Parent Only Statements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]

Parent Only Condensed Balance Sheets

The following parent company-only financial information should be read in conjunction with the other notes to the consolidated financial statements. The accounting policies for the parent company-only financial statements are the same as those used in the presentation of the consolidated financial statements other than the parent company-only financial statements account for the parent company's investments in its subsidiaries under the equity method.

Parent Only Condensed Balance Sheets

	December 31,
	2014			2013
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	434,245		$	—
Total investments in subsidiaries (primarily Sallie Mae Bank)	1,389,995			1,161,471
Tax indemnification receivable	240,311			—
Due from subsidiaries, net	32,408			—
Other assets	1,943			—
Total assets	$	2,098,902		$	1,161,471
Liabilities and Equity
Liabilities
Income taxes payable, net	$	245,782		$	—
Payable due to Navient	8,764			—
Other liabilities	14,398			—
Total liabilities	$	268,944		—
Equity
Preferred stock, par value $0.20 per share, 20 million shares authorized:
Series A: 3.3 million and 0 shares issued, respectively, at stated value of $50	165,000			—
Series B: 4 million and 0 shares issued, respectively, at stated value of $100 per share	400,000			—
Common stock, par value $0.20 per share, 1.125 billion shares authorized: 425 million and 0 shares issued, respectively	84,961			—
Additional paid-in capital	1,090,511			—
Navient's subsidiary investment	—			1,164,495
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax (benefit) of ($7,186) and ($1,849), respectively	(11,393		)	(3,024		)
Retained earnings	113,066			—
Total SLM Corporation stockholders' equity before treasury stock	1,842,145			1,161,471
Less: common stock held in treasury at cost: 1 million and 0 shares, respectively	(12,187		)	—
Total equity	1,829,958			1,161,471
Total liabilities and equity	$	2,098,902		$	1,161,471

Parent Only Condensed Statements of Income

Parent Only Condensed Statements of Income

	Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Interest income	$	4,980		$	—		$	—
Interest expense	—			—			—
Net interest income	4,980			—			—
Other income	1,097			—			—
Operating expenses	36,967			3,556			4,871
Loss before income tax expense and equity in net income from subsidiaries	(30,890		)	(3,556		)	(4,871		)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(13,196		)	133,121			102,842
Equity in net income from subsidiaries (primarily Sallie Mae Bank)	211,479			394,270			323,439
Net income	193,785			257,593			215,726
Preferred stock dividends	12,933			—			—
Net income attributable to common stock	$	180,852		$	257,593		$	215,726

Parent Only Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

Parent Only Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

	Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	193,785		$	257,593		$	215,726
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	(211,479		)	(394,270		)	(323,439		)
(Increase) decrease in investment in subsidiaries, net	278,365			136,677			107,713
Decrease in tax indemnification receivable	38,820			—			—
Increase in due from subsidiaries, net	(32,408		)	—			—
Increase in other assets	(5,447		)	—			—
Decrease in income taxes payable, net	(312,770		)	—			—
Increase in payable due to entity that is a subsidiary of Navient	8,764			—			—
Increase in other liabilities	14,398			—			—
Total adjustments	(221,757		)	(257,593		)	(215,726		)
Net cash used in operating activities	(27,972		)	—			—
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	—			—			—
Cash flows from financing activities:
Special cash contribution from Navient	472,718			—			—
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock-based awards	2,432			—			—
Preferred stock dividends paid	(12,933		)	—			—
Net cash provided by financing activities	462,217			—			—
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	434,245			—			—
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	—			—			—
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	434,245		$	—		$	—