CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Declared dividends per common share attributable to SLM Corporation (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0	$ 0.09	$ 0.09
Series B Preferred Stock
Preferred stock dividend (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.51	$ 1.42	$ 2.00