Commitments and Contingencies - Activity with Respect to Claims and Contingencies (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Claims and Contingencies [Line Items]
Claims and contingencies, beginning balance	$ 126,978	$ 36,028
Payments, net	(2,600)	(1,756)
Payments on Behalf of Borrowers	(11,499)	(2,762)
Elimination of intercompany transactions	11,118	0
Additional accruals	(46,114)	0
Claims and contingencies, ending balance	125,880	126,978
PEAKS Guarantee [Member]
Schedule of Claims and Contingencies [Line Items]
Additional accruals	0	55,935
2009 RSA [Member]
Schedule of Claims and Contingencies [Line Items]
Claims and contingencies, beginning balance	28,232
Additional accruals	90,964	23,340
Claims and contingencies, ending balance	116,923	28,232
2007 RSA [Member]
Schedule of Claims and Contingencies [Line Items]
Claims and contingencies, beginning balance	46,000
Payments, net	(46,000)	0
Additional accruals	0	21,750
Claims and contingencies, ending balance	0	46,000
Other claims and contingencies [Member]
Schedule of Claims and Contingencies [Line Items]
Claims and contingencies, beginning balance	5,246
Additional accruals	4,038	117
Claims and contingencies, ending balance	8,957	5,246
PEAKS Program Guarantee [Member]
Schedule of Claims and Contingencies [Line Items]
Claims and contingencies, beginning balance	47,500
Payments, net	(1,005)	(5,674)
Claims and contingencies, ending balance	$ 0	$ 47,500