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Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation cost $ 47 $ 47 $ 56
Unrecognized compensation cost 19.00    
Weighted average period for total unrecognized compensation cost 1 year 9 months 18 days    
Offering period of employee stock purchase plan 12 months    
Maximum contribution amount per employee to ESPP $7,500 plus accrued interest    
Shares of the company's common stock purchased by ESPP participants 218,389 192,755 278,266
SLM Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Approval date May 24, 2012    
Shares authorized to be issued under plan 20,000,000    
Grants Made Prior to 2012 [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Maximum term for stock options (in years) 10 years    
Grants Made since 2012 [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Maximum term for stock options (in years) 5 years    
Time Vested Stock Options [Member] | Management Employee [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Vesting period Vest over three years    
Time Vested Stock Options [Member] | Non Management Employee [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Vesting period Vest over three years    
Time Vested Stock Options [Member] | Non Employee Director [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Vesting period Vest upon the director's election to the Board    
Performance-Vested Stock Options [Member] | Management Employee [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Vesting period Vest one-third per year for three years based on corporate earnings-related performance targets    
Price Vested Stock Options [Member] | Management Employee [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Vesting period Vest upon our common stock reaching a targeted closing price for a set number of days    
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Approval date May 24, 2012    
Shares authorized to be issued under plan 6,000,000    
Unrecognized compensation cost 0.10    
Vesting period One-year    
Percentage of discount available to employees under ESPP 15.00%    
Restricted Stock [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Unrecognized compensation cost $ 0.01    
Weighted average period for total unrecognized compensation cost 1 month 6 days    
Vesting period Vest over three years and in some cases based on corporate earnings-related performance targets    
Restricted Stock Units, RSUs [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Vesting period RSUs may be time-vested over three years or vested at grant but subject to transfer restrictions    
Performance Stock Units, PSUs [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Vesting period PSUs vest based on corporate earnings-related performance targets over a three-year period