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Fair Value Measurements - Change in Balance Sheet Carrying Value Associated with Level 3 Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]      
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings $ 0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1 $ (21,490)us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1 $ 23,149us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1
Change in balance sheet carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis [Roll Forward]      
Balance, beginning of period 0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue 532,155us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue 498,657us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue
Total gains/(losses) (realized and unrealized):      
Included in other comprehensive income 0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss 63,813us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss 0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss
Included in earnings - accretion of discount 0slm_FairValuemeasurementincludedinearningsaccretionofdiscount 7,596slm_FairValuemeasurementincludedinearningsaccretionofdiscount 10,349slm_FairValuemeasurementincludedinearningsaccretionofdiscount
Proceeds from sale 0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlements (582,074)us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlements 0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlements
Transfers in and/or out of level 3 0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersNet 0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersNet 0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersNet
Balance, end of period 0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue 0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue 532,155us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held at the reporting date $ 0slm_ChangeInUnrealizedGainsLossesRelatingToInstrumentsStillHeldAtReportingDate $ 0slm_ChangeInUnrealizedGainsLossesRelatingToInstrumentsStillHeldAtReportingDate $ 23,149slm_ChangeInUnrealizedGainsLossesRelatingToInstrumentsStillHeldAtReportingDate