10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

ý QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016

or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to.

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 001-31924

NELNET, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

NEBRASKA (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	84-0748903 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
121 SOUTH 13TH STREET SUITE 100 LINCOLN, NEBRASKA (Address of principal executive offices)	68508 (Zip Code)

(402) 458-2370

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes [X] No [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer [X]                                                  Accelerated filer [ ]

Non-accelerated filer [  ]                                                     Smaller reporting company [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes[  ] No[X]

As of October 31, 2016, there were 30,684,273 and 11,476,932 shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding, respectively (excluding 11,317,364 shares of Class A Common Stock held by wholly owned subsidiaries).  

NELNET, INC.

FORM 10-Q

INDEX

September 30, 2016

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	Item 1.	Financial Statements	2
	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	28
	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	55
	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	61
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	61
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors	61
	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	62
	Item 6.	Exhibits	63
Signatures			64

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
	As of			As of
	September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
Assets:
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $51,570 and $50,498, respectively)	$	25,615,434		28,324,552
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents - not held at a related party	7,678			11,379
Cash and cash equivalents - held at a related party	59,476			52,150
Total cash and cash equivalents	67,154			63,529
Investments and notes receivable	257,528			303,681
Restricted cash and investments	872,874			832,624
Restricted cash - due to customers	91,505			144,771
Accrued interest receivable	381,804			383,825
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,745 and $2,003, respectively)	53,408			51,345
Goodwill	147,312			146,000
Intangible assets, net	50,964			51,062
Property and equipment, net	107,505			80,482
Other assets	9,647			8,583
Fair value of derivative instruments	14,476			28,690
Total assets	$	27,669,611		30,419,144
Liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	$	25,320,878		28,105,921
Accrued interest payable	42,840			31,507
Other liabilities	168,239			169,906
Due to customers	91,505			144,771
Fair value of derivative instruments	65,053			74,881
Total liabilities	25,688,515			28,526,986
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding	—			—
Common stock:
Class A, $0.01 par value. Authorized 600,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 30,839,341 shares and 32,476,528 shares, respectively	308			325
Class B, convertible, $0.01 par value. Authorized 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 11,476,932 shares	115			115
Additional paid-in capital	224			—
Retained earnings	1,971,862			1,881,708
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) earnings	(424		)	2,284
Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,972,085			1,884,432
Noncontrolling interests	9,011			7,726
Total equity	1,981,096			1,892,158
Total liabilities and equity	$	27,669,611		30,419,144
Supplemental information - assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities:
Student loans receivable	$	25,797,430		28,499,180
Restricted cash and investments	807,313			814,294
Accrued interest receivable and other assets	382,592			384,230
Bonds and notes payable	(25,680,338		)	(28,405,133	)
Other liabilities	(421,983		)	(353,607	)
Fair value of derivative instruments, net	(39,169		)	(64,080	)
Net assets of consolidated variable interest entities	$	845,845		874,884

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
	Three months				Nine months
	ended September 30,				ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Interest income:
Loan interest	$	193,721	187,701		567,775		535,480
Investment interest	2,460		1,456		6,674		5,548
Total interest income	196,181		189,157		574,449		541,028
Interest expense:
Interest on bonds and notes payable	96,386		77,164		280,847		221,344
Net interest income	99,795		111,993		293,602		319,684
Less provision for loan losses	6,000		3,000		10,500		7,150
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	93,795		108,993		283,102		312,534
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	54,350		61,520		161,082		183,164
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	33,071		30,439		102,211		92,805
Communications revenue	4,343		—		13,167		—
Enrollment services revenue	—		13,741		4,326		39,794
Other income	15,150		12,282		38,711		35,675
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	2,160		597		2,260		4,987
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net	36,001		(30,658	)	(33,391	)	(27,234	)
Total other income	145,075		87,921		288,366		329,191
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	63,743		63,215		187,907		183,052
Depreciation and amortization	8,994		6,977		24,817		19,140
Loan servicing fees	5,880		7,793		20,024		22,829
Cost to provide communications services	1,784		—		5,169		—
Cost to provide enrollment services	—		11,349		3,623		32,543
Other expenses	26,391		31,604		84,174		94,430
Total operating expenses	106,792		120,938		325,714		351,994
Income before income taxes	132,078		75,976		245,754		289,731
Income tax expense	47,715		26,999		87,184		104,985
Net income	84,363		48,977		158,570		184,746
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	69		22		165		117
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	84,294	48,955		158,405		184,629
Earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted	$	1.98	1.09		3.70		4.03
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	42,642,213		45,047,777		42,788,133		45,763,443

 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
	Three months					Nine months
	ended September 30,					ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Net income	$	84,363		48,977		158,570		184,746
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period, net	3,431			(568	)	(4,217	)	(1,217	)
Reclassification adjustment for gains recognized in net income, net of losses	(491		)	(73	)	(82	)	(2,370	)
Income tax effect	(1,087		)	234		1,591		1,328
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1,853			(407	)	(2,708	)	(2,259	)
Comprehensive income	86,216			48,570		155,862		182,487
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	69			22		165		117
Comprehensive income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	86,147		48,548		155,697		182,370

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
	Nelnet, Inc. Shareholders
	Preferred stock shares	Common stock shares				Preferred stock		Class A common stock		Class B common stock	Additional paid-in capital		Retained earnings		Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) earnings		Noncontrolling interests		Total equity
		Class A		Class B
Balance as of June 30, 2015	—	33,724,471		11,486,932		$	—	337		115	—		1,801,457		3,283		300		1,805,492
Issuance of noncontrolling interests	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		4		4
Net income	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		48,955		—		22		48,977
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		(407	)	—		(407	)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		(80	)	(80	)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.10 per share	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		(4,486	)	—		—		(4,486	)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	—	10,669		—		—		1		—	267		—		—		—		268
Compensation expense for stock based awards	—	—		—		—		—		—	1,246		—		—		—		1,246
Repurchase of common stock	—	(356,584	)	—		—		(4	)	—	(72	)	(15,539	)	—		—		(15,615	)
Conversion of common stock	—	10,000		(10,000	)	—		—		—	—		—		—		—		—
Balance as of September 30, 2015	—	33,388,556		11,476,932		$	—	334		115	1,441		1,830,387		2,876		246		1,835,399
Balance as of June 30, 2016	—	31,024,230		11,476,932		$	—	310		115	4,601		1,894,551		(2,277	)	8,916		1,906,216
Issuance of noncontrolling interests	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		26		26
Net income	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		84,294		—		69		84,363
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		1,853		—		1,853
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.12 per share	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		(5,101	)	—		—		(5,101	)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	—	16,662		—		—		—		—	282		—		—		—		282
Compensation expense for stock based awards	—	—		—		—		—		—	1,132		—		—		—		1,132
Repurchase of common stock	—	(201,551	)	—		—		(2	)	—	(5,791	)	(1,882	)	—		—		(7,675	)
Balance as of September 30, 2016	—	30,839,341		11,476,932		$	—	308		115	224		1,971,862		(424	)	9,011		1,981,096
Balance as of December 31, 2014	—	34,756,384		11,486,932		$	—	348		115	17,290		1,702,560		5,135		230		1,725,678
Issuance of noncontrolling interests	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		23		23
Net income	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		184,629		—		117		184,746
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		(2,259	)	—		(2,259	)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		(124	)	(124	)
Cash dividends on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.30 per share	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		(13,659	)	—		—		(13,659	)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	—	152,764		—		—		2		—	3,678		—		—		—		3,680
Compensation expense for stock based awards	—	—		—		—		—		—	3,957		—		—		—		3,957
Repurchase of common stock	—	(1,530,592	)	—		—		(16	)	—	(23,484	)	(43,143	)	—		—		(66,643	)
Conversion of common stock	—	10,000		(10,000	)	—		—		—	—		—		—		—		—
Balance as of September 30, 2015	—	33,388,556		11,476,932		$	—	334		115	1,441		1,830,387		2,876		246		1,835,399
Balance as of December 31, 2015	—	32,476,528		11,476,932		$	—	325		115	—		1,881,708		2,284		7,726		1,892,158
Issuance of noncontrolling interests	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		1,339		1,339
Net income	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		158,405		—		165		158,570
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		(2,708	)	—		(2,708	)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		(219	)	(219	)
Cash dividends on Class A and Class B common stock - $0.36 per share	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		(15,293	)	—		—		(15,293	)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	—	175,405		—		—		1		—	3,943		—		—		—		3,944
Compensation expense for stock based awards	—	—		—		—		—		—	3,448		—		—		—		3,448
Repurchase of common stock	—	(1,812,592	)	—		—		(18	)	—	(7,167	)	(52,958	)	—		—		(60,143	)
Balance as of September 30, 2016	—	30,839,341		11,476,932		$	—	308		115	224		1,971,862		(424	)	9,011		1,981,096

 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
	Nine months
	ended September 30,
	2016			2015
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	158,405		184,629
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	165			117
Net income	158,570			184,746
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities, net of acquisitions:
Depreciation and amortization, including debt discounts and student loan premiums and deferred origination costs	83,988			91,045
Student loan discount accretion	(30,439		)	(32,684	)
Provision for loan losses	10,500			7,150
Derivative market value adjustment	1,556			43,179
Foreign currency transaction adjustment	13,543			(32,480	)
Proceeds from termination of derivative instruments, net of payments	2,830			55,627
Payment to enter into interest rate caps	—			(2,936	)
Gain on sale of loans	—			(351	)
Gain from debt repurchases	(2,260		)	(4,636	)
Gain from sales of available-for-sale securities, net	(82		)	(2,370	)
Proceeds (purchases) related to trading securities, net	1,192			(8,168	)
Deferred income tax benefit	(7,633		)	(7,901	)
Other, net	5,244			6,589
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable	2,021			(435	)
Increase in accounts receivable	(1,982		)	(14,088	)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(1,141		)	1,848
Increase in accrued interest payable	11,333			5,242
Increase in other liabilities	11,587			17,978
Net cash provided by operating activities	258,827			307,355
Cash flows from investing activities, net of acquisitions:
Purchases of student loans and student loan residual interests	(234,270		)	(1,994,416	)
Net proceeds from student loan repayments, claims, capitalized interest, and other	2,908,738			2,843,119
Proceeds from sale of student loans	44,760			3,996
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(66,733		)	(6,939	)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	100,423			49,278
Purchases of investments and issuance of notes receivable	(14,912		)	(65,548	)
Proceeds from investments and notes receivable	12,169			27,773
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(46,821		)	(12,756	)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash and investments, net	(39,400		)	3,611
Net cash provided by investing activities	2,663,954			848,118
Cash flows from financing activities, net of borrowings assumed:
Payments on bonds and notes payable	(2,998,017		)	(3,483,804	)
Proceeds from issuance of bonds and notes payable	154,619			2,401,993
Payments of debt issuance costs	(2,098		)	(9,859	)
Dividends paid	(15,293		)	(13,659	)
Repurchases of common stock	(60,143		)	(66,643	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	656			617
Issuance of noncontrolling interests	1,339			23
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(219		)	(124	)
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,919,156		)	(1,171,456	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,625			(15,983	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	63,529			130,481
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	67,154		114,498
Cash disbursements made for:
Interest	$	219,672		165,885
Income taxes, net of refunds	$	87,633		104,403
Noncash activity:
Investing activity - student loans and other assets acquired	$	—		2,025,453
Financing activity - borrowings and other liabilities assumed in acquisition of student loans	$	—		1,885,453

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

(unaudited)

1.    Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2016 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 and, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, except as discussed under "Revenue Recognition - Loan Interest Income" below, necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2016. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (the "2015 Annual Report").

Reclassifications

Certain amounts previously reported within the Company's consolidated balance sheet and statements of income have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications are summarized below.

• In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued accounting guidance regarding the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new guidance requires that entities present debt issuance costs related to a debt liability as a direct deduction from that liability on the balance sheet. This guidance became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016. As a result of this standard, the Company reclassified its debt issuance costs, which were previously included in "other assets" on the consolidated balance sheet, to "bonds and notes payable."

• On February 1, 2016, the Company sold 100 percent of the membership interests in Sparkroom LLC, which includes the majority of the Company's inquiry management products and services within Nelnet Enrollment Solutions. The Company retained the digital marketing and content solution products and services under the brand name Peterson's within the Nelnet Enrollment Solutions business, which include test preparation study guides, school directories and databases, career exploration guides, on-line courses, scholarship search and selection data, career planning information and guides, and on-line information about colleges and universities. The Company reclassified the revenue and cost of goods sold attributable to the Peterson's products and services from "enrollment services revenue" and "cost to provide enrollment services" to "other income" and "other expenses," respectively, on the consolidated statements of income. After this reclassification, "enrollment services revenue" and "cost to provide enrollment services" include the operating results of the products and services sold as part of the Sparkroom disposition for all periods presented. These reclassifications had no effect on consolidated net income.

Revenue Recognition - Loan Interest Income

The Company recognizes student loan interest income as earned, net of amortization of loan premiums and deferred origination costs and the accretion of loan discounts. Loan interest income is recognized based upon the expected yield of the loan after giving effect to interest rate reductions resulting from borrower utilization of incentives such as timely payments ("borrower benefits") and other yield adjustments. Loan premiums or discounts, deferred origination costs, and borrower benefits are amortized/accreted over the estimated life of the loans, which includes an estimate of forecasted payments in excess of contractually required payments. The Company periodically evaluates the assumptions used to estimate the life of the loans and prepayment rates.

In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. Previously, the Company amortized premiums and accreted discounts by including in its prepayment assumption forecasted payments in excess of contractually required payments as well as forecasted defaults. The Company has determined that only payments in excess of contractually required payments should be included in the prepayment assumption. Under the Company's revised policy, as of September 30, 2016, the constant prepayment rate used by the Company to amortize/accrete student loan premiums/discounts was decreased. During the third

7

quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an adjustment to reflect the net impact on prior periods for the correction of this error that resulted in an $8.2 million reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance and a corresponding increase in interest income(a $5.2 million after tax increase to net income). The Company has concluded this error has an immaterial impact on 2016 results as well as the results for prior periods.

2.    Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses

Student loans receivable consisted of the following:

	As of			As of
	September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
Federally insured loans:
Stafford and other	$	5,353,052		6,202,064
Consolidation	20,189,881			22,086,043
Total	25,542,933			28,288,107
Private education loans	276,432			267,642
	25,819,365			28,555,749
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (a)	(152,361		)	(180,699	)
Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans	(37,028		)	(35,490	)
Allowance for loan losses – private education loans	(14,542		)	(15,008	)
	$	25,615,434		28,324,552

(a) As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $20.8 million and $33.0 million, respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans of $8.5 billion and $10.8 billion, respectively.

Private Education Loans

In February 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with CommonBond, Inc. ("CommonBond"), a student lending company that provides private education loans to graduate students, under which the Company committed to purchase private education loans for a period of 18 months, with the maximum purchase obligation limited to $200.0 million. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had purchased $190.1 million in private education loans from CommonBond and has satisfied its commitment under this agreement.

8

Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance sufficient to absorb losses, net of recoveries, inherent in the portfolio of student loans. Activity in the allowance for loan losses is shown below.

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Balance at beginning of period	$	48,753		50,024		50,498		48,900
Provision for loan losses:
Federally insured loans	7,000			2,000		11,000		6,000
Private education loans	(1,000		)	1,000		(500	)	1,150
Total provision for loan losses	6,000			3,000		10,500		7,150
Charge-offs:
Federally insured loans	(3,196		)	(2,817	)	(9,462	)	(9,225	)
Private education loans	(320		)	(357	)	(1,235	)	(1,479	)
Total charge-offs	(3,516		)	(3,174	)	(10,697	)	(10,704	)
Recoveries - private education loans	243			250		769		742
Purchase (sale) of federally insured and private education loans, net	30			30		290		(200	)
Transfer from repurchase obligation related to private education loans repurchased, net	60			250		210		4,492
Balance at end of period	$	51,570		50,380		51,570		50,380
Allocation of the allowance for loan losses:
Federally insured loans	$	37,028		35,945		37,028		35,945
Private education loans	14,542			14,435		14,542		14,435
Total allowance for loan losses	$	51,570		50,380		51,570		50,380

9

Student Loan Status and Delinquencies

Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact the Company’s earnings through increased servicing and collection costs and account charge-offs.  The table below shows the Company’s loan delinquency amounts.

	As of September 30, 2016				As of December 31, 2015				As of September 30, 2015
Federally insured loans:
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$	1,864,323			$	2,292,941			$	2,638,639
Loans in forbearance	2,403,504				2,979,357				2,993,844
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	18,445,728		86.8	%	19,447,541		84.4	%	19,681,517		84.4	%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	825,905		3.9		1,028,396		4.5		1,021,515		4.4
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	491,395		2.3		566,953		2.5		638,037		2.7
Loans delinquent 91-120 days	326,020		1.5		415,747		1.8		465,261		2.0
Loans delinquent 121-270 days	835,250		3.9		1,166,940		5.1		1,139,864		4.9
Loans delinquent 271 days or greater	350,808		1.6		390,232		1.7		376,702		1.6
Total loans in repayment	21,275,106		100.0	%	23,015,809		100.0	%	23,322,896		100.0	%
Total federally insured loans	$	25,542,933			$	28,288,107			$	28,955,379
Private education loans:
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$	51,042			$	30,795			$	7,724
Loans in forbearance	1,770				350				16
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	217,108		97.1	%	228,464		96.7	%	216,502		96.2	%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	1,357		0.6		1,771		0.7		1,999		0.9
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	1,228		0.5		1,283		0.5		1,206		0.5
Loans delinquent 91 days or greater	3,927		1.8		4,979		2.1		5,377		2.4
Total loans in repayment	223,620		100.0	%	236,497		100.0	%	225,084		100.0	%
Total private education loans	$	276,432			$	267,642			$	232,824

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3.    Bonds and Notes Payable

The following tables summarize the Company’s outstanding debt obligations by type of instrument:

	As of September 30, 2016
	Carrying amount			Interest rate range	Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
Bonds and notes based on indices	$	22,550,964		0.25% - 6.90%	8/26/19 - 9/25/56
Bonds and notes based on auction	1,156,615			1.36% - 2.20%	3/22/32 - 11/26/46
Total variable-rate bonds and notes	23,707,579
FFELP warehouse facilities	1,706,546			0.52% - 0.98%	9/7/18 - 4/26/19
Private education loan warehouse facility	206,632			0.98%	4/28/17
Unsecured line of credit	—			—	10/30/20
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	57,184			4.21%	9/15/61
Other borrowings	93,355			2.03% - 3.38%	10/31/16 - 12/15/45
	25,771,296
Discount on bonds and notes payable and debt issuance costs, net	(450,418		)
Total	$	25,320,878

	As of December 31, 2015
	Carrying amount			Interest rate range	Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
Bonds and notes based on indices	$	25,155,336		0.05% - 6.90%	8/26/19 - 8/26/52
Bonds and notes based on auction	1,160,365			0.88% - 2.17%	3/22/32 - 11/26/46
Total variable-rate bonds and notes	26,315,701
FFELP warehouse facilities	1,855,907			0.27% - 0.56%	4/29/18 - 12/14/18
Private education loan warehouse facility	181,184			0.57%	12/26/16
Unsecured line of credit	100,000			1.79% - 1.92%	10/30/20
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	57,184			3.99%	9/15/61
Other borrowings	93,355			1.93% - 3.38%	10/31/16 - 12/15/45
	28,603,331
Discount on bonds and notes payable and debt issuance costs, net	(497,410		)
Total	$	28,105,921

Asset-backed Securitizations

The Company, through its subsidiaries, has historically funded student loans by completing asset-backed securitizations. Beginning in 2015, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service placed numerous tranches of Federal Family Education Loan Program ("FFELP") securitizations by various issuers, including certain tranches of prior FFELP securitizations issued by subsidiaries of the Company, on review for potential downgrade due to principal payments and prepayments on the underlying student loans coming in slower than initial expectations, and the resulting risk that certain principal maturities on those FFELP securitizations may not be met by the final maturity dates, which could result in an event of default under the underlying securitization agreements. Since that time, rating agencies have resolved their downgrade watches on certain Company-issued debt through a mix of rating confirmations, downgrades, and upgrades, largely removing uncertainty that had previously prevailed in the student loan asset-backed securitization market. On June 15, 2016, the Company announced the launch of an online investor communication forum to facilitate the amendment of certain FEELP asset-backed securitizations to extend the legal final maturity dates. On September 13, 2016, the Company announced that it had received investor consent to extend by five years the legal final maturity on nine of its securitizations, which represent a total of approximately $4.8 billion in original par value. The effective date of the amendments to each of the nine securitizations was September 20, 2016. The modifications of the final maturity of these securitizations were the only changes to the terms of these securitizations and such modifications were considered

11

not substantial. Depending on future investor consent, the Company may seek to extend the legal final maturity on additional securitizations.

FFELP Warehouse Facilities

The Company funds a portion of its FFELP loan acquisitions using its FFELP warehouse facilities. Student loan warehousing allows the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below.

	NFSLW-I (a)		NHELP-II	NHELP-III	Total
Maximum financing amount	$	875,000	500,000	750,000	2,125,000
Amount outstanding	815,550		407,535	483,461	1,706,546
Amount available	$	59,450	92,465	266,539	418,454
Expiration of liquidity provisions	July 10, 2018		December 16, 2016	April 28, 2017
Final maturity date	September 7, 2018		December 14, 2018	April 26, 2019
Maximum advance rates	92.0 - 98.0%		85.0 - 95.0%	92.2 - 95.0%
Minimum advance rates	84.0 - 90.0%		85.0 - 95.0%	92.2 - 95.0%
Advanced as equity support	$	33,898	33,561	28,830	96,289

(a) On July 10, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount to $875.0 million. The maximum financing amount was scheduled to decrease by $125.0 million on March 31, 2016. On January 26, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to extend the scheduled decrease of the maximum financing amount by $125.0 million to July 8, 2016. On July 7, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to permanently set the maximum financing amount at $875.0 million, and changed the expiration of liquidity provisions to July 10, 2018 and the final maturity date to September 7, 2018.

Private Education Loan Warehouse Facility

On June 26, 2015, the Company entered into a $275.0 million private education loan warehouse facility. As of September 30, 2016, there was $206.6 million outstanding on the facility and $68.4 million was available for future use. The facility has a static advance rate that requires initial equity for loan funding, but does not require increased equity based on market movements. The maximum advance rate on the entire facility is 88 percent and minimum advance rates, depending on loan characteristics and program type, ranged from 64 percent to 99 percent. As of September 30, 2016, $30.3 million was advanced on the facility as equity support. The facility is supported by liquidity provisions, which had an original expiration date of June 24, 2016.

On April 1, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to October 28, 2016, and to change the final maturity date to April 28, 2017. In addition, the minimum advance rates, depending on loan characteristics and program type, were changed to a range from 61.75 percent to 95.00 percent, and the maximum advance rate on the entire facility remained at 88 percent. On October 28, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to December 21, 2016; the final maturity date remained unchanged at April 28, 2017. In the event the Company is unable to renew the liquidity provisions by the amended expiration date of December 21, 2016, the facility would become a term facility at a stepped-up cost, with no additional student loans being eligible for financing, and the Company would be required to refinance the existing loans in the facility by the facility's final maturity date of April 28, 2017.

Unsecured Line of Credit

The Company has a $350.0 million unsecured line of credit that has a maturity date of October 30, 2020.  As of September 30, 2016, no amounts were outstanding under the unsecured line of credit and $350.0 million was available for future use.

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Debt Repurchases

The following table summarizes the Company's repurchases of its own debt. Gains recorded by the Company from the repurchase of debt are included in "gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases" on the Company's consolidated statements of income.

	Par value		Purchase price	Gain	Par value	Purchase price	Gain
	Three months ended
	September 30, 2016				September 30, 2015
Asset-backed securities	$	10,965	8,805	2,160	9,650	9,053	597
	$	10,965	8,805	2,160	9,650	9,053	597
	Nine months ended
	September 30, 2016				September 30, 2015
Unsecured debt - Hybrid Securities	$	—	—	—	14,106	11,108	2,998
Asset-backed securities	11,362		9,102	2,260	31,800	30,162	1,638
	$	11,362	9,102	2,260	45,906	41,270	4,636

Subsequent Events - Bonds and Notes Payable

On October 12, 2016, the Company completed an asset-backed securitization totaling $426.0 million (par value). The proceeds from this transaction were used primarily to refinance certain student loans included in the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities.

The Company had a $75.0 million line of credit, which was collateralized by asset-backed security investments, that expired on October 31, 2016. As of September 30, 2016, $75.0 million was outstanding on this line of credit. Upon expiration of the line of credit on October 31, 2016, the Company used operating cash and borrowed money on its $350.0 million unsecured line of credit to pay off the outstanding $75.0 million balance of this debt facility.

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4.   Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to manage interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk. Derivative instruments used as part of the Company's risk management strategy are further described in note 5 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2015 Annual Report. A tabular presentation of such derivatives outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is presented below.

Basis Swaps

The following table summarizes the Company’s basis swaps outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR set discretely in advance and pays one-month LIBOR plus or minus a spread as defined in the agreements (the "1:3 Basis Swaps").

	As of September 30,		As of December 31,
	2016		2015
Maturity	Notional amount		Notional amount
2016	$	1,000,000	$	7,500,000
2028	125,000		—

The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was one-month LIBOR plus 9.5 basis points and 10.0 basis points, respectively.

Interest Rate Swaps – Floor Income Hedges

The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income.

	As of September 30, 2016				As of December 31, 2015
Maturity	Notional amount		Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)		Notional amount		Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
2016	$	—	—	%	$	1,000,000	0.76	%
2017	750,000		0.99		2,100,000		0.84
2018	1,350,000		1.07		1,600,000		1.08
2019	3,250,000		0.97		500,000		1.12
2020	1,500,000		1.01		—		—
2025	100,000		2.32		100,000		2.32
2026	50,000		1.52		—		—
	$	7,000,000	1.02	%	$	5,300,000	0.95	%

(a) For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

On August 20, 2014, the Company paid $9.1 million for an interest rate swap option to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income. The interest rate swap option gives the Company the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a $250 million notional interest rate swap in which the Company would pay a fixed amount of 3.30% and receive discrete one-month LIBOR. If the interest rate swap option is exercised, the swap would become effective in 2019 and mature in 2024.

14

Interest Rate Swaps – Unsecured Debt Hedges

The Company had the following derivatives outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a portion of the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities to a fixed rate of 7.66%.

Maturity	Notional amount		Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
2036	$	25,000	4.28	%

(a) For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

Interest Rate Caps

In June 2015, in conjunction with the entry into the $275.0 million private education loan warehouse facility, the Company paid $2.9 million for two interest rate cap contracts with a total notional amount of $275.0 million. The first interest rate cap has a notional amount of $125.0 million and a one-month LIBOR strike rate of 2.50%, and the second interest rate cap has a notional amount of $150.0 million and a one-month LIBOR strike rate of 4.99%. In the event that the one-month LIBOR rate rises above the applicable strike rate, the Company would receive monthly payments related to the spread difference. Both interest rate cap contracts have a maturity date of July 15, 2020.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

In 2006, the Company issued €352.7 million of student loan asset-backed Euro Notes (the "Euro Notes") with an interest rate based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result of the Euro Notes, the Company is exposed to market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The principal and accrued interest on these notes are re-measured at each reporting period and recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date.

The Company entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. Under the terms of the cross-currency interest rate swap, the Company receives from the counterparty a spread to the EURIBOR index based on a notional amount of €352.7 million and pays a spread to the LIBOR index based on a notional amount of $450.0 million. In addition, under the terms of this agreement, all principal payments on the Euro Notes will effectively be paid at the exchange rate in effect between the U.S. dollar and Euro as of the issuance of the notes.

The following table shows the income statement impact as a result of the re-measurement of the Euro Notes and the change in the fair value of the related derivative instrument.

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Re-measurement of Euro Notes	$	(4,831	)	(1,058	)	(13,543	)	32,480
Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swap	5,501			666		26,194		(35,207	)
Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a)	$	670		(392	)	12,651		(2,727	)

(a) The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

Management has structured the cross-currency interest rate swap to economically hedge the Euro Notes to effectively convert the Euro Notes to U.S. dollars and pay a spread on these notes based on the LIBOR index. However, the cross-currency interest rate swap does not qualify for hedge accounting. The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in the fair value of the corresponding cross-currency interest rate swap. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains and losses between these financial instruments due to the principal and accrued interest on the Euro Notes being re-measured to U.S. dollars at each reporting date based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date, while the cross-currency interest rate swap is measured at fair value at each reporting date with the change in fair value recognized in the current period earnings.

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Consolidated Financial Statement Impact Related to Derivatives

The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivatives as reflected in the consolidated balance sheets:

	Fair value of asset derivatives			Fair value of liability derivatives
	As of		As of	As of	As of
	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015	September 30, 2016	December 31, 2015
1:3 basis swaps	$	637	724	—	410
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	11,149		21,408	11,148	1,175
Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge	716		3,257	—	—
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	—		—	11,646	7,646
Interest rate caps	287		1,570	—	—
Cross-currency interest rate swap	—		—	39,456	65,650
Other	1,687		1,731	2,803	—
Total	$	14,476	28,690	65,053	74,881

During the first quarter of 2016, the Company terminated a total notional amount of $3.1 billion of fixed rate floor income hedges for gross proceeds of $3.0 million, and a total notional amount of $300.0 million of other basis swaps for gross proceeds of $0.5 million. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company terminated a total notional amount of $500.0 million of fixed rate floor income hedges for gross payments of $0.7 million. During the first, second, and third quarters of 2015, the Company terminated a total notional amount of $2.7 billion, $2.8 billion, and $0.7 billion, respectively, of 1:3 Basis Swaps for gross proceeds of $34.4 million, $17.5 million, and $3.7 million, respectively.

Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities

The Company records derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Certain of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. The following tables include the gross amounts related to the Company's derivative portfolio recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, reconciled to the net amount when excluding derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and cash collateral received/pledged:

16

			Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
Derivative assets	Gross amounts of recognized assets presented in the consolidated balance sheets		Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement		Cash collateral pledged	Net asset (liability)
Balance as of September 30, 2016	$	14,476	(13,944	)	1,800	2,332
Balance as of December 31, 2015	28,690		(851	)	1,632	29,471

				Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
Derivative liabilities	Gross amounts of recognized liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets			Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement	Cash collateral pledged/(received), net (a)	Net asset (liability)
Balance as of September 30, 2016	$	(65,053	)	13,944	30,596	(20,513	)
Balance as of December 31, 2015	(74,881		)	851	13,168	(60,862	)

(a) Cash collateral pledged (received), net as of September 30, 2016 includes $60.9 million of cash collateral paid to counterparties and $30.3 million in cash collateral received from counterparties.

The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income.

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Settlements:
1:3 basis swaps	$	523		179		938		568
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	(5,157		)	(5,456	)	(15,241	)	(15,490	)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	(233		)	(255	)	(696	)	(760	)
Cross-currency interest rate swap	(1,394		)	(346	)	(3,293	)	(853	)
Total settlements - expense	(6,261		)	(5,878	)	(18,292	)	(16,535	)
Change in fair value:
1:3 basis swaps	140			(1,886	)	323		10,513
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	42,073			(18,935	)	(17,913	)	(16,273	)
Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge	(269		)	(2,205	)	(2,541	)	(1,736	)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	13			(1,948	)	(4,000	)	(861	)
Interest rate caps	(68		)	(939	)	(1,283	)	(1,140	)
Cross-currency interest rate swap	5,501			666		26,194		(35,207	)
Other	(297		)	1,525		(2,336	)	1,525
Total change in fair value - income (expense)	47,093			(23,722	)	(1,556	)	(43,179	)
Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - (expense) income	(4,831		)	(1,058	)	(13,543	)	32,480
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net - income (expense)	$	36,001		(30,658	)	(33,391	)	(27,234	)

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5.    Investments and Notes Receivable

A summary of the Company's investments and notes receivable follows:

	As of September 30, 2016							As of December 31, 2015
	Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains	Gross unrealized losses (a)		Fair value		Amortized cost	Gross unrealized gains	Gross unrealized losses		Fair value
Investments (at fair value):
Available-for-sale investments:
Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities (b)	$	112,324	2,128	(4,547	)	109,905		139,970	3,402	(1,362	)	142,010
Equity securities	720		1,811	(65	)	2,466		846	1,686	(100	)	2,432
Total available-for-sale investments	$	113,044	3,939	(4,612	)	112,371		140,816	5,088	(1,462	)	144,442
Trading investments:
Student loan asset-backed securities						—						6,045
Equity securities						253						4,905
Total trading investments						253						10,950
Total available-for-sale and trading investments						112,624						155,392
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value):
Venture capital and funds						64,481						63,323
Real estate						50,246						50,463
Notes receivable						17,031						18,473
Tax liens and affordable housing						13,146						16,030
Total investments and notes receivable						$	257,528					303,681

(a) As of September 30, 2016, the Company considered the decline in market value of its available-for-sale investments to be temporary in nature and did not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired.

(b) As of September 30, 2016, the stated maturities of the majority of the Company's student loan asset-backed and other debt securities classified as available-for-sale were greater than 10 years.

6. Business Combination

Allo Communications LLC ("Allo")

On December 31, 2015, the Company purchased 92.5 percent of the ownership interests of Allo for total cash consideration of $46.25 million.  On January 1, 2016, the Company sold a 1.0 percent ownership interest in Allo to a non-related third-party for $0.5 million. The remaining 7.5 percent of the ownership interests of Allo is owned by members of Allo management, who have the opportunity to earn an additional 11.5 percent (up to 19 percent) of the total ownership interests based on the financial performance of Allo.  The additional ownership interests that Allo management has the opportunity to earn are based on their continued employment with Allo. Accordingly, the value associated with the ownership interests issued to these employees of $1.0 million will be recognized by Allo as compensation expense over the performance period.

Allo provides pure fiber optic service to homes and businesses for internet, television, and telephone services.  The acquisition of Allo provides additional diversification of the Company's revenues and cash flows outside of education.  In addition, the acquisition leverages the Company's existing infrastructure, customer service capabilities and call centers, and financial strength and liquidity for continued growth. 

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. During the first quarter of 2016, the Company recognized certain adjustments to the provisional amounts recorded at December 31, 2015 that were needed to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. The net impact of these adjustments was an increase to goodwill, and the adjustments had no impact on operating results.

18

Cash and cash equivalents	$	334
Restricted cash and investments	850
Accounts receivable	1,935
Property and equipment	32,479
Other assets	371
Intangible assets	11,410
Excess cost over fair value of net assets acquired (goodwill)	21,112
Other liabilities	(4,587		)
Bonds and notes payable	(13,904		)
Net assets acquired	50,000
Minority interest	(3,750		)
Total consideration paid by the Company	$	46,250

The $11.4 million of acquired intangible assets on the date of acquisition had a weighted-average useful life of approximately 12 years. The intangible assets that made up this amount included customer relationships of $6.3 million (10-year useful life) and a trade name of $5.1 million (15-year useful life).

The $21.1 million of goodwill was assigned to the Communications operating segment and is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The amount allocated to goodwill was primarily attributable to future customers to be generated through the continued expansion of Allo's services in rural markets.

The proforma impacts of the acquisition on the Company's historical results prior to the acquisition were not material.

Allo recognizes revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists between Allo and the customer, (ii) delivery of the product to the customer has occurred or service has been provided to the customer, (iii) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured. Revenues based on a flat fee, derived principally from internet, television, and telephone services are billed in advance and recognized in subsequent periods when the services are provided. Revenues for usage-based services, such as access charges billed to other telephone carriers for originating and terminating long-distance calls on Allo's network, are billed in arrears. Allo recognizes revenue from these services in the period the services are rendered rather than billed. Earned but unbilled usage-based services are recorded in accounts receivable.

7. Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible assets consist of the following:

	Weighted average remaining useful life as of September 30, 2016 (months)	As of September 30, 2016		As of December 31, 2015
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer relationships (net of accumulated amortization of $7,261 and $4,028, respectively)	170	$	29,623	27,576
Computer software (net of accumulated amortization of $8,236 and $4,397, respectively)	28	10,712		11,601
Trade names (net of accumulated amortization of $1,439 and $795, respectively)	192	10,133		10,687
Content (net of accumulated amortization of $1,575 and $900, respectively)	3	225		900
Covenants not to compete (net of accumulated amortization of $83 and $56, respectively)	92	271		298
Total - amortizable intangible assets	143	$	50,964	51,062

The Company recorded amortization expense on its intangible assets of $3.2 million and $2.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $8.4 million and $7.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company will continue to amortize intangible assets over their remaining useful lives. As of September 30, 2016, the Company estimates it will record amortization expense as follows:

19

2016 (October 1 - December 31)	$	3,151
2017	9,386
2018	8,605
2019	5,147
2020	4,231
2021 and thereafter	20,444
	$	50,964

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable operating segment was as follows:

	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing		Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce	Communications	Asset Generation and Management	Corporate and Other Activities	Total
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	8,596	67,168	19,800	41,883	8,553	146,000
Allo purchase price adjustment	—		—	1,312	—	—	1,312
Balance as of September 30, 2016	$	8,596	67,168	21,112	41,883	8,553	147,312

8. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

		As of September 30, 2016		As of December 31, 2015
	Useful life
Non-communications:
Computer equipment and software	1-5 years	$	96,871	89,093
Office furniture and equipment	3-7 years	12,349		12,638
Building and building improvements	5-39 years	13,515		12,239
Transportation equipment	4-10 years	3,817		3,868
Leasehold improvements	5-20 years	3,614		3,545
Land	—	1,704		700
Construction in progress	—	10,124		1,210
		141,994		123,293
Accumulated depreciation - non-communications		88,523		77,188
Non-communications, net property and equipment		53,471		46,105
Communications:
Network plant and fiber	5-15 years	33,053		25,669
Central office	5-15 years	5,806		909
Customer located property	5-10 years	4,723		6,912
Transportation equipment	4-10 years	2,258		470
Computer equipment and software	1-5 years	1,772		74
Other	1-20 years	866		343
Land	—	70		—
Construction in progress	—	8,578		—
		57,126		34,377
Accumulated depreciation - communications		3,092		—
Communications, net property and equipment		54,034		34,377
Total property and equipment, net		$	107,505	80,482

20

Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 related to property and equipment was $5.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively, and $16.4 million and $11.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

9.   Earnings per Common Share

Presented below is a summary of the components used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share. The Company applies the two-class method in computing both basic and diluted earnings per share, which requires the calculation of separate earnings per share amounts for common stock and unvested share based awards. Unvested share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered securities which participate in undistributed earnings with common stock.

	Three months ended September 30,
	2016				2015
	Common shareholders		Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total	Common shareholders	Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	83,419	875	84,294	48,436	519	48,955
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	42,199,580		442,633	42,642,213	44,570,519	477,258	45,047,777
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$	1.98	1.98	1.98	1.09	1.09	1.09
	Nine months ended September 30,
	2016				2015
	Common shareholders		Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total	Common shareholders	Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	156,749	1,656	158,405	182,664	1,965	184,629
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	42,340,867		447,266	42,788,133	45,276,376	487,067	45,763,443
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$	3.70	3.70	3.70	4.03	4.03	4.03

Unvested restricted stock awards are the Company's only potential common shares and, accordingly, there were no awards that were antidilutive and not included in average shares outstanding for the diluted earnings per share calculation.

21

10.    Segment Reporting

See note 14 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2015 Annual Report for a description of the Company's operating segments. The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements.

Prior to January 1, 2016, the Company allocated certain corporate overhead expenses that are incurred within the Corporate and Other Activities segment to the other operating segments. These expenses included certain corporate activities related to executive management, internal audit, enterprise risk management, and other costs incurred by the Company due to corporate-wide initiatives. Effective January 1, 2016, internal reporting to executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") changed to eliminate the allocation of these expenses to the other segments. Management believes the change in its allocation methodology results in a better reflection of the operating results of each of the reportable segments as if they each operated as a standalone business entity, which also reflects how management evaluates the performance of the segments. Prior period segment operating results have been restated to conform to the current period presentation.

	Three months ended September 30, 2016
	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Communications		Asset Generation and Management		Corporate and Other Activities		Eliminations		Total
Total interest income	$	37		2		—		194,701		2,370		(930	)	196,181
Interest expense	—			—		318		95,383		1,615		(930	)	96,386
Net interest income	37			2		(318	)	99,318		755		—		99,795
Less provision for loan losses	—			—		—		6,000		—		—		6,000
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	37			2		(318	)	93,318		755		—		93,795
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	54,350			—		—		—		—		—		54,350
Intersegment servicing revenue	11,021			—		—		—		—		(11,021	)	—
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			33,071		—		—		—		—		33,071
Communications revenue	—			—		4,343		—		—		—		4,343
Other income	—			—		—		4,265		10,886		—		15,150
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	—			—		—		2,160		—		—		2,160
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		—		42,546		(284	)	—		42,262
Derivative settlements, net	—			—		—		(6,028	)	(233	)	—		(6,261	)
Total other income	65,371			33,071		4,343		42,943		10,369		(11,021	)	145,075
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	32,505			15,979		2,325		486		12,448		—		63,743
Depreciation and amortization	557			2,929		1,630		—		3,878		—		8,994
Loan servicing fees	—			—		—		5,880		—		—		5,880
Cost to provide communications services	—			—		1,784		—		—		—		1,784
Other expenses	8,784			4,149		1,545		1,769		10,143		—		26,391
Intersegment expenses, net	5,825			1,616		279		11,146		(7,845	)	(11,021	)	—
Total operating expenses	47,671			24,673		7,563		19,281		18,624		(11,021	)	106,792
Income (loss) before income taxes	17,737			8,400		(3,538	)	116,980		(7,500	)	—		132,078
Income tax (expense) benefit	(6,740		)	(3,192	)	1,344		(44,571	)	5,443		—		(47,715	)
Net income (loss)	10,997			5,208		(2,194	)	72,409		(2,057	)	—		84,363
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—		—		—		69		—		69
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	10,997		5,208		(2,194	)	72,409		(2,126	)	—		84,294

22

	Three months ended September 30, 2015 (a)
	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Asset Generation and Management		Corporate and Other Activities		Eliminations		Total
Total interest income	$	14		—		188,197		1,385		(439	)	189,157
Interest expense	—			—		76,040		1,563		(439	)	77,164
Net interest income	14			—		112,157		(178	)	—		111,993
Less provision for loan losses	—			—		3,000		—		—		3,000
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	14			—		109,157		(178	)	—		108,993
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	61,900			—		—		—		(380	)	61,520
Intersegment servicing revenue	12,027			—		—		—		(12,027	)	—
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			30,439		—		—		—		30,439
Enrollment services revenue	—			—		—		13,741		—		13,741
Other income	—			—		3,312		8,970		—		12,282
Gain (loss) on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	—			—		608		(11	)	—		597
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		(24,357	)	(423	)	—		(24,780	)
Derivative settlements, net	—			—		(5,623	)	(255	)	—		(5,878	)
Total other income	73,927			30,439		(26,060	)	22,022		(12,407	)	87,921
Operating expenses:										.
Salaries and benefits	34,525			13,983		558		14,149		—		63,215
Depreciation and amortization	484			2,202		—		4,291		—		6,977
Loan servicing fees	—			—		7,793		—		—		7,793
Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		—		11,349		—		11,349
Other expenses	14,602			3,579		1,421		12,002		—		31,604
Intersegment expenses, net	7,513			2,246		12,544		(9,895	)	(12,407	)	—
Total operating expenses	57,124			22,010		22,316		31,896		(12,407	)	120,938
Income (loss) before income taxes	16,817			8,429		60,781		(10,052	)	—		75,976
Income tax (expense) benefit	(6,390		)	(3,204	)	(23,096	)	5,691		—		(26,999	)
Net income (loss)	10,427			5,225		37,685		(4,361	)	—		48,977
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5		)	—		—		27		—		22
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	10,432		5,225		37,685		(4,388	)	—		48,955

(a) Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

23

	Nine months ended September 30, 2016
	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Communications		Asset Generation and Management		Corporate and Other Activities		Eliminations		Total
Total interest income	$	80		7		1		570,390		6,527		(2,556	)	574,449
Interest expense	—			—		671		278,029		4,702		(2,556	)	280,847
Net interest income	80			7		(670	)	292,361		1,825		—		293,602
Less provision for loan losses	—			—		—		10,500		—		—		10,500
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	80			7		(670	)	281,861		1,825		—		283,102
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	161,082			—		—		—		—		—		161,082
Intersegment servicing revenue	34,436			—		—		—		—		(34,436	)	—
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			102,211		—		—		—		—		102,211
Communications revenue	—			—		13,167		—		—		—		13,167
Enrollment services revenue	—			—		—		—		4,326		—		4,326
Other income	—			—		—		12,362		26,349		—		38,711
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	—			—		—		2,260		—		—		2,260
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		—		(8,763	)	(6,336	)	—		(15,099	)
Derivative settlements, net	—			—		—		(17,596	)	(696	)	—		(18,292	)
Total other income	195,518			102,211		13,167		(11,737	)	23,643		(34,436	)	288,366
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	96,851			45,859		4,792		1,504		38,902		—		187,907
Depreciation and amortization	1,440			7,711		4,137		—		11,528		—		24,817
Loan servicing fees	—			—		—		20,024		—		—		20,024
Cost to provide communications services	—			—		5,169		—		—		—		5,169
Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		—		—		3,623		—		3,623
Other expenses	31,635			13,122		3,110		4,766		31,540		—		84,174
Intersegment expenses, net	18,168			4,690		610		34,791		(23,823	)	(34,436	)	—
Total operating expenses	148,094			71,382		17,818		61,085		61,770		(34,436	)	325,714
Income (loss) before income taxes	47,504			30,836		(5,321	)	209,039		(36,302	)	—		245,754
Income tax (expense) benefit	(18,052		)	(11,718	)	2,022		(79,434	)	19,998		—		(87,184	)
Net income (loss)	29,452			19,118		(3,299	)	129,605		(16,304	)	—		158,570
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—		—		—		165		—		165
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	29,452		19,118		(3,299	)	129,605		(16,469	)	—		158,405

24

	Nine months ended September 30, 2015 (a)
	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Asset Generation and Management		Corporate and Other Activities		Eliminations		Total
Total interest income	$	34		3		536,899		5,352		(1,260	)	541,028
Interest expense	—			—		218,021		4,583		(1,260	)	221,344
Net interest income	34			3		318,878		769		—		319,684
Less provision for loan losses	—			—		7,150		—		—		7,150
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	34			3		311,728		769		—		312,534
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	183,544			—		—		—		(380	)	183,164
Intersegment servicing revenue	37,121			—		—		—		(37,121	)	—
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			92,805		—		—		—		92,805
Enrollment services revenue	—			—		—		39,794		—		39,794
Other income	—			—		11,838		23,837		—		35,675
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	—			—		2,000		2,987		—		4,987
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		(11,363	)	664		—		(10,699	)
Derivative settlements, net	—			—		(15,775	)	(760	)	—		(16,535	)
Total other income	220,665			92,805		(13,300	)	66,522		(37,501	)	329,191
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	99,813			40,887		1,623		40,729		—		183,052
Depreciation and amortization	1,457			6,592		—		11,091		—		19,140
Loan servicing fees	—			—		22,829		—		—		22,829
Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		—		32,543		—		32,543
Other expenses	44,578			11,493		3,828		34,531		—		94,430
Intersegment expenses, net	22,200			6,444		37,913		(29,056	)	(37,501	)	—
Total operating expenses	168,048			65,416		66,193		89,838		(37,501	)	351,994
Income (loss) before income taxes	52,651			27,392		232,235		(22,547	)	—		289,731
Income tax (expense) benefit	(20,007		)	(10,410	)	(88,248	)	13,680		—		(104,985	)
Net income (loss)	32,644			16,982		143,987		(8,867	)	—		184,746
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5		)	—		—		122		—		117
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	32,649		16,982		143,987		(8,989	)	—		184,629

(a) Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

25

11.    Major Customer

The Company earns loan servicing revenue from a servicing contract with the U.S. Department of Education (the "Department") that currently expires on June 16, 2019. Revenue earned by the Company's Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment related to this contract was $40.2 million and $33.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $112.5 million and $99.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In April 2016, the Department's Office of Federal Student Aid released information regarding a new contract procurement process for the Department to acquire a single servicing platform to support the management of federal student financial aid, including the servicing of all student loans owned by the Department.  The contract solicitation process is divided into two phases. Responses for Phase I were due on May 9, 2016. 

On May 6, 2016, the Company and Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc. ("Great Lakes") submitted a joint response to Phase I as part of a newly created joint venture to respond to the contract solicitation process and to provide services under the new contract in the event that the Department selects it to be awarded with the contract. The joint venture will operate as a new legal entity called GreatNet Solutions, LLC ("GreatNet"). The Company and Great Lakes each own 50 percent of the ownership interests of GreatNet. In addition to the Company, Great Lakes is currently one of four private sector companies (referred to as Title IV Additional Servicers, or "TIVAS") that currently has a student loan servicing contract with the Department to provide servicing for loans owned by the Department.

On June 30, 2016, the Department announced which entities were selected to respond to Phase II of the procurement selection process. GreatNet was one of three entities selected. On October 26, 2016, the Department released the Phase II solicitation for its new single servicer contract. Responses for Phase II are due December 12, 2016. The Department anticipates the servicing system contract will be awarded by February 2017.

12.   Fair Value

The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers into or out of level 1, level 2, or level 3 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

	As of September 30, 2016				As of December 31, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2	Total	Level 1	Level 2	Total
Assets:
Investments (available-for-sale and trading):
Student loan asset-backed securities	$	—	109,783	109,783	—	147,925	147,925
Equity securities	2,719		—	2,719	7,337	—	7,337
Debt securities	122		—	122	130	—	130
Total investments (available-for-sale and trading)	2,841		109,783	112,624	7,467	147,925	155,392
Fair value of derivative instruments	—		14,476	14,476	—	28,690	28,690
Total assets	$	2,841	124,259	127,100	7,467	176,615	184,082
Liabilities:
Fair value of derivative instruments	$	—	65,053	65,053	—	74,881	74,881
Total liabilities	$	—	65,053	65,053	—	74,881	74,881

26

The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets:

	As of September 30, 2016
	Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Financial assets:
Student loans receivable	$	26,145,847	25,615,434	—	—	26,145,847
Cash and cash equivalents	67,154		67,154	67,154	—	—
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	112,624		112,624	2,841	109,783	—
Notes receivable	17,031		17,031	—	17,031	—
Restricted cash	866,582		866,582	866,582	—	—
Restricted cash – due to customers	91,505		91,505	91,505	—	—
Restricted investments	6,292		6,292	6,292	—	—
Accrued interest receivable	381,804		381,804	—	381,804	—
Derivative instruments	14,476		14,476	—	14,476	—
Financial liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	24,750,721		25,320,878	—	24,750,721	—
Accrued interest payable	42,840		42,840	—	42,840	—
Due to customers	91,505		91,505	91,505	—	—
Derivative instruments	65,053		65,053	—	65,053	—

	As of December 31, 2015
	Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Financial assets:
Student loans receivable	$	28,611,350	28,324,552	—	—	28,611,350
Cash and cash equivalents	63,529		63,529	63,529	—	—
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	155,392		155,392	7,467	147,925	—
Notes receivable	18,067		18,473	—	18,067	—
Restricted cash	823,450		823,450	823,450	—	—
Restricted cash – due to customers	144,771		144,771	144,771	—	—
Restricted investments	9,174		9,174	9,174	—	—
Accrued interest receivable	383,825		383,825	—	383,825	—
Derivative instruments	28,690		28,690	—	28,690	—
Financial liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	27,150,775		28,105,921	—	27,150,775	—
Accrued interest payable	31,507		31,507	—	31,507	—
Due to customers	144,771		144,771	144,771	—	—
Derivative instruments	74,881		74,881	—	74,881	—

The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities are described in note 20 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2015 Annual Report.

27

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. All dollars are in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted.)

The following discussion and analysis provides information that the Company’s management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the consolidated results of operations and financial condition of the Company.  The discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the 2015 Annual Report.

Forward-looking and cautionary statements

This report contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on management's current expectations as of the date of this document.  Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's plans and expectations for future financial condition, results of operations or economic performance, or that address management's plans and objectives for future operations, and statements that assume or are dependent upon future events, are forward-looking statements. The words “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “assume,” “forecast,” “will,” and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analysis made by management in light of management's experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, and other factors that management believes are appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  These factors include, among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the 2015 Annual Report and elsewhere in this report, and include such risks and uncertainties as:

• student loan portfolio risks such as interest rate basis and repricing risk resulting from the fact that the interest rate characteristics of the student loan assets do not match the interest rate characteristics of the funding for those assets, the risk of loss of floor income on certain student loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (the "FFEL Program" or "FFELP"), risks related to the use of derivatives to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations, uncertainties regarding the expected benefits from purchased securitized and unsecuritized FFELP student loans and initiatives to purchase additional FFELP and private education loans, and risks from changes in levels of student loan prepayment or default rates;

• financing and liquidity risks, including risks of changes in the general interest rate environment and in the securitization and other financing markets for student loans, including adverse changes resulting from slower than expected payments on student loans in FFELP securitization trusts, which may increase the costs or limit the availability of financings necessary to purchase, refinance, or continue to hold student loans;

• risks from changes in the educational credit and services markets resulting from changes in applicable laws, regulations, and government programs and budgets, such as the expected decline over time in FFELP loan interest income and fee-based revenues due to the discontinuation of new FFELP loan originations in 2010 and potential government initiatives or legislative proposals to consolidate existing FFELP loans to the Federal Direct Loan Program or otherwise allow FFELP loans to be refinanced with Federal Direct Loan Program loans, risks related to adverse changes in the Company's volumes allocated under the Company's loan servicing contract with the Department, which accounted for approximately 15 percent of the Company's revenue in 2015, risks related to the Department's initiative to procure a new contract for federal student loan servicing to acquire a single servicing platform to service all loans owned by the Department, including the risk that the Company's joint venture with Great Lakes may not be awarded the contract, and risks related to the Company's ability to comply with agreements with third-party customers for the servicing of FFELP, Federal Direct Loan Program, and private education loans;

• risks related to a breach of or failure in the Company's operational or information systems or infrastructure, or those of third-party vendors, including cybersecurity risks related to the potential disclosure of confidential student loan borrower and other customer information;

• uncertainties inherent in forecasting future cash flows from student loan assets and related asset-backed securitizations;

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• the uncertain nature of the expected benefits from the acquisition of Allo Communications LLC and the ability to integrate its communications operations and successfully expand its fiber network in existing service areas and additional communities;

• risks and uncertainties related to initiatives to pursue additional strategic investments and acquisitions, including investments and acquisitions that are intended to diversify the Company both within and outside of its historical core education-related businesses; and

• risks and uncertainties associated with litigation matters and with maintaining compliance with the extensive regulatory requirements applicable to the Company's businesses, reputational and other risks, including the risk of increased regulatory costs, resulting from the recent politicization of student loan servicing, and uncertainties inherent in the estimates and assumptions about future events that management is required to make in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements.

All forward-looking statements contained in this report are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date of this document. Although the Company may from time to time voluntarily update or revise its prior forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the Company's expectations, the Company disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws.

OVERVIEW

The Company is a diverse company with a focus on delivering education-related products and services and student loan asset management. The largest operating businesses engage in student loan servicing, tuition payment processing and school information systems, and communications. A significant portion of the Company's revenue is net interest income earned on a portfolio of federally insured student loans. The Company also makes investments to further diversify the Company both within and outside of its historical core education-related businesses, including, but not limited to, investments in real estate and start-up ventures.

GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income, Excluding Adjustments

A reconciliation of the Company's GAAP net income to net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, is provided below.

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	84,294		48,955		158,405		184,629
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments	(42,262		)	24,780		15,099		10,699
Tax effect (a)	16,060			(9,416	)	(5,737	)	(4,065	)
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (b)	$	58,092		64,319		167,767		191,263
Earnings per share:
GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	1.98		1.09		3.70		4.03
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments	(0.99		)	0.55		0.35		0.24
Tax effect (a)	0.37			(0.21	)	(0.13	)	(0.09	)
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments (b)	$	1.36		1.43		3.92		4.18

(a) The tax effects are calculated by multiplying the derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments by the applicable statutory income tax rate.

(b) The Company provides additional non-GAAP financial information related to specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its operating results and performance. "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments" include (i) the unrealized gains and losses that are caused by changes in fair values of derivatives which do not qualify for "hedge treatment" under GAAP; and (ii) the foreign currency transaction gains or losses caused by the re-measurement of the Company's Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars. The Company believes these point-in-time estimates of asset and liability values related to these financial instruments that are subject to interest and currency rate fluctuations are subject to volatility mostly due to timing and market factors beyond the control of management, and affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations. Accordingly, the Company’s management utilizes operating results excluding these items for comparability purposes when making decisions regarding the Company’s performance and in presentations with credit rating agencies, lenders, and investors. Consequently, the Company reports this non-GAAP information because the Company believes that it provides additional information regarding operational and performance indicators that are closely assessed by management. There is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for the presentation of such non-GAAP information, which is only meant to supplement GAAP results by providing additional information that management utilizes to assess performance.

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In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. Previously, the Company amortized premiums and accreted discounts by including in its prepayment assumption forecasted payments in excess of contractually required payments as well as forecasted defaults. The Company has determined that only payments in excess of contractually required payments should be included in the prepayment assumption. Under the Company's revised policy, as of September 30, 2016, the constant prepayment rate used by the Company to amortize/accrete student loan premiums/discounts was decreased. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an adjustment to reflect the net impact on prior periods for the correction of this error that resulted in an $8.2 million reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance and a corresponding increase in interest income(a $5.2 million after tax increase to net income). The Company has concluded this error has an immaterial impact on 2016 results as well as the results for prior periods.

Operating Results

The Company earns net interest income on its FFELP student loan portfolio in its Asset Generation and Management ("AGM") operating segment. This segment is expected to generate a stable net interest margin and significant amounts of cash as the FFELP portfolio amortizes. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had a $25.6 billion student loan portfolio that will amortize over the next approximately 25 years. The Company actively seeks to acquire additional FFELP loan portfolios to leverage its servicing scale and expertise to generate incremental earnings and cash flow.

In addition, the Company earns fee-based revenue through the following reportable operating segments:

• Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing ("LGS") - referred to as Nelnet Diversified Solutions ("NDS")

• Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce ("TPP&CC") - referred to as Nelnet Business Solutions ("NBS")

• Communications - referred to as Allo Communications ("Allo")

Other business activities and operating segments that are not reportable are combined and included in Corporate and Other Activities ("Corporate"). Corporate and Other Activities also includes income earned on certain investments and interest expense incurred on unsecured debt transactions.

Prior to January 1, 2016, the Company allocated certain corporate overhead expenses that are incurred within the Corporate and Other Activities segment to the other operating segments. These expenses included certain corporate activities related to executive management, internal audit, enterprise risk management, and other costs incurred by the Company due to corporate-wide initiatives. Effective January 1, 2016, internal reporting to executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") changed to eliminate the allocation of these expenses to the other segments. Management believes the change in its allocation methodology results in a better reflection of the operating results of each of the reportable segments as if they each operated as a standalone business entity, which also reflects how management evaluates the performance of the segments. Prior period segment operating results have been restated to conform to the current period presentation.

The information below provides the operating results for each reportable operating segment and Corporate and Other Activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions).

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(a)    Revenue includes intersegment revenue earned by LGS as a result of servicing loans for AGM.

(b) Total revenue includes "net interest income after provision for loan losses" and "total other income" from the Company's segment statements of income, excluding the impact from changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments. Net income excludes changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, net of tax. For information regarding the exclusion of the impact from changes in fair values of derivatives and foreign currency transaction adjustments, see "GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income, Excluding Adjustments" above.

(c) Computed as income before income taxes divided by total revenue.

A summary of the results and financial highlights for each reportable operating segment and a summary of the Company's liquidity and capital resources follows. See "Results of Operations" for each reportable operating segment and "Liquidity and Capital Resources" under this Item 2 for additional detail.

Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing

• As of September 30, 2016, the Company was servicing $193.2 billion in FFELP, private, and government owned student loans, as compared with $175.3 billion of loans as of September 30, 2015.

• Revenue decreased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 due to a decrease in guaranty servicing and collection revenue. The Company's guaranty servicing and collection revenue was earned from two guaranty clients, and a significant amount of such revenue came from one of those clients. The contract with this client expired on October 31, 2015. FFELP guaranty servicing and collection revenue recognized by the Company from this client for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $11.6 million and $32.8 million respectively. The other guaranty servicing and collection client exited the FFELP guaranty business at the end of their contract term on June 30, 2016. After this customer's exit from the FFELP guaranty business effective June 30, 2016, the Company has no remaining guaranty servicing and collection revenue.

• Revenue from the government servicing contract increased to $40.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $33.2 million for the same period in 2015, and increased to $112.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $99.3 million for the same period in 2015. This increase was due to an increase in disbursements, the transfer of borrowers to the Company from a not-for-profit servicer who exited the loan servicing business, and the shift in the portfolio of loans serviced to a greater portion of loans in higher paying repayment statuses. As of September 30, 2016, the Company was servicing $161.7 billion of student loans for 6.0 million borrowers under this contract.

• The increase in before tax operating margin for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was due to a reduction of expenses through improved operational efficiencies.

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• In April 2016, the Department's Office of Federal Student Aid released information regarding a new contract procurement process for the Department to acquire a single servicing platform to support the management of federal student financial aid, including the servicing of all student loans owned by the Department.  The contract solicitation process is divided into two phases. Responses for Phase I were due on May 9, 2016. 

On May 6, 2016, the Company and Great Lakes submitted a joint response to Phase I as part of a newly created joint venture to respond to the contract solicitation process and to provide services under the new contract in the event that the Department selects it to be awarded with the contract. The joint venture will operate as a new legal entity called GreatNet Solutions, LLC ("GreatNet"). The Company and Great Lakes each own 50 percent of the ownership interests of GreatNet. In addition to the Company, Great Lakes is one of four private sector companies (referred to as Title IV Additional Servicers, or "TIVAS") that currently has a student loan servicing contract with the Department to provide servicing for loans owned by the Department. On June 30, 2016, the Department announced which entities were selected to respond to Phase II of the procurement selection process. GreatNet was one of three entities selected. On October 26, 2016, the Department released the Phase II solicitation for its new single servicer contract. Responses for Phase II are due December 12, 2016. The Department anticipates the servicing system contract will be awarded by February 2017.

Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce

• Revenue increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 due to increases in the number of managed tuition payment plans, campus commerce customer transaction and payments volume, and new school customers.

• The decrease in before tax operating margin for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was due to the Company's continued investment in and enhancements of payment plan and campus commerce systems and products.

• This segment is subject to seasonal fluctuations. Based on the timing of when revenue is recognized and when expenses are incurred, revenue and operating margin are higher in the first quarter as compared to the remainder of the year.

Communications

• On December 31, 2015, the Company purchased 92.5 percent of the ownership interests of Allo for total cash consideration of $46.25 million.  On January 1, 2016, the Company sold a 1.0 percent ownership interest in Allo to a non-related third-party for $0.5 million. The remaining 7.5 percent of the ownership interests of Allo is owned by members of Allo management, who have the opportunity to earn an additional 11.5 percent (up to 19 percent) of the total ownership interests based on the financial performance of Allo.  The Allo assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded by the Company at their respective estimated fair values at the date of acquisition, and such assets and liabilities were included in the Company's balance sheet as of December 31, 2015.  However, Allo had no impact on the consolidated statement of income for 2015.  On January 1, 2016, the Company began to reflect the operations of Allo in the consolidated statements of income.

• For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the operating segment recorded a net loss of $2.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively. The Company anticipates this operating segment will be dilutive to consolidated earnings as it continues to build its network in Lincoln, Nebraska, due to large upfront capital expenditures and associated depreciation and upfront customer acquisition costs.

• The Company currently plans to spend a total of approximately $50 million in network capital expenditures during 2016, and anticipates total capital expenditures of approximately $90 million in 2017. However, such amounts could change based on customer demand for Allo's services. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, Allo's capital expenditures were $24.6 million, including $12.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

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Asset Generation and Management

• Core student loan spread was 1.26% for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to 1.45% for the same period in 2015 and 1.29% for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The decrease in core student loan spread for the three month period ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 was due to a decrease in fixed rate floor income, and the decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was due to a decrease in fixed rate floor income and a widening in the basis between the asset and debt indices in which the Company earns interest on its loans and funds such loans.

• During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015, the average balance of student loans decreased $2.7 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, due primarily to the amortization of the student loan portfolio, and limited portfolio acquisitions from third parties, which were $52.7 million and $1.8 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $238.6 million and $3.8 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

• Due to historically low interest rates, the Company continues to earn significant fixed rate floor income. During the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company earned $36.4 million, $48.2 million, $116.5 million, and $139.5 million, respectively, of fixed rate floor income (net of derivative settlements of $5.2 million and $5.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $15.2 million and $15.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, used to hedge such loans). The decrease in fixed rate floor income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 was due to an increase in interest rates.

• In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an adjustment to reflect the net impact on prior periods for the correction of this error that resulted in an $8.2 million reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance and a corresponding increase in interest income (a $5.2 million after tax increase to net income).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

• As of September 30, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $67.2 million. In addition, the Company had a portfolio of available-for-sale and trading investments, consisting primarily of student loan asset-backed securities, with a fair value of $112.6 million as of September 30, 2016.

• For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company generated $258.8 million in net cash provided by operating activities.

• Forecasted future cash flows from the Company's FFELP student loan portfolio financed in asset-backed securitization transactions are estimated to be approximately $2.17 billion as of September 30, 2016.

• During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company repurchased a total of 1,812,592 shares of Class A common stock for $60.1 million ($33.18 per share), including 201,551 shares of Class A common stock for $7.7 million ($38.08 per share) during the three months ended September 30, 2016.

• During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company paid cash dividends of $15.3 million ($0.36 per share), including $5.1 million ($0.12 per share) during the third quarter.

• The Company intends to use its liquidity position to capitalize on market opportunities, including FFELP and private education loan acquisitions; strategic acquisitions and investments; expansion of Allo's telecommunications network; and capital management initiatives, including stock repurchases, debt repurchases, and dividend distributions. The timing and size of these opportunities will vary and will have a direct impact on the Company's cash and investment balances.

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CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Analysis of the Company's operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 is summarized below.

The Company’s operating results are primarily driven by the performance of its existing portfolio and the revenues generated by its fee-based businesses and the costs to provide their products and services.  The performance of the Company’s portfolio is driven by net interest income (which includes financing costs) and losses related to credit quality of the assets, along with the cost to administer and service the assets and related debt.

The Company operates in distinct operating segments as described previously. For a reconciliation of the segment operating results to the consolidated results of operations, see note 10 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report. Since the Company monitors and assesses its operations and results based on these segments, the discussion following the consolidated results of operations is presented on a segment basis.

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	Three months					Nine months
	ended September 30,					ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015		Additional information
Loan interest	$	193,721		187,701		567,775		535,480		Increase due to an increase in the gross yield earned on the student loan portfolio, and an adjustment recorded during the third quarter of 2016 to reflect the net impact on prior periods for a correction of an error regarding the Company's method of applying the interest method to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio, partially offset by a decrease in fixed rate floor income and a decrease in the average balance of student loans.
Investment interest	2,460			1,456		6,674		5,548		Includes income from unrestricted interest-earning deposits and investments and funds in asset-backed securitizations.
Total interest income	196,181			189,157		574,449		541,028
Interest expense	96,386			77,164		280,847		221,344		Increase due primarily to an increase in the Company's cost of funds, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of debt outstanding.
Net interest income	99,795			111,993		293,602		319,684		See table below for additional analysis.
Less provision for loan losses	6,000			3,000		10,500		7,150		Represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance appropriate to absorb losses inherent in the portfolio of student loans. See AGM operating segment - results of operations.
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	93,795			108,993		283,102		312,534
Other income:
LGS revenue	54,350			61,520		161,082		183,164		See LGS operating segment - results of operations.
TPP&CC revenue	33,071			30,439		102,211		92,805		See TPP&CC operating segment - results of operations.
Communications revenue	4,343			—		13,167		—		See Communications operating segment - results of operations.
Enrollment services revenue	—			13,741		4,326		39,794		See table below for additional analysis.
Other income	15,150			12,282		38,711		35,675		See table below for the components of "other income."
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	2,160			597		2,260		4,987		Gains are primarily from the Company repurchasing its own debt.
Derivative settlements, net	(6,261		)	(5,878	)	(18,292	)	(16,535	)	The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility. Derivative settlements for each applicable period should be evaluated with the Company's net interest income. See table below for additional analysis.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	42,262			(24,780	)	(15,099	)	(10,699	)	Includes (i) the unrealized gains and losses that are caused by changes in fair values of derivatives which do not qualify for "hedge treatment" under GAAP; and (ii) the foreign currency transaction gains or losses caused by the re-measurement of the Company's Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars.
Total other income	145,075			87,921		288,366		329,191
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	63,743			63,215		187,907		183,052		Increase was due to additional personnel to support the increase in TPP&CC revenue and the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015, partially offset by a decrease in personnel in the LGS operating segment as a result of the loss of guaranty servicing clients and improved operational efficiencies, and a decrease in personnel due to the sale of Sparkroom during the first quarter of 2016.
Depreciation and amortization	8,994			6,977		24,817		19,140		Increase was due to additional depreciation expense as a result of investments in information technology infrastructure, additional investments in TPP&CC systems and products, and due to the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.
Loan servicing fees	5,880			7,793		20,024		22,829		The Company pays higher third-party servicing fees on delinquent loans. The Company's third-party serviced loan portfolio has fewer delinquent loans in 2016 compared to 2015; therefore, third-party servicing fees have decreased.
Cost to provide communication services	1,784			—		5,169		—		Represents costs of services and products primarily associated with television programming costs.
Cost to provide enrollment services	—			11,349		3,623		32,543		See table below for additional analysis.
Other	26,391			31,604		84,174		94,430		Decrease due to a decrease in collection costs associated with the decrease in FFELP guaranty collection revenue, partially offset by an increase as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015, and an increase to support the increase in payment plans and campus commerce activity and continued investments in and enhancements of payment plan and campus commerce systems and products.
Total operating expenses	106,792			120,938		325,714		351,994
Income before income taxes	132,078			75,976		245,754		289,731
Income tax expense	47,715			26,999		87,184		104,985		The effective tax rate was 36.15% and 35.55% in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and 35.50% and 36.25% in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The lower effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was due to the resolution of certain tax positions during the first quarter of 2016.
Net income	84,363			48,977		158,570		184,746
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	69			22		165		117
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	84,294		48,955		158,405		184,629
Additional information:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	84,294		48,955		158,405		184,629		See "Overview - GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income, Excluding Adjustments" above for additional information about non-GAAP net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments	(42,262		)	24,780		15,099		10,699
Tax effect	16,060			(9,416	)	(5,737	)	(4,065	)
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc., excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments	$	58,092		64,319		167,767		191,263

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The following table summarizes the components of "net interest income" and "derivative settlements, net."

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015		Additional information
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives	$	56,571		58,250		157,577		163,404		Represents the yield the Company receives on its student loan portfolio less the cost of funding these loans. Variable student loan spread is also impacted by the amortization/accretion of loan premiums and discounts, the 1.05% per year consolidation loan rebate fee paid to the Department, and yield adjustments from borrower benefit programs. In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an adjustment to reflect the net impact on prior periods for the correction of this error that resulted in an $8.2 million reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance and a corresponding increase in interest income. See AGM operating segment - results of operations.
Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives	36,352			48,229		116,479		139,542		The Company has a portfolio of student loans that are earning interest at a fixed borrower rate which exceeds the statutorily defined variable lender rates, generating fixed rate floor income. See Item 3, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Interest Rate Risk" for additional information.
Investment interest	2,460			1,456		6,674		5,548
Non-portfolio related derivative settlements	(233		)	(257	)	(697	)	(762	)
Corporate debt interest expense	(1,616		)	(1,563	)	(4,723	)	(4,583	)	Includes interest expense on the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities and unsecured and secured lines of credit.
Net interest income (net of settlements on derivatives)	$	93,534		106,115		275,310		303,149

The following table summarizes the components of "Enrollment services revenue" and "Cost to provide enrollment services."

	Inquiry management (marketing) (a)		Inquiry management (software) (a)	Total (a)
	Three months ended September 30, 2016
Enrollment services revenue	$	—	—	—
Cost to provide enrollment services	—		—	—
Gross profit	$	—	—	—
	Three months ended September 30, 2015
Enrollment services revenue	$	12,838	903	13,741
Cost to provide enrollment services	11,349		—	11,349
Gross profit	$	1,489	903	2,392
Gross profit %	11.6%
	Nine months ended September 30, 2016
Enrollment services revenue	$	4,005	321	4,326
Cost to provide enrollment services	3,623		—	3,623
Gross profit	$	382	321	703
Gross profit %	9.5%
	Nine months ended September 30, 2015
Enrollment services revenue	$	36,844	2,950	39,794
Cost to provide enrollment services	32,543		—	32,543
Gross profit	$	4,301	2,950	7,251
Gross profit %	11.7%

(a) On February 1, 2016, the Company sold 100 percent of the membership interests in Sparkroom LLC, which includes the majority of the Company's inquiry management products and services within Nelnet Enrollment Solutions. The Company retained the digital marketing and content solution products and services under the brand name Peterson's within the Nelnet Enrollment Solutions business, which include test preparation study guides, school directories and databases, career exploration guides, on-line courses, scholarship search and selection data, career planning information and guides, and on-line information about colleges and universities. The

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Company reclassified the revenue and cost of goods sold attributable to the Peterson's products and services from "enrollment services revenue" and "cost to provide enrollment services" to "other income" and "other expenses," respectively, on the consolidated statements of income. After this reclassification, "enrollment services revenue" and "cost to provide enrollment services" include the operating results of the products and services sold as part of the Sparkroom disposition for all periods presented. These reclassifications had no effect on consolidated net income.

The following table summarizes the components of "other income."

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016	2015
Peterson's revenue (a)	$	4,128	5,759		10,655	14,730
Borrower late fee income	3,158		3,605		9,910	11,357
Investment advisory fees	1,535		677		3,367	2,167
Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) on investments classified as available-for-sale and trading, net	506		(3,155	)	1,444	(805	)
Other (b)	5,823		5,396		13,335	8,226
Other income	$	15,150	12,282		38,711	35,675

(a) Represents revenue previously included in "Enrollment services revenue" on the consolidated statements of income. The decrease in revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 was due to the loss of rights to a certain publication.

(b) The operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 include gains of $3.0 million and $3.2 million, respectively, related to the Company's sale of venture capital investments. The operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 include a gain of approximately $3.0 million related to the Company's sale of Sparkroom, LLC in February 2016.

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STUDENT LOAN AND GUARANTY SERVICING OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Student Loan Servicing Volumes (dollars in millions)

Company owned	$21,397	$19,742	$19,369	$18,934	$18,593	$18,886	$18,433	$18,079	$17,429
% of total	15.5%	12.2%	11.5%	11.1%	10.6%	10.7%	10.1%	9.8%	9.0%
Number of servicing borrowers:
Government servicing:	5,305,498	5,915,449	5,882,446	5,817,078	5,886,266	5,842,163	5,786,545	5,726,828	6,009,433
FFELP servicing:	1,462,122	1,397,295	1,358,551	1,353,785	1,339,307	1,335,538	1,298,407	1,296,198	1,357,412
Private servicing:	195,580	202,529	205,926	209,854	230,403	245,737	250,666	267,073	292,989
Total:	6,963,200	7,515,273	7,446,923	7,380,717	7,455,976	7,423,438	7,335,618	7,290,099	7,659,834
Number of remote hosted borrowers:	1,915,203	1,611,654	1,592,813	1,559,573	1,710,577	1,755,341	1,796,783	1,842,961	2,103,989

Department of Education Student Loan Servicing Contract

The Company's current servicing contract with the Department expires on June 16, 2019. In April 2016, the Department's Office of Federal Student Aid released information regarding a new contract procurement process for the Department to acquire a single servicing platform to support the management of federal student financial aid, including the servicing of all student loans owned by the Department.  The contract solicitation process is divided into two phases. Responses for Phase I were due on May 9, 2016.

On May 6, 2016, the Company and Great Lakes submitted a joint response to Phase I as part of a newly created joint venture to respond to the contract solicitation process and to provide services under the new contract in the event that the Department selects it to be awarded with the contract. The joint venture will operate as a new legal entity called GreatNet. The Company and Great Lakes each own 50 percent of the ownership interests of GreatNet. In addition to the Company, Great Lakes is one of four private sector companies that currently has a student loan servicing contract with the Department to provide servicing for loans owned by the Department. On June 30, 2016, the Department announced which entities were selected to respond to Phase II of the procurement selection process. GreatNet was one of three entities selected. Navient Corporation and FedLoan Servicing (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency), both existing TIVAS, were also selected to respond to Phase II. On October 26, 2016, the Department released the Phase II solicitation for its new single servicer contract. Responses for Phase II are due December 12, 2016. The Department anticipates the servicing system contract will be awarded by February 2017.

38

During 2015, approximately 75 percent of new government student loans were allocated for servicing to the four TIVAS, with allocations based on established performance metrics compared among that group. An additional six not-for-profit ("NFP") servicers were allocated a total of approximately 25 percent of new loans for servicing during 2015. On March 2, 2016, the Department announced that, for the period March 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016, new student loans would be allocated for servicing among the group of ten TIVAS and NFP servicers on the basis of the currently established performance metrics as compared among all ten loan servicers in that group, pursuant to a provision in the federal budgetary Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016. This change resulted in a decrease in the Company's overall government allocation of new student loans for servicing from 13 percent to 8 percent for the period March 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016, and the other TIVAS were similarly affected. However, the Company did and will continue to benefit from the allocation of additional borrowers to the three NFP servicers to which the Company licenses its remote-hosted servicing software. One NFP servicer exited the Federal Direct Loan Program servicing business, transferring its 188,956 borrowers to Nelnet for servicing in August 2016.

On July 15, 2016, the Department provided an update on its Federal Direct Loan Program servicing contract, with performance metrics results for the period January 1, 2016 through May 31, 2016 and new volume allocations for its student loan servicers based on these results. The new performance results had the Company ranked fifth among all TIVAS and NFP servicers, which results in the Company being allocated 12 percent of new student loan servicing volume for the period July 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017. The Company ranked second among the four TIVAS, with Great Lakes ranking first.

Summary and Comparison of Operating Results

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,				Additional information
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Net interest income	$	37		14		80		34
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	54,350			61,900		161,082		183,544		See table below for additional analysis.
Intersegment servicing revenue	11,021			12,027		34,436		37,121		Represents revenue earned by the LGS operating segment as a result of servicing loans for the AGM operating segment. Decrease was due to portfolio run-off.
Total other income	65,371			73,927		195,518		220,665
Salaries and benefits	32,505			34,525		96,851		99,813		Decrease due to a decrease in personnel as a result of the loss of guaranty servicing and collection clients described below, and improved operational efficiencies.
Depreciation and amortization	557			484		1,440		1,457
Other expenses	8,784			14,602		31,635		44,578		Decrease due primarily to a decrease in collection costs directly related to the decrease in FFELP guaranty collection revenue. There were no collection costs for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and $4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, and $3.5 million and $15.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Excluding collection costs, other expenses were $8.8 million and $9.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $28.1 million and $28.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease in expenses when excluding collection costs was due to improved operational efficiencies. See additional information below regarding the decrease in FFELP guaranty collection revenue.
Intersegment expenses, net	5,825			7,513		18,168		22,200		Intersegment expenses represent costs for certain corporate activities that are allocated to each operating segment based on estimated use of such activities and services.
Total operating expenses	47,671			57,124		148,094		168,048
Income before income taxes	17,737			16,817		47,504		52,651
Income tax expense	(6,740		)	(6,390	)	(18,052	)	(20,007	)
Net income	10,997			10,427		29,452		32,644
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			5		—		5
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	10,997		10,432		29,452		32,649
Before tax operating margin	27.1		%	22.7	%	24.3	%	23.9	%	Increase in margin due to a reduction of expenses through improved operational efficiencies.

39

The following table summarizes the components of "Loan and guaranty servicing revenue."

	Three months ended September 30,			Nine months ended September 30,		Additional information
	2016		2015	2016	2015
Government servicing	$	40,159	33,229	112,453	99,269	Increase due to an increase in disbursements, the transfer of borrowers from a not-for-profit servicer who exited the loan servicing business, and the shift in the portfolio of loans serviced to a greater portion of loans in higher paying repayment statuses.
FFELP servicing	4,541		3,572	11,864	10,600	Increase due to an increase in third-party servicing volume as a result of conversions to the Company's servicing platform. Over time, FFELP servicing revenue will decrease as third-party customers' FFELP portfolios run off.
Private servicing	4,142		3,323	10,715	9,105	Increase due to growth in private loan servicing volume from existing and new clients.
FFELP guaranty servicing	—		2,663	2,349	7,561	The Company’s guaranty servicing revenue was earned from two guaranty servicing clients.  A contract with one client expired on October 31, 2015, and was not renewed.   Guaranty servicing revenue from this customer was $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The remaining guaranty servicing client exited the FFELP guaranty business at the end of their contract term on June 30, 2016, and after this date the Company has no remaining guaranty servicing revenue.  Guaranty servicing revenue from this customer was $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and $2.3 million and $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
FFELP guaranty collection	—		13,006	7,211	39,751	The Company’s guaranty collection revenue was earned from two guaranty collection clients.  A contract with one client expired on October 31, 2015, and was not renewed.   Guaranty collection revenue from this customer was $10.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and $28.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The remaining guaranty collection client exited the FFELP guaranty business at the end of their contract term on June 30, 2016, and after this date the Company has no remaining guaranty collection revenue.   Guaranty collection revenue from this customer was $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, and $7.2 million and $11.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.   The Company incurred collection costs that were directly related to guaranty collection revenue.
Software services	4,491		4,995	13,753	14,501	The majority of software services revenue relates to providing hosted student loan servicing.
Other	1,017		1,112	2,737	2,757
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	$	54,350	61,900	161,082	183,544

40

TUITION PAYMENT PROCESSING AND CAMPUS COMMERCE OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This segment of the Company’s business is subject to seasonal fluctuations which correspond, or are related to, the traditional school year. Tuition management revenue is recognized over the course of the academic term, but the peak operational activities take place in summer and early fall. Higher amounts of revenue are typically recognized during the first quarter due to fees related to grant and aid applications as well as online applications and enrollment services.  The Company’s operating expenses do not follow the seasonality of the revenues. This is primarily due to generally fixed year-round personnel costs and seasonal marketing costs. Based on the timing of revenue recognition and when expenses are incurred, revenue and pre-tax operating margin are higher in the first quarter as compared to the remainder of the year.

Summary and Comparison of Operating Results

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,				Additional information
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Net interest income	$	2		—		7		3
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	33,071			30,439		102,211		92,805		Increase was due to an increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans, campus commerce customer transaction and payments volume, and new school customers.
Salaries and benefits	15,979			13,983		45,859		40,887		Increase due to additional personnel and costs to support the increase in payment plans and campus commerce activity and continued investments in and enhancements of payment plan and campus commerce systems and products.
Depreciation and amortization	2,929			2,202		7,711		6,592
Other expenses	4,149			3,579		13,122		11,493
Intersegment expenses, net	1,616			2,246		4,690		6,444		Intersegment expenses represent costs for certain corporate activities that are allocated to each operating segment based on estimated use of such activities and services.
Total operating expenses	24,673			22,010		71,382		65,416
Income before income taxes	8,400			8,429		30,836		27,392
Income tax expense	(3,192		)	(3,204	)	(11,718	)	(10,410	)
Net income	$	5,208		5,225		19,118		16,982
Before tax operating margin	25.4		%	27.7	%	30.2	%	29.5	%	The decrease in margin for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was due to the Company's continued investments in and enhancements of payment plan and campus commerce systems and products.

41

COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summary of Operating Results

	Three months ended September 30, 2016			Nine months ended September 30, 2016		Additional information
Net interest expense	$	318		670
Communications revenue	4,343			13,167		Communications revenue is derived primarily from the sale of pure fiber optic services to residential and business customers in Nebraska, including internet, television, and telephone services.
Salaries and benefits	2,325			4,792		At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, Allo had 279 and 97 employees, respectively, including part-time employees. Allo also uses temporary employees in the normal course of business. Certain costs qualify for capitalization as Allo builds its network.
Depreciation and amortization	1,630			4,137		Depreciation reflects the allocation of the costs of Allo's property and equipment over the period in which such assets are used. Amortization reflects the allocation of costs related to intangible assets recorded at fair value as of the date the Company acquired Allo over their estimated useful lives.
Cost to provide communications services	1,784			5,169		Costs of services and products is primarily associated with television programming costs.
Other expenses	1,545			3,110		Other operating expenses includes selling, general, and administrative expenses necessary for operations, such as advertising, occupancy, and professional services.
Intersegment expenses, net	279			610		Intersegment expenses represent costs for certain corporate activities that are allocated to each operating segment based on estimated use of such activities and services.
Total operating expenses	7,563			17,818
Loss before income taxes	(3,538		)	(5,321	)
Income tax benefit	1,344			2,022
Net loss	$	(2,194	)	(3,299	)
Additional Information:
Net loss	$	(2,194	)	(3,299	)
Net interest expense	318			670
Income tax benefit	(1,344		)	(2,022	)
Depreciation and amortization	1,630			4,137
Earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA)	$	(1,590	)	(514	)	For additional information regarding this non-GAAP measure, see the table immediately below.

42

Certain financial and operating data for Allo is summarized in the tables below.

	Three months ended September 30, 2016			Nine months ended September 30, 2016
Residential revenue	$	2,643		7,695
Business revenue	1,565			4,777
Other revenue	135			695
Total revenue	$	4,343		13,167
Net loss	$	(2,194	)	(3,299	)
EBITDA (a)	(1,590		)	(514	)
Capital expenditures	12,610			24,647
Revenue contribution:
Internet	40.5		%	38.5	%
Telephone	27.2			27.1
Television	32.5			32.2
Other	(0.2		)	2.2
	100.0		%	100.0	%

	As of September 30, 2016	As of December 31, 2015
Residential customer information:
Households served	8,745	7,600
Households passed (b)	22,977	21,274
Total households in current markets	137,500	137,500

(a) Earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") is a supplemental non-GAAP performance measure that is frequently used in capital-intensive industries such as telecommunications. Allo's management uses EBITDA to compare Allo's performance to that of its competitors and to eliminate certain non-cash and non-operating items in order to consistently measure performance from period to period. EBITDA excludes interest expense and income taxes because these items are associated with a company's particular capitalization and tax structures. EBITDA also excludes depreciation and amortization expense because these non-cash expenses primarily reflect the impact of historical capital investments, as opposed to the cash impacts of capital expenditures made in recent periods, which may be evaluated through cash flow measures. The Company reports EBITDA for Allo because the Company believes that it provides useful additional information for investors regarding a key metric used by management to assess Allo's performance, and it provides supplemental information about Allo's operating performance on a more variable cost basis. There are limitations to using EBITDA as a performance measure, including the difficulty associated with comparing companies that use similar performance measures whose calculations may differ from Allo's calculations. In addition, EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for other measures of financial performance, such as net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of EBITDA from net income (loss) under GAAP is presented in the table immediately above.

(b) Represents the estimated number of single residence homes, apartments, and condominiums that Allo already serves and those in which Allo has the capacity to connect to its network distribution system without further material extensions to the transmission lines, but have not been connected.

43

ASSET GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Student Loan Portfolio

As of September 30, 2016, the Company had a $25.6 billion student loan portfolio that will amortize over the next approximately 25 years. For a summary of the Company’s student loan portfolio as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, see note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Loan Activity

The following table sets forth the activity of loans:

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Beginning balance	$	26,754,560		28,313,850		28,555,749		28,223,908
Loan acquisitions	52,667			1,771,841		238,595		3,835,983
Repayments, claims, capitalized interest, and other	(660,074		)	(581,321	)	(1,989,806	)	(1,900,237	)
Consolidation loans lost to external parties	(327,766		)	(316,167	)	(940,413	)	(967,455	)
Loans sold	(22		)	—		(44,760	)	(3,996	)
Ending balance	$	25,819,365		29,188,203		25,819,365		29,188,203

Allowance for Loan Losses and Loan Delinquencies

The Company maintains an allowance appropriate to absorb losses, net of recoveries, inherent in the portfolio of student loans, which results in periodic expense provisions for loan losses. Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact the Company’s earnings through increased servicing and collection costs and account charge-offs.  

For a summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, and a summary of the Company's student loan delinquency amounts as of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015, and September 30, 2015, see note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Provision for loan losses for federally insured loans was $7.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $2.0 million for the same period in 2015.  During the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company determined an additional allowance was necessary related to a $1.2 billion (principal balance as of September 30, 2016) portfolio of federally insured rehabilitated loans that were purchased in 2012 and 2013 and recognized $5.0 million (pre-tax) in provision expense related to these loans.  For loans purchased where there is evidence of credit deterioration since the origination of the loan, the Company records a credit discount, separate from the allowance for loan losses, which is non-accretable to interest income.  Remaining discounts and premiums for purchased loans are recognized in interest income over the remaining estimated lives of the loans.  The Company continues to evaluate credit losses associated with purchased loans based on current information and changes in expectations to determine the need for any additional allowance for loan losses.  As of the date of acquisition of the $1.2 billion federally insured rehabilitated loan portfolio, which had a balance of $2.9 billion as of the date of acquisition, the Company recognized a non-accretable credit discount of $33.2 million and an accretable discount of $37.1 million. 

44

Student Loan Spread Analysis

The following table analyzes the student loan spread on the Company’s portfolio of student loans, which represents the spread between the yield earned on student loan assets and the costs of the liabilities and derivative instruments used to fund the assets.

	Three months ended							Nine months ended
	September 30, 2016			June 30, 2016		September 30, 2015		September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015
Variable student loan yield, gross	2.93		%	2.84	%	2.59	%	2.87	%	2.56	%
Consolidation rebate fees	(0.83		)	(0.83	)	(0.82	)	(0.83	)	(0.83	)
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization (a)	0.06			0.06		0.06		0.06		0.05
Variable student loan yield, net	2.16			2.07		1.83		2.10		1.78
Student loan cost of funds - interest expense	(1.44		)	(1.35	)	(1.04	)	(1.36	)	(1.01	)
Student loan cost of funds - derivative settlements	(0.01		)	(0.01	)	—		(0.01	)	—
Variable student loan spread	0.71			0.71		0.79		0.73		0.77
Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives	0.55			0.58		0.66		0.57		0.66
Core student loan spread	1.26		%	1.29	%	1.45	%	1.30	%	1.43	%
Average balance of student loans	$	26,368,507		27,314,389		29,109,130		27,305,128		28,565,287
Average balance of debt outstanding	26,235,053			27,240,061		29,067,202		27,188,069		28,621,681

(a) In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. Under the Company's revised policy, as of September 30, 2016, the constant prepayment rate used by the Company to amortize/accrete student loan premiums/discounts was decreased. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an adjustment to reflect the net impact on prior periods for the correction of this error that resulted in an $8.2 million reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance and a corresponding increase in interest income. The impact of this adjustment was excluded from the above table.

45

A trend analysis of the Company's core and variable student loan spreads is summarized below.

(a) The interest earned on a large portion of the Company's FFELP student loan assets is indexed to the one-month LIBOR rate.  The Company funds the majority of its assets with three-month LIBOR indexed floating rate securities.  The relationship between the indices in which the Company earns interest on its loans and funds such loans has a significant impact on student loan spread.  This table (the right axis) shows the difference between the Company's liability base rate and the one-month LIBOR rate by quarter. See Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Interest Rate Risk,” which provides additional detail on the Company’s FFELP student loan assets and related funding for those assets.

Variable student loan spread decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 due to a widening in the basis between the asset and debt indices in which the Company earns interest on its loans and funds such loans (as reflected in the table above).

The primary difference between variable student loan spread and core student loan spread is fixed rate floor income.  A summary of fixed rate floor income and its contribution to core student loan spread follows:

	Three months ended							Nine months ended
	September 30, 2016			June 30, 2016		September 30, 2015		September 30, 2016		September 30, 2015
Fixed rate floor income, gross	$	41,509		44,338		53,685		131,720		155,032
Derivative settlements (a)	(5,157		)	(4,841	)	(5,456	)	(15,241	)	(15,490	)
Fixed rate floor income, net	$	36,352		39,497		48,229		116,479		139,542
Fixed rate floor income contribution to spread, net	0.55		%	0.58	%	0.66	%	0.57	%	0.66	%

(a) Includes settlement payments on derivatives used to hedge student loans earning fixed rate floor income.

46

The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned during 2016 and 2015 are due to historically low interest rates.  If interest rates remain low, the Company anticipates continuing to earn significant fixed rate floor income in future periods. The decrease in fixed rate floor income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 is due to an increase in interest rates. See Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Interest Rate Risk,” which provides additional detail on the Company’s portfolio earning fixed rate floor income and the derivatives used by the Company to hedge these loans.

Summary and Comparison of Operating Results

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,				Additional information
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	$	93,318		109,157		281,861		311,728		See table below for additional analysis.
Other income	4,265			3,312		12,362		11,838		The primary component of other income is borrower late fees, which were $3.2 million and $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $9.9 million and $11.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	2,160			608		2,260		2,000		Gains were primarily from the Company repurchasing its own asset-backed debt securities.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	42,546			(24,357	)	(8,763	)	(11,363	)	Includes (i) the unrealized gains and losses that are caused by changes in fair values of derivatives which do not qualify for "hedge treatment" under GAAP; and (ii) the foreign currency transaction gains or losses caused by the re-measurement of the Company's Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars.
Derivative settlements, net	(6,028		)	(5,623	)	(17,596	)	(15,775	)	The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility. Derivative settlements for each applicable period should be evaluated with the Company's net interest income as reflected in the table below.
Total other income (expense)	42,943			(26,060	)	(11,737	)	(13,300	)
Salaries and benefits	486			558		1,504		1,623
Loan servicing fees	5,880			7,793		20,024		22,829		The Company pays higher third-party servicing fees on delinquent loans. The Company's third-party serviced loan portfolio has fewer delinquent loans in 2016 compared to 2015; therefore, third-party servicing fees have decreased.
Other expenses	1,769			1,421		4,766		3,828
Intersegment expenses, net	11,146			12,544		34,791		37,913		Amounts include fees paid to the LGS operating segment for the servicing of the Company’s student loan portfolio. Decrease due to run-off of the portfolio serviced by LGS.
Total operating expenses	19,281			22,316		61,085		66,193
Income before income taxes	116,980			60,781		209,039		232,235
Income tax expense	(44,571		)	(23,096	)	(79,434	)	(88,248	)
Net income	$	72,409		37,685		129,605		143,987
Additional information:
Net income	$	72,409		37,685		129,605		143,987		See "Overview - GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income, Excluding Adjustments" above for additional information about non-GAAP net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments. Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, decreased in 2016 as compared to 2015 due to a decrease in the Company's student loan portfolio and a decrease in variable student loan spread and fixed rate floor income.
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	(42,546		)	24,357		8,763		11,363
Tax effect	16,167			(9,256	)	(3,330	)	(4,318	)
Net income, excluding derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments	$	46,030		52,786		135,038		151,032

47

The following table summarizes the components of "net interest income after provision for loan losses" and "derivative settlements, net."

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,				Additional information
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Variable interest income, net of settlements on derivatives	$	194,006		189,652		582,944		546,998		Increase due to an increase in the gross yield earned on student loans, net of settlements on derivatives, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of student loans.
Consolidation rebate fees	(55,131		)	(60,044	)	(170,352	)	(177,342	)	Decrease due to a decrease in the average consolidation loan balance.
Discount accretion, net of premium and deferred origination costs amortization	12,466			4,243		21,109		10,509		Net discount accretion is due to the Company's purchases of loans at a net discount over the last several years. In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. Under the Company's revised policy, as of September 30, 2016, the constant prepayment rate used by the Company to amortize/accrete student loan premiums/discounts was decreased. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an adjustment to reflect the net impact on prior periods for the correction of this error that resulted in an $8.2 million reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance and a corresponding increase in interest income.
Interest on bonds and notes payable	(94,770		)	(75,601	)	(276,124	)	(216,761	)	Increase due to an increase in cost of funds, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of debt outstanding.
Variable student loan interest margin, net of settlements on derivatives	56,571			58,250		157,577		163,404
Fixed rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives	36,352			48,229		116,479		139,542		The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned are due to historically low interest rates. Fixed rate floor income has decreased due to the rising interest rate environment.
Investment interest	980			494		2,614		1,417
Intercompany interest	(613		)	(439	)	(1,905	)	(1,260	)
Provision for loan losses - federally insured	(7,000		)	(2,000	)	(11,000	)	(6,000	)	See "Allowance for Loan Losses and Loan Delinquencies" included above under "Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment - Results of Operations."
Recovery (provision) for loan losses - private education loans	1,000			(1,000	)	500		(1,150	)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses (net of settlements on derivatives)	$	87,290		103,534		264,265		295,953

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing and Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce operating segments are non-capital intensive and both produce positive operating cash flows. As such, a minimal amount of debt and equity capital is allocated to these segments and any liquidity or capital needs are satisfied using cash flow from operations. Therefore, the Liquidity and Capital Resources discussion is concentrated on the Company’s liquidity and capital needs to meet existing debt obligations in the Asset Generation and Management operating segment and capital needs to expand Allo's communications network in the Company's Communications operating segment.

Sources of Liquidity

The Company has historically generated positive cash flow from operations.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company's net cash provided by operating activities was $258.8 million and $391.4 million, respectively.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $67.2 million. The Company also had a portfolio of available-for-sale and trading investments, consisting primarily of student loan asset-backed securities, with a fair value of $112.6 million as of September 30, 2016.

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The Company also has a $350.0 million unsecured line of credit that matures on October 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2016, no amounts were outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $350.0 million was available for future use.

In addition, the Company has repurchased certain of its own asset-backed securities (bonds and notes payable) in the secondary market.  For accounting purposes, these notes are effectively retired and are not included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  However, these securities are legally outstanding at the trust level and the Company could sell these notes to third parties or redeem the notes at par as cash is generated by the trust estate.  Upon a sale of these notes to third parties, the Company would obtain cash proceeds equal to the market value of the notes on the date of such sale. As of September 30, 2016, the Company holds $59.6 million (par value) of its own asset-backed securities that are not included in the consolidated financial statements.

The Company intends to use its liquidity position to capitalize on market opportunities, including FFELP and private education loan acquisitions; strategic acquisitions and investments; expansion of Allo's telecommunications network; and capital management initiatives, including stock repurchases, debt repurchases, and dividend distributions. The timing and size of these opportunities will vary and will have a direct impact on the Company's cash and investment balances.

Cash Flows

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company generated $258.8 million from operating activities, compared to $307.4 million for the same period in 2015. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities reflects a decrease in net income, changes in the adjustments to net income for non-cash fair value adjustments for derivatives, and a decrease in proceeds from terminating certain derivative instrument contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015. These factors were partially offset by changes in non-cash adjustments for foreign currency transaction adjustments, proceeds from sales of trading securities, and a larger increase in accounts receivable during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2016. Accrued interest on loans purchased is included in cash flows from operating activities in the respective period of the purchase.  Net purchased accrued interest was $70.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Net purchased accrued interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was not significant.

The primary items included in the statement of cash flows for investing activities are the purchase and repayment of student loans. The primary items included in financing activities are the proceeds from the issuance of and payments on bonds and notes payable used to fund student loans. Cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $2.7 billion and $0.8 billion, respectively. Cash used in financing activities was $2.9 billion and $1.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Investing and financing activities are further addressed in the discussion that follows.

Liquidity Needs and Sources of Liquidity Available to Satisfy Debt Obligations Secured by Student Loan Assets and Related Collateral

The following table shows the Company's debt obligations outstanding that are secured by student loan assets and related collateral.

	As of September 30, 2016
	Carrying amount		Final maturity
Bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations	$	23,707,579	8/26/19 - 9/25/56
FFELP warehouse facilities	1,706,546		9/7/18 - 4/26/19
Private education loan warehouse facility	206,632		4/28/17
Other borrowings	75,000		10/31/16
	$	25,695,757

Bonds and Notes Issued in Asset-backed Securitizations

The majority of the Company’s portfolio of student loans is funded in asset-backed securitizations that are structured to substantially match the maturity of the funded assets, thereby minimizing liquidity risk. In addition, due to (i) the difference between the yield the Company receives on the loans and cost of financing within these transactions, and (ii) the servicing and administration fees the Company earns from these transactions, the Company has created a portfolio that will generate earnings and significant cash flow over the life of these transactions.

As of September 30, 2016, based on cash flow models developed to reflect management’s current estimate of, among other factors, prepayments, defaults, deferment, forbearance, and interest rates, the Company currently expects future undiscounted cash flows

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from its portfolio to be approximately $2.17 billion as detailed below.  The $2.17 billion includes approximately $727.1 million (as of September 30, 2016) of overcollateralization included in the asset-backed securitizations.  These excess net asset positions are reflected variously in the following balances in the consolidated balance sheet:  "student loans receivable," "restricted cash and investments," and "accrued interest receivable."

The forecasted cash flow presented below includes all loans funded in asset-backed securitizations as of September 30, 2016.  As of September 30, 2016, the Company had $23.8 billion of loans included in asset-backed securitizations, which represented 93.1 percent of its total FFELP student loan portfolio. The forecasted cash flow does not include cash flows that the Company expects to receive related to loans funded in its warehouse facilities as of September 30, 2016 or loans acquired subsequent to September 30, 2016.

FFELP Asset-backed Securitization Cash Flow Forecast

$2.17 billion

(dollars in millions)

The Company uses various assumptions, including prepayments and future interest rates, when preparing its cash flow forecast.  These assumptions are further discussed below.

Prepayments:  The primary variable in establishing a life of loan estimate is the level and timing of prepayments. Prepayment rates equal the amount of loans that prepay annually as a percentage of the beginning of period balance, net of scheduled principal payments.  A number of factors can affect estimated prepayment rates, including the level of consolidation activity, borrower default rates, and utilization of FFEL Program debt management options such as income-based repayment, deferments, and forbearance.  Should any of these factors change, management may revise its assumptions, which in turn would impact the projected future cash flow. The Company’s cash flow forecast above assumes prepayment rates that are generally consistent with those utilized in the Company’s recent asset-backed securitization transactions. If management used a prepayment rate assumption two times greater than what was used to forecast the cash flow, the cash flow forecast would be reduced by approximately $220 million to $280 million.

Interest rates:  The Company funds the majority of its student loans with three-month LIBOR indexed floating rate securities.  Meanwhile, the interest earned on the Company’s student loan assets is indexed primarily to a one-month LIBOR rate.  The different interest rate characteristics of the Company’s loan assets and liabilities funding these assets result in basis risk.  The Company’s cash flow forecast assumes three-month LIBOR will exceed one-month LIBOR by 12 basis points for the life of the portfolio, which approximates the historical relationship between these indices.  If the forecast is computed assuming a spread of 24 basis points between three-month and one-month LIBOR for the life of the portfolio, the cash flow forecast would be reduced by approximately $70 million to $110 million.

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The Company uses the current forward interest rate yield curve to forecast cash flows.  A change in the forward interest rate curve would impact the future cash flows generated from the portfolio.  An increase in future interest rates will reduce the amount of fixed rate floor income the Company is currently receiving.  The Company attempts to mitigate the impact of a rise in short-term rates by hedging interest rate risks. See Item 3, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Interest Rate Risk."

FFELP Warehouse Facilities

The Company funds a portion of its FFELP loan acquisitions using its FFELP warehouse facilities. Student loan warehousing allows the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities with an aggregate maximum financing amount available of $2.1 billion, of which $1.7 billion was outstanding, and $0.4 billion was available for additional funding. Of the three facilities, one facility provides for formula-based advance rates, depending on FFELP loan type, up to a maximum of the principal and interest of loans financed. The advance rate for collateral may increase or decrease based on market conditions. The other two FFELP warehouse facilities have static advance rates that require initial equity for loan funding, but do not require increased equity based on market movements. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had $96.3 million advanced as equity support on these facilities. For further discussion of the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities outstanding at September 30, 2016, see note 3 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Upon termination or expiration of the warehouse facilities, the Company would expect to access the securitization market, obtain replacement warehouse facilities, use operating cash, consider the sale of assets, or transfer collateral to satisfy any remaining obligations.

Private Education Loan Warehouse Facility

On June 26, 2015, the Company entered into a $275.0 million private education loan warehouse facility. As of September 30, 2016, there was $206.6 million outstanding on the facility and $68.4 million was available for future use. The facility has a static advance rate that requires initial equity for loan funding, but does not require increased equity based on market movements. The maximum advance rate on the entire facility is 88 percent and minimum advance rates, depending on loan characteristics and program type, ranged from 64 percent to 99 percent. As of September 30, 2016, $30.3 million was advanced on the facility as equity support. The facility is supported by liquidity provisions, which had an original expiration date of June 24, 2016.

On April 1, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to October 28, 2016, and to change the final maturity date to April 28, 2017. In addition, the minimum advance rates, depending on loan characteristics and program type, were changed to a range from 61.75 percent to 95.00 percent, and the maximum advance rate on the entire facility remained at 88 percent. On October 28, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to December 21, 2016; the final maturity date remained unchanged at April 28, 2017. In the event the Company is unable to renew the liquidity provisions by the amended expiration date of December 21, 2016, the facility would become a term facility at a stepped-up cost, with no additional student loans being eligible for financing, and the Company would be required to refinance the existing loans in the facility by the facility's final maturity date of April 28, 2017.

Upon termination or expiration of the warehouse facility, the Company would expect to access the securitization market, obtain replacement warehouse facilities, use operating cash, consider the sale of assets, or transfer collateral to satisfy any remaining obligations.

Other Borrowings

The Company had a $75.0 million line of credit, which was collateralized by asset-backed security investments, that expired on October 31, 2016. As of September 30, 2016, $75.0 million was outstanding on this line of credit. Upon expiration of the line of credit on October 31, 2016, the Company used operating cash and borrowed money on its $350.0 million unsecured line of credit to pay off the outstanding $75.0 million balance of this debt facility.

Other Uses of Liquidity

Effective July 1, 2010, no new loan originations can be made under the FFEL Program and all new federal loan originations must be made through the Federal Direct Loan Program.  As a result, the Company no longer originates new FFELP loans, but continues to acquire FFELP loan portfolios from third parties and believes additional loan purchase opportunities exist.

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The Company plans to fund future FFELP student loan acquisitions using current cash and investments; using its Union Bank participation agreement (as described below); using its FFELP warehouse facilities (as described above); and continuing to access the asset-backed securitization market.

Union Bank Participation Agreement

The Company maintains an agreement with Union Bank and Trust Company ("Union Bank"), a related party, as trustee for various grantor trusts, under which Union Bank has agreed to purchase from the Company participation interests in student loans. As of September 30, 2016, $561.8 million of loans were subject to outstanding participation interests held by Union Bank, as trustee, under this agreement. The agreement automatically renews annually and is terminable by either party upon five business days' notice. This agreement provides beneficiaries of Union Bank’s grantor trusts with access to investments in interests in student loans, while providing liquidity to the Company.  The Company can participate loans to Union Bank to the extent of availability under the grantor trusts, up to $750 million or an amount in excess of $750 million if mutually agreed to by both parties.  Loans participated under this agreement have been accounted for by the Company as loan sales.  Accordingly, the participation interests sold are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Asset-backed Securities Transactions

The Company, through its subsidiaries, has historically funded student loans by completing asset-backed securitizations. Beginning in 2015, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service placed numerous tranches of FFELP securitizations by various issuers, including certain tranches of prior FFELP securitizations issued by subsidiaries of the Company, on review for potential downgrade due to principal payments and prepayments on the underlying student loans coming in slower than initial expectations, and the resulting risk that certain principal maturities on those FFELP securitizations may not be met by the final maturity dates, which could result in an event of default under the underlying securitization agreements. Such rating actions have caused the spreads on FFELP securitizations in general to widen and have reduced the liquidity in the secondary market for FFELP securitizations.

In July 2016, Fitch published revised criteria for its ratings of FFELP securitizations, and in August 2016, Moody’s published an updated methodology for its ratings of FFELP securitizations. In September-October 2016, Fitch downgraded, under its revised criteria, its rating of one tranche from a prior Company-sponsored securitization, and Moody’s downgraded, under its updated methodology, its ratings of six tranches from prior Company-sponsored securitizations and four tranches from securitizations acquired by the Company from third parties.

On June 15, 2016, the Company announced the launch of an online investor communication forum to facilitate the amendment of securitizations to extend the legal final maturity dates. On September 13, 2016, the Company announced that it had received investor consent to extend by five years the legal final maturity on nine securitizations, which represent a total of approximately $4.8 billion in original par value. The effective date of the amendments to each of the nine securitizations was September 20, 2016. Depending on future investor consent, the Company may seek to extend the legal final maturity dates on additional securitizations.

The ultimate impact of these developments on the Company’s current and future securitizations is uncertain. Depending on future rating agency actions and market conditions, the Company currently anticipates continuing to access the asset-backed securitization market for both FFELP and private education loans. Such asset-backed securitization transactions would be used to refinance student loans included in its warehouse facilities, student loans purchased from third parties, and/or student loans in its existing asset-backed securitizations.

On October 12, 2016, the Company completed an asset-backed securitization totaling $426.0 million (par value). The proceeds from this transaction were used primarily to refinance student loans included in the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities.

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Liquidity Impact Related to Hedging Activities

The Company utilizes derivative instruments to manage interest rate sensitivity. By using derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to market risk which could impact its liquidity. Based on the derivative portfolio outstanding as of September 30, 2016, the Company does not currently anticipate any movement in interest rates having a material impact on its capital or liquidity profile, nor does the Company expect that any movement in interest rates would have a material impact on its ability to meet potential collateral deposits with its counterparties. However, if interest rates move materially and negatively impact the fair value of the Company's derivative portfolio or if the Company enters into additional derivatives for which the fair value becomes negative, the Company could be required to deposit additional collateral with its derivative instrument counterparties and/or a third-party clearinghouse. The collateral deposits, if significant, could negatively impact the Company's liquidity and capital resources. As of September 30, 2016, the fair value of the Company's derivatives which had a negative fair value (a liability in the Company's balance sheet), was $65.1 million. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had $62.7 million of collateral deposited with counterparties or a clearinghouse related to these derivatives.

Liquidity Impact Related to the Communications Operating Segment

Allo has made significant investments in its communications network and currently provides fiber directly to homes and businesses in seven Nebraska communities. In November 2015, Allo announced plans to expand its network to make its services available to substantially all commercial and residential premises in Lincoln, Nebraska, and currently plans to expand to additional communities in Nebraska and surrounding states over the next several years. The Company currently plans to spend approximately $50 million in total in network capital expenditures during 2016, and anticipates total capital expenditures of approximately $90 million in 2017. However, such amounts could change based on customer demand for Allo's services. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2016, Allo's capital expenditures were $24.6 million.

Other Debt Facilities

As discussed above, the Company has a $350.0 million unsecured line of credit with a maturity date of October 30, 2020.  As of September 30, 2016, no amounts were outstanding on the unsecured line of credit and $350.0 million was available for future use. Upon the maturity date in 2020 there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain this line of credit, increase the amount outstanding under the line, or find alternative funding if necessary.

The Company has issued Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities (the "Hybrid Securities") that have a final maturity date of September 15, 2061. The Hybrid Securities are unsecured obligations of the Company. As of September 30, 2016, $57.2 million of Hybrid Securities were outstanding.

The Company also has two notes payable, which were each issued by TDP Phase Three, LLC ("TDP") on December 30, 2015 in connection with the development of a commercial building. TDP is an entity established during 2015 for the sole purpose of developing and operating a commercial building. The Company owns 25 percent of TDP. However, because the Company plans to be a tenant in this building once the development is complete, the operating results of TDP are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. As of September 30, 2016, one of the TDP notes has $12.0 million outstanding with a maturity date of March 31, 2023; the other TDP note has $6.4 million outstanding with a maturity date of December 15, 2045. Recourse to the Company on the outstanding balance of these notes is equal to its ownership percentage of TDP.

Debt Repurchases

Due to the Company's positive liquidity position and opportunities in the capital markets, the Company has repurchased its own debt over the last several years, and may continue to do so in the future. For a summary of the Company's debt repurchases during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, see note 3 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

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Stock Repurchases

On May 7, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to a total of five million shares of the Company's Class A common stock during the three-year period ending May 24, 2018. In May 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program to repurchase up to a total of five million shares of the Company's Class A common stock during the three-year period ending May 25, 2019. The five million shares authorized under the new program included the remaining 1,664,223 un-repurchased shares from the prior program, which the new program replaced. Under the program, shares may be repurchased from time to time depending on various factors, including share prices and other potential uses of liquidity. Shares repurchased by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016 are shown below. For additional information on stock repurchases during 2016, see "Stock Repurchases" under Part II, Item 2 of this report.

	Total shares repurchased	Purchase price (in thousands)		Average price of shares repurchased (per share)
Quarter ended March 31, 2016	1,599,099	$	52,069	32.56
Quarter ended June 30, 2016	11,942	399		33.45
Quarter ended September 30, 2016	201,551	7,675		38.08
Total	1,812,592	$	60,143	33.18

As of September 30, 2016, 4,793,883 shares remain authorized for repurchase under this stock repurchase program.

During the period October 1, 2016 through November 9, 2016, the Company purchased an additional 212,994 shares of its Class A common stock for a total of $8.4 million ($39.48 per share). These purchases were made pursuant to a trading plan adopted by the Company in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Dividends

On September 15, 2016, the Company paid a third quarter 2016 cash dividend on the Company's Class A and Class B common stock of $0.12 per share. In addition, the Company's Board of Directors has declared a fourth quarter 2016 cash dividend on the Company's outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock of $0.14 per share. The fourth quarter cash dividend will be paid on December 15, 2016, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 1, 2016.

The Company currently plans to continue making regular quarterly dividend payments, subject to future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, and other factors.  In addition, the payment of dividends is subject to the terms of the Company’s outstanding Hybrid Securities, which generally provide that if the Company defers interest payments on those securities it cannot pay dividends on its capital stock.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on its financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources that is material to investors.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. A discussion of the Company's critical accounting policies, which include allowance for loan losses, revenue recognition (including premium amortization and discount accretion related to the Company's student loan portfolio), consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, income taxes, and accounting for derivatives can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Other than as discussed below, there were no significant changes to these critical accounting policies during 2016.

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In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. Previously, the Company amortized premiums and accreted discounts by including in its prepayment assumption forecasted payments in excess of contractually required payments as well as forecasted defaults. The Company has determined that only payments in excess of contractually required payments should be included in the prepayment assumption. Under the Company's revised policy, as of September 30, 2016, the constant prepayment rate used by the Company to amortize/accrete student loan premiums/discounts was decreased. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an adjustment to reflect the net impact on prior periods for the correction of this error that resulted in an $8.2 million reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance and a corresponding increase in interest income(a $5.2 million after tax increase to net income). The Company has concluded this error has an immaterial impact on 2016 results as well as the results for prior periods.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance once it becomes effective on January 1, 2018 and the standard allows the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is continuing to evaluate the impact this standard will have on its ongoing financial reporting. However, the Company does not currently believe the implementation will have a material impact to its financial statements. The Company currently plans to use the cumulative effect transition method.

In January 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance regarding the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, which will change the income statement impact of equity investments, and the recognition of changes in fair value of financial liabilities when the fair value option is elected.   The new guidance requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value, with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee), and requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments.  This guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018.  Early adoption is permitted for the provisions related to the recognition of changes in fair value of financial liabilities when the fair value option is elected.  The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its ongoing financial reporting.

In February 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance regarding the accounting for leases. The new standard will require most leases where the Company is the lessee to be recognized on the balance sheet, as well as certain changes in the lessor accounting. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019 and will be applied retrospectively. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its ongoing financial reporting.

In June 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance regarding the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments, which will change the way entities recognize impairment of many financial assets by requiring immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the asset's remaining life. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2020. Early application is permitted beginning January 1, 2019. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its ongoing financial reporting.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

(All dollars are in thousands, except share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s primary market risk exposure arises from fluctuations in its borrowing and lending rates, the spread between which could impact the Company due to shifts in market interest rates.

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The following table sets forth the Company’s loan assets and debt instruments by interest rate characteristics:

	As of September 30, 2016				As of December 31, 2015
	Dollars		Percent		Dollars		Percent
Fixed-rate loan assets	$	9,240,500	35.8	%	$	11,229,584	39.3	%
Variable-rate loan assets	16,578,865		64.2		17,326,165		60.7
Total	$	25,819,365	100.0	%	$	28,555,749	100.0	%
Fixed-rate debt instruments	$	18,355	0.1	%	$	18,355	0.1	%
Variable-rate debt instruments	25,752,941		99.9		28,584,976		99.9
Total	$	25,771,296	100.0	%	$	28,603,331	100.0	%

FFELP loans originated prior to April 1, 2006 generally earn interest at the higher of the borrower rate, which is fixed over a period of time, or a floating rate based on the special allowance payment ("SAP") formula set by the Department. The SAP rate is based on an applicable index plus a fixed spread that depends on loan type, origination date, and repayment status. The Company generally finances its student loan portfolio with variable rate debt. In low and/or declining interest rate environments, when the fixed borrower rate is higher than the SAP rate, the Company’s student loans earn at a fixed rate while the interest on the variable rate debt typically continues to reflect the low and/or declining interest rates. In these interest rate environments, the Company may earn additional spread income that it refers to as floor income.

Depending on the type of loan and when it was originated, the borrower rate is either fixed to term or is reset to an annual rate each July 1. As a result, for loans where the borrower rate is fixed to term, the Company may earn floor income for an extended period of time, which the Company refers to as fixed rate floor income, and for those loans where the borrower rate is reset annually on July 1, the Company may earn floor income to the next reset date, which the Company refers to as variable rate floor income. All FFELP loans first originated on or after April 1, 2006 effectively earn at the SAP rate, since lenders are required to rebate fixed rate floor income and variable rate floor income for those loans to the Department.

No variable-rate floor income was earned by the Company during 2015 and 2016. A summary of fixed rate floor income earned by the Company follows.

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Fixed rate floor income, gross	$	41,509		53,685		131,720		155,032
Derivative settlements (a)	(5,157		)	(5,456	)	(15,241	)	(15,490	)
Fixed rate floor income, net	$	36,352		48,229		116,479		139,542

(a) Includes settlement payments on derivatives used to hedge student loans earning fixed rate floor income.

The high levels of fixed rate floor income earned during 2016 and 2015 are due to historically low interest rates.  If interest rates remain low, the Company anticipates continuing to earn significant fixed rate floor income in future periods. Fixed rate floor income decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same periods in 2015 due to an increase in interest rates.

Absent the use of derivative instruments, a rise in interest rates may reduce the amount of floor income received and this may have an impact on earnings due to interest margin compression caused by increasing financing costs, until such time as the federally insured loans earn interest at a variable rate in accordance with their special allowance payment formulas. In higher interest rate environments, where the interest rate rises above the borrower rate and fixed rate loans effectively become variable rate loans, the impact of the rate fluctuations is reduced.

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The following graph depicts fixed rate floor income for a borrower with a fixed rate of 6.75% and a SAP rate of 2.64%:

The following table shows the Company’s federally insured student loan assets that were earning fixed rate floor income as of September 30, 2016.

Fixed interest rate range	Borrower/lender weighted average yield	Estimated variable conversion rate (a)	Loan balance
3.0 - 3.49%	3.34%	0.70%	$	1,042,494
3.5 - 3.99%	3.65%	1.01%	2,147,414
4.0 - 4.49%	4.20%	1.56%	1,585,631
4.5 - 4.99%	4.72%	2.08%	964,042
5.0 - 5.49%	5.22%	2.58%	606,787
5.5 - 5.99%	5.67%	3.03%	426,196
6.0 - 6.49%	6.19%	3.55%	493,997
6.5 - 6.99%	6.70%	4.06%	483,079
7.0 - 7.49%	7.17%	4.53%	167,923
7.5 - 7.99%	7.71%	5.07%	285,421
8.0 - 8.99%	8.18%	5.54%	663,138
> 9.0%	9.04%	6.40%	229,140
			$	9,095,262

(a) The estimated variable conversion rate is the estimated short-term interest rate at which loans would convert to a variable rate. As of September 30, 2016, the weighted average estimated variable conversion rate was 2.34% and the short-term interest rate was 52 basis points.

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The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments as of September 30, 2016 used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income.

Maturity	Notional amount		Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
2017	$	750,000	0.99	%
2018	1,350,000		1.07
2019	3,250,000		0.97
2020	1,500,000		1.01
2025	100,000		2.32
2026	50,000		1.52
	$	7,000,000	1.02	%

(a) For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

In addition, on August 20, 2014, the Company paid $9.1 million for an interest rate swap option to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income. The interest rate swap option gives the Company the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a $250 million notional interest rate swap in which the Company would pay a fixed amount of 3.30% and receive discrete one-month LIBOR. If the interest rate swap option is exercised, the swap would become effective in 2019 and mature in 2024.

The Company is also exposed to interest rate risk in the form of basis risk and repricing risk because the interest rate characteristics of the Company’s assets do not match the interest rate characteristics of the funding for those assets. The following table presents the Company’s FFELP student loan assets and related funding for those assets arranged by underlying indices as of September 30, 2016:

Index	Frequency of variable resets	Assets		Funding of student loan assets
1 month LIBOR (a)	Daily	$	23,501,065	—
3 month H15 financial commercial paper	Daily	1,300,770		—
3 month Treasury bill	Daily	741,098		—
3 month LIBOR (a) (b)	Quarterly	—		14,210,708
1 month LIBOR	Monthly	—		8,823,718
Auction-rate (c)	Varies	—		1,156,615
Asset-backed commercial paper (d)	Varies	—		1,223,084
Other (e)		1,177,024		1,305,832
		$	26,719,957	26,719,957

(a) The Company has certain basis swaps outstanding in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR and pays one-month LIBOR plus or minus a spread as defined in the agreements (the "1:3 Basis Swaps"). The Company entered into these derivative instruments to better match the interest rate characteristics on its student loan assets and the debt funding such assets. The following table summarizes the 1:3 Basis Swaps outstanding as of September 30, 2016.

Maturity	Notional amount
2016	$	1,000,000
2028	125,000

The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of September 30, 2016 was one-month LIBOR plus 9.5 basis points.

(b) The Company has Euro-denominated notes that reprice on the EURIBOR index. The Company has entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap that converts the EURIBOR index to three-month LIBOR. As a result, these notes are reflected in the three-month LIBOR category in the above table. See “Foreign Currency Exchange Risk” below.

(c) The interest rates on certain of the Company's asset-backed securities are set and periodically reset via a "dutch auction" (“Auction Rate Securities”). As of September 30, 2016, the Company was sponsor for $1.2 billion of Auction Rate Securities. Since February 2008, problems in the auction rate securities market as a whole have led to failures of the auctions pursuant to which the Company's Auction Rate Securities' interest rates are set. As a result, the Auction Rate

58

Securities generally pay interest to the holder at a maximum rate as defined by the indenture. While these rates will vary, they will generally be based on a spread to LIBOR or Treasury Securities, or the Net Loan Rate as defined in the financing documents.

(d) The interest rates on certain of the Company's warehouse facilities are indexed to asset-backed commercial paper rates.

(e) Assets include accrued interest receivable and restricted cash and investments.  Funding represents overcollateralization (equity) included in FFELP asset-backed securitizations and warehouse facilities and other liabilities funding student loans and related assets.

59

Sensitivity Analysis

The following tables summarize the effect on the Company’s earnings, based upon a sensitivity analysis performed by the Company assuming hypothetical increases in interest rates of 100 basis points and 300 basis points while funding spreads remain constant. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed assuming the funding index increases 10 basis points and 30 basis points while holding the asset index constant, if the funding index is different than the asset index. The sensitivity analysis was performed on the Company’s variable rate assets (including loans earning fixed rate floor income) and liabilities. The analysis includes the effects of the Company’s interest rate and basis swaps in existence during these periods.

	Interest rates										Asset and funding index mismatches
	Change from increase of 100 basis points					Change from increase of 300 basis points					Increase of 10 basis points					Increase of 30 basis points
	Dollars			Percent		Dollars			Percent		Dollars			Percent		Dollars			Percent
	Three months ended September 30, 2016
Effect on earnings:
Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements	$	(16,758	)	(12.6	)%	$	(31,121	)	(23.6	)%	$	(3,987	)	(3.0	)%	$	(11,960	)	(9.1	)%
Impact of derivative settlements	15,775			11.9		47,324			35.9		436			0.3		1,307			1.0
Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes	$	(983	)	(0.7	)%	$	16,203		12.3	%	$	(3,551	)	(2.7	)%	$	(10,653	)	(8.1	)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share	$	(0.01	)			$	0.24				$	(0.05	)			$	(0.15	)
	Three months ended September 30, 2015
Effect on earnings:
Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements	$	(22,118	)	(23.0	)%	$	(41,518	)	(43.3	)%	$	(4,393	)	(4.5	)%	$	(13,180	)	(13.7	)%
Impact of derivative settlements	9,299			9.6		27,896			29.1		1,564			1.6		4,692			4.9
Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes	$	(12,819	)	(13.4	)%	$	(13,622	)	(14.2	)%	$	(2,829	)	(2.9	)%	$	(8,488	)	(8.8	)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share	$	(0.18	)			$	(0.19	)			$	(0.04	)			$	(0.12	)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2016
Effect on earnings:
Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements	$	(52,798	)	(21.5	)%	$	(97,144	)	(39.4	)%	$	(12,235	)	(4.9	)%	$	(36,705	)	(14.9	)%
Impact of derivative settlements	45,025			18.3		135,074			55.0		2,776			1.1		8,327			3.4
Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes	$	(7,773	)	(3.2	)%	$	37,930		15.6	%	$	(9,459	)	(3.8	)%	$	(28,378	)	(11.5	)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share	$	(0.11	)			$	0.55				$	(0.14	)			$	(0.41	)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2015
Effect on earnings:
Decrease in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements	$	(61,850	)	(21.3	)%	$	(111,123	)	(38.4	)%	$	(12,706	)	(4.4	)%	$	(38,118	)	(13.2	)%
Impact of derivative settlements	25,846			8.9		77,536			26.8		4,345			1.5		13,035			4.5
Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes	$	(36,004	)	(12.4	)%	$	(33,587	)	(11.6	)%	$	(8,361	)	(2.9	)%	$	(25,083	)	(8.7	)%
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share	$	(0.49	)			$	(0.45	)			$	(0.12	)			$	(0.35	)

60

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

The Company has issued €352.7 million of student loan asset-backed Euro Notes (the "Euro Notes") with an interest rate based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result, the Company is exposed to market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The Company has entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. See note 4 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information, including a summary of the terms of the cross-currency interest rate swap associated with the Euro Notes and the related financial statement impact.

Financial Statement Impact – Derivatives and Foreign Currency Transaction Adjustments

For a table summarizing the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income, including the components of "derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" included in the consolidated statements of income, see note 4 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under supervision and with the participation of certain members of the Company’s management, including the chief executive and chief financial officers, the Company completed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in SEC Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including the chief executive and chief financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There have been no material changes from the information set forth in the Legal Proceedings section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 under Item 3 of Part I of such Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes from the risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 in response to Item 1A of Part I of such Form 10-K.

61

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Stock Repurchases

The following table summarizes the repurchases of Class A common stock during the third quarter of 2016 by the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” of the Company, as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Certain share repurchases included in the table below were made pursuant to a trading plan adopted by the Company in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Period	Total number of shares purchased (a)	Average price paid per share		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (b)	Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (b)
July 1 - July 31, 2016	564	$	36.07	—	4,992,360
August 1 - August 31, 2016	—	—		—	4,992,360
September 1 - September 30, 2016	200,987	38.09		198,477	4,793,883
Total	201,551	$	38.08	198,477

(a) The total number of shares includes: (i) shares repurchased pursuant to the stock repurchase program discussed in footnote (b) below; and (ii) shares owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted shares. Shares of Class A common stock tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations included 564 shares, 0 shares, and 2,510 shares in July, August, and September 2016, respectively. Unless otherwise indicated, shares owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations were purchased at the closing price of the Company’s shares on the date of vesting.

(b) On May 7, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to a total of five million shares of the Company's Class A common stock during the three-year period ending May 24, 2018. On August 4, 2016, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program in May 2016 to repurchase up to a total of five million shares of the Company's Class A common stock during the three-year period ending May 25, 2019. The five million shares authorized under the new program include the remaining 1,644,223 un-repurchased shares from the prior program, which the new program replaced.

Working capital and dividend restrictions/limitations

The Company’s credit facilities, including its revolving line of credit which is available through October 30, 2020, impose restrictions with respect to the Company’s minimum consolidated net worth, the ratio of the Company’s adjusted EBITDA to corporate debt interest, the amount of recourse indebtedness, the amount and nature of investments and business acquisitions, and the amount of private education loans held by the Company. In addition, trust indentures and other financing agreements governing debt issued by the Company's education lending subsidiaries may have general limitations on the amounts of funds that can be transferred to the Company by its subsidiaries through cash dividends.

The supplemental indenture for the Company’s Hybrid Securities issued in September 2006 provides that so long as any Hybrid Securities remain outstanding, if the Company gives notice of its election to defer interest payments but the related deferral period has not yet commenced or a deferral period is continuing, then the Company will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to:

• declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment regarding, any of the Company’s capital stock.

• except as required in connection with the repayment of principal, and except for any partial payments of deferred interest that may be made through the alternative payment mechanism described in the Hybrid Securities indenture, make any payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, or repay, repurchase, or redeem any of the Company’s debt securities that rank pari passu with or junior to the Hybrid Securities.

• make any guarantee payments regarding any guarantee by the Company of the subordinated debt securities of any of the Company’s subsidiaries if the guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in interest to the Hybrid Securities.

62

In addition, if any deferral period lasts longer than one year, the limitation on the Company’s ability to redeem or repurchase any of its securities that rank pari passu with or junior in interest to the Hybrid Securities will continue until the first anniversary of the date on which all deferred interest has been paid or canceled.

If the Company is involved in a business combination where immediately after its consummation more than 50% of the surviving entity’s voting stock is owned by the shareholders of the other party to the business combination, then the immediately preceding sentence will not apply to any deferral period that is terminated on the next interest payment date following the date of consummation of the business combination.

However, at any time, including during a deferral period, the Company will be permitted to:

• pay dividends or distributions in additional shares of the Company’s capital stock.

• declare or pay a dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights plan, or issue stock under such a plan, or redeem or repurchase any rights distributed pursuant to such a plan.

• purchase common stock for issuance pursuant to any employee benefit plans.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

31.1*	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey R. Noordhoek.
31.2*	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Chief Financial Officer James D. Kruger.
32**	Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS*	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
*   Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith

63

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		NELNET, INC.
Date:	November 9, 2016	By:	/s/ JEFFREY R. NOORDHOEK
		Name:	Jeffrey R. Noordhoek
		Title:	Chief Executive Officer Principal Executive Officer

		By:	/s/ JAMES D. KRUGER
Date:	November 9, 2016	Name:	James D. Kruger
		Title:	Chief Financial Officer Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

64

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Jeffrey R. Noordhoek, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nelnet, Inc. (the “Company”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	November 9, 2016	/s/ JEFFREY R. NOORDHOEK
		Jeffrey R. Noordhoek Chief Executive Officer Principal Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, James D. Kruger, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nelnet, Inc. (the “Company”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	November 9, 2016	/s/ JAMES D. KRUGER
		James D. Kruger Chief Financial Officer Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Nelnet, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	November 9, 2016	By: /s/ JEFFREY R. NOORDHOEK
		Name: Jeffrey R. Noordhoek Title:   Chief Executive Officer Principal Executive Officer
		By: /s/ JAMES D. KRUGER
		Name: James D. Kruger Title:  Chief Financial Officer Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

XML

Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Oct. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NELNET INC
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Public Float			$ 781,008,370
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001258602
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		30,684,273
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,476,932

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets:
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses)	$ 25,615,434	$ 28,324,552
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents - not held at a related party	7,678	11,379
Cash and cash equivalents - held at a related party	59,476	52,150
Total cash and cash equivalents	67,154	63,529
Investments and notes receivable	257,528	303,681
Restricted cash and investments	872,874	832,624
Restricted cash - due to customers	91,505	144,771
Accrued interest receivable	381,804	383,825
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts)	53,408	51,345
Goodwill	147,312	146,000
Intangible assets, net	50,964	51,062
Property and equipment, net	107,505	80,482
Other assets	9,647	8,583
Fair value of derivative instruments	14,476	28,690
Total assets	27,669,611	30,419,144
Liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	25,320,878	28,105,921
Accrued interest payable	42,840	31,507
Other liabilities	168,239	169,906
Due to customers	91,505	144,771
Fair value of derivative instruments	65,053	74,881
Total liabilities	25,688,515	28,526,986
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	224	0
Retained earnings	1,971,862	1,881,708
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) earnings	(424)	2,284
Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,972,085	1,884,432
Noncontrolling interest	9,011	7,726
Total equity	1,981,096	1,892,158
Total liabilities and equity	27,669,611	30,419,144
Common Class A [Member]
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Common stock	308	325
Total equity	308	325
Common Class B [Member]
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Common stock	115	115
Total equity	115	115
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Assets:
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses)	25,797,430	28,499,180
Cash and cash equivalents:
Restricted cash and investments	807,313	814,294
Other assets	382,592	384,230
Liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	25,680,338	28,405,133
Other liabilities	421,983	353,607
Fair value of derivative instruments	39,169	64,080
Equity:
Net assets of consolidated variable interest entities	$ 845,845	$ 874,884

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for loan losses	$ 51,570	$ 50,498
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,745	$ 2,003
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, authorized shares	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, issued shares	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding shares	0	0
Common Class A [Member]
Par Value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Shares Authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000
Shares Issued	30,839,341	32,476,528
Shares Outstanding	30,839,341	32,476,528
Common Class B [Member]
Par Value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Shares Authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000
Shares Issued	11,476,932	11,476,932
Shares Outstanding	11,476,932	11,476,932

XML

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Interest income:
Loan interest	$ 193,721	$ 187,701		$ 567,775	$ 535,480
Investment interest	2,460	1,456		6,674	5,548
Total interest income	196,181	189,157	[1]	574,449	541,028	[1]
Interest expense:
Interest on bonds and notes payable	96,386	77,164	[1]	280,847	221,344	[1]
Net interest income	99,795	111,993	[1]	293,602	319,684	[1]
Less provision for loan losses	6,000	3,000	[1]	10,500	7,150	[1]
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	93,795	108,993	[1]	283,102	312,534	[1]
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	54,350	61,520	[1]	161,082	183,164	[1]
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	33,071	30,439	[1]	102,211	92,805	[1]
Communications revenue	4,343	0		13,167	0
Enrollment services revenue	0	13,741	[1]	4,326	39,794	[1]
Other income	15,150	12,282	[1]	38,711	35,675	[1]
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	2,160	597	[1]	2,260	4,987	[1]
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net	36,001	(30,658)		(33,391)	(27,234)
Total other income	145,075	87,921	[1]	288,366	329,191	[1]
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	63,743	63,215	[1]	187,907	183,052	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	8,994	6,977	[1]	24,817	19,140	[1]
Loan servicing fees	5,880	7,793	[1]	20,024	22,829	[1]
Cost to provide communications services	1,784	0		5,169	0
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	11,349		3,623	32,543
Other expenses	26,391	31,604	[1]	84,174	94,430	[1]
Total operating expenses	106,792	120,938	[1]	325,714	351,994	[1]
Income before income taxes	132,078	75,976		245,754	289,731
Income tax expense	(47,715)	(26,999)	[1]	(87,184)	(104,985)	[1]
Net income	84,363	48,977	[1]	158,570	184,746	[1]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	69	22	[1]	165	117	[1]
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 84,294	$ 48,955	[1]	$ 158,405	$ 184,629	[1]
Earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted	$ 1.98	$ 1.09		$ 3.70	$ 4.03
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	42,642,213	45,047,777		42,788,133	45,763,443

[1] Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net income	$ 84,363	$ 48,977	[1]	$ 158,570	$ 184,746	[1]
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period, net	3,431	(568)		(4,217)	(1,217)
Reclassification adjustment for gains recognized in net income, net of losses	(491)	(73)		(82)	(2,370)
Income tax effect	(1,087)	234		1,591	1,328
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1,853	(407)		(2,708)	(2,259)
Comprehensive income	86,216	48,570		155,862	182,487
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	69	22		165	117
Comprehensive income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 86,147	$ 48,548		$ 155,697	$ 182,370

[1] Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

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Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total		Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Class A [Member]	Common Class B [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Retained earnings [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling interest [Member]
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			0	34,756,384	11,486,932
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,725,678		$ 0	$ 348	$ 115	$ 17,290	$ 1,702,560	$ 5,135	$ 230
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of noncontrolling interest	23								23
Net income	184,746	[1]					184,629		117
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,259)							(2,259)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(124)								(124)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock	(13,659)						(13,659)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)				152,764	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	3,680			$ 2	$ 0	3,678
Compensation expense for stock based awards	3,957					3,957
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)				(1,530,592)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(66,643)			$ (16)	$ 0	(23,484)	(43,143)
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted				10,000	(10,000)
Balance (in Shares) at Sep. 30, 2015			0	33,388,556.000	11,476,932.000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	1,835,399		$ 0	$ 334	$ 115	1,441	1,830,387	2,876	246
Balance (in Shares) at Jun. 30, 2015			0	33,724,471	11,486,932
Balance at Jun. 30, 2015	1,805,492		$ 0	$ 337	$ 115	0	1,801,457	3,283	300
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of noncontrolling interest	4								4
Net income	48,977	[1]					48,955		22
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(407)							(407)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(80)								(80)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock	(4,486)						(4,486)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)				10,669	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	268			$ 1	$ 0	267
Compensation expense for stock based awards	1,246					1,246
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)				(356,584)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(15,615)			$ (4)	$ 0	(72)	(15,539)
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted				10,000	(10,000)
Balance (in Shares) at Sep. 30, 2015			0	33,388,556.000	11,476,932.000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	1,835,399		$ 0	$ 334	$ 115	1,441	1,830,387	2,876	246
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2015			0	32,476,528	11,476,932
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	1,892,158		$ 0	$ 325	$ 115	0	1,881,708	2,284	7,726
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of noncontrolling interest	1,339								1,339
Net income	158,570						158,405		165
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,708)							(2,708)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(219)								(219)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock	(15,293)						(15,293)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)				175,405	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	3,944			$ 1	$ 0	3,943
Compensation expense for stock based awards	3,448					3,448
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)				(1,812,592)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(60,143)			$ (18)	$ 0	(7,167)	(52,958)
Balance (in Shares) at Sep. 30, 2016			0	30,839,341.000	11,476,932.000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	1,981,096		$ 0	$ 308	$ 115	224	1,971,862	(424)	9,011
Balance (in Shares) at Jun. 30, 2016			0	31,024,230	11,476,932
Balance at Jun. 30, 2016	1,906,216		$ 0	$ 310	$ 115	4,601	1,894,551	(2,277)	8,916
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of noncontrolling interest	26								26
Net income	84,363						84,294		69
Other comprehensive (loss) income	1,853							1,853
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock	(5,101)						(5,101)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)				16,662	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	282			$ 0	$ 0	282
Compensation expense for stock based awards	1,132					1,132
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)				(201,551)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(7,675)			$ (2)	$ 0	(5,791)	(1,882)
Balance (in Shares) at Sep. 30, 2016			0	30,839,341.000	11,476,932.000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 1,981,096		$ 0	$ 308	$ 115	$ 224	$ 1,971,862	$ (424)	$ 9,011

[1] Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

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Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (unaudited) (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Common Class A [Member]
Dividends paid per common share	$ 0.12	$ 0.10	$ 0.24	$ 0.20
Common Class B [Member]
Dividends paid per common share	$ 0.12	$ 0.10	$ 0.24	$ 0.20

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 158,405	$ 184,629	[1]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	165	117	[1]
Net income	158,570	184,746	[1]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities, net of acquisitions:
Depreciation and amortization, including debt discounts and student loan premiums and deferred origination costs	83,988	91,045
Student loan discount accretion	(30,439)	(32,684)
Provision for loan losses	10,500	7,150	[1]
Derivative market value adjustment	1,556	43,179
Foreign currency transaction adjustment	13,543	(32,480)
Proceeds from termination of derivative instruments	2,830	55,627
Increase (Decrease) in Financial Instruments Used in Operating Activities	0	2,936
Gain on sale of loans	0	(351)
Gain from debt repurchases	(2,260)	(4,636)
Loss (gain) from sales of available-for-sale securities, net	(82)	(2,370)
(Payments for) proceeds from (purchases) sales of trading securities, net	1,192	(8,168)
Deferred income tax benefit	(7,633)	(7,901)
Other, net	5,244	6,589
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable	2,021	(435)
Increase in accounts receivable	(1,982)	(14,088)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(1,141)	1,848
Increase in accrued interest payable	11,333	5,242
Increase in other liabilities	11,587	17,978
Net cash provided by operating activities	258,827	307,355
Cash flows from investing activities, net of acquisitions:
Purchases of student loans and student loan residual interests	(234,270)	(1,994,416)
Net proceeds from student loan repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other	2,908,738	2,843,119
Proceeds from sale of student loans	44,760	3,996
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(66,733)	(6,939)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	100,423	49,278
Purchases of investments and issuance of notes receivable	(14,912)	(65,548)
Proceeds from investments and notes receivable	12,169	27,773
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(46,821)	(12,756)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash and investments, net	(39,400)	3,611
Net cash provided by investing activities	2,663,954	848,118
Cash flows from financing activities, net of borrowings assumed:
Payments on bonds and notes payable	(2,998,017)	(3,483,804)
Proceeds from issuance of bonds and notes payable	154,619	2,401,993
Payments of debt issuance costs	(2,098)	(9,859)
Dividends paid	(15,293)	(13,659)
Repurchases of common stock	(60,143)	(66,643)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	656	617
Issuance of noncontrolling interests	1,339	23
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(219)	(124)
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,919,156)	(1,171,456)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,625	(15,983)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	63,529	130,481
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	67,154	114,498
Cash disbursements made for:
Interest	219,672	165,885
Income taxes, net of refunds	87,633	104,403
Noncash activity:
Investing activity - student loans and other assets acquired	0	2,025,453
Financing activity - borrowings and other liabilities assumed in acquisition of student loans	$ 0	$ 1,885,453

[1] Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

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Basis of Financial Reporting

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Financial Reporting

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2016 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 and, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, except as discussed under "Revenue Recognition - Loan Interest Income" below, necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2016. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (the "2015 Annual Report").

Reclassifications

Certain amounts previously reported within the Company's consolidated balance sheet and statements of income have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications are summarized below.

• In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued accounting guidance regarding the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new guidance requires that entities present debt issuance costs related to a debt liability as a direct deduction from that liability on the balance sheet. This guidance became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016. As a result of this standard, the Company reclassified its debt issuance costs, which were previously included in "other assets" on the consolidated balance sheet, to "bonds and notes payable."

• On February 1, 2016, the Company sold 100 percent of the membership interests in Sparkroom LLC, which includes the majority of the Company's inquiry management products and services within Nelnet Enrollment Solutions. The Company retained the digital marketing and content solution products and services under the brand name Peterson's within the Nelnet Enrollment Solutions business, which include test preparation study guides, school directories and databases, career exploration guides, on-line courses, scholarship search and selection data, career planning information and guides, and on-line information about colleges and universities. The Company reclassified the revenue and cost of goods sold attributable to the Peterson's products and services from "enrollment services revenue" and "cost to provide enrollment services" to "other income" and "other expenses," respectively, on the consolidated statements of income. After this reclassification, "enrollment services revenue" and "cost to provide enrollment services" include the operating results of the products and services sold as part of the Sparkroom disposition for all periods presented. These reclassifications had no effect on consolidated net income.

Revenue Recognition - Loan Interest Income

The Company recognizes student loan interest income as earned, net of amortization of loan premiums and deferred origination costs and the accretion of loan discounts. Loan interest income is recognized based upon the expected yield of the loan after giving effect to interest rate reductions resulting from borrower utilization of incentives such as timely payments ("borrower benefits") and other yield adjustments. Loan premiums or discounts, deferred origination costs, and borrower benefits are amortized/accreted over the estimated life of the loans, which includes an estimate of forecasted payments in excess of contractually required payments. The Company periodically evaluates the assumptions used to estimate the life of the loans and prepayment rates.

In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. Previously, the Company amortized premiums and accreted discounts by including in its prepayment assumption forecasted payments in excess of contractually required payments as well as forecasted defaults. The Company has determined that only payments in excess of contractually required payments should be included in the prepayment assumption. Under the Company's revised policy, as of September 30, 2016, the constant prepayment rate used by the Company to amortize/accrete student loan premiums/discounts was decreased. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an adjustment to reflect the net impact on prior periods for the correction of this error that resulted in an $8.2 million reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance and a corresponding increase in interest income(a $5.2 million after tax increase to net income). The Company has concluded this error has an immaterial impact on 2016 results as well as the results for prior periods.

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Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Receivables [Abstract]

Financing Receivables [Text Block]

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses

Student loans receivable consisted of the following:

	As of			As of
	September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
Federally insured loans:
Stafford and other	$	5,353,052		6,202,064
Consolidation	20,189,881			22,086,043
Total	25,542,933			28,288,107
Private education loans	276,432			267,642
	25,819,365			28,555,749
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (a)	(152,361		)	(180,699	)
Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans	(37,028		)	(35,490	)
Allowance for loan losses – private education loans	(14,542		)	(15,008	)
	$	25,615,434		28,324,552

(a) As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $20.8 million and $33.0 million, respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans of $8.5 billion and $10.8 billion, respectively.

Private Education Loans

In February 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with CommonBond, Inc. ("CommonBond"), a student lending company that provides private education loans to graduate students, under which the Company committed to purchase private education loans for a period of 18 months, with the maximum purchase obligation limited to $200.0 million. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had purchased $190.1 million in private education loans from CommonBond and has satisfied its commitment under this agreement.

Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance sufficient to absorb losses, net of recoveries, inherent in the portfolio of student loans. Activity in the allowance for loan losses is shown below.

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Balance at beginning of period	$	48,753		50,024		50,498		48,900
Provision for loan losses:
Federally insured loans	7,000			2,000		11,000		6,000
Private education loans	(1,000		)	1,000		(500	)	1,150
Total provision for loan losses	6,000			3,000		10,500		7,150
Charge-offs:
Federally insured loans	(3,196		)	(2,817	)	(9,462	)	(9,225	)
Private education loans	(320		)	(357	)	(1,235	)	(1,479	)
Total charge-offs	(3,516		)	(3,174	)	(10,697	)	(10,704	)
Recoveries - private education loans	243			250		769		742
Purchase (sale) of federally insured and private education loans, net	30			30		290		(200	)
Transfer from repurchase obligation related to private education loans repurchased, net	60			250		210		4,492
Balance at end of period	$	51,570		50,380		51,570		50,380
Allocation of the allowance for loan losses:
Federally insured loans	$	37,028		35,945		37,028		35,945
Private education loans	14,542			14,435		14,542		14,435
Total allowance for loan losses	$	51,570		50,380		51,570		50,380

Student Loan Status and Delinquencies

Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact the Company’s earnings through increased servicing and collection costs and account charge-offs.  The table below shows the Company’s loan delinquency amounts.

	As of September 30, 2016				As of December 31, 2015				As of September 30, 2015
Federally insured loans:
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$	1,864,323			$	2,292,941			$	2,638,639
Loans in forbearance	2,403,504				2,979,357				2,993,844
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	18,445,728		86.8	%	19,447,541		84.4	%	19,681,517		84.4	%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	825,905		3.9		1,028,396		4.5		1,021,515		4.4
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	491,395		2.3		566,953		2.5		638,037		2.7
Loans delinquent 91-120 days	326,020		1.5		415,747		1.8		465,261		2.0
Loans delinquent 121-270 days	835,250		3.9		1,166,940		5.1		1,139,864		4.9
Loans delinquent 271 days or greater	350,808		1.6		390,232		1.7		376,702		1.6
Total loans in repayment	21,275,106		100.0	%	23,015,809		100.0	%	23,322,896		100.0	%
Total federally insured loans	$	25,542,933			$	28,288,107			$	28,955,379
Private education loans:
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$	51,042			$	30,795			$	7,724
Loans in forbearance	1,770				350				16
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	217,108		97.1	%	228,464		96.7	%	216,502		96.2	%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	1,357		0.6		1,771		0.7		1,999		0.9
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	1,228		0.5		1,283		0.5		1,206		0.5
Loans delinquent 91 days or greater	3,927		1.8		4,979		2.1		5,377		2.4
Total loans in repayment	223,620		100.0	%	236,497		100.0	%	225,084		100.0	%
Total private education loans	$	276,432			$	267,642			$	232,824

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Bonds and Notes Payable

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Bonds and Notes Payable

 Bonds and Notes Payable

The following tables summarize the Company’s outstanding debt obligations by type of instrument:

	As of September 30, 2016
	Carrying amount			Interest rate range	Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
Bonds and notes based on indices	$	22,550,964		0.25% - 6.90%	8/26/19 - 9/25/56
Bonds and notes based on auction	1,156,615			1.36% - 2.20%	3/22/32 - 11/26/46
Total variable-rate bonds and notes	23,707,579
FFELP warehouse facilities	1,706,546			0.52% - 0.98%	9/7/18 - 4/26/19
Private education loan warehouse facility	206,632			0.98%	4/28/17
Unsecured line of credit	—			—	10/30/20
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	57,184			4.21%	9/15/61
Other borrowings	93,355			2.03% - 3.38%	10/31/16 - 12/15/45
	25,771,296
Discount on bonds and notes payable and debt issuance costs, net	(450,418		)
Total	$	25,320,878

	As of December 31, 2015
	Carrying amount			Interest rate range	Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
Bonds and notes based on indices	$	25,155,336		0.05% - 6.90%	8/26/19 - 8/26/52
Bonds and notes based on auction	1,160,365			0.88% - 2.17%	3/22/32 - 11/26/46
Total variable-rate bonds and notes	26,315,701
FFELP warehouse facilities	1,855,907			0.27% - 0.56%	4/29/18 - 12/14/18
Private education loan warehouse facility	181,184			0.57%	12/26/16
Unsecured line of credit	100,000			1.79% - 1.92%	10/30/20
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	57,184			3.99%	9/15/61
Other borrowings	93,355			1.93% - 3.38%	10/31/16 - 12/15/45
	28,603,331
Discount on bonds and notes payable and debt issuance costs, net	(497,410		)
Total	$	28,105,921

Asset-backed Securitizations

The Company, through its subsidiaries, has historically funded student loans by completing asset-backed securitizations. Beginning in 2015, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service placed numerous tranches of Federal Family Education Loan Program ("FFELP") securitizations by various issuers, including certain tranches of prior FFELP securitizations issued by subsidiaries of the Company, on review for potential downgrade due to principal payments and prepayments on the underlying student loans coming in slower than initial expectations, and the resulting risk that certain principal maturities on those FFELP securitizations may not be met by the final maturity dates, which could result in an event of default under the underlying securitization agreements. Since that time, rating agencies have resolved their downgrade watches on certain Company-issued debt through a mix of rating confirmations, downgrades, and upgrades, largely removing uncertainty that had previously prevailed in the student loan asset-backed securitization market. On June 15, 2016, the Company announced the launch of an online investor communication forum to facilitate the amendment of certain FEELP asset-backed securitizations to extend the legal final maturity dates. On September 13, 2016, the Company announced that it had received investor consent to extend by five years the legal final maturity on nine of its securitizations, which represent a total of approximately $4.8 billion in original par value. The effective date of the amendments to each of the nine securitizations was September 20, 2016. The modifications of the final maturity of these securitizations were the only changes to the terms of these securitizations and such modifications were considered not substantial. Depending on future investor consent, the Company may seek to extend the legal final maturity on additional securitizations.

FFELP Warehouse Facilities

The Company funds a portion of its FFELP loan acquisitions using its FFELP warehouse facilities. Student loan warehousing allows the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below.

	NFSLW-I (a)		NHELP-II	NHELP-III	Total
Maximum financing amount	$	875,000	500,000	750,000	2,125,000
Amount outstanding	815,550		407,535	483,461	1,706,546
Amount available	$	59,450	92,465	266,539	418,454
Expiration of liquidity provisions	July 10, 2018		December 16, 2016	April 28, 2017
Final maturity date	September 7, 2018		December 14, 2018	April 26, 2019
Maximum advance rates	92.0 - 98.0%		85.0 - 95.0%	92.2 - 95.0%
Minimum advance rates	84.0 - 90.0%		85.0 - 95.0%	92.2 - 95.0%
Advanced as equity support	$	33,898	33,561	28,830	96,289

(a) On July 10, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount to $875.0 million. The maximum financing amount was scheduled to decrease by $125.0 million on March 31, 2016. On January 26, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to extend the scheduled decrease of the maximum financing amount by $125.0 million to July 8, 2016. On July 7, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to permanently set the maximum financing amount at $875.0 million, and changed the expiration of liquidity provisions to July 10, 2018 and the final maturity date to September 7, 2018.

Private Education Loan Warehouse Facility

On June 26, 2015, the Company entered into a $275.0 million private education loan warehouse facility. As of September 30, 2016, there was $206.6 million outstanding on the facility and $68.4 million was available for future use. The facility has a static advance rate that requires initial equity for loan funding, but does not require increased equity based on market movements. The maximum advance rate on the entire facility is 88 percent and minimum advance rates, depending on loan characteristics and program type, ranged from 64 percent to 99 percent. As of September 30, 2016, $30.3 million was advanced on the facility as equity support. The facility is supported by liquidity provisions, which had an original expiration date of June 24, 2016.

On April 1, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to October 28, 2016, and to change the final maturity date to April 28, 2017. In addition, the minimum advance rates, depending on loan characteristics and program type, were changed to a range from 61.75 percent to 95.00 percent, and the maximum advance rate on the entire facility remained at 88 percent. On October 28, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to December 21, 2016; the final maturity date remained unchanged at April 28, 2017. In the event the Company is unable to renew the liquidity provisions by the amended expiration date of December 21, 2016, the facility would become a term facility at a stepped-up cost, with no additional student loans being eligible for financing, and the Company would be required to refinance the existing loans in the facility by the facility's final maturity date of April 28, 2017.

Unsecured Line of Credit

The Company has a $350.0 million unsecured line of credit that has a maturity date of October 30, 2020.  As of September 30, 2016, no amounts were outstanding under the unsecured line of credit and $350.0 million was available for future use.

Debt Repurchases

The following table summarizes the Company's repurchases of its own debt. Gains recorded by the Company from the repurchase of debt are included in "gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases" on the Company's consolidated statements of income.

	Par value		Purchase price	Gain	Par value	Purchase price	Gain
	Three months ended
	September 30, 2016				September 30, 2015
Asset-backed securities	$	10,965	8,805	2,160	9,650	9,053	597
	$	10,965	8,805	2,160	9,650	9,053	597
	Nine months ended
	September 30, 2016				September 30, 2015
Unsecured debt - Hybrid Securities	$	—	—	—	14,106	11,108	2,998
Asset-backed securities	11,362		9,102	2,260	31,800	30,162	1,638
	$	11,362	9,102	2,260	45,906	41,270	4,636

Subsequent Events - Bonds and Notes Payable

On October 12, 2016, the Company completed an asset-backed securitization totaling $426.0 million (par value). The proceeds from this transaction were used primarily to refinance certain student loans included in the Company's FFELP warehouse facilities.

The Company had a $75.0 million line of credit, which was collateralized by asset-backed security investments, that expired on October 31, 2016. As of September 30, 2016, $75.0 million was outstanding on this line of credit. Upon expiration of the line of credit on October 31, 2016, the Company used operating cash and borrowed money on its $350.0 million unsecured line of credit to pay off the outstanding $75.0 million balance of this debt facility.

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Derivative Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to manage interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk. Derivative instruments used as part of the Company's risk management strategy are further described in note 5 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2015 Annual Report. A tabular presentation of such derivatives outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is presented below.

Basis Swaps

The following table summarizes the Company’s basis swaps outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR set discretely in advance and pays one-month LIBOR plus or minus a spread as defined in the agreements (the "1:3 Basis Swaps").

	As of September 30,		As of December 31,
	2016		2015
Maturity	Notional amount		Notional amount
2016	$	1,000,000	$	7,500,000
2028	125,000		—

The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was one-month LIBOR plus 9.5 basis points and 10.0 basis points, respectively.

Interest Rate Swaps – Floor Income Hedges

The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income.

	As of September 30, 2016				As of December 31, 2015
Maturity	Notional amount		Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)		Notional amount		Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
2016	$	—	—	%	$	1,000,000	0.76	%
2017	750,000		0.99		2,100,000		0.84
2018	1,350,000		1.07		1,600,000		1.08
2019	3,250,000		0.97		500,000		1.12
2020	1,500,000		1.01		—		—
2025	100,000		2.32		100,000		2.32
2026	50,000		1.52		—		—
	$	7,000,000	1.02	%	$	5,300,000	0.95	%

(a) For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

On August 20, 2014, the Company paid $9.1 million for an interest rate swap option to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income. The interest rate swap option gives the Company the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a $250 million notional interest rate swap in which the Company would pay a fixed amount of 3.30% and receive discrete one-month LIBOR. If the interest rate swap option is exercised, the swap would become effective in 2019 and mature in 2024.

Interest Rate Swaps – Unsecured Debt Hedges

The Company had the following derivatives outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a portion of the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities to a fixed rate of 7.66%.

Maturity	Notional amount		Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
2036	$	25,000	4.28	%

(a) For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

Interest Rate Caps

In June 2015, in conjunction with the entry into the $275.0 million private education loan warehouse facility, the Company paid $2.9 million for two interest rate cap contracts with a total notional amount of $275.0 million. The first interest rate cap has a notional amount of $125.0 million and a one-month LIBOR strike rate of 2.50%, and the second interest rate cap has a notional amount of $150.0 million and a one-month LIBOR strike rate of 4.99%. In the event that the one-month LIBOR rate rises above the applicable strike rate, the Company would receive monthly payments related to the spread difference. Both interest rate cap contracts have a maturity date of July 15, 2020.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

In 2006, the Company issued €352.7 million of student loan asset-backed Euro Notes (the "Euro Notes") with an interest rate based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result of the Euro Notes, the Company is exposed to market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The principal and accrued interest on these notes are re-measured at each reporting period and recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date.

The Company entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. Under the terms of the cross-currency interest rate swap, the Company receives from the counterparty a spread to the EURIBOR index based on a notional amount of €352.7 million and pays a spread to the LIBOR index based on a notional amount of $450.0 million. In addition, under the terms of this agreement, all principal payments on the Euro Notes will effectively be paid at the exchange rate in effect between the U.S. dollar and Euro as of the issuance of the notes.

The following table shows the income statement impact as a result of the re-measurement of the Euro Notes and the change in the fair value of the related derivative instrument.

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Re-measurement of Euro Notes	$	(4,831	)	(1,058	)	(13,543	)	32,480
Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swap	5,501			666		26,194		(35,207	)
Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a)	$	670		(392	)	12,651		(2,727	)

(a) The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

Management has structured the cross-currency interest rate swap to economically hedge the Euro Notes to effectively convert the Euro Notes to U.S. dollars and pay a spread on these notes based on the LIBOR index. However, the cross-currency interest rate swap does not qualify for hedge accounting. The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in the fair value of the corresponding cross-currency interest rate swap. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains and losses between these financial instruments due to the principal and accrued interest on the Euro Notes being re-measured to U.S. dollars at each reporting date based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date, while the cross-currency interest rate swap is measured at fair value at each reporting date with the change in fair value recognized in the current period earnings.

Consolidated Financial Statement Impact Related to Derivatives

The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivatives as reflected in the consolidated balance sheets:

	Fair value of asset derivatives			Fair value of liability derivatives
	As of		As of	As of	As of
	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015	September 30, 2016	December 31, 2015
1:3 basis swaps	$	637	724	—	410
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	11,149		21,408	11,148	1,175
Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge	716		3,257	—	—
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	—		—	11,646	7,646
Interest rate caps	287		1,570	—	—
Cross-currency interest rate swap	—		—	39,456	65,650
Other	1,687		1,731	2,803	—
Total	$	14,476	28,690	65,053	74,881

During the first quarter of 2016, the Company terminated a total notional amount of $3.1 billion of fixed rate floor income hedges for gross proceeds of $3.0 million, and a total notional amount of $300.0 million of other basis swaps for gross proceeds of $0.5 million. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company terminated a total notional amount of $500.0 million of fixed rate floor income hedges for gross payments of $0.7 million. During the first, second, and third quarters of 2015, the Company terminated a total notional amount of $2.7 billion, $2.8 billion, and $0.7 billion, respectively, of 1:3 Basis Swaps for gross proceeds of $34.4 million, $17.5 million, and $3.7 million, respectively.

Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities

The Company records derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Certain of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. The following tables include the gross amounts related to the Company's derivative portfolio recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, reconciled to the net amount when excluding derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and cash collateral received/pledged:

			Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
Derivative assets	Gross amounts of recognized assets presented in the consolidated balance sheets		Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement		Cash collateral pledged	Net asset (liability)
Balance as of September 30, 2016	$	14,476	(13,944	)	1,800	2,332
Balance as of December 31, 2015	28,690		(851	)	1,632	29,471

				Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
Derivative liabilities	Gross amounts of recognized liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets			Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement	Cash collateral pledged/(received), net (a)	Net asset (liability)
Balance as of September 30, 2016	$	(65,053	)	13,944	30,596	(20,513	)
Balance as of December 31, 2015	(74,881		)	851	13,168	(60,862	)

(a) Cash collateral pledged (received), net as of September 30, 2016 includes $60.9 million of cash collateral paid to counterparties and $30.3 million in cash collateral received from counterparties.

The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income.

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Settlements:
1:3 basis swaps	$	523		179		938		568
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	(5,157		)	(5,456	)	(15,241	)	(15,490	)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	(233		)	(255	)	(696	)	(760	)
Cross-currency interest rate swap	(1,394		)	(346	)	(3,293	)	(853	)
Total settlements - expense	(6,261		)	(5,878	)	(18,292	)	(16,535	)
Change in fair value:
1:3 basis swaps	140			(1,886	)	323		10,513
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	42,073			(18,935	)	(17,913	)	(16,273	)
Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge	(269		)	(2,205	)	(2,541	)	(1,736	)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	13			(1,948	)	(4,000	)	(861	)
Interest rate caps	(68		)	(939	)	(1,283	)	(1,140	)
Cross-currency interest rate swap	5,501			666		26,194		(35,207	)
Other	(297		)	1,525		(2,336	)	1,525
Total change in fair value - income (expense)	47,093			(23,722	)	(1,556	)	(43,179	)
Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - (expense) income	(4,831		)	(1,058	)	(13,543	)	32,480
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net - income (expense)	$	36,001		(30,658	)	(33,391	)	(27,234	)

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Investments and Notes Receivable

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Investments [Abstract]

Investments

Investments and Notes Receivable

A summary of the Company's investments and notes receivable follows:

	As of September 30, 2016							As of December 31, 2015
	Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains	Gross unrealized losses (a)		Fair value		Amortized cost	Gross unrealized gains	Gross unrealized losses		Fair value
Investments (at fair value):
Available-for-sale investments:
Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities (b)	$	112,324	2,128	(4,547	)	109,905		139,970	3,402	(1,362	)	142,010
Equity securities	720		1,811	(65	)	2,466		846	1,686	(100	)	2,432
Total available-for-sale investments	$	113,044	3,939	(4,612	)	112,371		140,816	5,088	(1,462	)	144,442
Trading investments:
Student loan asset-backed securities						—						6,045
Equity securities						253						4,905
Total trading investments						253						10,950
Total available-for-sale and trading investments						112,624						155,392
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value):
Venture capital and funds						64,481						63,323
Real estate						50,246						50,463
Notes receivable						17,031						18,473
Tax liens and affordable housing						13,146						16,030
Total investments and notes receivable						$	257,528					303,681

(a) As of September 30, 2016, the Company considered the decline in market value of its available-for-sale investments to be temporary in nature and did not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired.

(b) As of September 30, 2016, the stated maturities of the majority of the Company's student loan asset-backed and other debt securities classified as available-for-sale were greater than 10 years.

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Business Combinations Business Combinations (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

Business Combination

Allo Communications LLC ("Allo")

On December 31, 2015, the Company purchased 92.5 percent of the ownership interests of Allo for total cash consideration of $46.25 million.  On January 1, 2016, the Company sold a 1.0 percent ownership interest in Allo to a non-related third-party for $0.5 million. The remaining 7.5 percent of the ownership interests of Allo is owned by members of Allo management, who have the opportunity to earn an additional 11.5 percent (up to 19 percent) of the total ownership interests based on the financial performance of Allo.  The additional ownership interests that Allo management has the opportunity to earn are based on their continued employment with Allo. Accordingly, the value associated with the ownership interests issued to these employees of $1.0 million will be recognized by Allo as compensation expense over the performance period.

Allo provides pure fiber optic service to homes and businesses for internet, television, and telephone services.  The acquisition of Allo provides additional diversification of the Company's revenues and cash flows outside of education.  In addition, the acquisition leverages the Company's existing infrastructure, customer service capabilities and call centers, and financial strength and liquidity for continued growth. 

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. During the first quarter of 2016, the Company recognized certain adjustments to the provisional amounts recorded at December 31, 2015 that were needed to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. The net impact of these adjustments was an increase to goodwill, and the adjustments had no impact on operating results.

Cash and cash equivalents	$	334
Restricted cash and investments	850
Accounts receivable	1,935
Property and equipment	32,479
Other assets	371
Intangible assets	11,410
Excess cost over fair value of net assets acquired (goodwill)	21,112
Other liabilities	(4,587		)
Bonds and notes payable	(13,904		)
Net assets acquired	50,000
Minority interest	(3,750		)
Total consideration paid by the Company	$	46,250

The $11.4 million of acquired intangible assets on the date of acquisition had a weighted-average useful life of approximately 12 years. The intangible assets that made up this amount included customer relationships of $6.3 million (10-year useful life) and a trade name of $5.1 million (15-year useful life).

The $21.1 million of goodwill was assigned to the Communications operating segment and is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The amount allocated to goodwill was primarily attributable to future customers to be generated through the continued expansion of Allo's services in rural markets.

The proforma impacts of the acquisition on the Company's historical results prior to the acquisition were not material.

Allo recognizes revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists between Allo and the customer, (ii) delivery of the product to the customer has occurred or service has been provided to the customer, (iii) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured. Revenues based on a flat fee, derived principally from internet, television, and telephone services are billed in advance and recognized in subsequent periods when the services are provided. Revenues for usage-based services, such as access charges billed to other telephone carriers for originating and terminating long-distance calls on Allo's network, are billed in arrears. Allo recognizes revenue from these services in the period the services are rendered rather than billed. Earned but unbilled usage-based services are recorded in accounts receivable.

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Intangible Assets Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible assets consist of the following:

	Weighted average remaining useful life as of September 30, 2016 (months)	As of September 30, 2016		As of December 31, 2015
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer relationships (net of accumulated amortization of $7,261 and $4,028, respectively)	170	$	29,623	27,576
Computer software (net of accumulated amortization of $8,236 and $4,397, respectively)	28	10,712		11,601
Trade names (net of accumulated amortization of $1,439 and $795, respectively)	192	10,133		10,687
Content (net of accumulated amortization of $1,575 and $900, respectively)	3	225		900
Covenants not to compete (net of accumulated amortization of $83 and $56, respectively)	92	271		298
Total - amortizable intangible assets	143	$	50,964	51,062

The Company recorded amortization expense on its intangible assets of $3.2 million and $2.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $8.4 million and $7.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company will continue to amortize intangible assets over their remaining useful lives. As of September 30, 2016, the Company estimates it will record amortization expense as follows:

2016 (October 1 - December 31)	$	3,151
2017	9,386
2018	8,605
2019	5,147
2020	4,231
2021 and thereafter	20,444
	$	50,964

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable operating segment was as follows:

	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing		Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce	Communications	Asset Generation and Management	Corporate and Other Activities	Total
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	8,596	67,168	19,800	41,883	8,553	146,000
Allo purchase price adjustment	—		—	1,312	—	—	1,312
Balance as of September 30, 2016	$	8,596	67,168	21,112	41,883	8,553	147,312

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Property Plant and Equipment Property Plant and Equipment (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

		As of September 30, 2016		As of December 31, 2015
	Useful life
Non-communications:
Computer equipment and software	1-5 years	$	96,871	89,093
Office furniture and equipment	3-7 years	12,349		12,638
Building and building improvements	5-39 years	13,515		12,239
Transportation equipment	4-10 years	3,817		3,868
Leasehold improvements	5-20 years	3,614		3,545
Land	—	1,704		700
Construction in progress	—	10,124		1,210
		141,994		123,293
Accumulated depreciation - non-communications		88,523		77,188
Non-communications, net property and equipment		53,471		46,105
Communications:
Network plant and fiber	5-15 years	33,053		25,669
Central office	5-15 years	5,806		909
Customer located property	5-10 years	4,723		6,912
Transportation equipment	4-10 years	2,258		470
Computer equipment and software	1-5 years	1,772		74
Other	1-20 years	866		343
Land	—	70		—
Construction in progress	—	8,578		—
		57,126		34,377
Accumulated depreciation - communications		3,092		—
Communications, net property and equipment		54,034		34,377
Total property and equipment, net		$	107,505	80,482

Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 related to property and equipment was $5.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively, and $16.4 million and $11.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

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Earnings per Common Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings per Common Share

Presented below is a summary of the components used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share. The Company applies the two-class method in computing both basic and diluted earnings per share, which requires the calculation of separate earnings per share amounts for common stock and unvested share based awards. Unvested share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered securities which participate in undistributed earnings with common stock.

	Three months ended September 30,
	2016				2015
	Common shareholders		Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total	Common shareholders	Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	83,419	875	84,294	48,436	519	48,955
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	42,199,580		442,633	42,642,213	44,570,519	477,258	45,047,777
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$	1.98	1.98	1.98	1.09	1.09	1.09
	Nine months ended September 30,
	2016				2015
	Common shareholders		Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total	Common shareholders	Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	156,749	1,656	158,405	182,664	1,965	184,629
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	42,340,867		447,266	42,788,133	45,276,376	487,067	45,763,443
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$	3.70	3.70	3.70	4.03	4.03	4.03

Unvested restricted stock awards are the Company's only potential common shares and, accordingly, there were no awards that were antidilutive and not included in average shares outstanding for the diluted earnings per share calculation.

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Segment Reporting

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

See note 14 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2015 Annual Report for a description of the Company's operating segments. The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements.

Prior to January 1, 2016, the Company allocated certain corporate overhead expenses that are incurred within the Corporate and Other Activities segment to the other operating segments. These expenses included certain corporate activities related to executive management, internal audit, enterprise risk management, and other costs incurred by the Company due to corporate-wide initiatives. Effective January 1, 2016, internal reporting to executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") changed to eliminate the allocation of these expenses to the other segments. Management believes the change in its allocation methodology results in a better reflection of the operating results of each of the reportable segments as if they each operated as a standalone business entity, which also reflects how management evaluates the performance of the segments. Prior period segment operating results have been restated to conform to the current period presentation.

	Three months ended September 30, 2016
	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Communications		Asset Generation and Management		Corporate and Other Activities		Eliminations		Total
Total interest income	$	37		2		—		194,701		2,370		(930	)	196,181
Interest expense	—			—		318		95,383		1,615		(930	)	96,386
Net interest income	37			2		(318	)	99,318		755		—		99,795
Less provision for loan losses	—			—		—		6,000		—		—		6,000
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	37			2		(318	)	93,318		755		—		93,795
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	54,350			—		—		—		—		—		54,350
Intersegment servicing revenue	11,021			—		—		—		—		(11,021	)	—
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			33,071		—		—		—		—		33,071
Communications revenue	—			—		4,343		—		—		—		4,343
Other income	—			—		—		4,265		10,886		—		15,150
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	—			—		—		2,160		—		—		2,160
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		—		42,546		(284	)	—		42,262
Derivative settlements, net	—			—		—		(6,028	)	(233	)	—		(6,261	)
Total other income	65,371			33,071		4,343		42,943		10,369		(11,021	)	145,075
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	32,505			15,979		2,325		486		12,448		—		63,743
Depreciation and amortization	557			2,929		1,630		—		3,878		—		8,994
Loan servicing fees	—			—		—		5,880		—		—		5,880
Cost to provide communications services	—			—		1,784		—		—		—		1,784
Other expenses	8,784			4,149		1,545		1,769		10,143		—		26,391
Intersegment expenses, net	5,825			1,616		279		11,146		(7,845	)	(11,021	)	—
Total operating expenses	47,671			24,673		7,563		19,281		18,624		(11,021	)	106,792
Income (loss) before income taxes	17,737			8,400		(3,538	)	116,980		(7,500	)	—		132,078
Income tax (expense) benefit	(6,740		)	(3,192	)	1,344		(44,571	)	5,443		—		(47,715	)
Net income (loss)	10,997			5,208		(2,194	)	72,409		(2,057	)	—		84,363
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—		—		—		69		—		69
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	10,997		5,208		(2,194	)	72,409		(2,126	)	—		84,294

	Three months ended September 30, 2015 (a)
	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Asset Generation and Management		Corporate and Other Activities		Eliminations		Total
Total interest income	$	14		—		188,197		1,385		(439	)	189,157
Interest expense	—			—		76,040		1,563		(439	)	77,164
Net interest income	14			—		112,157		(178	)	—		111,993
Less provision for loan losses	—			—		3,000		—		—		3,000
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	14			—		109,157		(178	)	—		108,993
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	61,900			—		—		—		(380	)	61,520
Intersegment servicing revenue	12,027			—		—		—		(12,027	)	—
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			30,439		—		—		—		30,439
Enrollment services revenue	—			—		—		13,741		—		13,741
Other income	—			—		3,312		8,970		—		12,282
Gain (loss) on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	—			—		608		(11	)	—		597
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		(24,357	)	(423	)	—		(24,780	)
Derivative settlements, net	—			—		(5,623	)	(255	)	—		(5,878	)
Total other income	73,927			30,439		(26,060	)	22,022		(12,407	)	87,921
Operating expenses:										.
Salaries and benefits	34,525			13,983		558		14,149		—		63,215
Depreciation and amortization	484			2,202		—		4,291		—		6,977
Loan servicing fees	—			—		7,793		—		—		7,793
Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		—		11,349		—		11,349
Other expenses	14,602			3,579		1,421		12,002		—		31,604
Intersegment expenses, net	7,513			2,246		12,544		(9,895	)	(12,407	)	—
Total operating expenses	57,124			22,010		22,316		31,896		(12,407	)	120,938
Income (loss) before income taxes	16,817			8,429		60,781		(10,052	)	—		75,976
Income tax (expense) benefit	(6,390		)	(3,204	)	(23,096	)	5,691		—		(26,999	)
Net income (loss)	10,427			5,225		37,685		(4,361	)	—		48,977
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5		)	—		—		27		—		22
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	10,432		5,225		37,685		(4,388	)	—		48,955

(a) Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

	Nine months ended September 30, 2016
	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Communications		Asset Generation and Management		Corporate and Other Activities		Eliminations		Total
Total interest income	$	80		7		1		570,390		6,527		(2,556	)	574,449
Interest expense	—			—		671		278,029		4,702		(2,556	)	280,847
Net interest income	80			7		(670	)	292,361		1,825		—		293,602
Less provision for loan losses	—			—		—		10,500		—		—		10,500
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	80			7		(670	)	281,861		1,825		—		283,102
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	161,082			—		—		—		—		—		161,082
Intersegment servicing revenue	34,436			—		—		—		—		(34,436	)	—
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			102,211		—		—		—		—		102,211
Communications revenue	—			—		13,167		—		—		—		13,167
Enrollment services revenue	—			—		—		—		4,326		—		4,326
Other income	—			—		—		12,362		26,349		—		38,711
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	—			—		—		2,260		—		—		2,260
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		—		(8,763	)	(6,336	)	—		(15,099	)
Derivative settlements, net	—			—		—		(17,596	)	(696	)	—		(18,292	)
Total other income	195,518			102,211		13,167		(11,737	)	23,643		(34,436	)	288,366
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	96,851			45,859		4,792		1,504		38,902		—		187,907
Depreciation and amortization	1,440			7,711		4,137		—		11,528		—		24,817
Loan servicing fees	—			—		—		20,024		—		—		20,024
Cost to provide communications services	—			—		5,169		—		—		—		5,169
Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		—		—		3,623		—		3,623
Other expenses	31,635			13,122		3,110		4,766		31,540		—		84,174
Intersegment expenses, net	18,168			4,690		610		34,791		(23,823	)	(34,436	)	—
Total operating expenses	148,094			71,382		17,818		61,085		61,770		(34,436	)	325,714
Income (loss) before income taxes	47,504			30,836		(5,321	)	209,039		(36,302	)	—		245,754
Income tax (expense) benefit	(18,052		)	(11,718	)	2,022		(79,434	)	19,998		—		(87,184	)
Net income (loss)	29,452			19,118		(3,299	)	129,605		(16,304	)	—		158,570
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—		—		—		165		—		165
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	29,452		19,118		(3,299	)	129,605		(16,469	)	—		158,405

	Nine months ended September 30, 2015 (a)
	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Asset Generation and Management		Corporate and Other Activities		Eliminations		Total
Total interest income	$	34		3		536,899		5,352		(1,260	)	541,028
Interest expense	—			—		218,021		4,583		(1,260	)	221,344
Net interest income	34			3		318,878		769		—		319,684
Less provision for loan losses	—			—		7,150		—		—		7,150
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	34			3		311,728		769		—		312,534
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	183,544			—		—		—		(380	)	183,164
Intersegment servicing revenue	37,121			—		—		—		(37,121	)	—
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			92,805		—		—		—		92,805
Enrollment services revenue	—			—		—		39,794		—		39,794
Other income	—			—		11,838		23,837		—		35,675
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	—			—		2,000		2,987		—		4,987
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		(11,363	)	664		—		(10,699	)
Derivative settlements, net	—			—		(15,775	)	(760	)	—		(16,535	)
Total other income	220,665			92,805		(13,300	)	66,522		(37,501	)	329,191
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	99,813			40,887		1,623		40,729		—		183,052
Depreciation and amortization	1,457			6,592		—		11,091		—		19,140
Loan servicing fees	—			—		22,829		—		—		22,829
Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		—		32,543		—		32,543
Other expenses	44,578			11,493		3,828		34,531		—		94,430
Intersegment expenses, net	22,200			6,444		37,913		(29,056	)	(37,501	)	—
Total operating expenses	168,048			65,416		66,193		89,838		(37,501	)	351,994
Income (loss) before income taxes	52,651			27,392		232,235		(22,547	)	—		289,731
Income tax (expense) benefit	(20,007		)	(10,410	)	(88,248	)	13,680		—		(104,985	)
Net income (loss)	32,644			16,982		143,987		(8,867	)	—		184,746
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5		)	—		—		122		—		117
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	32,649		16,982		143,987		(8,989	)	—		184,629

(a) Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

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Major Customer

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]

Major Customer

The Company earns loan servicing revenue from a servicing contract with the U.S. Department of Education (the "Department") that currently expires on June 16, 2019. Revenue earned by the Company's Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment related to this contract was $40.2 million and $33.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $112.5 million and $99.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In April 2016, the Department's Office of Federal Student Aid released information regarding a new contract procurement process for the Department to acquire a single servicing platform to support the management of federal student financial aid, including the servicing of all student loans owned by the Department.  The contract solicitation process is divided into two phases. Responses for Phase I were due on May 9, 2016. 

On May 6, 2016, the Company and Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc. ("Great Lakes") submitted a joint response to Phase I as part of a newly created joint venture to respond to the contract solicitation process and to provide services under the new contract in the event that the Department selects it to be awarded with the contract. The joint venture will operate as a new legal entity called GreatNet Solutions, LLC ("GreatNet"). The Company and Great Lakes each own 50 percent of the ownership interests of GreatNet. In addition to the Company, Great Lakes is currently one of four private sector companies (referred to as Title IV Additional Servicers, or "TIVAS") that currently has a student loan servicing contract with the Department to provide servicing for loans owned by the Department.

On June 30, 2016, the Department announced which entities were selected to respond to Phase II of the procurement selection process. GreatNet was one of three entities selected. On October 26, 2016, the Department released the Phase II solicitation for its new single servicer contract. Responses for Phase II are due December 12, 2016. The Department anticipates the servicing system contract will be awarded by February 2017.

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Fair Value

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value

Fair Value

The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers into or out of level 1, level 2, or level 3 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

	As of September 30, 2016				As of December 31, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2	Total	Level 1	Level 2	Total
Assets:
Investments (available-for-sale and trading):
Student loan asset-backed securities	$	—	109,783	109,783	—	147,925	147,925
Equity securities	2,719		—	2,719	7,337	—	7,337
Debt securities	122		—	122	130	—	130
Total investments (available-for-sale and trading)	2,841		109,783	112,624	7,467	147,925	155,392
Fair value of derivative instruments	—		14,476	14,476	—	28,690	28,690
Total assets	$	2,841	124,259	127,100	7,467	176,615	184,082
Liabilities:
Fair value of derivative instruments	$	—	65,053	65,053	—	74,881	74,881
Total liabilities	$	—	65,053	65,053	—	74,881	74,881

The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets:

	As of September 30, 2016
	Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Financial assets:
Student loans receivable	$	26,145,847	25,615,434	—	—	26,145,847
Cash and cash equivalents	67,154		67,154	67,154	—	—
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	112,624		112,624	2,841	109,783	—
Notes receivable	17,031		17,031	—	17,031	—
Restricted cash	866,582		866,582	866,582	—	—
Restricted cash – due to customers	91,505		91,505	91,505	—	—
Restricted investments	6,292		6,292	6,292	—	—
Accrued interest receivable	381,804		381,804	—	381,804	—
Derivative instruments	14,476		14,476	—	14,476	—
Financial liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	24,750,721		25,320,878	—	24,750,721	—
Accrued interest payable	42,840		42,840	—	42,840	—
Due to customers	91,505		91,505	91,505	—	—
Derivative instruments	65,053		65,053	—	65,053	—

	As of December 31, 2015
	Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Financial assets:
Student loans receivable	$	28,611,350	28,324,552	—	—	28,611,350
Cash and cash equivalents	63,529		63,529	63,529	—	—
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	155,392		155,392	7,467	147,925	—
Notes receivable	18,067		18,473	—	18,067	—
Restricted cash	823,450		823,450	823,450	—	—
Restricted cash – due to customers	144,771		144,771	144,771	—	—
Restricted investments	9,174		9,174	9,174	—	—
Accrued interest receivable	383,825		383,825	—	383,825	—
Derivative instruments	28,690		28,690	—	28,690	—
Financial liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	27,150,775		28,105,921	—	27,150,775	—
Accrued interest payable	31,507		31,507	—	31,507	—
Due to customers	144,771		144,771	144,771	—	—
Derivative instruments	74,881		74,881	—	74,881	—

The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities are described in note 20 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2015 Annual Report.

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Basis of Financial Reporting Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Financial Reporting

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2016 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 and, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, except as discussed under "Revenue Recognition - Loan Interest Income" below, necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2016. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (the "2015 Annual Report").

Revenue Recognition, Interest [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition - Loan Interest Income

The Company recognizes student loan interest income as earned, net of amortization of loan premiums and deferred origination costs and the accretion of loan discounts. Loan interest income is recognized based upon the expected yield of the loan after giving effect to interest rate reductions resulting from borrower utilization of incentives such as timely payments ("borrower benefits") and other yield adjustments. Loan premiums or discounts, deferred origination costs, and borrower benefits are amortized/accreted over the estimated life of the loans, which includes an estimate of forecasted payments in excess of contractually required payments. The Company periodically evaluates the assumptions used to estimate the life of the loans and prepayment rates.

In the third quarter of 2016, the Company revised its policy to correct for an error in its method of applying the interest method used to amortize premiums and accrete discounts on its student loan portfolio. Previously, the Company amortized premiums and accreted discounts by including in its prepayment assumption forecasted payments in excess of contractually required payments as well as forecasted defaults. The Company has determined that only payments in excess of contractually required payments should be included in the prepayment assumption. Under the Company's revised policy, as of September 30, 2016, the constant prepayment rate used by the Company to amortize/accrete student loan premiums/discounts was decreased. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an adjustment to reflect the net impact on prior periods for the correction of this error that resulted in an $8.2 million reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance and a corresponding increase in interest income(a $5.2 million after tax increase to net income). The Company has concluded this error has an immaterial impact on 2016 results as well as the results for prior periods.

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Business Combinations Revenue Recognition (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Allo recognizes revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists between Allo and the customer, (ii) delivery of the product to the customer has occurred or service has been provided to the customer, (iii) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured. Revenues based on a flat fee, derived principally from internet, television, and telephone services are billed in advance and recognized in subsequent periods when the services are provided. Revenues for usage-based services, such as access charges billed to other telephone carriers for originating and terminating long-distance calls on Allo's network, are billed in arrears. Allo recognizes revenue from these services in the period the services are rendered rather than billed. Earned but unbilled usage-based services are recorded in accounts receivable.

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Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Receivables [Abstract]

Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable

Student loans receivable consisted of the following:

	As of			As of
	September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
Federally insured loans:
Stafford and other	$	5,353,052		6,202,064
Consolidation	20,189,881			22,086,043
Total	25,542,933			28,288,107
Private education loans	276,432			267,642
	25,819,365			28,555,749
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (a)	(152,361		)	(180,699	)
Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans	(37,028		)	(35,490	)
Allowance for loan losses – private education loans	(14,542		)	(15,008	)
	$	25,615,434		28,324,552

(a) As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $20.8 million and $33.0 million, respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans of $8.5 billion and $10.8 billion, respectively.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables

Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance sufficient to absorb losses, net of recoveries, inherent in the portfolio of student loans. Activity in the allowance for loan losses is shown below.

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Balance at beginning of period	$	48,753		50,024		50,498		48,900
Provision for loan losses:
Federally insured loans	7,000			2,000		11,000		6,000
Private education loans	(1,000		)	1,000		(500	)	1,150
Total provision for loan losses	6,000			3,000		10,500		7,150
Charge-offs:
Federally insured loans	(3,196		)	(2,817	)	(9,462	)	(9,225	)
Private education loans	(320		)	(357	)	(1,235	)	(1,479	)
Total charge-offs	(3,516		)	(3,174	)	(10,697	)	(10,704	)
Recoveries - private education loans	243			250		769		742
Purchase (sale) of federally insured and private education loans, net	30			30		290		(200	)
Transfer from repurchase obligation related to private education loans repurchased, net	60			250		210		4,492
Balance at end of period	$	51,570		50,380		51,570		50,380
Allocation of the allowance for loan losses:
Federally insured loans	$	37,028		35,945		37,028		35,945
Private education loans	14,542			14,435		14,542		14,435
Total allowance for loan losses	$	51,570		50,380		51,570		50,380

Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators

Student Loan Status and Delinquencies

Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact the Company’s earnings through increased servicing and collection costs and account charge-offs.  The table below shows the Company’s loan delinquency amounts.

	As of September 30, 2016				As of December 31, 2015				As of September 30, 2015
Federally insured loans:
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$	1,864,323			$	2,292,941			$	2,638,639
Loans in forbearance	2,403,504				2,979,357				2,993,844
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	18,445,728		86.8	%	19,447,541		84.4	%	19,681,517		84.4	%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	825,905		3.9		1,028,396		4.5		1,021,515		4.4
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	491,395		2.3		566,953		2.5		638,037		2.7
Loans delinquent 91-120 days	326,020		1.5		415,747		1.8		465,261		2.0
Loans delinquent 121-270 days	835,250		3.9		1,166,940		5.1		1,139,864		4.9
Loans delinquent 271 days or greater	350,808		1.6		390,232		1.7		376,702		1.6
Total loans in repayment	21,275,106		100.0	%	23,015,809		100.0	%	23,322,896		100.0	%
Total federally insured loans	$	25,542,933			$	28,288,107			$	28,955,379
Private education loans:
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$	51,042			$	30,795			$	7,724
Loans in forbearance	1,770				350				16
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	217,108		97.1	%	228,464		96.7	%	216,502		96.2	%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	1,357		0.6		1,771		0.7		1,999		0.9
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	1,228		0.5		1,283		0.5		1,206		0.5
Loans delinquent 91 days or greater	3,927		1.8		4,979		2.1		5,377		2.4
Total loans in repayment	223,620		100.0	%	236,497		100.0	%	225,084		100.0	%
Total private education loans	$	276,432			$	267,642			$	232,824

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Bonds and Notes payable (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Bonds and Notes Payable [Abstract]

Schedule of Debt

The following tables summarize the Company’s outstanding debt obligations by type of instrument:

	As of September 30, 2016
	Carrying amount			Interest rate range	Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
Bonds and notes based on indices	$	22,550,964		0.25% - 6.90%	8/26/19 - 9/25/56
Bonds and notes based on auction	1,156,615			1.36% - 2.20%	3/22/32 - 11/26/46
Total variable-rate bonds and notes	23,707,579
FFELP warehouse facilities	1,706,546			0.52% - 0.98%	9/7/18 - 4/26/19
Private education loan warehouse facility	206,632			0.98%	4/28/17
Unsecured line of credit	—			—	10/30/20
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	57,184			4.21%	9/15/61
Other borrowings	93,355			2.03% - 3.38%	10/31/16 - 12/15/45
	25,771,296
Discount on bonds and notes payable and debt issuance costs, net	(450,418		)
Total	$	25,320,878

	As of December 31, 2015
	Carrying amount			Interest rate range	Final maturity
Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
Bonds and notes based on indices	$	25,155,336		0.05% - 6.90%	8/26/19 - 8/26/52
Bonds and notes based on auction	1,160,365			0.88% - 2.17%	3/22/32 - 11/26/46
Total variable-rate bonds and notes	26,315,701
FFELP warehouse facilities	1,855,907			0.27% - 0.56%	4/29/18 - 12/14/18
Private education loan warehouse facility	181,184			0.57%	12/26/16
Unsecured line of credit	100,000			1.79% - 1.92%	10/30/20
Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	57,184			3.99%	9/15/61
Other borrowings	93,355			1.93% - 3.38%	10/31/16 - 12/15/45
	28,603,331
Discount on bonds and notes payable and debt issuance costs, net	(497,410		)
Total	$	28,105,921

Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities

FFELP Warehouse Facilities

The Company funds a portion of its FFELP loan acquisitions using its FFELP warehouse facilities. Student loan warehousing allows the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below.

	NFSLW-I (a)		NHELP-II	NHELP-III	Total
Maximum financing amount	$	875,000	500,000	750,000	2,125,000
Amount outstanding	815,550		407,535	483,461	1,706,546
Amount available	$	59,450	92,465	266,539	418,454
Expiration of liquidity provisions	July 10, 2018		December 16, 2016	April 28, 2017
Final maturity date	September 7, 2018		December 14, 2018	April 26, 2019
Maximum advance rates	92.0 - 98.0%		85.0 - 95.0%	92.2 - 95.0%
Minimum advance rates	84.0 - 90.0%		85.0 - 95.0%	92.2 - 95.0%
Advanced as equity support	$	33,898	33,561	28,830	96,289

(a) On July 10, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount to $875.0 million. The maximum financing amount was scheduled to decrease by $125.0 million on March 31, 2016. On January 26, 2016, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to extend the scheduled decrease of the maximum financing amount by $125.0 million to July 8, 2016

Schedule of Extinguishment of Debt [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes the Company's repurchases of its own debt. Gains recorded by the Company from the repurchase of debt are included in "gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases" on the Company's consolidated statements of income.

	Par value		Purchase price	Gain	Par value	Purchase price	Gain
	Three months ended
	September 30, 2016				September 30, 2015
Asset-backed securities	$	10,965	8,805	2,160	9,650	9,053	597
	$	10,965	8,805	2,160	9,650	9,053	597
	Nine months ended
	September 30, 2016				September 30, 2015
Unsecured debt - Hybrid Securities	$	—	—	—	14,106	11,108	2,998
Asset-backed securities	11,362		9,102	2,260	31,800	30,162	1,638
	$	11,362	9,102	2,260	45,906	41,270	4,636

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Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Interest Rate Swaps - 1:3 Basis swaps

Basis Swaps

The following table summarizes the Company’s basis swaps outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR set discretely in advance and pays one-month LIBOR plus or minus a spread as defined in the agreements (the "1:3 Basis Swaps").

	As of September 30,		As of December 31,
	2016		2015
Maturity	Notional amount		Notional amount
2016	$	1,000,000	$	7,500,000
2028	125,000		—

The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was one-month LIBOR plus 9.5 basis points and 10.0 basis points, respectively.

Interest Rate Swaps - Floor Income Hedges

Interest Rate Swaps – Floor Income Hedges

The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income.

	As of September 30, 2016				As of December 31, 2015
Maturity	Notional amount		Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)		Notional amount		Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
2016	$	—	—	%	$	1,000,000	0.76	%
2017	750,000		0.99		2,100,000		0.84
2018	1,350,000		1.07		1,600,000		1.08
2019	3,250,000		0.97		500,000		1.12
2020	1,500,000		1.01		—		—
2025	100,000		2.32		100,000		2.32
2026	50,000		1.52		—		—
	$	7,000,000	1.02	%	$	5,300,000	0.95	%

(a) For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

Interest Rate Swaps - Unsecured Debt Hedges

Interest Rate Swaps – Unsecured Debt Hedges

The Company had the following derivatives outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a portion of the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities to a fixed rate of 7.66%.

Maturity	Notional amount		Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
2036	$	25,000	4.28	%

(a) For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

Impact of Foreign Exchange Contracts on the Statement of Income

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

In 2006, the Company issued €352.7 million of student loan asset-backed Euro Notes (the "Euro Notes") with an interest rate based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result of the Euro Notes, the Company is exposed to market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The principal and accrued interest on these notes are re-measured at each reporting period and recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date.

The Company entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. Under the terms of the cross-currency interest rate swap, the Company receives from the counterparty a spread to the EURIBOR index based on a notional amount of €352.7 million and pays a spread to the LIBOR index based on a notional amount of $450.0 million. In addition, under the terms of this agreement, all principal payments on the Euro Notes will effectively be paid at the exchange rate in effect between the U.S. dollar and Euro as of the issuance of the notes.

The following table shows the income statement impact as a result of the re-measurement of the Euro Notes and the change in the fair value of the related derivative instrument.

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Re-measurement of Euro Notes	$	(4,831	)	(1,058	)	(13,543	)	32,480
Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swap	5,501			666		26,194		(35,207	)
Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a)	$	670		(392	)	12,651		(2,727	)

(a) The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

Management has structured the cross-currency interest rate swap to economically hedge the Euro Notes to effectively convert the Euro Notes to U.S. dollars and pay a spread on these notes based on the LIBOR index. However, the cross-currency interest rate swap does not qualify for hedge accounting. The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in the fair value of the corresponding cross-currency interest rate swap. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains and losses between these financial instruments due to the principal and accrued interest on the Euro Notes being re-measured to U.S. dollars at each reporting date based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date, while the cross-currency interest rate swap is measured at fair value at each reporting date with the change in fair value recognized in the current period earnings.

Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value

Consolidated Financial Statement Impact Related to Derivatives

The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivatives as reflected in the consolidated balance sheets:

	Fair value of asset derivatives			Fair value of liability derivatives
	As of		As of	As of	As of
	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015	September 30, 2016	December 31, 2015
1:3 basis swaps	$	637	724	—	410
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	11,149		21,408	11,148	1,175
Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge	716		3,257	—	—
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	—		—	11,646	7,646
Interest rate caps	287		1,570	—	—
Cross-currency interest rate swap	—		—	39,456	65,650
Other	1,687		1,731	2,803	—
Total	$	14,476	28,690	65,053	74,881

During the first quarter of 2016, the Company terminated a total notional amount of $3.1 billion of fixed rate floor income hedges for gross proceeds of $3.0 million, and a total notional amount of $300.0 million of other basis swaps for gross proceeds of $0.5 million. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company terminated a total notional amount of $500.0 million of fixed rate floor income hedges for gross payments of $0.7 million. During the first, second, and third quarters of 2015, the Company terminated a total notional amount of $2.7 billion, $2.8 billion, and $0.7 billion, respectively, of 1:3 Basis Swaps for gross proceeds of $34.4 million

Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]

Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities

The Company records derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Certain of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. The following tables include the gross amounts related to the Company's derivative portfolio recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, reconciled to the net amount when excluding derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and cash collateral received/pledged:

			Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
Derivative assets	Gross amounts of recognized assets presented in the consolidated balance sheets		Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement		Cash collateral pledged	Net asset (liability)
Balance as of September 30, 2016	$	14,476	(13,944	)	1,800	2,332
Balance as of December 31, 2015	28,690		(851	)	1,632	29,471

				Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
Derivative liabilities	Gross amounts of recognized liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets			Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement	Cash collateral pledged/(received), net (a)	Net asset (liability)
Balance as of September 30, 2016	$	(65,053	)	13,944	30,596	(20,513	)
Balance as of December 31, 2015	(74,881		)	851	13,168	(60,862	)

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance

The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income.

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015		2016		2015
Settlements:
1:3 basis swaps	$	523		179		938		568
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	(5,157		)	(5,456	)	(15,241	)	(15,490	)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	(233		)	(255	)	(696	)	(760	)
Cross-currency interest rate swap	(1,394		)	(346	)	(3,293	)	(853	)
Total settlements - expense	(6,261		)	(5,878	)	(18,292	)	(16,535	)
Change in fair value:
1:3 basis swaps	140			(1,886	)	323		10,513
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	42,073			(18,935	)	(17,913	)	(16,273	)
Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge	(269		)	(2,205	)	(2,541	)	(1,736	)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	13			(1,948	)	(4,000	)	(861	)
Interest rate caps	(68		)	(939	)	(1,283	)	(1,140	)
Cross-currency interest rate swap	5,501			666		26,194		(35,207	)
Other	(297		)	1,525		(2,336	)	1,525
Total change in fair value - income (expense)	47,093			(23,722	)	(1,556	)	(43,179	)
Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - (expense) income	(4,831		)	(1,058	)	(13,543	)	32,480
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net - income (expense)	$	36,001		(30,658	)	(33,391	)	(27,234	)

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Investments and Notes Receivable (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Investments [Abstract]

Summary Investment Holdings

A summary of the Company's investments and notes receivable follows:

	As of September 30, 2016							As of December 31, 2015
	Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains	Gross unrealized losses (a)		Fair value		Amortized cost	Gross unrealized gains	Gross unrealized losses		Fair value
Investments (at fair value):
Available-for-sale investments:
Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities (b)	$	112,324	2,128	(4,547	)	109,905		139,970	3,402	(1,362	)	142,010
Equity securities	720		1,811	(65	)	2,466		846	1,686	(100	)	2,432
Total available-for-sale investments	$	113,044	3,939	(4,612	)	112,371		140,816	5,088	(1,462	)	144,442
Trading investments:
Student loan asset-backed securities						—						6,045
Equity securities						253						4,905
Total trading investments						253						10,950
Total available-for-sale and trading investments						112,624						155,392
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value):
Venture capital and funds						64,481						63,323
Real estate						50,246						50,463
Notes receivable						17,031						18,473
Tax liens and affordable housing						13,146						16,030
Total investments and notes receivable						$	257,528					303,681

(a) As of September 30, 2016, the Company considered the decline in market value of its available-for-sale investments to be temporary in nature and did not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired.

(b) As of September 30, 2016, the stated maturities of the majority of the Company's student loan asset-backed and other debt securities classified as available-for-sale were greater than 10 years.

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Business Combinations Business Combinations (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping

Cash and cash equivalents	$	334
Restricted cash and investments	850
Accounts receivable	1,935
Property and equipment	32,479
Other assets	371
Intangible assets	11,410
Excess cost over fair value of net assets acquired (goodwill)	21,112
Other liabilities	(4,587		)
Bonds and notes payable	(13,904		)
Net assets acquired	50,000
Minority interest	(3,750		)
Total consideration paid by the Company	$	46,250

The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets:

	As of September 30, 2016
	Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Financial assets:
Student loans receivable	$	26,145,847	25,615,434	—	—	26,145,847
Cash and cash equivalents	67,154		67,154	67,154	—	—
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	112,624		112,624	2,841	109,783	—
Notes receivable	17,031		17,031	—	17,031	—
Restricted cash	866,582		866,582	866,582	—	—
Restricted cash – due to customers	91,505		91,505	91,505	—	—
Restricted investments	6,292		6,292	6,292	—	—
Accrued interest receivable	381,804		381,804	—	381,804	—
Derivative instruments	14,476		14,476	—	14,476	—
Financial liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	24,750,721		25,320,878	—	24,750,721	—
Accrued interest payable	42,840		42,840	—	42,840	—
Due to customers	91,505		91,505	91,505	—	—
Derivative instruments	65,053		65,053	—	65,053	—

	As of December 31, 2015
	Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Financial assets:
Student loans receivable	$	28,611,350	28,324,552	—	—	28,611,350
Cash and cash equivalents	63,529		63,529	63,529	—	—
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	155,392		155,392	7,467	147,925	—
Notes receivable	18,067		18,473	—	18,067	—
Restricted cash	823,450		823,450	823,450	—	—
Restricted cash – due to customers	144,771		144,771	144,771	—	—
Restricted investments	9,174		9,174	9,174	—	—
Accrued interest receivable	383,825		383,825	—	383,825	—
Derivative instruments	28,690		28,690	—	28,690	—
Financial liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	27,150,775		28,105,921	—	27,150,775	—
Accrued interest payable	31,507		31,507	—	31,507	—
Due to customers	144,771		144,771	144,771	—	—
Derivative instruments	74,881		74,881	—	74,881	—

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Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

Intangible assets consist of the following:

	Weighted average remaining useful life as of September 30, 2016 (months)	As of September 30, 2016		As of December 31, 2015
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer relationships (net of accumulated amortization of $7,261 and $4,028, respectively)	170	$	29,623	27,576
Computer software (net of accumulated amortization of $8,236 and $4,397, respectively)	28	10,712		11,601
Trade names (net of accumulated amortization of $1,439 and $795, respectively)	192	10,133		10,687
Content (net of accumulated amortization of $1,575 and $900, respectively)	3	225		900
Covenants not to compete (net of accumulated amortization of $83 and $56, respectively)	92	271		298
Total - amortizable intangible assets	143	$	50,964	51,062

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

The Company recorded amortization expense on its intangible assets of $3.2 million and $2.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $8.4 million and $7.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company will continue to amortize intangible assets over their remaining useful lives. As of September 30, 2016, the Company estimates it will record amortization expense as follows:

2016 (October 1 - December 31)	$	3,151
2017	9,386
2018	8,605
2019	5,147
2020	4,231
2021 and thereafter	20,444
	$	50,964

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing		Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce	Communications	Asset Generation and Management	Corporate and Other Activities	Total
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	8,596	67,168	19,800	41,883	8,553	146,000
Allo purchase price adjustment	—		—	1,312	—	—	1,312
Balance as of September 30, 2016	$	8,596	67,168	21,112	41,883	8,553	147,312

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Property Plant and Equipment Property Plant and Equipment (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

		As of September 30, 2016		As of December 31, 2015
	Useful life
Non-communications:
Computer equipment and software	1-5 years	$	96,871	89,093
Office furniture and equipment	3-7 years	12,349		12,638
Building and building improvements	5-39 years	13,515		12,239
Transportation equipment	4-10 years	3,817		3,868
Leasehold improvements	5-20 years	3,614		3,545
Land	—	1,704		700
Construction in progress	—	10,124		1,210
		141,994		123,293
Accumulated depreciation - non-communications		88,523		77,188
Non-communications, net property and equipment		53,471		46,105
Communications:
Network plant and fiber	5-15 years	33,053		25,669
Central office	5-15 years	5,806		909
Customer located property	5-10 years	4,723		6,912
Transportation equipment	4-10 years	2,258		470
Computer equipment and software	1-5 years	1,772		74
Other	1-20 years	866		343
Land	—	70		—
Construction in progress	—	8,578		—
		57,126		34,377
Accumulated depreciation - communications		3,092		—
Communications, net property and equipment		54,034		34,377
Total property and equipment, net		$	107,505	80,482

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Earnings per Common Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

	Three months ended September 30,
	2016				2015
	Common shareholders		Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total	Common shareholders	Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	83,419	875	84,294	48,436	519	48,955
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	42,199,580		442,633	42,642,213	44,570,519	477,258	45,047,777
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$	1.98	1.98	1.98	1.09	1.09	1.09
	Nine months ended September 30,
	2016				2015
	Common shareholders		Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total	Common shareholders	Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	156,749	1,656	158,405	182,664	1,965	184,629
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	42,340,867		447,266	42,788,133	45,276,376	487,067	45,763,443
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$	3.70	3.70	3.70	4.03	4.03	4.03

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Segment Reporting (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

See note 14 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2015 Annual Report for a description of the Company's operating segments. The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements.

Prior to January 1, 2016, the Company allocated certain corporate overhead expenses that are incurred within the Corporate and Other Activities segment to the other operating segments. These expenses included certain corporate activities related to executive management, internal audit, enterprise risk management, and other costs incurred by the Company due to corporate-wide initiatives. Effective January 1, 2016, internal reporting to executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") changed to eliminate the allocation of these expenses to the other segments. Management believes the change in its allocation methodology results in a better reflection of the operating results of each of the reportable segments as if they each operated as a standalone business entity, which also reflects how management evaluates the performance of the segments. Prior period segment operating results have been restated to conform to the current period presentation.

	Three months ended September 30, 2016
	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Communications		Asset Generation and Management		Corporate and Other Activities		Eliminations		Total
Total interest income	$	37		2		—		194,701		2,370		(930	)	196,181
Interest expense	—			—		318		95,383		1,615		(930	)	96,386
Net interest income	37			2		(318	)	99,318		755		—		99,795
Less provision for loan losses	—			—		—		6,000		—		—		6,000
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	37			2		(318	)	93,318		755		—		93,795
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	54,350			—		—		—		—		—		54,350
Intersegment servicing revenue	11,021			—		—		—		—		(11,021	)	—
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			33,071		—		—		—		—		33,071
Communications revenue	—			—		4,343		—		—		—		4,343
Other income	—			—		—		4,265		10,886		—		15,150
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	—			—		—		2,160		—		—		2,160
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		—		42,546		(284	)	—		42,262
Derivative settlements, net	—			—		—		(6,028	)	(233	)	—		(6,261	)
Total other income	65,371			33,071		4,343		42,943		10,369		(11,021	)	145,075
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	32,505			15,979		2,325		486		12,448		—		63,743
Depreciation and amortization	557			2,929		1,630		—		3,878		—		8,994
Loan servicing fees	—			—		—		5,880		—		—		5,880
Cost to provide communications services	—			—		1,784		—		—		—		1,784
Other expenses	8,784			4,149		1,545		1,769		10,143		—		26,391
Intersegment expenses, net	5,825			1,616		279		11,146		(7,845	)	(11,021	)	—
Total operating expenses	47,671			24,673		7,563		19,281		18,624		(11,021	)	106,792
Income (loss) before income taxes	17,737			8,400		(3,538	)	116,980		(7,500	)	—		132,078
Income tax (expense) benefit	(6,740		)	(3,192	)	1,344		(44,571	)	5,443		—		(47,715	)
Net income (loss)	10,997			5,208		(2,194	)	72,409		(2,057	)	—		84,363
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—		—		—		69		—		69
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	10,997		5,208		(2,194	)	72,409		(2,126	)	—		84,294

	Three months ended September 30, 2015 (a)
	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Asset Generation and Management		Corporate and Other Activities		Eliminations		Total
Total interest income	$	14		—		188,197		1,385		(439	)	189,157
Interest expense	—			—		76,040		1,563		(439	)	77,164
Net interest income	14			—		112,157		(178	)	—		111,993
Less provision for loan losses	—			—		3,000		—		—		3,000
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	14			—		109,157		(178	)	—		108,993
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	61,900			—		—		—		(380	)	61,520
Intersegment servicing revenue	12,027			—		—		—		(12,027	)	—
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			30,439		—		—		—		30,439
Enrollment services revenue	—			—		—		13,741		—		13,741
Other income	—			—		3,312		8,970		—		12,282
Gain (loss) on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	—			—		608		(11	)	—		597
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		(24,357	)	(423	)	—		(24,780	)
Derivative settlements, net	—			—		(5,623	)	(255	)	—		(5,878	)
Total other income	73,927			30,439		(26,060	)	22,022		(12,407	)	87,921
Operating expenses:										.
Salaries and benefits	34,525			13,983		558		14,149		—		63,215
Depreciation and amortization	484			2,202		—		4,291		—		6,977
Loan servicing fees	—			—		7,793		—		—		7,793
Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		—		11,349		—		11,349
Other expenses	14,602			3,579		1,421		12,002		—		31,604
Intersegment expenses, net	7,513			2,246		12,544		(9,895	)	(12,407	)	—
Total operating expenses	57,124			22,010		22,316		31,896		(12,407	)	120,938
Income (loss) before income taxes	16,817			8,429		60,781		(10,052	)	—		75,976
Income tax (expense) benefit	(6,390		)	(3,204	)	(23,096	)	5,691		—		(26,999	)
Net income (loss)	10,427			5,225		37,685		(4,361	)	—		48,977
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5		)	—		—		27		—		22
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	10,432		5,225		37,685		(4,388	)	—		48,955

(a) Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

	Nine months ended September 30, 2016
	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Communications		Asset Generation and Management		Corporate and Other Activities		Eliminations		Total
Total interest income	$	80		7		1		570,390		6,527		(2,556	)	574,449
Interest expense	—			—		671		278,029		4,702		(2,556	)	280,847
Net interest income	80			7		(670	)	292,361		1,825		—		293,602
Less provision for loan losses	—			—		—		10,500		—		—		10,500
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	80			7		(670	)	281,861		1,825		—		283,102
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	161,082			—		—		—		—		—		161,082
Intersegment servicing revenue	34,436			—		—		—		—		(34,436	)	—
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			102,211		—		—		—		—		102,211
Communications revenue	—			—		13,167		—		—		—		13,167
Enrollment services revenue	—			—		—		—		4,326		—		4,326
Other income	—			—		—		12,362		26,349		—		38,711
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	—			—		—		2,260		—		—		2,260
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		—		(8,763	)	(6,336	)	—		(15,099	)
Derivative settlements, net	—			—		—		(17,596	)	(696	)	—		(18,292	)
Total other income	195,518			102,211		13,167		(11,737	)	23,643		(34,436	)	288,366
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	96,851			45,859		4,792		1,504		38,902		—		187,907
Depreciation and amortization	1,440			7,711		4,137		—		11,528		—		24,817
Loan servicing fees	—			—		—		20,024		—		—		20,024
Cost to provide communications services	—			—		5,169		—		—		—		5,169
Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		—		—		3,623		—		3,623
Other expenses	31,635			13,122		3,110		4,766		31,540		—		84,174
Intersegment expenses, net	18,168			4,690		610		34,791		(23,823	)	(34,436	)	—
Total operating expenses	148,094			71,382		17,818		61,085		61,770		(34,436	)	325,714
Income (loss) before income taxes	47,504			30,836		(5,321	)	209,039		(36,302	)	—		245,754
Income tax (expense) benefit	(18,052		)	(11,718	)	2,022		(79,434	)	19,998		—		(87,184	)
Net income (loss)	29,452			19,118		(3,299	)	129,605		(16,304	)	—		158,570
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—		—		—		165		—		165
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	29,452		19,118		(3,299	)	129,605		(16,469	)	—		158,405

	Nine months ended September 30, 2015 (a)
	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Asset Generation and Management		Corporate and Other Activities		Eliminations		Total
Total interest income	$	34		3		536,899		5,352		(1,260	)	541,028
Interest expense	—			—		218,021		4,583		(1,260	)	221,344
Net interest income	34			3		318,878		769		—		319,684
Less provision for loan losses	—			—		7,150		—		—		7,150
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	34			3		311,728		769		—		312,534
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	183,544			—		—		—		(380	)	183,164
Intersegment servicing revenue	37,121			—		—		—		(37,121	)	—
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			92,805		—		—		—		92,805
Enrollment services revenue	—			—		—		39,794		—		39,794
Other income	—			—		11,838		23,837		—		35,675
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	—			—		2,000		2,987		—		4,987
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		(11,363	)	664		—		(10,699	)
Derivative settlements, net	—			—		(15,775	)	(760	)	—		(16,535	)
Total other income	220,665			92,805		(13,300	)	66,522		(37,501	)	329,191
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	99,813			40,887		1,623		40,729		—		183,052
Depreciation and amortization	1,457			6,592		—		11,091		—		19,140
Loan servicing fees	—			—		22,829		—		—		22,829
Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		—		32,543		—		32,543
Other expenses	44,578			11,493		3,828		34,531		—		94,430
Intersegment expenses, net	22,200			6,444		37,913		(29,056	)	(37,501	)	—
Total operating expenses	168,048			65,416		66,193		89,838		(37,501	)	351,994
Income (loss) before income taxes	52,651			27,392		232,235		(22,547	)	—		289,731
Income tax (expense) benefit	(20,007		)	(10,410	)	(88,248	)	13,680		—		(104,985	)
Net income (loss)	32,644			16,982		143,987		(8,867	)	—		184,746
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5		)	—		—		122		—		117
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	32,649		16,982		143,987		(8,989	)	—		184,629

(a) Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

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Fair Value (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis

The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers into or out of level 1, level 2, or level 3 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

	As of September 30, 2016				As of December 31, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2	Total	Level 1	Level 2	Total
Assets:
Investments (available-for-sale and trading):
Student loan asset-backed securities	$	—	109,783	109,783	—	147,925	147,925
Equity securities	2,719		—	2,719	7,337	—	7,337
Debt securities	122		—	122	130	—	130
Total investments (available-for-sale and trading)	2,841		109,783	112,624	7,467	147,925	155,392
Fair value of derivative instruments	—		14,476	14,476	—	28,690	28,690
Total assets	$	2,841	124,259	127,100	7,467	176,615	184,082
Liabilities:
Fair value of derivative instruments	$	—	65,053	65,053	—	74,881	74,881
Total liabilities	$	—	65,053	65,053	—	74,881	74,881

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping

Cash and cash equivalents	$	334
Restricted cash and investments	850
Accounts receivable	1,935
Property and equipment	32,479
Other assets	371
Intangible assets	11,410
Excess cost over fair value of net assets acquired (goodwill)	21,112
Other liabilities	(4,587		)
Bonds and notes payable	(13,904		)
Net assets acquired	50,000
Minority interest	(3,750		)
Total consideration paid by the Company	$	46,250

The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets:

	As of September 30, 2016
	Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Financial assets:
Student loans receivable	$	26,145,847	25,615,434	—	—	26,145,847
Cash and cash equivalents	67,154		67,154	67,154	—	—
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	112,624		112,624	2,841	109,783	—
Notes receivable	17,031		17,031	—	17,031	—
Restricted cash	866,582		866,582	866,582	—	—
Restricted cash – due to customers	91,505		91,505	91,505	—	—
Restricted investments	6,292		6,292	6,292	—	—
Accrued interest receivable	381,804		381,804	—	381,804	—
Derivative instruments	14,476		14,476	—	14,476	—
Financial liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	24,750,721		25,320,878	—	24,750,721	—
Accrued interest payable	42,840		42,840	—	42,840	—
Due to customers	91,505		91,505	91,505	—	—
Derivative instruments	65,053		65,053	—	65,053	—

	As of December 31, 2015
	Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Financial assets:
Student loans receivable	$	28,611,350	28,324,552	—	—	28,611,350
Cash and cash equivalents	63,529		63,529	63,529	—	—
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	155,392		155,392	7,467	147,925	—
Notes receivable	18,067		18,473	—	18,067	—
Restricted cash	823,450		823,450	823,450	—	—
Restricted cash – due to customers	144,771		144,771	144,771	—	—
Restricted investments	9,174		9,174	9,174	—	—
Accrued interest receivable	383,825		383,825	—	383,825	—
Derivative instruments	28,690		28,690	—	28,690	—
Financial liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	27,150,775		28,105,921	—	27,150,775	—
Accrued interest payable	31,507		31,507	—	31,507	—
Due to customers	144,771		144,771	144,771	—	—
Derivative instruments	74,881		74,881	—	74,881	—

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Basis of Financial Reporting Reclassifications (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Sale of subsidiary [Line Items]
Percent of membership interest sold	100.00%

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Basis of Financial Reporting Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	[1]	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	[1]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income	$ 84,363	$ 48,977		$ 158,570	$ 184,746
Immaterial error correction adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Reduction to the Company's net loan discount balance	8,200			$ 8,200
Net income	$ 5,200

[1] Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

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Student Loans Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for loan losses		$ 51,570	$ 48,753	$ 50,498	$ 50,380	$ 50,024	$ 48,900
Student loans receivable		25,615,434		28,324,552
Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for loan losses		37,028			35,945
Private education loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for loan losses		14,542			$ 14,435
held for investment [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross		25,819,365		28,555,749
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs	[1]	152,361		180,699
Student loans receivable		25,615,434		28,324,552
held for investment [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross		25,542,933		28,288,107
Allowance for loan losses		37,028		35,490
held for investment [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross		276,432		267,642
Allowance for loan losses		14,542		15,008
held for investment [Member] | Stafford and Other [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross		5,353,052		6,202,064
held for investment [Member] | Consolidation Loans [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross		20,189,881		22,086,043
Non-accretable discount [Member] | held for investment [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross		8,500,000		10,800,000
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs		20,800		$ 33,000
CommonBond Purchase Commitment [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Commitments to Purchase or Sell		$ 200,000
CommonBond Purchase Commitment [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period		18 months
Financing Receivable, Significant Purchases		$ 190,100

[1] As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $20.8 million and $33.0 million, respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans of $8.5 billion and $10.8 billion, respectively.

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Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses Allowance for Loan Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Allowance for loan losses - balance	$ 48,753	$ 50,024		$ 50,498	$ 48,900
Provision for loan losses	6,000	3,000	[1]	10,500	7,150	[1]
Charge-offs	(3,516)	(3,174)		(10,697)	(10,704)
Purchase (sale) of federally insured and private education loans, net	30	(30)		290	(200)
Allowance for loan losses - balance	51,570	50,380		51,570	50,380
Federally insured loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Provision for loan losses	7,000	2,000		11,000	6,000
Charge-offs	(3,196)	(2,817)		(9,462)	(9,225)
Allowance for loan losses - balance	37,028	35,945		37,028	35,945
Private education loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Provision for loan losses	(1,000)	1,000		(500)	1,150
Charge-offs	(320)	(357)		(1,235)	(1,479)
Recoveries - private education loans	243	250		769	742
Transfer from repurchase obligation related to private education loans repurchased, net	60	250		210	4,492
Allowance for loan losses - balance	$ 14,542	$ 14,435		$ 14,542	$ 14,435

[1] Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

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Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses Student Loan Status and Delinquency (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Federally insured loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$ 1,864,323	$ 2,638,639	$ 2,292,941
Loans in forbearance	2,403,504	2,993,844	2,979,357
Student loans receivable, gross	25,542,933	28,955,379	28,288,107
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	$ 18,445,728	$ 19,681,517	$ 19,447,541
Loans current, percentage	86.80%	84.40%	84.40%
Total loans in repayment	$ 21,275,106	$ 23,322,896	$ 23,015,809
Total loans in repayment, percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Private education loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$ 51,042	$ 7,724	$ 30,795
Loans in forbearance	1,770	16	350
Student loans receivable, gross	276,432	232,824	267,642
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	$ 217,108	$ 216,502	$ 228,464
Loans current, percentage	97.10%	96.20%	96.70%
Total loans in repayment	$ 223,620	$ 225,084	$ 236,497
Total loans in repayment, percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Financing Receivables, 31 to 60 Days Past Due [Member] [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 825,905	$ 1,021,515	$ 1,028,396
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	3.90%	4.40%	4.50%
Financing Receivables, 31 to 60 Days Past Due [Member] [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 1,357	$ 1,999	$ 1,771
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	0.60%	0.90%	0.70%
Financing Receivables, 61 to 90 Days Past Due [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 491,395	$ 638,037	$ 566,953
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	2.30%	2.70%	2.50%
Financing Receivables, 61 to 90 Days Past Due [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 1,228	$ 1,206	$ 1,283
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	0.50%	0.50%	0.50%
Financing receivables, 91-120 days past due [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 326,020	$ 465,261	$ 415,747
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	1.50%	2.00%	1.80%
Financing receivables, 121-270 days past due [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 835,250	$ 1,139,864	$ 1,166,940
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	3.90%	4.90%	5.10%
Financing receivables, 271 days or greater past due [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 350,808	$ 376,702	$ 390,232
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	1.60%	1.60%	1.70%
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 91 Days Past Due [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Loans in repayment status:
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 3,927	$ 5,377	$ 4,979
Financing Receivable, Percent Past Due	1.80%	2.40%	2.10%

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Outstanding Debt Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 25,320,878	$ 28,105,921
Discount on bonds and notes payable and debt issuance costs, net	(450,418)	(497,410)
Variable-rate bonds and notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	23,707,579	26,315,701
Bonds and notes based on indices [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 22,550,964	$ 25,155,336
Bonds and notes based on indices [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.30%	0.05%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Aug. 26, 2019	Aug. 26, 2019
Bonds and notes based on indices [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.90%	6.90%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Sep. 25, 2056	Aug. 26, 2052
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 1,156,615	$ 1,160,365
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.36%	0.88%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Mar. 22, 2032	Mar. 22, 2032
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.20%	2.17%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Nov. 26, 2046	Nov. 26, 2046
Warehouse facilities [Member] | FFELP Warehouse Total [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 1,706,546	$ 1,855,907
Warehouse facilities [Member] | FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.52%	0.27%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Sep. 07, 2018	Apr. 29, 2018
Warehouse facilities [Member] | FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.98%	0.56%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Apr. 26, 2019	Dec. 14, 2018
Warehouse facilities [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 206,632	$ 181,184
Warehouse facilities [Member] | Private education loans [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.98%	0.57%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Apr. 28, 2017	Dec. 26, 2016
Warehouse facilities [Member] | Private education loans [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.98%	0.57%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Apr. 28, 2017	Dec. 26, 2016
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 0	$ 100,000
Line of Credit [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.00%	1.79%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Oct. 30, 2020	Oct. 30, 2020
Line of Credit [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.00%	1.92%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Oct. 30, 2020	Oct. 30, 2020
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 57,184	$ 57,184
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.21%	3.99%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Sep. 15, 2061	Sep. 15, 2061
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.21%	3.99%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Sep. 15, 2061	Sep. 15, 2061
Other borrowings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 93,355	$ 93,355
Other borrowings [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.03%	1.93%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2016
Other borrowings [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.38%	3.38%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 15, 2045	Dec. 25, 2045
Bonds and notes payable, gross [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 25,771,296	$ 28,603,331
Value of asset backed securities with modified maturity [Member] | Bonds and notes based on indices [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$ 4,800,000

XML

Bonds and Notes Payable Outstanding Lines of Credit (Details) - USD ($)			3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 28, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount			$ 10,965,000		$ 9,650,000	$ 11,362,000	$ 45,906,000
Unsecured Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount			350,000,000			350,000,000
Amount outstanding			0			0
Amount available			350,000,000			$ 350,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date						Oct. 30, 2020
Secured Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount			75,000,000			$ 75,000,000
Amount outstanding			75,000,000			$ 75,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date						Oct. 31, 2016
Subsequent Event [Member] | Secured Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	$ 75,000,000
FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount			2,125,000,000			$ 2,125,000,000
Amount outstanding			1,706,546,000			1,706,546,000
Amount available			418,454,000			418,454,000
Advanced as equity support			96,289,000			96,289,000
FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-III Warehouse [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount			750,000,000			750,000,000
Amount outstanding			483,461,000			483,461,000
Amount available			266,539,000			$ 266,539,000
Expiration of liquidity provisions						Apr. 28, 2017
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date						Apr. 26, 2019
Advanced as equity support			28,830,000			$ 28,830,000
FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NFSLW-I Warehouse [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount			875,000,000			875,000,000
Amount outstanding			815,550,000			815,550,000
Amount available			59,450,000			$ 59,450,000
Expiration of liquidity provisions						Jul. 10, 2018
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date						Sep. 07, 2018
Expected decrease in financing amount			0	$ 125,000,000		$ 0
Advanced as equity support			33,898,000			33,898,000
FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-II Warehouse [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount			500,000,000			500,000,000
Amount outstanding			407,535,000			407,535,000
Amount available			92,465,000			$ 92,465,000
Expiration of liquidity provisions						Dec. 16, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date						Dec. 14, 2018
Advanced as equity support			$ 33,561,000			$ 33,561,000
FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date						Sep. 07, 2018		Apr. 29, 2018
FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-III Warehouse [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum advance rates			92.15%			92.15%
Maximum advance rates			92.15%			92.15%
FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NFSLW-I Warehouse [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum advance rates			84.00%			84.00%
Maximum advance rates			92.00%			92.00%
FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-II Warehouse [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum advance rates			85.00%			85.00%
Maximum advance rates			85.00%			85.00%
FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date						Apr. 26, 2019		Dec. 14, 2018
FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-III Warehouse [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum advance rates			95.00%			95.00%
Maximum advance rates			95.00%			95.00%
FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NFSLW-I Warehouse [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum advance rates			90.00%			90.00%
Maximum advance rates			98.00%			98.00%
FFELP Warehouse Total [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-II Warehouse [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum advance rates			95.00%			95.00%
Maximum advance rates			95.00%			95.00%
Private Loan Warehouse Total [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount			$ 275,000,000			$ 275,000,000
Amount outstanding			206,600,000			206,600,000
Amount available			$ 68,400,000			68,400,000
Expiration of liquidity provisions			Oct. 28, 2016	Jun. 24, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Apr. 28, 2017
Advanced as equity support			$ 30,300,000			$ 30,300,000
Maximum advance rates			88.00%	88.00%		88.00%
Private Loan Warehouse Total [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum advance rates			61.75%	64.00%		61.75%
Private Loan Warehouse Total [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum advance rates			95.00%	99.00%		95.00%
Private Loan Warehouse Total [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Warehouse facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Expiration of liquidity provisions		Dec. 21, 2016

XML

Bonds and Notes Payable Gain on debt repurchases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	$ 10,965	$ 9,650	$ 11,362	$ 45,906
Debt Instrument, Repurchase price	8,805	9,053	9,102	41,270
Gain (Loss) on Repurchase of Debt Instrument	2,160	597	2,260	4,636
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount			0	14,106
Debt Instrument, Repurchase price			0	11,108
Gain (Loss) on Repurchase of Debt Instrument			0	2,998
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	10,965	9,650	11,362	31,800
Debt Instrument, Repurchase price	8,805	9,053	9,102	30,162
Gain (Loss) on Repurchase of Debt Instrument	$ 2,160	$ 597	$ 2,260	$ 1,638

XML

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Financial Instruments Used in Operating Activities		$ 0	$ 2,936
Bonds and notes payable		$ 25,320,878		$ 28,105,921
1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Paid on Swap		one-month LIBOR		one-month LIBOR
Weighted average basis spread on variable rate paid on swap		0.095%		0.10%
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Received on Swap		3-month LIBOR		3-month LIBOR
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 7,000,000		$ 5,300,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]	1.02%		0.95%
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Received on Swap		3-month LIBOR		3-month LIBOR
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Maturity 2016 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 0		$ 1,000,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]	0.00%		0.76%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Maturity 2017 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 750,000		$ 2,100,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]	0.99%		0.84%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Maturity 2018 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 1,350,000		$ 1,600,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]	1.07%		1.08%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Maturity 2019 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 3,250,000		$ 500,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]	0.97%		1.12%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Maturity 2020 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 1,500,000		$ 0
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]	1.01%		0.00%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Maturity 2025 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 100,000		$ 100,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[1]	2.32%		2.32%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Maturity 2026 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 50,000		$ 0
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate		1.52%		0.00%
Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Financial Instruments Used in Operating Activities				$ 2,900
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 275,000
Swaption [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Financial Instruments Used in Operating Activities				$ 9,100
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 250,000
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Received on Swap		1-month LIBOR
Derivative, Swaption Interest Rate		3.30%
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable		$ 57,184		$ 57,184
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | unsecured debt hedges [Member] | Maturity 2036 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 25,000		$ 25,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	[2]	4.28%		4.28%
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Received on Swap		3-month LIBOR		3-month LIBOR
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate		7.66%		7.66%
Private Loan Warehouse Total [Member] | Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable		$ 275,000
Interest Rate Cap 1 [Member] | Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 125,000
Derivative, Description of Terms		one-month LIBOR
Derivative, Cap Interest Rate		2.50%
Interest Rate Cap 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 150,000
Derivative, Description of Terms		one-month LIBOR
Derivative, Cap Interest Rate		4.99%
Maturity 2016 [Member] | 1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 1,000,000		$ 7,500,000
Maturity 2028 [Member] | 1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 125,000		$ 0

[1] For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

[2] (a)For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

XML

Derivative Financial Instruments Cross-currency Interest Rate Swaps (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable		$ 25,320,878		$ 25,320,878			$ 28,105,921
Change in fair value of cross currency interest rate swaps				(1,556)	$ (43,179)
Currency Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable | €						€ 352.7
Derivative, Notional Amount		450,000		450,000		€ 352.7
Re-measurement of Euro Notes		(4,831)	$ (1,058)	(13,543)	32,480
Change in fair value of cross currency interest rate swaps		5,501	666	26,194	(35,207)
Total impact to statements of income - income (expense)	[1]	$ 670	$ (392)	$ 12,651	$ (2,727)

[1] The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

XML

Derivative Financial Instruments Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	$ 14,476					$ 28,690
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	65,053					74,881
1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	637					724
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	0					410
notional amount of terminated derivatives		$ 300,000	$ 700,000	$ 2,800,000	$ 2,700,000
Proceeds to terminate and or amend derivative instruments		500	$ 3,700	$ 17,500	$ 34,400
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	11,149					21,408
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	11,148					1,175
notional amount of terminated derivatives	500,000	3,100,000
Proceeds to terminate and or amend derivative instruments	700	$ 3,000
Swaption [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	716					3,257
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	0					0
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	0					0
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	11,646					7,646
Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	287					1,570
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	0					0
Cross-currency interest rate swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	0					0
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	39,456					65,650
Other Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	1,687					1,731
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability, at Fair Value	$ 2,803					$ 0

XML

Derivative Financial Instruments Gross/Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement		$ 14,476	$ 28,690
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset, net		2,332	29,471
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability, net		20,513	60,862
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement		65,053	74,881
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset and Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset		13,944	851
Cash collateral pledged, net	[1]	30,596
Cash collateral received		(30,300)
Cash collateral pledged		60,900	13,168
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability and Obligation to Return Cash, Offset		13,944	851
Cash collateral pledged		$ 1,800	$ 1,632

[1] (a) Cash collateral pledged (received), net as of September 30, 2016 includes $60.9 million of cash collateral paid to counterparties and $30.3 million in cash collateral received from counterparties.

XML

Derivative Financial Instruments Income Statement Effect of Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	$ (6,261)	$ (5,878)	[1]	$ (18,292)	$ (16,535)	[1]
Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	(6,261)	(5,878)		(18,292)	(16,535)
Change in fair value	47,093	(23,722)		(1,556)	(43,179)
Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - income (expense)	(4,831)	(1,058)		(13,543)	32,480
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements - income (expense)	36,001	(30,658)		(33,391)	(27,234)
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	523	179		938	568
Change in fair value	140	(1,886)		323	10,513
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	(5,157)	(5,456)		(15,241)	(15,490)
Change in fair value	42,073	(18,935)		(17,913)	(16,273)
Interest rate swap option - floor income hedges [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value	(269)	(2,205)		(2,541)	(1,736)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	(233)	(255)		(696)	(760)
Change in fair value	13	(1,948)		(4,000)	(861)
Interest Rate Cap [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value	(68)	(939)		(1,283)	(1,140)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	(1,394)	(346)		(3,293)	(853)
Change in fair value	5,501	666		26,194	(35,207)
Other Contract [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value	$ (297)	$ 1,525		$ (2,336)	$ 1,525

[1] Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

XML

Investments and Notes Receivable Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments and notes receivable		$ 257,528		$ 303,681
Investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		112,624		155,392
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost		113,044		140,816
Gross Unrealized Gain		3,939		5,088
Gross Unrealized Loss		4,612	[1]	1,462
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		112,371		144,442
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member] | Student Loan Asset-Backed and Other Debt Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	[2]	112,324		139,970
Gross Unrealized Gain	[2]	2,128		3,402
Gross Unrealized Loss	[2]	4,547	[1]	1,362
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	[2]	109,905		142,010
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost		720		846
Gross Unrealized Gain		1,811		1,686
Gross Unrealized Loss		65	[1]	100
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		2,466		2,432
Investments [Member] | Trading investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		253		10,950
Investments [Member] | Trading investments [Member] | Student Loan Asset-Backed and Other Debt Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		0		6,045
Investments [Member] | Trading investments [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		253		4,905
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value) [Member] | Venture Capital and Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other Investments		64,481		63,323
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value) [Member] | Real Estate Investment [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other Investments		50,246		50,463
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value) [Member] | Notes Receivable [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other Investments		17,031		18,473
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value) [Member] | Tax liens and affordable housing investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other Investments		$ 13,146		$ 16,030

[1] As of September 30, 2016, the Company considered the decline in market value of its available-for-sale investments to be temporary in nature and did not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired.

[2] As of September 30, 2016, the stated maturities of the majority of the Company's student loan asset-backed and other debt securities classified as available-for-sale were greater than 10 years.

XML

Business Combinations Schedule of Assets Acquired, Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 147,312	$ 146,000
Communications [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents	334
BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedRestrictedCashAndEquivalents	850
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables	1,935
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	32,479
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets	371
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill	11,410
Goodwill	21,112
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Other	(4,587)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Liabilities	(13,904)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net	50,000
Business Combination, Acquisition of Less than 100 Percent, Noncontrolling Interest, Fair Value	(3,750)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Less Noncontrolling Interest	$ 46,250

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Business Combinations Acquisition Details (Details) - Communications [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill	$ 11,410
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	12 years
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired		92.50%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred		$ 46,250
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners		7.50%
Noncontrolling Interest, Minimum earn up percentage by noncontrolling owners		11.50%
Noncontrolling Interest, Maximum earn up percentage by noncontrolling owners		19.00%
Business Acquisition, Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Amount	$ 21,100
ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesSaleOfInterestByParentPercentage	1.00%
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Sale of Interest by Parent	$ 500
Contingent Consideration Classified as Equity, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 1,000
Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	10 years
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 6,300
Trade Names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	15 years
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 5,100

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Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	143 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 50,964	$ 51,062
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 7,261	4,028
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	170 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 29,623	27,576
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 8,236	4,397
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	28 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 10,712	11,601
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 1,439	795
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	192 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 10,133	10,687
Media Content [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 1,575	900
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	3 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 225	900
Covenants not to compete [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 83	56
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	92 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 271	$ 298

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Intangible Assets Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 3,200	$ 2,400	$ 8,400	$ 7,200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year	3,151		3,151
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	9,386		9,386
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	8,605		8,605
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	5,147		5,147
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	4,231		4,231
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five	20,444		20,444
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 50,964		$ 50,964		$ 51,062

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Intangible Assets Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 146,000
Allo purchase price adjustment	1,312
Goodwill	147,312
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	8,596
Allo purchase price adjustment	0
Goodwill	8,596
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	67,168
Allo purchase price adjustment	0
Goodwill	67,168
Communications [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	19,800
Allo purchase price adjustment	1,312
Goodwill	21,112
Asset Generation and Management [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	41,883
Allo purchase price adjustment	0
Goodwill	41,883
Corporate and Other Activities [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	8,553
Allo purchase price adjustment	0
Goodwill	$ 8,553

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Property Plant and Equipment Property Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation	$ 5,800	$ 4,600	$ 16,400	$ 11,900
Property and equipment, net	107,505		107,505		$ 80,482
non-communications [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	141,994		141,994		123,293
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	88,523		88,523		77,188
Property and equipment, net	53,471		53,471		46,105
non-communications [Member] | Computer Equipment and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	96,871		$ 96,871		89,093
non-communications [Member] | Computer Equipment and Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			1 year
non-communications [Member] | Computer Equipment and Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
non-communications [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	12,349		$ 12,349		12,638
non-communications [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			3 years
non-communications [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			7 years
non-communications [Member] | Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	13,515		$ 13,515		12,239
non-communications [Member] | Building [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
non-communications [Member] | Building [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			39 years
non-communications [Member] | Transportation Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	3,817		$ 3,817		3,868
non-communications [Member] | Transportation Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			4 years
non-communications [Member] | Transportation Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			10 years
non-communications [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	3,614		$ 3,614		3,545
non-communications [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
non-communications [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			20 years
non-communications [Member] | Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,704		$ 1,704		700
non-communications [Member] | Land [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			0 years
non-communications [Member] | Land [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			0 years
non-communications [Member] | Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	10,124		$ 10,124		1,210
non-communications [Member] | Construction in Progress [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			0 years
non-communications [Member] | Construction in Progress [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			0 years
Communications [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	57,126		$ 57,126		34,377
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	3,092		3,092		0
Property and equipment, net	54,034		54,034		34,377
Communications [Member] | Computer Equipment and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,772		$ 1,772		74
Communications [Member] | Computer Equipment and Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			1 year
Communications [Member] | Computer Equipment and Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
Communications [Member] | Transportation Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	2,258		$ 2,258		470
Communications [Member] | Transportation Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			4 years
Communications [Member] | Transportation Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			10 years
Communications [Member] | Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	70		$ 70		0
Communications [Member] | Land [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			0 years
Communications [Member] | Land [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			0 years
Communications [Member] | Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	8,578		$ 8,578		0
Communications [Member] | Construction in Progress [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			0 years
Communications [Member] | Construction in Progress [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			0 years
Communications [Member] | network plant and fiber [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	33,053		$ 33,053		25,669
Communications [Member] | network plant and fiber [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
Communications [Member] | network plant and fiber [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			15 years
Communications [Member] | central office [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	5,806		$ 5,806		909
Communications [Member] | central office [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
Communications [Member] | central office [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			15 years
Communications [Member] | Equipment Leased to Other Party [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	4,723		$ 4,723		6,912
Communications [Member] | Equipment Leased to Other Party [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
Communications [Member] | Equipment Leased to Other Party [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			10 years
Communications [Member] | Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 866		$ 866		$ 343
Communications [Member] | Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			1 year
Communications [Member] | Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			20 years

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Earnings per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	0		0	0
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 84,294	$ 48,955	[1]	$ 158,405	$ 184,629	[1]
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	42,642,213	45,047,777		42,788,133	45,763,443
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$ 1.98	$ 1.09		$ 3.70	$ 4.03
Common shareholders [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 83,419	$ 48,436		$ 156,749	$ 182,664
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	42,199,580	44,570,519		42,340,867	45,276,376
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$ 1.98	$ 1.09		$ 3.70	$ 4.03
Unvested restricted stock shareholders [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 875	$ 519		$ 1,656	$ 1,965
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	442,633	477,258		447,266	487,067
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$ 1.98	$ 1.09		$ 3.70	$ 4.03

[1] Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

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Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	$ 196,181	$ 189,157	[1]	$ 574,449	$ 541,028	[1]
Interest expense	96,386	77,164	[1]	280,847	221,344	[1]
Net interest income	99,795	111,993	[1]	293,602	319,684	[1]
Less provision for loan losses	(6,000)	(3,000)	[1]	(10,500)	(7,150)	[1]
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	93,795	108,993	[1]	283,102	312,534	[1]
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	54,350	61,520	[1]	161,082	183,164	[1]
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	33,071	30,439	[1]	102,211	92,805	[1]
Communications revenue	4,343	0		13,167	0
Enrollment services revenue	0	13,741	[1]	4,326	39,794	[1]
Other income	15,150	12,282	[1]	38,711	35,675	[1]
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	2,160	597	[1]	2,260	4,987	[1]
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	42,262	(24,780)	[1]	(15,099)	(10,699)	[1]
Derivative settlements, net	(6,261)	(5,878)	[1]	(18,292)	(16,535)	[1]
Total other income	145,075	87,921	[1]	288,366	329,191	[1]
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	63,743	63,215	[1]	187,907	183,052	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	8,994	6,977	[1]	24,817	19,140	[1]
Loan servicing fees	5,880	7,793	[1]	20,024	22,829	[1]
Cost to provide communications services	1,784	0		5,169	0
Cost to provide enrollment services		11,349	[1]	3,623	32,543	[1]
Other expenses	26,391	31,604	[1]	84,174	94,430	[1]
Intersegment expenses, net	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Total operating expenses	106,792	120,938	[1]	325,714	351,994	[1]
Income (loss) before income taxes	132,078	75,976	[1]	245,754	289,731	[1]
Income tax (expense) benefit	(47,715)	(26,999)	[1]	(87,184)	(104,985)	[1]
Net income (loss)	84,363	48,977	[1]	158,570	184,746	[1]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	69	22	[1]	165	117	[1]
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	84,294	48,955	[1]	158,405	184,629	[1]
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	37	14	[1]	80	34	[1]
Interest expense	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Net interest income	37	14	[1]	80	34	[1]
Less provision for loan losses	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	37	14	[1]	80	34	[1]
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	54,350	61,900	[1]	161,082	183,544	[1]
Intersegment servicing revenue	11,021	12,027	[1]	34,436	37,121	[1]
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Communications revenue	0			0
Enrollment services revenue		0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Other income	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Derivative settlements, net	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Total other income	65,371	73,927	[1]	195,518	220,665	[1]
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	32,505	34,525	[1]	96,851	99,813	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	557	484	[1]	1,440	1,457	[1]
Loan servicing fees	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Cost to provide communications services	0			0
Cost to provide enrollment services		0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Other expenses	8,784	14,602	[1]	31,635	44,578	[1]
Intersegment expenses, net	5,825	7,513	[1]	18,168	22,200	[1]
Total operating expenses	47,671	57,124	[1]	148,094	168,048	[1]
Income (loss) before income taxes	17,737	16,817	[1]	47,504	52,651	[1]
Income tax (expense) benefit	(6,740)	(6,390)	[1]	(18,052)	(20,007)	[1]
Net income (loss)	10,997	10,427	[1]	29,452	32,644	[1]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(5)	[1]	0	(5)	[1]
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	10,997	10,432	[1]	29,452	32,649	[1]
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	2	0	[1]	7	3	[1]
Interest expense	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Net interest income	2	0	[1]	7	3	[1]
Less provision for loan losses	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	2	0	[1]	7	3	[1]
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	33,071	30,439	[1]	102,211	92,805	[1]
Communications revenue	0			0
Enrollment services revenue		0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Other income	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Derivative settlements, net	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Total other income	33,071	30,439	[1]	102,211	92,805	[1]
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	15,979	13,983	[1]	45,859	40,887	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	2,929	2,202	[1]	7,711	6,592	[1]
Loan servicing fees	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Cost to provide communications services	0			0
Cost to provide enrollment services		0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Other expenses	4,149	3,579	[1]	13,122	11,493	[1]
Intersegment expenses, net	1,616	2,246	[1]	4,690	6,444	[1]
Total operating expenses	24,673	22,010	[1]	71,382	65,416	[1]
Income (loss) before income taxes	8,400	8,429	[1]	30,836	27,392	[1]
Income tax (expense) benefit	(3,192)	(3,204)	[1]	(11,718)	(10,410)	[1]
Net income (loss)	5,208	5,225	[1]	19,118	16,982	[1]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	5,208	5,225	[1]	19,118	16,982	[1]
Communications [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	0			1
Interest expense	318			671
Net interest income	(318)			(670)
Less provision for loan losses	0			0
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	(318)			(670)
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0			0
Intersegment servicing revenue	0			0
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0			0
Communications revenue	4,343			13,167
Enrollment services revenue				0
Other income	0			0
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	0			0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0			0
Derivative settlements, net	0			0
Total other income	4,343			13,167
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	2,325			4,792
Depreciation and amortization	1,630			4,137
Loan servicing fees	0			0
Cost to provide communications services	1,784			5,169
Cost to provide enrollment services				0
Other expenses	1,545			3,110
Intersegment expenses, net	279			610
Total operating expenses	7,563			17,818
Income (loss) before income taxes	(3,538)			(5,321)
Income tax (expense) benefit	1,344			2,022
Net income (loss)	(2,194)			(3,299)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0			0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	(2,194)			(3,299)
Asset Generation and Management [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	194,701	188,197	[1]	570,390	536,899	[1]
Interest expense	95,383	76,040	[1]	278,029	218,021	[1]
Net interest income	99,318	112,157	[1]	292,361	318,878	[1]
Less provision for loan losses	(6,000)	(3,000)	[1]	(10,500)	(7,150)	[1]
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	93,318	109,157	[1]	281,861	311,728	[1]
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Communications revenue	0			0
Enrollment services revenue		0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Other income	4,265	3,312	[1]	12,362	11,838	[1]
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	2,160	608	[1]	2,260	2,000	[1]
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	42,546	(24,357)	[1]	(8,763)	(11,363)	[1]
Derivative settlements, net	(6,028)	(5,623)	[1]	(17,596)	(15,775)	[1]
Total other income	42,943	(26,060)	[1]	(11,737)	(13,300)	[1]
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	486	558	[1]	1,504	1,623	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Loan servicing fees	5,880	7,793	[1]	20,024	22,829	[1]
Cost to provide communications services	0			0
Cost to provide enrollment services		0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Other expenses	1,769	1,421	[1]	4,766	3,828	[1]
Intersegment expenses, net	11,146	12,544	[1]	34,791	37,913	[1]
Total operating expenses	19,281	22,316	[1]	61,085	66,193	[1]
Income (loss) before income taxes	116,980	60,781	[1]	209,039	232,235	[1]
Income tax (expense) benefit	(44,571)	(23,096)	[1]	(79,434)	(88,248)	[1]
Net income (loss)	72,409	37,685	[1]	129,605	143,987	[1]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	72,409	37,685	[1]	129,605	143,987	[1]
Corporate and Other Activities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	2,370	1,385	[1]	6,527	5,352	[1]
Interest expense	1,615	1,563	[1]	4,702	4,583	[1]
Net interest income	755	(178)	[1]	1,825	769	[1]
Less provision for loan losses	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	755	(178)	[1]	1,825	769	[1]
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Communications revenue	0			0
Enrollment services revenue		13,741	[1]	4,326	39,794	[1]
Other income	10,886	8,970	[1]	26,349	23,837	[1]
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	0	(11)	[1]	0	2,987	[1]
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	(284)	(423)	[1]	(6,336)	664	[1]
Derivative settlements, net	(233)	(255)	[1]	(696)	(760)	[1]
Total other income	10,369	22,022	[1]	23,643	66,522	[1]
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	12,448	14,149	[1]	38,902	40,729	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	3,878	4,291	[1]	11,528	11,091	[1]
Loan servicing fees	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Cost to provide communications services	0			0
Cost to provide enrollment services		11,349	[1]	3,623	32,543	[1]
Other expenses	10,143	12,002	[1]	31,540	34,531	[1]
Intersegment expenses, net	(7,845)	(9,895)	[1]	(23,823)	(29,056)	[1]
Total operating expenses	18,624	31,896	[1]	61,770	89,838	[1]
Income (loss) before income taxes	(7,500)	(10,052)	[1]	(36,302)	(22,547)	[1]
Income tax (expense) benefit	5,443	5,691	[1]	19,998	13,680	[1]
Net income (loss)	(2,057)	(4,361)	[1]	(16,304)	(8,867)	[1]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	69	27	[1]	165	122	[1]
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	(2,126)	(4,388)	[1]	(16,469)	(8,989)	[1]
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	(930)	(439)	[1]	(2,556)	(1,260)	[1]
Interest expense	(930)	(439)	[1]	(2,556)	(1,260)	[1]
Net interest income	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Less provision for loan losses	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	(380)	[1]	0	(380)	[1]
Intersegment servicing revenue	(11,021)	(12,027)	[1]	(34,436)	(37,121)	[1]
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Communications revenue	0			0
Enrollment services revenue		0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Other income	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases, net	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Derivative settlements, net	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Total other income	(11,021)	(12,407)	[1]	(34,436)	(37,501)	[1]
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Loan servicing fees	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Cost to provide communications services	0			0
Cost to provide enrollment services		0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Other expenses	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Intersegment expenses, net	(11,021)	(12,407)	[1]	(34,436)	(37,501)	[1]
Total operating expenses	(11,021)	(12,407)	[1]	(34,436)	(37,501)	[1]
Income (loss) before income taxes	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Income tax (expense) benefit	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Net income (loss)	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$ 0	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	$ 0	[1]

[1] Does not include the Communications segment, which was initiated as a result of the acquisition of Allo on December 31, 2015.

XML

Major Customer (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Customer	Department of Education	Department of Education	Department of Education	Department of Education
Concentration Risk Dollar Value [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	$ 40.2	$ 33.2	$ 112.5	$ 99.3
GreatNet [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	50.00%		50.00%

XML

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 112,624	$ 155,392
Fair value of derivative instruments	14,476	28,690
Total assets	127,100	184,082
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative instruments	65,053	74,881
Total liabilities	65,053	74,881
Student loan asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	109,783	147,925
Equity securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	2,719	7,337
Debt securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	122	130
Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	2,841	7,467
Fair value of derivative instruments	0	0
Total assets	2,841	7,467
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative instruments	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Student loan asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	2,719	7,337
Level 1 [Member] | Debt securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	122	130
Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	109,783	147,925
Fair value of derivative instruments	14,476	28,690
Total assets	124,259	176,615
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative instruments	65,053	74,881
Total liabilities	65,053	74,881
Level 2 [Member] | Student loan asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	109,783	147,925
Level 2 [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Level 2 [Member] | Debt securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	$ 25,615,434,000	$ 28,324,552,000
Cash and cash equivalents	67,154,000	63,529,000	$ 114,498,000	$ 130,481,000
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	257,528,000	303,681,000
Restricted cash - due to customers	91,505,000	144,771,000
Accrued interest receivable	381,804,000	383,825,000
Derivative instruments	14,476,000	28,690,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	25,320,878,000	28,105,921,000
Accrued interest payable	42,840,000	31,507,000
Due to customers	91,505,000	144,771,000
Fair value of derivative instruments	65,053,000	74,881,000
Fair value [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	26,145,847,000	28,611,350,000
Cash and cash equivalents	67,154,000	63,529,000
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	112,624,000	155,392,000
Notes Receivable	17,031,000	18,067,000
Restricted cash	866,582,000	823,450,000
Restricted cash - due to customers	91,505,000	144,771,000
Restricted investments	6,292,000	9,174,000
Accrued interest receivable	381,804,000	383,825,000
Derivative instruments	14,476,000	28,690,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	24,750,721,000	27,150,775,000
Accrued interest payable	42,840,000	31,507,000
Due to customers	91,505,000	144,771,000
Fair value of derivative instruments	65,053,000	74,881,000
Fair value [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	67,154,000	63,529,000
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	2,841,000	7,467,000
Notes Receivable	0	0
Restricted cash	866,582,000	823,450,000
Restricted cash - due to customers	91,505,000	144,771,000
Restricted investments	6,292,000	9,174,000
Accrued interest receivable	0	0
Derivative instruments	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	0	0
Accrued interest payable	0	0
Due to customers	91,505,000	144,771,000
Fair value of derivative instruments	0	0
Fair value [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	109,783,000	147,925,000
Notes Receivable	17,031,000	18,067,000
Restricted cash	0	0
Restricted cash - due to customers	0	0
Restricted investments	0	0
Accrued interest receivable	381,804,000	383,825,000
Derivative instruments	14,476,000	28,690,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	24,750,721,000	27,150,775,000
Accrued interest payable	42,840,000	31,507,000
Due to customers	0	0
Fair value of derivative instruments	65,053,000	74,881,000
Fair value [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	26,145,847,000	28,611,350,000
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	0	0
Notes Receivable	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Restricted cash - due to customers	0	0
Restricted investments	0	0
Accrued interest receivable	0	0
Derivative instruments	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	0	0
Accrued interest payable	0	0
Due to customers	0	0
Fair value of derivative instruments	0	0
Carrying value [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	25,615,434,000	28,324,552,000
Cash and cash equivalents	67,154,000	63,529,000
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	112,624,000	155,392,000
Notes Receivable	17,031,000	18,473,000
Restricted cash	866,582,000	823,450,000
Restricted cash - due to customers	91,505,000	144,771,000
Restricted investments	6,292,000	9,174,000
Accrued interest receivable	381,804,000	383,825,000
Derivative instruments	14,476,000	28,690,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	25,320,878,000	28,105,921,000
Accrued interest payable	42,840,000	31,507,000
Due to customers	91,505,000	144,771,000
Fair value of derivative instruments	$ 65,053,000	$ 74,881,000