Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Billions, except Share data	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Feb. 09, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SLM CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001032033
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 5.0
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (actual number)		514,297,170