CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Operating activities
Net income attributable to SLM Corporation	$ 65,915	$ 47,699
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Provisions for credit losses	32,602	16,618
Income tax expense	38,875	31,722
Amortization of brokered deposit placement fee	2,615	2,695
Amortization of ABCP Facility upfront fee	122	0
Amortization of deferred loan origination costs and fees, net	1,223	641
Net amortization of discount on investments	342	324
Interest income on tax indemnification receivable	(1,080)	(1,754)
Depreciation of premises and equipment	2,104	1,659
Amortization of acquired intangibles	260	370
Stock-based compensation expense	6,216	6,140
Unrealized (gains)/losses on derivative and hedging activities, net	832	(2,417)
Other adjustments to net income, net	250	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Net decrease in loans held for sale	0	55
Origination of loans held for sale	0	(55)
Increase in accrued interest receivable	(147,257)	(121,815)
Decrease in restricted cash and investments - other	6,778	1,046
(Increase) decrease in other interest-earning assets	(3,606)	13,854
Decrease in tax indemnification receivable	0	14,908
Increase in other assets	(11,391)	(2,079)
Decrease in income tax payable, net	(54,987)	(23,049)
Increase in accrued interest payable	9,079	6,541
Increase (decrease) in payable due to entity that is a subsidiary of Navient	1,169	(1,655)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	2,159	(10,629)
Total adjustments	(113,695)	(66,880)
Total net cash used in operating activities	(47,780)	(19,181)
Investing activities
Loans acquired and originated	(1,806,583)	(1,663,149)
Net proceeds from sales of loans held for investment	3,365	6,387
Proceeds from claim payments	18,528	46,442
Net decrease (increase) in loans held for investment	332,414	243,990
Increase in restricted cash and investments - variable interest entities	(3,410)	0
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(12,090)	(8,178)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	6,566	6,630
Total net cash used in investing activities	(1,461,210)	(1,367,878)
Financing activities
Brokered deposit placement fee	(2,759)	0
Net decrease in certificates of deposit	(209,411)	(74,457)
Net increase (decrease) increase in other deposits	245,893	(22,415)
Borrowings collateralized by loans in securitization trusts - repaid	(20,276)	0
Borrowings under ABCP facility	26,325	0
Fees paid on ABCP facility	(1,250)	0
Excess tax (expense) benefit from the exercise of stock-based awards	(2,132)	4,596
Preferred stock dividends paid	(5,139)	(4,823)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	31,251	(97,099)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,477,739)	(1,484,158)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,416,219	2,359,780
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	938,480	875,622
Cash disbursements made for:
Interest	32,766	25,368
Income taxes paid	$ 56,077	$ 17,811