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Allowance for Loan Losses - Modified Loan Accounts for TDR (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2015
Receivables [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Modified Loans | $ 116,419 | $ 49,975 | $ 270,266 | $ 189,066
Charge-offs | 5,925 | 3,456 | 16,357 | 5,845
Payment-Default | $ 23,326 | $ 16,719 | $ 70,401 | $ 29,895

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- Definition Charge Offs In TDR Portfolio + References No definition available. + Details
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Balance Type: | credit
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- Definition Modified Loans + References No definition available. + Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
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- Definition Troubled Debt Restructurings Payment Default + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | slm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
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Period Type: | duration