Our Expertise Spans Five Decades

2019

Launches private student loans.

2018

Designated a “Trendsetter” in the CPA-Zicklin Index of Corporate Political Disclosure and Accountability.

Announces agreement for First Data to acquire Navient’s student loan technology platform.

2017

Acquires Earnest, a leading financial technology and education finance company.

Purchases $6.9 billion student loan portfolio.

Launches Career Playbook video series to connect clients with leading career advice.

2015

Launches first study on the financial health of young Americans, Money Under 35.

Receives ClearMark Award of Distinction for providing clear and effective messaging to support successful client transitions.

2014

Surpasses gender parity with more than 50 percent women on its board, attracting nationwide recognition from 2020 Women on Boards, the Women's Forum of New York, and the New York Stock Exchange.

Separates from Sallie Mae and becomes a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol NAVI.

2012

Becomes the first student loan servicer to offer a dedicated customer service team to serve military members with student loans.

2010

Congress passes legislation ending the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP); U.S. Department of Education expands its direct lending program to replace FFELP.

2009

Selected to service federal loans on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education.

2004

Government Sponsored Enterprise status is dissolved.

2000

USA Group combines with company, expanding services.

1995

First securitization transaction is valued at $1 billion.

1993

Introduces incentives to reward borrowers for establishing good payment habits.

1987

The number of employees doubles in one year as three new servicing centers are opened to better serve two million customers, roughly a quarter of student loans outstanding.

1984

Shares begin publicly trading.

1979

Total assets exceed $1 billion.

1978

Board authorizes in-house loan servicing operations.

1975

First shareholder meeting is held.

First loan is purchased from 1st Pennsylvania Bank.

1973

The Student Loan Marketing Association (nicknamed "Sallie Mae") opens its doors as a Government-Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) to support the student loan program created by the Higher Education Act of 1965.