CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Interest income:
Loans	$ 197,856	$ 160,035
Investments	2,720	968
Cash and cash equivalents	780	866
Total interest income	201,356	161,869
Interest expense:
Deposits	29,570	22,591
Other interest expense	832	40
Total interest expense	30,402	22,631
Net interest income	170,954	139,238
Less: provisions for loan losses	16,618	39,159
Net interest income after provisions for loan losses	154,336	100,079
Noninterest income:
Gains on sales of loans, net	0	33,888
Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities, net	3,292	(764)
Other	8,007	8,136
Total noninterest income	11,299	41,260
Expenses:
Compensation and benefits	41,203	29,667
Other operating expenses	39,984	34,004
Total operating expenses	81,187	63,671
Acquired intangible asset amortization expense	370	1,767
Restructuring and other reorganization expenses	4,657	229
Total expenses	86,214	65,667
Income before income tax expense	79,421	75,672
Income tax expense	31,722	28,658
Net income	47,699	47,014
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	(434)
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation	47,699	47,448
Preferred stock dividends	4,823	0
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation common stock	$ 42,876	$ 47,448
Basic earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.11
Average common shares outstanding (in shares)	424,428	426,717
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to SLM Corporation (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.11
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)	432,302	434,650