Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Operating activities
Net income	$ 169,046	$ 577,958
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(9,752)	13,568
Gains on sale of loans and securities, net		(5,138)
Gains on debt repurchases	(38,226)	(181,131)
Goodwill and acquired intangible assets impairment and amortization expense	12,127	19,422
Stock-based compensation expense	37,061	26,097
Unrealized (gains)/losses on derivative and hedging activities	396,238	(444,732)
Provisions for loan losses	594,091	741,359
Student loans originated for sale, net		(10,482,146)
Decrease in restricted cash - other	53,171	41,403
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable	92,629	(147,462)
Increase in accrued interest payable	69,825	34,677
Decrease in other assets	215,598	1,369,568
(Decrease) in other liabilities	(224,671)	(130,832)
Total adjustments	1,198,091	(9,145,347)
Total net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,367,137	(8,567,389)
Investing activities
Student loans acquired and originated	(1,817,664)	(2,661,471)
Reduction of student loans:
Installment payments, claims and other	6,707,474	4,992,892
Proceeds from sales of student loans	380,965	164,046
Other loans - repaid	29,919	100,860
Other investing activities, net	(202,329)	(351,700)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(109,616)	(27,885,519)
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities	133,344	28,725,393
Purchases of other securities	(131,195)	(64,188)
Proceeds from maturities of other securities	127,944	71,812
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	137,178	(218,129)
Cash provided by investing activities - continuing operations	5,256,020	2,873,996
Cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations	50,935	68,788
Total net cash provided by investing activities	5,306,955	2,942,784
Financing activities
Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust - issued	3,037,617	2,723,345
Borrowings collateralized by loans in trust - repaid	(5,725,474)	(4,274,591)
Asset-backed commercial paper conduits, net	(444,957)	(1,999,582)
ED Participation Program, net		10,849,768
ED Conduit Program Facility, net	(1,728,591)	1,559,198
Other short-term borrowings repaid		(198,183)
Other long-term borrowings issued	1,966,806	1,463,538
Other long-term borrowings repaid	(4,132,838)	(4,512,180)
Other financing activities, net	371,145	247,613
Excess tax benefit from the exercise of stock-based awards	895	355
Common stock issued		194
Common stock repurchased	(156,105)
Common dividends paid	(52,253)
Preferred dividends paid	(7,930)	(37,095)
Noncontrolling interest, net		(749)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(6,871,685)	5,821,631
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(197,593)	197,026
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	4,342,327	6,070,013
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4,144,734	6,267,039
Cash disbursements made (refunds received) for:
Interest	1,225,041	1,144,499
Income taxes paid	364,171	48,190
Income taxes (received)	$ (21,966)	$ (499,041)