<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001437749-12-006450.txt : 20120627
<SEC-HEADER>0001437749-12-006450.hdr.sgml : 20120627
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120627171331
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001437749-12-006450
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120625
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120627
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120627

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ABEL JAMES P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001269787

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31924
		FILM NUMBER:		12930310

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 8268
		CITY:			LINCOLN
		STATE:			NE
		ZIP:			68501

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NELNET INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001258602
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS [6141]
		IRS NUMBER:				840748903
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		121 SOUTH 13TH ST
		STREET 2:		STE 201
		CITY:			LINCOLN
		STATE:			NE
		ZIP:			68508
		BUSINESS PHONE:		402-458-2370

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		121 SOUTH 13TH ST
		STREET 2:		STE 201
		CITY:			LINCOLN
		STATE:			NE
		ZIP:			68508
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rdgdoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0305</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-06-25</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001258602</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NELNET INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NNI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001269787</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ABEL JAMES P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>121 SOUTH 13TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 201</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LINCOLN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NE</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>68508</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-06-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4274</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4274</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>34446</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">1 - for - 1</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The shares of phantom stock were granted pursuant to the issuer's Directors Stock Compensation Plan. They will become payable in shares of Class A Common Stock at the time of termination of the reporting person's service as a member of the issuer's Board of Directors. The shares will be payable in a lump sum at the time of termination of the reporting person's service as a member of the issuer's Board, or in up to five annual installments, commencing at the time of termination of the reporting person's service on the issuer's Board, as elected by the reporting person.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Includes a total of 525 securities acquired since July 13, 2011 pursuant to the dividend reinvestment feature of the issuer's Directors Stock Compensation Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Angie R. Miller, Attorney-in-Fact for James P. Abel</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-06-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
