CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Declared dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.06	$ 0.06	$ 0.09
Series B Preferred Stock
Preferred stock dividend (in dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.62	$ 0.95	$ 1.49