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Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Cash dividends, variable rate for series B preferred stock   3-month LIBOR plus 170 basis points per annum    
Shareholders authorized the issuance of common stock   1,125,000,000 1,125,000,000  
Common stock, par or stated value per share   $ 0.20 $ 0.20  
Common stock, shares, outstanding   429,000,000    
Common shares unissued but encumbered   31,000,000    
Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation   $ 0.60 $ 0.50 $ 0.30
Common stock authorized to be repurchased in open market transactions   $ 800,000,000 $ 900,000,000 $ 300,000,000
Common shares repurchased   27,000,000 58,000,000 19,000,000
Purchase price of common stock repurchased on open market   600,000,000 900,000,000 300,000,000
Closing price of the company's common stock   $ 26.28    
Current Year Quarterly Dividend [Member]
        
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation   $ 0.150    
Previous Year Quarterly Dividend [Member]
        
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation     $ 0.125  
Common Stock [Member]
        
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Retired common stock held in treasury, shares 70,000,000     (70,074,369)
Retired common stock held in treasury       (14,000,000)
Common shares repurchased   26,987,043 58,038,239 19,054,115
Treasury Stock [Member]
        
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Retired common stock held in treasury, shares       70,074,369
Retired common stock held in treasury       1,904,000,000
Common shares repurchased   26,987,043 58,038,239 19,054,115
Purchase price of common stock repurchased on open market   600,000,000 900,000,000 300,000,000
Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]
        
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Retired common stock held in treasury       (1,890,000,000)
Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
        
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Decrease in common stock due to retirement of treasury stock 14,000,000      
Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements [Member] | Treasury Stock [Member]
        
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Retired common stock held in treasury 1,900,000,000      
Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements [Member] | Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]
        
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Decrease in additional paid in capital due to retirement of treasury stock $ 1,900,000,000      
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
        
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Cumulative redeemable and non-cumulative preferred stock shares outstanding   3,300,000    
Preferred stock, dividend rate, percentage   6.97%    
Cash dividends per preferred share   $ 3.49 $ 3.49 $ 3.49
Liquidation preference value of preferred stock   $ 50    
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
        
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Cumulative redeemable and non-cumulative preferred stock shares outstanding   4,000,000    
Cash dividends per preferred share   $ 2.00 $ 2.22 $ 1.59
Basis points used to calculate Series B Preferred Stock dividend   1.70%    
Liquidation preference value of preferred stock   $ 100