Communications revenue	0	0	0	0
Enrollment services revenue		0		4,326
Gain from debt repurchases	0	0	4,440	0
Derivative settlements, net	(198)	(231)	(402)	(463)
Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net	(135)	(3,797)	(177)	(6,053)
Other income	9,429	5,931	18,719	15,462
Total other income	9,096	1,903	22,580	13,272
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	13,447	12,222	27,287	26,454
Depreciation and amortization	3,547	3,848	7,069	7,650
Loan servicing fees	0	0	0	0
Cost to provide communications services	0	0	0	0
Cost to provide enrollment services		0		3,623
Other expenses	10,195	10,920	20,249	21,397
Intersegment expenses, net	(11,046)	(7,981)	(21,114)	(15,978)
Total operating expenses	16,143	19,009	33,491	43,146
Income (loss) before income taxes	(4,520)	(16,923)	(6,418)	(28,804)
Income tax (expense) benefit	2,751	7,057	4,772	14,674
Net income (loss)	(1,769)	(9,866)	(1,646)	(14,130)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to noncontrolling interests	(141)	(28)	(450)	(97)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	(1,910)	(9,894)	(2,096)	(14,227)
Total assets	684,840	730,122	684,840	730,122
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	(1,776)	(802)	(3,135)	(1,625)
Interest expense	(1,776)	(802)	(3,135)	(1,625)
Net interest income	0	0	0	0
Less provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0
Other income:
Loan systems and servicing revenue	0	0	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	(9,952)	(11,408)	(20,275)	(23,415)
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0	0	0	0
Communications revenue	0	0	0	0
Enrollment services revenue		0		0
Gain from debt repurchases	0	0	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Total other income	(9,952)	(11,408)	(20,275)	(23,415)
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Loan servicing fees	0	0	0	0
Cost to provide communications services	0	0	0	0
Cost to provide enrollment services		0		0
Other expenses	0	0	0	0
Intersegment expenses, net	(9,952)	(11,408)	(20,275)	(23,415)
Total operating expenses	(9,952)	(11,408)	(20,275)	(23,415)
Income (loss) before income taxes	0	0	0	0
Income tax (expense) benefit	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	0	0	0	0
Total assets	$ (276,429)	$ (251,565)	$ (276,429)	$ (251,565)

Major Customer (Details)

Major Customer (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
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 systems and servicing revenue	$ 39.8	$ 37.1	$ 78.8	$ 72.3
GreatNet [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	50.00%		50.00%

Related Parties (Details)

Related Parties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jul. 07, 2017
Union Bank and Trust Company | Consumer Loan
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Loans purchased from related party	$ 4.9
Subsequent Event [Member] | Agile Sports Technologies, Inc. | Preferred Stock Investment In Hudl
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Additional investment in Hudl		$ 10.4

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, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 117,174	$ 106,593
Fair value of derivative instruments	1,619	87,531
Total assets	118,793	194,124
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative instruments	46,406	77,826
Total liabilities	46,406	77,826
Student loan asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	114,267	103,780
Equity securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	2,793	2,694
Debt securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	114	119
Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	2,907	2,813
Fair value of derivative instruments	0	0
Total assets	2,907	2,813
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	2,793	2,694
Level 1 [Member] | Debt securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	114	119
Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	114,267	103,780
Fair value of derivative instruments	1,619	87,531
Total assets	115,886	191,311
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative instruments	46,406	77,826
Total liabilities	46,406	77,826
Level 2 [Member] | Student loan asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	114,267	103,780
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 ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	$ 23,202,294	$ 24,903,724
Cash and cash equivalents	69,239	69,654	$ 59,253	$ 63,529
Restricted cash	780,141	980,961
Restricted cash - due to customers	136,900	119,702
Accrued interest receivable	395,734	391,264
Derivative instruments	1,619	87,531
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	22,790,780	24,668,490
Accrued interest payable	47,064	45,677
Due to customers	136,900	119,702
Fair value of derivative instruments	46,406	77,826
Fair value [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	24,278,179	25,653,581
Cash and cash equivalents	69,239	69,654
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	117,174	106,593
Notes Receivable	16,563	17,031
Loans receivable	25,502
Restricted cash		980,961
Restricted cash - due to customers	136,900	119,702
Accrued interest receivable	395,734	391,264
Derivative instruments	1,619	87,531
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	22,744,128	24,220,996
Accrued interest payable	47,064	45,677
Due to customers	136,900	119,702
Fair value of derivative instruments	46,406	77,826
Fair value [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	69,239	69,654
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	2,907	2,813
Notes Receivable	0	0
Loans receivable	0
Restricted cash	780,141	980,961
Restricted cash - due to customers	136,900	119,702
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	136,900	119,702
Fair value of 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)	114,267	103,780
Notes Receivable	16,563	17,031
Loans receivable	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Restricted cash - due to customers	0	0
Accrued interest receivable	395,734	391,264
Derivative instruments	1,619	87,531
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	22,744,128	24,220,996
Accrued interest payable	47,064	45,677
Due to customers	0	0
Fair value of derivative instruments	46,406	77,826
Fair value [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	24,278,179	25,653,581
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	0	0
Notes Receivable	0	0
Loans receivable	25,502
Restricted cash	0	0
Restricted cash - due to customers	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
Fair value of derivative instruments	0	0
Carrying value [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	23,202,294	24,903,724
Cash and cash equivalents	69,239	69,654
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	117,174	106,593
Notes Receivable	16,563	17,031
Loans receivable	24,502
Restricted cash	780,141	980,961
Restricted cash - due to customers	136,900	119,702
Accrued interest receivable	395,734	391,264
Derivative instruments	1,619	87,531
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	22,790,780	24,668,490
Accrued interest payable	47,064	45,677
Due to customers	136,900	119,702
Fair value of derivative instruments	$ 46,406	$ 77,826