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Allowance for Loan Losses - Accrued Interest Receivable (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
--- | --- | ---
Receivables [Abstract] |  |
Accrued Interest Receivable On Private Education Loans | $ 542,919 | $ 445,710
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due | 791 | 443
Allowance For Uncollectible Accrued Interest | $ 3,332 | $ 3,517

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- Definition Accrued interest receivable on private education loans. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | slm_AccruedInterestReceivableOnPrivateEducationLoans
Namespace Prefix: | slm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Allowance For Uncollectible Accrued Interest + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | slm_AllowanceForUncollectibleAccruedInterest
Namespace Prefix: | slm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Greater than ninety days past due accrued interest receivable. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | slm_GreaterThanNinetyDaysPastDueAccruedInterestReceivable
Namespace Prefix: | slm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ReceivablesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration