Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets
FFELP Loans (net of allowance for losses of $189,024 and $188,858, respectively)	$ 142,634,378	$ 148,649,400
Private Education Loans (net of allowance for losses of $2,042,603 and $2,021,580, respectively)	35,753,327	35,655,724
Investments
Available-for- sale	82,647	83,048
Other	1,056,762	873,376
Total investments	1,139,409	956,424
Cash and cash equivalents	4,144,734	4,342,327
Restricted cash and investments	6,074,901	6,254,493
Goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net	479,917	478,409
Other assets	10,129,933	8,970,272
Total assets	200,356,599	205,307,049
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	30,765,693	33,615,856
Long-term borrowings	160,765,277	163,543,504
Other liabilities	3,814,390	3,136,111
Total liabilities	195,345,360	200,295,471
Commitments and contingencies
Preferred stock, par value $.20 per share, 20,000 shares authorized:
Common stock, par value $.20 per share, 1,125,000 shares authorized: 528,623 and 595,263 shares issued, respectively	105,725	119,053
Additional paid-in capital	4,114,266	5,939,838
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax benefit of $17,079 and $25,758, respectively)	(29,636)	(44,664)
Retained earnings	417,702	308,839
Total SLM Corporation stockholders' equity before treasury stock	5,173,057	6,888,066
Common stock held in treasury at cost: 10,474 and 68,320 shares, respectively	(170,496)	(1,876,488)
Total SLM Corporation stockholders' equity	5,002,561	5,011,578
Noncontrolling interest	8,678	0
Total equity	5,011,239	5,011,578
Total liabilities and equity	200,356,599	205,307,049
Preferred stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value $.20 per share, 20,000 shares authorized:
Total equity	565,000	565,000
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value $.20 per share, 20,000 shares authorized:
Preferred stock	165,000	165,000
Preferred stock	165,000	165,000
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value $.20 per share, 20,000 shares authorized:
Preferred stock	400,000	400,000
Preferred stock	$ 400,000	$ 400,000