<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-16-068656.txt : 20161130
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-16-068656.hdr.sgml : 20161130
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20161130160625
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-16-068656
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20161128
FILED AS OF DATE:		20161130
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20161130

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SLM CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001032033
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS [6141]
		IRS NUMBER:				522013874
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 CONTINENTAL DRIVE
		CITY:			NEWARK
		STATE:			DE
		ZIP:			19713
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(302) 283-8000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 CONTINENTAL DRIVE
		CITY:			NEWARK
		STATE:			DE
		ZIP:			19713

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SALLIE MAE
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20020517

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	USA EDUCATION INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20000801

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SLM HOLDING CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970203

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HUNT RONALD F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001065135

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13251
		FILM NUMBER:		162025377

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 CONTINENTAL DRIVE
		CITY:			NEWARK
		STATE:			DE
		ZIP:			19713
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2016-11-28</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001032033</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SLM CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SLM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001065135</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HUNT RONALD F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 CONTINENTAL DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEWARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>DE</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19713</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>6.97% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series A</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-11-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>600</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>49.999</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6925</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The amount in this column reflects the Reporting Person's earlier acquisition of shares of this class of security.  The Reporting Person has not had any disposition of shares of this class of security.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Nicolas Jafarieh (POA) for Ronald F. Hunt</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2016-11-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
