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  <xsd:element id="slm_ExcessOfNetAssetFairValueOverCarryingValue" name="ExcessOfNetAssetFairValueOverCarryingValue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_FICOscore670699Member" name="FICOscore670699Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_FICOscore700749Member" name="FICOscore700749Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_FICOscoregreaterthan750Member" name="FICOscoregreaterthan750Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_FICOscorelessthan670Member" name="FICOscorelessthan670Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_FfelpLoanAllowanceForLosses" name="FfelpLoanAllowanceForLosses" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_FfelpLoans" name="FfelpLoans" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_FfelpLoansMember" name="FfelpLoansMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_FfelpLoansNet" name="FfelpLoansNet" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_Ffelporiginationfeesnet" name="Ffelporiginationfeesnet" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_FinancialLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureDifferenceBetweenCarryingValueandFairValue" name="FinancialLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureDifferenceBetweenCarryingValueandFairValue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember" name="FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember" name="FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_FinancingReceivablesGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember" name="FinancingReceivablesGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_GreaterThanNinetyDaysPastDueAccruedInterestReceivable" name="GreaterThanNinetyDaysPastDueAccruedInterestReceivable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_InterestBearingDepositsTableTextBlock" name="InterestBearingDepositsTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_InterestIncomeonTaxIndemnificationReceivable" name="InterestIncomeonTaxIndemnificationReceivable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_Issuance2015BMember" name="Issuance2015BMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_Issuance2016AMember" name="Issuance2016AMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_Issuance2016BMember" name="Issuance2016BMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_Issuance2016CMember" name="Issuance2016CMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_Issuance2017AMember" name="Issuance2017AMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_Lendablevalueofcollateral" name="Lendablevalueofcollateral" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoanAmountSecuritized" name="LoanAmountSecuritized" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoanStatusForbearanceRecordedInvestment" name="LoanStatusForbearanceRecordedInvestment" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoanStatusInSchoolGraceAndDefermentRecordedInvestment" name="LoanStatusInSchoolGraceAndDefermentRecordedInvestment" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_Loans" name="Loans" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_LoansAbstract" name="LoansAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansGross" name="LoansGross" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansInForbearanceAsPercentageOfLoansInRepaymentAndForbearance" name="LoansInForbearanceAsPercentageOfLoansInRepaymentAndForbearance" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansInRepayment" name="LoansInRepayment" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_LoansInRepaymentAndPercentageOfEachStatusAbstract" name="LoansInRepaymentAndPercentageOfEachStatusAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansInRepaymentCurrentInPercentage" name="LoansInRepaymentCurrentInPercentage" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansInRepaymentInPercentage" name="LoansInRepaymentInPercentage" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansReceivableFairValueDisclosureDifferenceBetweenCarryingValueandFairValue" name="LoansReceivableFairValueDisclosureDifferenceBetweenCarryingValueandFairValue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansSecuritizedorAssetBackedFinancingArrangementOwnershipInterestPercentage" name="LoansSecuritizedorAssetBackedFinancingArrangementOwnershipInterestPercentage" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansandLeaseReceivableNetAverageBalance" name="LoansandLeaseReceivableNetAverageBalance" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansandLeasesReceivableAllowanceforLoanLosses" name="LoansandLeasesReceivableAllowanceforLoanLosses" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansandLeasesReceivableForbearancePeriodafterGracePeriod" name="LoansandLeasesReceivableForbearancePeriodafterGracePeriod" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansandLeasesReceivableImpairedLoansGrantedForbearanceQualifiedasTroubleDebtRestructuring" name="LoansandLeasesReceivableImpairedLoansGrantedForbearanceQualifiedasTroubleDebtRestructuring" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansandLeasesReceivablePeriodAfterGracePeriodforForbearanceAllowance" name="LoansandLeasesReceivablePeriodAfterGracePeriodforForbearanceAllowance" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansandLeasesReceivablePeriodofForbearanceWithinTwentyFourMonthPeriodtobeClassifiedasTDR" name="LoansandLeasesReceivablePeriodofForbearanceWithinTwentyFourMonthPeriodtobeClassifiedasTDR" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansandLeasesReceivablePersonalLoans" name="LoansandLeasesReceivablePersonalLoans" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LoansandLeasesReceivablePersonalLoansTotal" name="LoansandLeasesReceivablePersonalLoansTotal" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_LondonClearingHouseMember" name="LondonClearingHouseMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LongtermDebtFairValueDifferenceBetweenCarryingValueandFairValue" name="LongtermDebtFairValueDifferenceBetweenCarryingValueandFairValue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_LossContingencyLossEmergencePeriod" name="LossContingencyLossEmergencePeriod" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_ModifiedLoans" name="ModifiedLoans" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_ModifiedLoansAccountsForTroubledDebtRestructuringTableTextBlock" name="ModifiedLoansAccountsForTroubledDebtRestructuringTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_MoneyMarketandSavingsAccountsMember" name="MoneyMarketandSavingsAccountsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_NetIncreaseDecreaseinUpfrontLoanFees" name="NetIncreaseDecreaseinUpfrontLoanFees" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_NetUnamortizedPremiumOrDiscount" name="NetUnamortizedPremiumOrDiscount" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_Netincreasedecreaseinbrokeredcertificatesofdeposit" name="Netincreasedecreaseinbrokeredcertificatesofdeposit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_Netincreasedecreaseinloansheldforinvestment" name="Netincreasedecreaseinloansheldforinvestment" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_NetincreaseinNOWaccountdeposits" name="NetincreaseinNOWaccountdeposits" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_Netproceedsfromsalesofstudentloansheldforinvestment" name="Netproceedsfromsalesofstudentloansheldforinvestment" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_NumberofAttorneysGeneral" name="NumberofAttorneysGeneral" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_NumeratorAbstract" name="NumeratorAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_OtherLiabilitiesReserve" name="OtherLiabilitiesReserve" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_OwnershipInterestPercentage" name="OwnershipInterestPercentage" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_PaymentDefaultPeriodForTroubledDebtRestructurings" name="PaymentDefaultPeriodForTroubledDebtRestructurings" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_PercentOfPrivateLoansWithCosigner" name="PercentOfPrivateLoansWithCosigner" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_PercentOfPrivateLoansWithoutCosigner" name="PercentOfPrivateLoansWithoutCosigner" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_PercentageOfLoansInRepayment" name="PercentageOfLoansInRepayment" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_PercentofPrivateLoansindexedtoLIBOR" name="PercentofPrivateLoansindexedtoLIBOR" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_PeriodofLoansPastDueThatHaveAccruedInterest" name="PeriodofLoansPastDueThatHaveAccruedInterest" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_PersonalLoansMember" name="PersonalLoansMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_PrivateEducationLoanSecuritizationMember" name="PrivateEducationLoanSecuritizationMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_PrivateEducationLoans2016TermAMember" name="PrivateEducationLoans2016TermAMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_PrivateEducationLoansAtOrigination" name="PrivateEducationLoansAtOrigination" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_PrivateEducationLoansGross" name="PrivateEducationLoansGross" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_PrivateEducationLoansGrossInPercent" name="PrivateEducationLoansGrossInPercent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_PrivateEducationLoansMember" name="PrivateEducationLoansMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_PrivateEducationLoansNet" name="PrivateEducationLoansNet" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_ProceedsfromClaimpayments" name="ProceedsfromClaimpayments" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_RepaymentsMember" name="RepaymentsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_ScheduleofDepositsTableTextBlock" name="ScheduleofDepositsTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_SchoolFicoMember" name="SchoolFicoMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromMoreThanFortyEightPaymentsInPercent" name="SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromMoreThanFortyEightPaymentsInPercent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromMoreThanFortyEightPaymentsMember" name="SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromMoreThanFortyEightPaymentsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromNotYetInRepaymentInPercent" name="SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromNotYetInRepaymentInPercent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromNotYetInRepaymentMember" name="SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromNotYetInRepaymentMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromOneToTwelvePaymentsInPercent" name="SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromOneToTwelvePaymentsInPercent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromOneToTwelvePaymentsMember" name="SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromOneToTwelvePaymentsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromThirteenToTwentyFourPaymentsInPercent" name="SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromThirteenToTwentyFourPaymentsInPercent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromThirteenToTwentyFourPaymentsMember" name="SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromThirteenToTwentyFourPaymentsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromThirtySevenToFortyEightPaymentsInPercent" name="SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromThirtySevenToFortyEightPaymentsInPercent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromThirtySevenToFortyEightPaymentsMember" name="SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromThirtySevenToFortyEightPaymentsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromTwentyFiveToThirtySixPaymentsInPercent" name="SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromTwentyFiveToThirtySixPaymentsInPercent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromTwentyFiveToThirtySixPaymentsMember" name="SeasoningBasedOnMonthlyScheduledPaymentsDueFromTwentyFiveToThirtySixPaymentsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_SeniorUnsecuredNotesDueApril52022Member" name="SeniorUnsecuredNotesDueApril52022Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_StableInterestbearingDepositsTotal" name="StableInterestbearingDepositsTotal" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_StockholdersEquityAttributabletoParentExcludingTreasuryStock" name="StockholdersEquityAttributabletoParentExcludingTreasuryStock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_StudentLoanPortfolioByProgramTableTextBlock" name="StudentLoanPortfolioByProgramTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_StudentLoansacquiredandoriginated" name="StudentLoansacquiredandoriginated" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_ThirdPartyBrokerFeesPaid" name="ThirdPartyBrokerFeesPaid" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_TierOneofGovernmentGuarantee" name="TierOneofGovernmentGuarantee" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_TierThreeofGovernmentGuarantee" name="TierThreeofGovernmentGuarantee" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_TierTwoofGovernmentGuarantee" name="TierTwoofGovernmentGuarantee" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_TroubledDebtRestructuredLoansMember" name="TroubledDebtRestructuredLoansMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_TroubledDebtRestructuringsPaymentDefault" name="TroubledDebtRestructuringsPaymentDefault" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_UncommittedFederalFunds" name="UncommittedFederalFunds" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_Upromiserelatedliability" name="Upromiserelatedliability" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_WeightedAverageInterestRateFfelploans" name="WeightedAverageInterestRateFfelploans" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_WeightedAverageInterestRateOtherLoans" name="WeightedAverageInterestRateOtherLoans" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_WeightedAverageInterestRateofPersonalLoans" name="WeightedAverageInterestRateofPersonalLoans" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="slm_WeightedAverageInterestRateofPrivateEducationLoans" name="WeightedAverageInterestRateofPrivateEducationLoans" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_WithCosignerMember" name="WithCosignerMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="slm_WithoutCosignerMember" name="WithoutCosignerMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
</xsd:schema>