UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
(Mark One)
x	 	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
     For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009	
 
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 201
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
(Address of principal executive offices)	68508
(Zip Code)	

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (402) 458-2370
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
TITLE OF EACH CLASS
Class A Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per Share
NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED: New York Stock Exchange
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: None

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

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 Website, 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 [  ] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K  ( § 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  Large accelerated filer [  ]  Accelerated filer [X]  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 Act). Yes [  ] No [X]

The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant on June 30, 2009 (the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter), based upon the closing sale price of the Registrant’s Class A Common Stock on that date of $13.59 per share, was $375,157,182. For purposes of this calculation, the Registrant’s directors, executive officers, and greater than 10 percent shareholders are deemed to be affiliates.

As of January 31, 2010, there were 38,392,691 and 11,495,377 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 a wholly owned subsidiary).
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed for its 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, scheduled to be held May 27, 2010, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

NELNET, INC.
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I	
 	 	 	 	
Item 1.	Business	 	1	
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	 	14	
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	 	28	
Item 2.	Properties	 	28	
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	 	29	
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	 	30	
 	 	 	 	
PART II	
 	 	 	 	
Item 5.	Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	 	30	
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	 	33	
Item 7.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	 	34	
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	 	85	
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	 	90	
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	 	91	
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	 	91	
Item 9B.	Other Information	 	92	
 	 	 	 	
PART III	
 	 	 	 	
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance	 	92	
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	 	93	
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	 	93	
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence	 	93	
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	 	93	
 	 	 	 	
PART IV	
 	 	 	 	
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	 	93	
 	 	 	 	
Signatures	 	100	

 
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 expectations and statements that assume or are dependent upon future events, are forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those reflected in such forward-looking statements.  These factors include, among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Report”); increases in financing costs; limits on liquidity; any adverse outcomes in any significant litigation to which the Company is a party; changes in the terms of student loans and the educational credit marketplace arising from the implementation of, or changes in, applicable laws and regulations (including changes resulting from new laws, such as any new laws enacted to implement the Administration’s 2010 budget proposals as they relate to the Federal Family Education Loan Program (the “FFEL Program” or “FFELP”) of the U.S. Department of Education (the “Department”)), which may reduce the volume, average term, special allowance payments, and yields on student loans under the FFELP,  or result in loans being originated or refinanced under non-FFEL programs or may affect the terms upon which banks and others agree to sell FFELP loans to the Company.  The Company could also be affected by changes in the demand for educational financing or in financing preferences of lenders, educational institutions, students, and their families; the Company’s ability to maintain its credit facilities or obtain new facilities; the ability of lenders under the Company’s credit facilities to fulfill their lending commitments under these facilities; changes to the terms and conditions of the liquidity programs offered by the Department; changes in the general interest rate environment and in the securitization markets for education loans, which may increase the costs or limit the availability of financings necessary to initiate, purchase, or carry education loans; losses from loan defaults; changes in prepayment rates, guaranty rates, loan floor rates, and credit spreads; uncertainties inherent in forecasting future cash flows from student loan assets and related asset-backed securitizations; the uncertain nature of estimated expenses that may be incurred and cost savings that may result from restructuring plans; incorrect estimates or assumptions by management in connection with the preparation of the consolidated financial statements; and changes in general economic conditions. Additionally, financial projections may not prove to be accurate and may vary materially.  The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Report.  The Company is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this Report or unforeseen events.  Although the Company may from time to time voluntarily update its prior forward-looking statements, it disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws.

PART I.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

Nelnet, Inc (the “Company”) is a transaction processing and finance company focused primarily on providing quality education related products and services to students, families, schools, and financial institutions nationwide.  The Company was formed as a Nebraska corporation in 1977.  The Company earns its revenues from fee-based processing businesses, including its loan servicing, payment processing, and lead generation businesses, and the net interest income on its student loan portfolio.

Customers

The Company’s customers consist of:

·  	Students and families	
·  	Colleges and universities	
·  	Private, parochial, and other K-12 institutions	
·  	Lenders, holders, and agencies in education finance	

An increase in the size of the education market generally increases the demand for the Company’s products and services. The education market continues to grow with rising student enrollment and the rising annual cost of enrollment. In addition, demand for the Company’s products and services increases as education-related processes become more complex and schools have a need to become more efficient.

1

 
Product and Service Offerings

The Company offers a broad range of pre-college, in-college, and post-college products and services that help students and families plan and pay for their education and plan their careers. The Company’s products and services are designed to simplify the education planning and financing process and provide value to customers throughout the education life cycle.

 

2

 
Operating Segments

 
The Company has five operating segments, as follows:
 
·  	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing	
·  	Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce	
·  	Enrollment Services	
·  	Software and Technical Services	
·  	Asset Generation and Management	

The Company’s operating segments are defined by the products and services they offer or the types of customers they serve, and they reflect the manner in which financial information is currently evaluated by management. Management evaluates the Company’s generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) based financial information as well as operating results on a non-GAAP performance measure referred to as “base net income.” Management believes “base net income” provides additional insight into the financial performance of the core operations. For further information, see Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The Company includes separate financial information about its operating segments in note 22 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Report.

3

Operating Results - Revenue Diversification

The Company ranks among the nation’s leaders in terms of total student loan assets originated, held, and serviced, principally consisting of loans originated under the FFEL Program (a detailed description of the FFEL Program is included in Appendix A to this Report). In recent years, the Company has expanded products and services generated from businesses that are not dependent upon the FFEL Program (as shown below), thereby reducing legislative and political risk related to the education lending industry. Revenues from these businesses are primarily generated from products and services offered in the Company’s Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce and Enrollment Services operating segments. The following chart summarizes the percent of external revenue earned by the Company’s operating segments when excluding Corporate Activity and Overhead and fixed rate floor income included in the Asset Generation and Management operating segment. See Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk” for further details related to the Company’s fixed rate floor income. The chart shows the increased contribution of revenue from fee-based segments.

 
The following tables summarize the Company’s revenues by operating segment (dollars in thousands):
 
 	 	Year ended December 31, 2009	 	
 	 	External	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	As reported	 	
 				 	Intersegment	 	 	by segment	 	
 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing	 	$	114,086	 	 	 	19.7	%	 	$	85,104	 	 	 	63.5	%	 	$	199,190	 	 	 	28.0	%	
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce	 	 	53,956	 	 	 	9.4	 	 	 	237	 	 	 	0.2	 	 	 	54,193	 	 	 	7.6	 	
Enrollment Services	 	 	119,397	 	 	 	20.7	 	 	 	555	 	 	 	0.4	 	 	 	119,952	 	 	 	16.9	 	
Software and Technical Services	 	 	17,463	 	 	 	3.0	 	 	 	14,586	 	 	 	10.9	 	 	 	32,049	 	 	 	4.5	 	
Total revenue from fee-based segments	 	 	304,902	 	 	 	52.8	 	 	 	100,482	 	 	 	75.0	 	 	 	405,384	 	 	 	57.0	 	
Asset Generation and Management	 	 	300,004	 	 	 	51.9	 	 	 	(2,003	)	 	 	(1.5	)	 	 	298,001	 	 	 	41.8	 	
Corporate Activity and Overhead	 	 	(27,073	)	 	 	(4.7	)	 	 	35,472	 	 	 	26.5	 	 	 	8,399	 	 	 	1.2	 	
Total revenue	 	$	577,833	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	133,951	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	711,784	 	 	 	100.0	%	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Year ended December 31, 2008	 	
 	 	External	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	As reported	 	
 				 	Intersegment	 	 	by segment	 	
 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing	 	$	105,664	 	 	 	20.0	%	 	$	75,361	 	 	 	51.6	%	 	$	181,025	 	 	 	26.9	%	
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce	 	 	49,844	 	 	 	9.5	 	 	 	302	 	 	 	0.2	 	 	 	50,146	 	 	 	7.4	 	
Enrollment Services	 	 	112,459	 	 	 	21.3	 	 	 	2	 	 	 	0.0	 	 	 	112,461	 	 	 	16.7	 	
Software and Technical Services	 	 	19,731	 	 	 	3.7	 	 	 	6,831	 	 	 	4.7	 	 	 	26,562	 	 	 	3.9	 	
Total revenue from fee-based segments	 	 	287,698	 	 	 	54.5	 	 	 	82,496	 	 	 	56.5	 	 	 	370,194	 	 	 	54.9	 	
Asset Generation and Management	 	 	277,971	 	 	 	52.6	 	 	 	(2,190	)	 	 	(1.5	)	 	 	275,781	 	 	 	40.9	 	
Corporate Activity and Overhead	 	 	(37,503	)	 	 	(7.1	)	 	 	65,574	 	 	 	45.0	 	 	 	28,071	 	 	 	4.2	 	
Total revenue	 	$	528,166	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	145,880	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	674,046	 	 	 	100.0	%	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Year ended December 31, 2007	 	
 	 	External	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	As reported	 	
 				 	Intersegment	 	 	by segment	 	
 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing	 	$	133,234	 	 	 	23.8	%	 	$	74,687	 	 	 	73.9	%	 	$	207,921	 	 	 	31.4	%	
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce	 	 	46,568	 	 	 	8.3	 	 	 	688	 	 	 	0.7	 	 	 	47,256	 	 	 	7.2	 	
Enrollment Services	 	 	104,245	 	 	 	18.6	 	 	 	891	 	 	 	0.9	 	 	 	105,136	 	 	 	15.9	 	
Software and Technical Services	 	 	22,093	 	 	 	3.9	 	 	 	15,683	 	 	 	15.5	 	 	 	37,776	 	 	 	5.7	 	
Total revenue from fee-based segments	 	 	306,140	 	 	 	54.6	 	 	 	91,949	 	 	 	91.0	 	 	 	398,089	 	 	 	60.2	 	
Asset Generation and Management	 	 	278,671	 	 	 	49.8	 	 	 	(3,737	)	 	 	(3.7	)	 	 	274,934	 	 	 	41.6	 	
Corporate Activity and Overhead	 	 	(24,705	)	 	 	(4.4	)	 	 	12,777	 	 	 	12.7	 	 	 	(11,928	)	 	 	(1.8	)	
Total revenue	 	$	560,106	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	100,989	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	661,095	 	 	 	100.0	%	

4

  Fee-Based Operating Segments

Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing	

The Company’s Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment provides for the servicing of the Company’s student loan portfolio and the portfolios of third parties and servicing provided to guaranty agencies. The loan servicing activities include loan origination activities, loan conversion activities, application processing, borrower updates, payment processing, due diligence procedures, and claim processing. These activities are performed internally for the Company’s portfolio in addition to generating fee revenue when performed for third-party clients. The guaranty servicing activities include providing software and data center services, borrower and loan updates, default aversion tracking services, claim processing services, and post-default collection services to guaranty agencies. The Company’s student loan servicing division uses proprietary systems to manage the servicing process. These systems provide for automated compliance with most of the federal student loan regulations adopted under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (the “Higher Education Act”).

In June 2009, the Department of Education named the Company as one of four private sector companies awarded a servicing contract to service all federally-owned student loans, including FFELP loans purchased by the Department pursuant to the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 (“ECASLA”). ECASLA enabled the Department to purchase FFELP loans in an effort to bring liquidity and stability back to the student loan market. No later than August 2010, the Company expects to also begin servicing new loans originated under the Federal Direct Loan Program (the “Direct Loan Program”). Under the Direct Loan Program, the Federal government lends money directly to students and families. The contract spans five years with one, five-year renewal option. The Company began servicing loans for the Department under this contract in September 2009.
 
The four primary product offerings of this operating segment and each one’s percentage of total third-party Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing revenue provided during the year ended December 31, 2009 are as follows:

·  	Origination and servicing of commercial FFEL Program loans (54.0%)	
·  	Origination and servicing of non-federally insured student loans (7.5%)	
·  	Servicing of loans for the Department of Education (1.5%)	
·  	Servicing and support outsourcing for guaranty agencies (37.0%)	

5

 
The following chart summarizes the Company’s loan servicing volumes (dollars in millions):

(a)  	As of December 31, 2009, the Company was servicing $464.2 million of loans owned by the Company and  $809.3 million of loans for third parties that were disbursed on or after July 1, 2009 and may be eligible to be sold to the Department of Education pursuant to its 2009-2010 academic year Loan Purchase Commitment Program.  The Company expects to retain the servicing on all 2009-2010 loans sold to the Department which are currently being serviced by the Company.	

(b)  	As of December 31, 2009 and March 1, 2010, the Company was servicing approximately $3.4 billion and $6.3 billion, respectively, of loans under the Department’s servicing contract, which includes approximately $1.5 billion and $ 4.3 billion of loans not previously serviced by the Company that were sold by third parties to the Department as part of the ECASLA Purchase Program.	

The Company performs the origination and servicing activities for FFEL Program loans for itself as well as third-party clients. The Company believes service, reputation, and/or execution are factors considered by schools in developing their lender lists and customers in selecting a servicer for their loans. Management believes it is important to provide exceptional customer service at a reasonable price in order to increase the Company’s loan servicing and origination volume at schools with which the Company does business.

The Company serviced FFELP loans on behalf of approximately 80 third-party servicing customers as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. The Company’s FFELP servicing customers include national and regional banks, credit unions, and various state and non-profit secondary markets. The majority of the Company’s external FFELP loan servicing activities are performed under “life of loan” contracts. Life of loan servicing essentially provides that as long as the loan exists, the Company shall be the sole servicer of that loan; however, the agreement may contain “deconversion” provisions where, for a fee, the lender may move the loan to another servicer. In recent years, the Company has experienced a reduction of participating lenders for a variety of reasons, including if third-party servicing clients commence or increase internal servicing activities, shift volume to another service provider, or exit the FFEL Program completely.

The Company also provides origination and servicing activities for non-federally insured loans. Although similar in terms of activities and functions (i.e., disbursement processing, application processing, payment processing, statement distribution, and reporting), non-federally insured loan servicing activities are not required to comply with provisions of the Higher Education Act and may be more customized to individual client requirements. The Company serviced non-federally insured loans on behalf of approximately 15 third-party servicing customers as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.

The Direct Loan Program has historically used one provider for the origination and servicing of loans. For the federal fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, the estimated volume for the Direct Loan Program was approximately $38 billion, an increase of 110% from the federal fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.  This increase was the result of schools shifting from the FFELP to the Direct Loan Program as a result of lenders exiting the FFELP marketplace due to legislation and capital market disruptions. Regardless of the outcome of the currently proposed legislation (see "Recent Developments - Legislation"), the Direct Loan Program volume is expected to increase substantially in the next few years, which would lead to an increase in servicing volume for the Department’s four private sector servicers. Servicing volume has initially been allocated by the Department to the four servicers and performance factors such as customer satisfaction levels and default rates will determine volume allocations over time.

6

The Company also provides servicing support for guaranty agencies, which are the organizations that serve as the intermediary between the U.S. federal government and FFELP lenders, and are responsible for paying the claims made on defaulted loans. The Department has designated approximately 30 guarantors that have been formed as either state agencies or non-profit corporations that provide FFELP guaranty services in one or more states. Approximately half of these guarantors contract externally for operational or technology services. The services provided by the Company include operational, administrative, financial, and technology services to guarantors participating in the FFEL Program and state agencies that run financial aid grant and scholarship programs.

The Company’s four guaranty servicing customers include Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, College Assist (which is the Colorado state-designated guarantor of FFELP student loans – formerly known as College Access Network), National Student Loan Program, and the Higher Education Assistance Commission of New York.

Competition

There is a relatively large number of lenders and servicing organizations who participate in the FFEL Program. The chart below lists the top 10 servicing organizations for FFELP loans as of December 31, 2008.
 
Top FFELP Loan Servicers	 	
Rank	 	Name	 	$ millions	(a)	
1	 	Sallie Mae	 	 178,191	(b)	
2	 	AES/PHEAA	 	 60,063	(b)	
3	 	ACS Education Services (formerly reported under AFSA)	 	 55,600	 	
4	 	Great Lakes	 	 41,554	(b)	
5	 	Nelnet	 	 35,889	(b)	
6	 	Citibank, The Student Loan Corporation	 	 24,889	 	
7	 	Wells Fargo Education Financial Services	 	 18,064	 	
8	 	EdFinancial Services	 	 9,779	 	
9	 	Xpress Loan Servicing	 	 8,996	 	
10	 	Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation	 	 8,186	 	
 
 	Source: 2009 SLSA Servicing Volume Survey and company filings	
 	 	
(a)	As of December 31, 2008, except for ACS Education Services and Citibank, The Student Loan Corporation which are as of June 30, 2009.	
 	 	
(b)	Represent the four private sector companies awarded a servicing contract to service Direct Loan Program loans.	
 
The principal competitor for existing and prospective FFELP loan and guaranty servicing business is SLM Corporation, the parent company of Sallie Mae. Sallie Mae is the largest FFELP provider of origination and servicing functions as well as one of the largest service providers of non-federally guaranteed loans.

The Company believes the number of guaranty agencies contracting for technology services will increase as states continue expanding the scope of their financial aid grant programs and as a result of existing deficient or outdated systems. Since there is a finite universe of clients, competition for existing and new contracts is considered high. Agencies may choose to contract for part or all of their services, and the Company believes its products and services are competitive. To enhance its competitiveness, the Company continues to focus on service quality and technological enhancements.

Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce

The Company’s Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce operating segment provides products and services to help institutions and education-seeking families manage the payment of education costs during the pre-college and college stages of the education life cycle.

The K-12 market consists of nearly 30,000 private and faith-based educational institutions nationally. In the K-12 market the Company offers tuition management services as well as assistance with financial needs assessment, enrollment management, and donor management. The Company has actively managed tuition payment plans in place at approximately 4,500 K-12 educational institutions.

7

Tuition management services include payment plan administration, ancillary billing, accounts receivable management, and record keeping. K-12 educational institutions contract with the Company to administer deferred payment plans where the institution allows the responsible party to make monthly payments over 6 to 12 months. The Company collects a fee from either the institution or the payer as an administration fee.

The Company offers two principal products to the higher education market: actively managed tuition payment plans and campus commerce outsourcing. The Company has actively managed tuition payment plans in place at approximately 700 colleges and universities. Higher educational institutions contract with the Company to administer deferred payment plans where the institution allows the responsible party to make monthly payments on either a semester or annual basis. The Company collects a fee from either the institution or the payer as an administration fee.

The campus commerce solution, QuikPay ®, is sold as a subscription service to colleges and universities. QuikPay processes payments through the appropriate channels in the banking or credit card networks to make deposits into the client’s bank account. It can be further deployed to other departments around campus as requested (e.g., application fees, alumni giving, parking, events, etc.). There are approximately 220 college and university campuses using the QuikPay system. The Company earns revenue for e-billing, hosting/maintenance, credit card convenience fees, and e-payment transaction fees.

Competition

This segment of the Company’s business focuses on two separate markets: private and faith-based K-12 schools and higher education colleges and universities.

The Company is the largest provider of tuition management services to the private and faith-based K-12 market in the United States. Competitors include: banking companies, tuition management providers, financial needs assessment providers, accounting firms, and a myriad of software companies.

In the higher education market, the Company targets business offices at colleges and universities. In this market, the primary competition is limited to three tuition payment providers, as well as solutions developed in-house by colleges and universities.

The Company’s principal competitive advantages are (i) the service it provides to institutions, (ii) the information management tools provided with the Company’s service, and (iii) the Company’s ability to interface with the institution’s clients. The Company believes its clients select products primarily on technological superiority and feature functionality, but price and service also impact the selection process.
 
Enrollment Services

The Company’s Enrollment Services operating segment offers products and services that are focused on helping colleges recruit and retain students (lead generation and recruitment services) and helping students plan and prepare for life after high school (content management and publishing and editing services). The Company’s enrollment products and services include the following:
 
Lead Generation
·   Vendor lead management services
·   Admissions lead generation

Recruitment Services
·   Pay per click marketing management
·   Email marketing
·   List marketing services
·   Admissions consulting	Content Management
·   Online courses
·   Licensing of scholarship data
·   Call center services
 
Publishing and Editing Services
·   Test preparation study guides
·   Essay editing services

 
As with all of the Company’s products and services, the Company’s focus is on the education seeking family – both college bound and in college – and the Company delivers products and services in this segment through four primary customer channels: higher education, corporate and government, K-12, and direct-to-consumer/customer service.  Many of the Company’s products in this segment are distributed online; however, products such as test preparation study guides are distributed as printed materials.

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Competition

In this segment, the primary areas in which the Company competes are: lead generation and management, test preparation study guides and online courses, and call center services.

There are several large competitors in the areas of lead generation and test preparation, but the Company does not believe any one competitor has a dominant position in all of the product and service areas offered by the Company.  The Company has seen increased competition in the area of call center operations, including outsourced admissions, as other companies have recognized the potential in this market.

The Company competes through various methods, including price, brand awareness, depth of product and service selection, and customer service.  The Company has attempted to be a “one stop shop” for the education seeking family looking for career assessment, test preparation, and college information.  The Company also offers its institutional clients a breadth of services unrivaled in the education industry.
 
Software and Technical Services
 
The Company’s Software and Technical Services Operating Segment develops student loan servicing software, which is used internally by the Company and also licensed to third-party student loan holders and servicers. This segment also provides information technology products and services, with core areas of business in educational loan software solutions, legacy modernization, technical consulting services, and Enterprise Content Management solutions.

The Company’s clients within the education loan marketplace include large and small financial institutions, secondary markets, loan originators, and loan servicers. A significant portion of the software and technology services business is dependent on the existence of and participants in the FFEL Program. If the federal government were to terminate the FFEL Program or the number of entities participating in the program were to decrease, the Company’s software and technical services segment would be impacted. The recent legislation and capital market disruptions have had an impact on the profitability of FFEL Program participants. As a result, the number of entities participating in the FFEL Program has and may continue to be adversely impacted. This impact could have an effect on the Company’s software and technical services segment. In order to mitigate any negative impact as a result of changes in the FFEL Program, the Company is working to diversify revenues in this segment.
 
Competition

The Company is one of the leaders in the education loan software processing industry. Many lenders in the FFEL Program utilize the Company’s software either directly or indirectly. Management believes the Company’s competitors in this segment are much smaller than the Company and do not have the depth of knowledge or products offered by the Company.

The Company’s primary method of competition in this segment is based upon its depth of knowledge, experience, and product offerings in the education loan industry. The Company believes it has a competitive edge in offering proven solutions, since the Company’s competition consists primarily of consulting firms that offer services and not products.

Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment

The Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment includes the origination, acquisition, management, and ownership of the Company’s student loan assets, which has historically been the Company’s largest product and service offering. The Company generates a substantial portion of its earnings from the spread, referred to as the Company’s student loan spread, between the yield it receives on its student loan portfolio and the costs associated with originating, acquiring, and financing its portfolio. The Company generates student loan assets through direct origination or through acquisitions. The student loan assets are held in a series of education lending subsidiaries designed specifically for this purpose.  During 2009, the Company also generated a significant gain from the sale of certain loans, as discussed further below. In addition to the student loan portfolio, all costs and activity associated with the generation of assets, funding of those assets, and maintenance of the debt transactions are included in this segment.

Student loans consist of federally insured student loans and non-federally insured student loans.  Federally insured student loans are made under the FFEL Program.  The Company’s portfolio of federally insured student loans is subject to minimal credit risk as these loans are guaranteed by the Department of Education at levels ranging from 97% to 100%.  Substantially all of the Company’s loan portfolio (99% as of December 31, 2009) is federally insured.  The Company’s portfolio of non-federally insured loans is subject to credit risk similar to other consumer loan assets.

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The Higher Education Act regulates every aspect of the federally guaranteed student loan program, including communications with borrowers, loan originations, and default aversion. Failure to service a student loan properly could jeopardize the guarantee on federal student loans. In the case of death, disability, or bankruptcy of the borrower, the guarantee covers 100% of the loan’s principal and accrued interest.

FFELP loans are guaranteed by state agencies or non-profit companies designated as guarantors, with the Department providing reinsurance to the guarantor. Guarantors are responsible for performing certain functions necessary to ensure the program’s soundness and accountability. These functions include reviewing loan application data to detect and prevent fraud and abuse and to assist lenders in preventing default by providing counseling to borrowers. Generally, the guarantor is responsible for ensuring that loans are serviced in compliance with the requirements of the Higher Education Act. When a borrower defaults on a FFELP loan, the Company submits a claim to the guarantor who provides reimbursements of principal and accrued interest subject to the applicable risk share percentage.

The Company’s historical balance of student loans outstanding is summarized below.
  
Future cash flow from portfolio

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 and there are minimal liquidity issues related to these facilities. In addition, due to the difference between the yield the Company receives on the loans and cost of financing within these transactions, the Company has created a portfolio that will generate earnings and significant cash flow over the life of these transactions.

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 from its portfolio to be approximately $1.43 billion. See Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further details related to the estimated future cash flow from the Company’s portfolio.

Impact of Legislation and Capital Market Disruptions

On September 27, 2007, the President signed into law the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 (the “College Cost Reduction Act”). Among other things, this legislation reduced special allowance payments received by lenders and increased origination fees paid by lenders. Management estimated the impact of this legislation reduced the annual yield on FFELP loans originated after October 1, 2007 by 70 to 80 basis points. As a result of this legislation, the Company modified borrower benefits and reduced loan acquisition and internal costs.

In addition, the Company has significant financing needs that it meets through the capital markets. Beginning in August 2007, the capital markets have experienced unprecedented disruptions, which have had an adverse impact on the Company’s earnings and financial condition. Since the Company could not determine nor control the length of time or extent to which the capital markets would remain disrupted, it reduced its direct and indirect costs related to its asset generation activities, and was more selective in pursuing origination activity in the direct to consumer channel. Accordingly, beginning in January 2008, the Company suspended consolidation and private student loan originations and exercised contractual rights to discontinue, suspend, or defer the acquisition of student loans in connection with substantially all of its branding and forward flow relationships.

In an effort to bring liquidity and stability back to the student loan program, in August 2008, the Department implemented the Purchase and Participation Programs pursuant to ECASLA. Under the Department’s Purchase Program, the Department will purchase loans at a price equal to the sum of (i) par value, (ii) accrued interest, (iii) the one percent origination fee paid to the Department, and (iv) a fixed amount of $75 per loan. Under the Participation Program, the Department provides interim short term liquidity to FFELP lenders by purchasing participation interests in pools of FFELP loans. Loans funded under the Participation Program for the 2008-2009 academic year were required to be either refinanced by the lender or sold to the Department pursuant to the Purchase Program prior to its expiration on October 15, 2009. To be eligible for purchase or participation under the Department’s programs, loans were originally limited to FFELP Stafford or PLUS loans made for the academic year 2008-2009, first disbursed between May 1, 2008 and July 1, 2009, with eligible borrower benefits.

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On October 7, 2008, legislation was enacted to extend the Department’s authority to address FFELP student loans made for the 2009-2010 academic year and allowing for the extension of the Participation Program and Purchase Program from September 30, 2009 to September 30, 2010. The Department indicated that loans for the 2008-2009 academic year funded under the Department's Participation Program were required to be refinanced or sold to the Department prior to October 15, 2009.  On November 8, 2008, the Department announced the replication of the terms of the Participation and Purchase Programs, in accordance with the October 7, 2008 legislation, which will include FFELP student loans made for the 2009-2010 academic year.

During 2009, the Company sold $2.1 billion of its 2008-2009 academic year loans under the Purchase Program and recognized a gain of $36.6 million.  In addition, the Company has reliable sources of liquidity available for new FFELP Stafford and PLUS loan originations for the 2009-2010 academic year under the Department’s Participation and Purchase Programs. These programs are allowing the Company to continue originating new federal student loans to all students regardless of the school they attend.

Interest Rate Risk Management

Because the Company generates a significant portion of its earnings from its student loans spread, the interest rate sensitivity of the Company’s balance sheet is very important to its operations.  The current and future interest rate environment can and will affect the Company’s interest earnings, net interest income, and net income.  The effects of changing interest rate environments are further outlined in Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk.”

Floor Income

Loans originated prior to April 1, 2006 generally earn interest at the higher of a floating rate based on the Special Allowance Payment or SAP formula set by the Department and the borrower rate, which is fixed over a period of time. The SAP formula is based on an applicable index plus a fixed spread that is dependent upon when the loan was originated, the loan’s repayment status, and funding sources for the loan. 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 rate produced by the SAP formula, the Company’s student loans earn at a fixed rate while the interest on the variable rate debt typically continues to decline. 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. In accordance with new legislation enacted in 2006, lenders are required to rebate fixed rate floor income and variable rate floor income to the Department for all new FFELP loans first originated on or after April 1, 2006.

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. The Company uses derivative instruments as part of its overall risk management strategy, including interest rate swaps to hedge a portion of its floor income. See Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk.”

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The Company’s core student loan spread (variable student loan spread including fixed rate floor contribution) and variable student loan spread (net interest margin excluding fixed rate floor income) during 2008 and 2009 is summarized below.

 
During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, loan interest income includes $145.1 million (58 basis points of spread contribution) and $37.5 million (14 basis points of spread contribution), respectively, of fixed rate floor income.  The increase in fixed rate floor income throughout 2009 is due to a decrease in interest rates.  The Company’s variable student loan spread increased throughout 2009 as a result of the tightening of the commercial paper rate, which is the primary rate the Company earns on its student loan portfolio, and the LIBOR rate, which is the primary rate the Company pays to fund its student loan assets. See Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment – Results of Operations – Student Loan Spread Analysis.” If interest rates remain low, the Company anticipates continuing to earn significant fixed rate floor income in future periods.
 
Competition

There are two loan delivery programs that provide federal government guaranteed student loans: the FFELP and the Direct Loan Program. FFELP loans are provided by private sector institutions and are ultimately guaranteed by the Department, except for the risk sharing loss, as discussed previously. Direct Loan Program loans are provided to borrowers directly by the Department on terms similar to student loans provided under the FFELP.

The Direct Loan Program has reduced the origination volume available for FFEL Program participants. As a result of the recent legislation and capital market disruptions, many lenders have withdrawn from the student loan market. Substantially all other lenders have altered their student loan offerings including the elimination of certain borrower benefits and premiums paid on secondary market loan purchases. Many FFELP lenders have made other significant changes which dramatically reduced the loan volume they originated. These conditions, primarily centered on loan access and loan processing, have led a number of schools to convert from the FFELP to the Direct Loan Program or participate in the Direct Loan Program in addition to the FFELP.

Seasonality

The Company’s fee-based businesses, primarily revenue earned by the Company’s loan and guaranty servicing operations, tuition management services, and enrollment services operations, are subject to seasonal fluctuations which correspond, or are related, to the traditional school year.  In addition, the Company’s loan and guaranty servicing operation earns revenue related to rehabilitation collections on defaulted loans and servicing conversions and transfers.  These types of activities occur at various times throughout the year.  Thus, revenue from these services can vary from period to period.

Recent Developments - Legislation

On February 26, 2009, the President introduced a fiscal year 2010 Federal budget proposal calling for the elimination of the FFEL Program and a recommendation that all new student loan originations be funded through the Direct Loan Program.    On September 17, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (“SAFRA”), which would eliminate the FFEL Program and require that, after July 1, 2010, all new federal student loans be made through the Direct Loan Program. The Senate is expected to begin its consideration of similar student loan reform legislation sometime in 2010.  In addition to the House-passed legislation, there are several other proposals for changes to the education financing framework that may be considered that would maintain a role for private lenders in the origination of federal student loans.  These include a possible extension of ECASLA, which expires on July 1, 2010, and the Student Loan Community Proposal, a proposal endorsed by a cross-section of FFELP service providers (including the Company) as an alternative to the 100% federal direct lending proposal included in SAFRA.

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Elimination of the FFEL Program would impact the Company’s operations and profitability by, among other things, reducing the Company’s interest revenues as a result of the inability to add new FFELP loans to the Company’s portfolio and reducing guarantee and third-party FFELP servicing fees as a result of reduced FFELP loan servicing and origination volume. Additionally, the elimination of the FFEL Program could reduce education loan software licensing opportunities and related consulting fees received from lenders using the Company’s software products and services.

In June 2009, the Department of Education named the Company as one of four private sector companies awarded a servicing contract to service student loans. No later than August 2010, the Company expects to also begin servicing new loans originated under the Direct Loan Program. If legislation is passed mandating that all new student loan originations be funded through the Direct Loan Program, revenue from servicing loans under this contract will partially offset the loss of revenue if the FFEL Program is eliminated.

Intellectual Property

The Company owns numerous trademarks and service marks (“Marks”) to identify its various products and services. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had four pending and 99 registered Marks. The Company actively asserts its rights to these Marks when it believes infringement may exist. The Company believes its Marks have developed and continue to develop strong brand-name recognition in the industry and the consumer marketplace. Each of the Marks has, upon registration, an indefinite duration so long as the Company continues to use the Mark on or in connection with such goods or services as the Mark identifies. In order to protect the indefinite duration, the Company makes filings to continue registration of the Marks. The Company owns four patent applications that have been published, but have not yet been issued and has also actively asserted its rights thereunder in situations where the Company believes its claims may be infringed upon. The Company owns many copyright-protected works, including its various computer system codes and displays, Web sites, books and other publications, and marketing collateral. The Company also has trade secret rights to many of its processes and strategies and its software product designs. The Company’s software products are protected by both registered and common law copyrights, as well as strict confidentiality and ownership provisions placed in license agreements which restrict the ability to copy, distribute, or improperly disclose the software products. The Company also has adopted internal procedures designed to protect the Company’s intellectual property.

The Company seeks federal and/or state protection of intellectual property when deemed appropriate, including patent, trademark/service mark, and copyright. The decision whether to seek such protection may depend on the perceived value of the intellectual property, the likelihood of securing protection, the cost of securing and maintaining that protection, and the potential for infringement. The Company’s employees are trained in the fundamentals of intellectual property, intellectual property protection, and infringement issues. The Company’s employees are also required to sign agreements requiring, among other things, confidentiality of trade secrets, assignment of inventions, and non-solicitation of other employees post-termination. Consultants, suppliers, and other business partners are also required to sign nondisclosure agreements to protect the Company’s proprietary rights.

Employees

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had approximately 2,000 employees. Approximately 350 of these employees held professional and management positions while approximately 1,650 were in support and operational positions. None of the Company’s employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The Company is not involved in any material disputes with any of its employees, and the Company believes that relations with its employees are good.

Available Information

Copies of the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to such reports are available on the Company’s Web site free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with or furnished to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Investors and other interested parties can access these reports and the Company’s proxy statements at http:// www.nelnet. com . The Company routinely posts important information for investors on its Web site. The SEC maintains an Internet site ( http://www.sec.gov ) that contains periodic and other reports such as annual, quarterly, and current reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, respectively, as well as proxy and information statements regarding the Company and other companies that file electronically with the SEC.

The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to directors, officers, and employees, including the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial and accounting officer, and has posted such Code of Conduct on its Web site. Amendments to and waivers granted with respect to the Company’s Code of Conduct relating to its executive officers and directors which are required to be disclosed pursuant to applicable securities laws and stock exchange rules and regulations will also be posted on its Web site. The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, and the Finance Committee Charter are also posted on its Web site.

Information on the Company’s Web site is not incorporated by reference into this Report and should not be considered part of this Report.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The risk factors section highlights specific risks that could affect the Company.  Although this section attempts to highlight key risk factors, please be aware that other risks may prove to be important in the future. New risks may emerge at any time and the Company cannot predict such risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect the financial performance of the Company.  These risk factors should be read in conjunction with the other information set forth in this Report.  For convenience of reference, the sub-captions which briefly describe these risk factors are listed immediately below, followed by the discussion of each risk factor.

·  	The Company is 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 the assets.	

·  	The Company is exposed to interest rate risk because of the interest rate characteristics of certain of its assets and the interest rate characteristics of the related funding of such assets.	

·  	Characteristics unique to certain asset-backed securitizations, namely auction rate securities and variable rate demand notes, may negatively affect the Company’s earnings.	

·  	The Company’s derivative instruments may not be successful in managing interest and foreign currency exchange rate risks, which may negatively impact the Company’s operations.	

·  	Higher rates of prepayments of student loans, including consolidations by third parties or the Department of Education through the Direct Loan Program, could reduce the Company’s profits.	

·  	The costs and effects of litigation, investigations, or similar matters, or adverse facts and developments related thereto, could materially affect the Company’s financial position and results of operations.	

·  	Exposure related to certain tax issues could decrease the Company’s net income.	

·  	Changes in accounting policies or accounting standards, changes in how accounting standards are interpreted or applied, and incorrect estimates and assumptions by management in connection with the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements could materially affect the reported amounts of asset and liabilities, the reported amounts of income and expenses, and related disclosures.	

·  	Security and privacy breaches in systems or system failures may damage client relations and the Company’s reputation.	

·  	Changes in student lending legislation and regulations or the elimination of the FFEL Program by the Federal Government could have a negative impact upon the Company’s business and may affect its earnings and operations.	

·  	Federal and state regulations can restrict the Company’s business and noncompliance with these regulations could result in penalties, litigation, and reputation damage.	

·  	A failure to properly manage operations and growth could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to retain existing customers and attract new business opportunities.	

·  	The Company and its operating segments are highly dependent upon information technology systems and infrastructure.	

·  	The Company faces liquidity and funding risk to meet its financial obligations.	

·  	The ratings of the Company or of any securities issued by the Company may change, which may increase the Company’s costs of capital and may reduce the liquidity of the Company’s securities.	

·  	There are risks inherent in owning the Company’s common stock.	

·  	Changes in industry structure and market conditions could lead to charges related to discontinuances of certain products or businesses and asset impairment, including goodwill.	

·  	The Company faces counterparty risk.	

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·  	The Company is subject to foreign currency exchange risk and such risk could lead to increased costs.	

·  	Managing assets for third parties has inherent risks that, if not properly managed, could negatively affect the Company’s business.	

·  	The Company must satisfy certain requirements necessary to maintain the federal guarantees of its federally insured loans, and the Company may incur penalties or lose its guarantees if it fails to meet these requirements.	

·  	Future losses due to defaults on loans held by the Company, or loans sold to third parties which the Company is obligated to repurchase in the event of certain delinquencies, present credit risk which could adversely affect the Company’s earnings.	

·  	A failure to attract and retain necessary technical personnel, skilled management, and qualified subcontractors may have an adverse impact on the Company’s future growth.	

·  	The Company’s government contracts are subject to termination rights, audits, and investigations, and, if terminated, could negatively impact the Company’s reputation and reduce its ability to compete for new contracts.	

·  	The Company may face operational and security risks from its reliance on vendors to complete specific business operations.	

·  	The markets in which the Company competes are highly competitive, which could affect revenue and profit margins.	

·  	Transactions with affiliates and potential conflicts of interest of certain of the Company’s officers and directors, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, pose risks to the Company’s shareholders that the Company may not enter into transactions on the same terms that the Company could receive from unrelated third-parties.	
 
·  	The Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer owns a substantial percentage of the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock and is able to control all matters subject to a shareholder vote.	

·  	Negative publicity could damage the Company’s reputation and adversely affect its operating segments and their financial results.	

·  	A continued economic recession could reduce demand for Company products and services and lead to lower revenue and earnings.	

·  	The Company may not be able to successfully protect its intellectual property and may be subject to infringement claims.	

The Company is 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 the assets.

The Company issues asset-backed securities, the vast majority being variable rate, to fund its student loan assets. The variable rate debt is generally indexed to 3-month LIBOR, set by auction, or through a remarketing process. The income generated by the Company’s student loan assets is generally driven by short term indices (treasury bills and commercial paper) that are different from those which affect the Company’s liabilities (generally LIBOR), which creates basis risk. Moreover, the Company faces repricing risk due to the timing of the interest rate resets on its liabilities, which may occur as infrequently as every quarter, and the timing of the interest rate resets on its assets, which generally occurs daily. In a declining interest rate environment, this may cause the Company’s student loan spread to compress, while in a rising rate environment, it may cause the spread to increase.

By using different index types and different index reset frequencies to fund assets, the Company is exposed to interest rate risk in the form of basis risk and repricing risk, which, as noted above, is the risk that the different indices may reset at different frequencies, or will not move in the same direction or with the same magnitude. While these indices are short term with rate movements that are highly correlated over a longer period of time, at points in recent history, they have been volatile and less correlated. There can be no assurance the indices will maintain a high level of correlation in the future due to capital market dislocations or other factors not within the Company’s control. In such circumstances, the Company’s earnings could be adversely affected, possibly to a material extent.

The Company has used derivative instruments to hedge the repricing risk due to the timing of the interest rate resets on its assets and liabilities. However, the Company does not generally hedge the basis risk due to the different interest rate indices associated with its liabilities and the majority of its assets since the derivatives needed to hedge this risk are generally illiquid or non-existent and the relationship between the indices for most of the Company’s assets and liabilities has been highly correlated over a long period of time. Any spread widening could have a significant impact on the net spread of the Company’s student loan portfolio.

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The Company is exposed to interest rate risk because of the interest rate characteristics of certain of its assets and the interest rate characteristics of the related funding of such assets.

Loans originated prior to April 1, 2006 generally earn interest at the higher of a floating rate based on the Special Allowance Payment or SAP formula set by the Department and the borrower rate, which is fixed over a period of time. 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 rate produced by the SAP formula, the Company’s student loans earn at a fixed rate while the interest on the variable rate debt typically continues to decline. 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. In accordance with legislation enacted in 2006, lenders are required to rebate fixed rate floor income and variable rate floor income to the Department for all new FFELP loans first originated on or after April 1, 2006.

Absent the use of derivative instruments and ignoring potential repricing benefits associated with the mismatch between the reset of the loan assets and debt securities, 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 convert to variable rate loans, the impact of the rate fluctuations is reduced.

Characteristics unique to certain asset-backed securitizations, namely auction rate securities and variable rate demand notes, may negatively affect the Company’s earnings.

The interest rates on certain of the Company’s asset-backed securities are set and periodically reset via a “dutch auction” (“Auction Rate Securities”) or through remarketing utilizing remarketing agents (“Variable Rate Demand Notes”).

For Auction Rate Securities, investors and potential investors submit orders through a broker-dealer as to the principal amount of notes they wish to buy, hold, or sell at various interest rates. The broker-dealers submit their clients’ orders to the auction agent, who then determines the clearing interest rate for the upcoming period. Interest rates on these Auction Rate Securities are reset periodically, generally every 7 to 35 days, by the auction agent or agents. Beginning in the first quarter of 2008, as part of the ongoing credit market crisis, auction rate securities from various issuers have failed to receive sufficient order interest from potential investors to clear successfully, resulting in failed auction status. Since February 2008, the Company’s Auction Rate Securities have failed in this manner. Under historical conditions, the broker-dealers would purchase these securities if investor demand is weak. However, since February 2008, the broker-dealers have been allowing auctions to fail. Currently, all of the Company’s Auction Rate Securities are in a failed auction status and the Company believes they will remain in a failed auction status for an extended period of time and possibly permanently.

As a result of a failed auction, the Auction Rate Securities will generally pay interest to the holder at a maximum rate as defined by the indenture. While these rates will vary by class of security, they will generally be based on a spread to LIBOR, commercial paper, or treasury securities. These maximum rates are subject to increase if the credit ratings on the bonds are downgraded.

The Company cannot predict whether future auctions related to its Auction Rate Securities will be successful. The Company is currently seeking alternatives for reducing its exposure to the auction rate market, but may not be able to achieve alternate financing for some of its Auction Rate Securities. If there is no demand for the Company’s Auction Rate Securities, the Company could be subject to interest costs substantially above the anticipated and historical rates paid on these types of securities.

For Variable Rate Demand Notes, the remarketing agents set the price, which is then offered to investors. If there are insufficient potential bid orders to purchase all of the notes offered for sale, the Company could be subject to interest costs substantially above the anticipated and historical rates paid on these types of securities.

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The Company’s derivative instruments may not be successful in managing interest and foreign currency exchange rate risks, which may negatively impact the Company’s operations.

When the Company utilizes derivative instruments, it utilizes them to manage interest and foreign currency exchange rate sensitivity. The Company’s derivative instruments are intended as economic hedges but do not qualify for hedge accounting; consequently, the change in fair value, called the “mark-to-market”, of these derivative instruments is included in the Company’s operating results. Changes or shifts in the forward yield curve and foreign currency exchange rates can and have significantly impacted the valuation of the Company’s derivatives. Accordingly, changes or shifts in the forward yield curve and foreign currency exchange rates will impact the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company. Further, the Company may incur costs or be subject to bid/ask spreads if the Company terminates a derivative instrument. The derivative instruments used by the Company are typically in the form of interest rate swaps, basis swaps, and cross-currency interest rate swaps.

Developing an effective strategy for dealing with movements in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates is complex, and no strategy can completely insulate the Company from risks associated with such fluctuations. Although the Company believes its derivative instruments are highly effective, because many of its derivatives are not balance guaranteed to a particular pool of student loans, the Company is subject to prepayment risk that could result in the Company being under or over hedged, which could result in material losses to the Company. In addition, the Company’s interest rate and foreign currency exchange risk management activities could expose the Company to substantial mark-to-market losses if interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates move materially different from the environment when the derivatives were entered into. As a result, the Company cannot offer any assurance that its economic hedging activities will effectively manage its interest and foreign currency exchange rate sensitivity, nor have the desired beneficial impact on its results of operations or financial condition.

Higher rates of prepayments of student loans, including consolidations by third parties or the Department of Education through the Direct Loan Program, could reduce the Company’s profits.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Act, borrowers may prepay loans made under the FFEL Program at any time without penalty. Prepayments may result from consolidating student loans, which historically tends to occur more frequently in low interest rate environments, from borrower defaults, which will result in the receipt of a guaranty payment, and from voluntary full or partial prepayments, among other things. High prepayment rates will have the most impact on the Company’s asset-backed securitization transactions, since those securities are priced according to the expected average lives of the underlying loans. The rate of prepayments of student loans may be influenced by a variety of economic, social, and other factors affecting borrowers, including interest rates and the availability of alternative financing. The Company’s profits could be adversely affected by higher prepayments, which may reduce the amount of net interest income the Company receives.

The Company’s portfolio of federally insured loans is subject to refinancing through the use of consolidation loans, which are expressly permitted by the Higher Education Act and the Direct Loan Program.  As a result, the Company may lose student loans in its portfolio that are consolidated by the Direct Loan Program or, if market conditions were to improve, competing FFELP lenders. Increased consolidations of student loans by the Company’s competitors or by the Direct Loan Program may result in a negative return on loans, when considering the origination costs or acquisition premiums paid with respect to these loans. Moreover, it may result in a reduction in net interest income.

The costs and effects of litigation, investigations, or similar matters, or adverse facts and developments related thereto, could materially affect the Company’s financial position and results of operations .

The Company may be involved from time to time in a variety of lawsuits, investigations, or similar matters arising out of business operations.  The Company’s insurance may not cover all claims that may be asserted against it, and any claims asserted against the Company, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, may harm the Company’s reputation. Should the ultimate judgments or settlements in any litigation or investigation significantly exceed insurance coverage, they could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.  In addition, the Company may not be able to obtain appropriate types or levels of insurance in the future, and may not be able to obtain adequate replacement policies with acceptable terms, if at all.

The outcome of legal proceedings may differ from the Company’s expectations because the resolution of such matters is often difficult to reliably predict. Various factors or developments can lead the Company to change current estimates of liabilities and related insurance receivables where applicable, or to make estimates for matters previously not susceptible of reasonable estimates, such as a significant judicial ruling or judgment, a significant settlement, significant regulatory developments, or changes in applicable law. A future adverse ruling, settlement, or unfavorable development could result in future charges that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in any particular period.  For further information, see Part I Item 3 “Legal Proceedings.”

17

Exposure related to certain tax issues could decrease the Company’s net income.

A corporation is considered to be a “personal holding company” under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), if (1) at least 60% of its adjusted ordinary gross income is “personal holding company income” (generally, passive income) and (2) at any time during the last half of the taxable year more than half, by value, of its stock is owned by five or fewer individuals, as determined under attribution rules of the Code. If both of these tests are met, a personal holding company is subject to an additional tax on its undistributed personal holding company income, currently at a 15% rate. Five or fewer individuals hold more than half the value of the Company’s stock. In June 2003, the Company submitted a request for a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service seeking a determination that its federally guaranteed student loans qualify as assets of a “lending or finance business,” as defined in the Code. Such a determination would have assured the Company that holding such loans does not make it a personal holding company. Based on its historical practice of not issuing private letter rulings concerning matters that it considers to be primarily factual, however, the Internal Revenue Service has indicated that it will not issue the requested ruling, taking no position on the merits of the legal issue. So long as more than half of the Company’s value continues to be held by five or fewer individuals, if it were to be determined that some portion of its federally guaranteed student loans does not qualify as assets of a “lending or finance business,” as defined in the Code, the Company could become subject to personal holding company tax on its undistributed personal holding company income. The Company continues to believe that neither Nelnet, Inc. nor any of its subsidiaries is a personal holding company. However, even if Nelnet, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries was determined to be a personal holding company, the Company believes that by utilizing intercompany distributions, it could eliminate or substantially eliminate its exposure to personal holding company taxes, although it cannot assure that this will be the case.

The Company is subject to federal and state income tax laws and regulations. Income tax regulations are often complex and require interpretation. The nexus standards and the sourcing of receipts from intangible personal property and services have been the subject of state audits and litigation with state taxing authorities and tax policy debates by various state legislatures. As the U.S. Congress and U.S. Supreme Court have not provided clear guidance in this regard, conflicting state laws and court decisions create tremendous uncertainty and expense for taxpayers conducting interstate commerce. Changes in income tax regulations could negatively impact the Company’s results of operations. If states enact legislation, alter apportionment methodologies, or aggressively apply the income tax nexus standards, the Company may become subject to additional state taxes.

From time to time, the Company engages in transactions in which the tax consequences may be subject to uncertainty. Examples of such transactions include asset and business acquisitions and dispositions, financing transactions, apportionment, nexus standards, and income recognition. Significant judgment is required in assessing and estimating the tax consequences of these transactions. The Company prepares and files tax returns based on the interpretation of tax laws and regulations. In the normal course of business, the Company’s tax returns are subject to examination by various taxing authorities. Such examinations may result in future tax and interest assessments by these taxing authorities. In accordance with authoritative accounting guidance, the Company establishes reserves for tax contingencies related to deductions and credits that it may be unable to sustain. Differences between the reserves for tax contingencies and the amounts ultimately owed are recorded in the period they become known. Adjustments to the Company’s reserves could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Changes in accounting policies or accounting standards, changes in how accounting standards are interpreted or applied, and incorrect estimates and assumptions by management in connection with the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements could materially affect the reported amounts of asset and liabilities, the reported amounts of income and expenses, and related disclosures.

The Company’s accounting policies are fundamental to determining and understanding financial condition and results of operations. Some of these policies require use of estimates and assumptions that could affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. Several of the Company’s accounting policies are critical because they require management to make difficult, subjective, and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. See Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies.” From time to time the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and the SEC change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of external financial statements. In addition, accounting standard setters and those who interpret the accounting standards (such as the FASB and/or the SEC) may change or even reverse their previous interpretations or positions on how these standards should be applied. Changes in financial accounting and reporting standards and changes in current interpretations may be beyond the Company’s control, can be hard to predict, and could materially impact how the Company reports its financial condition and results of operations. The Company could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively or apply an existing standard differently, also retroactively, in each case resulting in the Company potentially restating prior period financial statements that could potentially be material.

18

Security and privacy breaches in systems or system failures may damage client relations and the Company’s reputation.

The uninterrupted operation of processing systems and the confidentiality of the customer information is critical to the Company’s business.  The Company has security, backup, recovery systems, business continuity, and incident response plans in place. Additionally, several of the Company’s operating segments must comply with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards and National Institute of Standards in Technology security controls.    Any failures in security, privacy, or a disruption in service could have a material adverse effect on customer contracts and the Company’s reputation and financial results.

While the Company believes applications it uses are proven and designed for data security and integrity to process electronic transactions, there can be no assurance that these applications will be sufficient to counter all current and emerging technology threats designed to interrupt service or breach systems in order to gain access to confidential client information or intellectual property or assurance that these applications will be sufficient to address the security and privacy concerns of existing and potential customers.

Changes in student lending legislation and regulations or the elimination of the FFEL Program by the Federal Government could have a negative impact upon the Company’s business and may affect its earnings and operations.

Funds for payment of interest subsidy payments, special allowance payments, and other payments under the FFEL Program are subject to annual budgetary appropriations by Congress. Federal budget legislation has in the past contained provisions that restricted payments made under the FFEL Program to achieve reductions in federal spending. Future federal budget legislation may adversely affect expenditures by the Department and the financial condition of the Company.

The enactment of the College Cost Reduction Act in September 2007 resulted in a reduction in the yields on student loans and, accordingly, a reduction in the amount of the premium the Company could pay lenders under its forward flow commitments and branding partner arrangements.  The Company can give no assurance that it will be successful in renegotiating or renewing, on economically reasonable terms, its branding and forward flow agreements once those agreements expire. Loss of a strong branding or forward flow partner, or relationships with schools from which a significant volume of student loans is directly or indirectly acquired, could result in an adverse effect on the Company’s business.

On August 14, 2008, the Higher Education Opportunity Act (“HEOA”) was enacted into law and effectively reauthorized the FFEL Program through 2014, with authorization to make FFELP loans through 2018 to borrowers with existing loans. Federal regulations implementing certain requirements of this law became effective in February 2010.  This law and the accompanying regulations may affect the Company’s profitability by increasing costs as a result of required changes to the Company’s operations.  Provisions in the HEOA include, but are not limited to, the following:

·  	School code of conduct requirements applicable to FFELP and private education loan lending	
·  	Disclosure and reporting requirements for lenders and schools participating in preferred lender arrangements	
·  	Enumerated permissible and prohibited inducement activities by FFELP lenders, private education lenders, and FFELP guaranty agencies	
·  	Additional loan origination and repayment disclosures that FFELP and private education lenders must provide to borrowers	
·  	Additional FFELP loan servicing requirements	

Furthermore, Congressional amendments to the Higher Education Act, or other relevant federal laws, and rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Education, may adversely impact holders and originators of FFELP loans. For example, changes could be made to the rate of interest or special allowance payments paid on FFELP loans, the level of insurance provided by guaranty agencies, the fees assessed to FFEL Program lenders, or the servicing requirements for FFELP loans.

In addition to changes to the Higher Education Act and FFEL Program, various state laws and regulations targeted at student lending companies have been enacted. These laws placed additional restrictions on lending and business practices between schools and lenders of FFELP and private education loans and required changes to the Company’s business practices and operations. As with possible actions in the future by Congress and the Secretary of Education at the federal level, state legislatures may enact laws and state agencies may institute rules or take actions which adversely impact holders of FFELP or private education loans.

The Company has also entered into separate agreements with the Nebraska and New York State Attorneys General in relation to its student lending activities. The Company pledges full disclosure and transparency in its marketing, origination, and servicing of education loans. Failure to meet the terms and conditions of an agreement could subject the Company to legal action by the respective Attorney General.

The impact of the legislative changes and federal and state investigations, coupled with financial market disruption has caused the Company and other FFELP lenders to re-evaluate the markets in which they originate loans and the value of the FFEL Program loan assets they hold.

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On September 17, 2009, SAFRA was passed by the House of Representatives.  This bill prohibits the disbursement, making, or insuring on or after July 1, 2010 of any new FFEL Program loans.  If SAFRA becomes law, new student loan originations would be funded through the Direct Loan Program and loan servicing would be provided by private sector companies through performance-based contracts with the Department.  The Senate has not yet proposed its own version of a student loan reform bill. In addition to the House-passed legislation, there are several other proposals for changes to the education financing framework that may be considered that would maintain a role for private lenders in the origination of federal student loans.  These include a possible extension of ECASLA, which expires on July 1, 2010, and the Student Loan Community Proposal, a proposal endorsed by a cross-section of FFELP service providers (including the Company) as an alternative to the 100% federal direct lending proposal included in SAFRA. The Company cannot currently predict whether this or any other proposals to eliminate the FFEL Program will ultimately be enacted.

Elimination of the FFEL Program would significantly impact the Company’s operations and profitability by, among other things, reducing the Company’s interest revenues as a result of the inability to add new FFELP loans to the Company’s portfolio and reducing guarantee fees as a result of reduced FFELP loan servicing and origination volume. Additionally, the elimination of the FFEL Program would reduce education loan software licensing opportunities and related consulting fees received from lenders using the Company’s software products and services.  In addition, without an extension of ECASLA, the Company’s ability to fund federal student loan originations would be limited.

Federal and state regulations can restrict the Company’s business and noncompliance with these regulations could result in penalties, litigation, and reputation damage.

The Company, its operating segments, and commercial customers are heavily regulated by federal and state governments and regulatory agencies. This regulation and legislation is proposed or enacted to protect consumers and the financial industry as a whole, not necessarily the Company and its stockholders.  Consequently, this regulation and legislation can significantly alter the regulatory environment, limit business operations, increase costs of doing business, and could lead to the Company being fined or penalized if the Company is found to be out of compliance.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Sarbanes-Oxley) limits the types of non-audit services the Company’s outside auditors may provide to the Company in order to preserve their independence.  If the Company’s auditors were found not to be “independent” under SEC rules, the Company could be required to engage new auditors and file new financial statements and audit reports with the SEC. The Company could be out of compliance with SEC rules until new financial statements and audit reports were filed, limiting the Company’s ability to raise capital and resulting in other adverse consequences.  Sarbanes-Oxley also requires the Company’s management to evaluate the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and its internal control over financial reporting and requires auditors to issue a report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  The Company is required to disclose, in its annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, the existence of any “material weaknesses” in its internal controls. The Company cannot provide assurance that it will not find one or more material weaknesses as of the end of any given year, nor can the Company predict the effect on its stock price of disclosure of a material weakness.

The Patriot Act, which was enacted in the wake of the September 2001 terrorist attacks, requires the Company and its financial customers to implement new or revised policies and procedures relating to anti-money laundering, compliance, suspicious activities, and currency transaction reporting and due diligence on customers.  Complying with this regulation could increase operating costs and restrict business operations.

Historically, the Company’s principal business has been comprised of originating, acquiring, holding, and servicing student loans made and guaranteed pursuant to the FFEL Program. The Higher Education Act generally prohibits a lender from providing certain inducements to educational institutions or individuals in order to secure applicants for FFELP loans. In addition, under contract with the Department, the Company services loans pursuant to the FFEL, Federal Direct Loan, Federal Perkins Loan, and TEACH Grant programs.  The Higher Education Act created these programs and governs many aspects of the Company’s operations. The Company is also subject to rules of the agencies that act as guarantors of the student loans, known as guaranty agencies. The Company has structured its relationships and product offerings in a manner intended to comply with the Higher Education Act, supporting regulations, and the available communications and guidance from the Department.  Failure to comply, irrespective of the reason, could subject the Company to loss of the federal guaranty on federally insured loans, costs of curing servicing deficiencies or remedial servicing, suspension or termination of the Company’s right to participate in the FFEL Program or to participate as a servicer, negative publicity, and potential legal claims or actions brought by the Company’s servicing customers and borrowers.  If the Department were to change its position on any of these matters, the Company may have to change the way it markets products and services and a new marketing strategy may not be as effective. If the Company fails to respond to the Department’s change in position, the Department could potentially impose sanctions upon the Company that could negatively impact the Company’s business.

In addition, the Company is subject to certain federal and state banking laws, regulations, and examinations, as well as federal and state consumer protection laws and regulations, including, without limitation, laws and regulations governing privacy protection, information security, restrictions on access to customer information, and, specifically with respect to the Company’s non-federally insured loan portfolio, certain state usury laws and related regulations and the Federal Truth in Lending Act. All or most of these laws and regulations impose substantial requirements upon lenders and servicers involved in consumer finance. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in liability for the Company as a result of the imposition of civil penalties and potential class action law suits.

20

The Company is subject to federal and state credit card industry laws, regulations, association rules, or industry standards.  Changes to statutes, regulations, or industry standards, including interpretation and implementation of statutes, regulations, or standards, could increase the cost of doing business or affect the competitive balance.  The Company cannot predict whether new legislation will be enacted or whether any credit card association rule or other industry standard will change, and if enacted or changed, the effect that it would have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. These changes may require the Company to incur significant expenses to redevelop products. Also, failure to comply with laws, rules, and regulations or standards could result in fines, sanctions, or other penalties, which could have a material adverse affect on the Company’s reputation, financial position, and operating results.

Laws and regulations that apply to Internet communications, lead generations, school recruitment, privacy, commerce, and advertising are becoming more prevalent. These regulations could increase the costs of conducting business on the Internet and could decrease demand for the Company’s interactive marketing and subscription services.

The Company maintains systems and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. However, some legal and regulatory frameworks provide for the imposition of fines or penalties for noncompliance even though the noncompliance was inadvertent or unintentional and even though systems and procedures designed to ensure compliance were in place at the time of noncompliance. Therefore, the establishment and maintenance of systems and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance cannot guarantee fines or penalties will be avoided.  There may be other negative consequences resulting from a finding of noncompliance, including restrictions on certain activities or reputation damage.

A failure to properly manage operations and growth could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to retain existing customers and attract new business opportunities.

While recently the Company has focused on managing costs and expenses, over the long term, the Company intends to add personnel and other resources to meet the requirements of customer contracts and expand products and services into new and existing markets.  The Company is likely to recognize costs associated with these investments earlier than some of the anticipated benefits and the return on these investments may be lower, or may develop more slowly, than is expected.  If the anticipated benefits of these investments are delayed or are not realized, operating results may be adversely affected.	

In order to manage growth effectively, the Company must design, develop, implement and improve operational systems, which may include the design, development, and implementation of software and timely development and implementation of procedures and controls.  If the Company fails to design, develop, and implement and improve systems, it may not be able to maintain required customer service levels, hire and retain new employees, pursue new business opportunities, complete future acquisitions or operate its businesses effectively.  Failure to properly transition new clients to systems, properly budget transition costs, or accurately estimate new contract operational costs, could result in delays in contract performance, impair long-lived assets, or result in contracts with profit margins which do not meet Company or market expectations.

Additionally, the Company’s success depends on its ability to develop and implement services and solutions that anticipate and respond to continuing changes in technology, industry developments, and client needs. The Company may not successfully anticipate or respond to these developments in a timely manner, and offerings may not be successful in the marketplace.  Also, services, solutions, and technologies offered by current or future competitors may make Company services or solutions uncompetitive or obsolete.  As a result of any of these complications associated with expansion, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flow could be materially and adversely affected.

The Company and its operating segments are highly dependent upon information technology systems and infrastructure.

The success of the Company depends, in part, on the ability to successfully and cost-effectively improve its system infrastructure and deliver products and services to customers.  The widespread adoption of new technologies and market demands could require substantial expenditures to enhance system infrastructure and existing products and services.  If the Company fails to enhance its system infrastructure or products and services, its operating segments may lose their competitive advantage and this could adversely affect financial and operating results.

Additionally, the Company faces the risk of business disruption if failures in its information systems occur as a result of changes in infrastructure, relocation of infrastructure, or failure to perform required services, which could have a material impact upon its business and operations.  The Company regularly backs up its data and maintains detailed disaster recovery plans. A major physical disaster or other calamity that causes significant damage to information systems could adversely affect the Company’s business.  Additionally, loss of information systems for a sustained period of time could have a negative impact on the Company’s performance and ultimately on cash flow in the event the Company were unable to process transactions and/or provide services to customers.

21

The Company faces liquidity and funding risk to meet its financial obligations.

Liquidity and funding risk refers to the risk that the Company will be unable to finance its operations due to a loss of access to the capital markets or other financing alternatives, or difficulty in raising financing needed for its assets. Liquidity and funding risk also encompasses the ability of the Company to meet its financial obligations without experiencing significant business disruption or reputational damage that may threaten its viability as a going concern.

The recent unprecedented disruptions in the credit and financial markets and the general economic crisis have had and may continue to have an adverse effect on the cost and availability of financing for the Company’s student loan portfolios and, as a result, have had and may continue to have an adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity, results of operations, and financial condition. Such adverse conditions may continue or worsen in the future.

The Company’s primary funding needs are those required to finance new student loan originations and acquisitions and satisfy certain debt obligations, specifically its unsecured senior notes and unsecured line of credit. In general, the amount, type, and cost of the Company’s funding, including securitizations and unsecured financing from the capital markets and borrowings from financial institutions, have a direct impact on the Company’s operating expenses and financial results and can limit the Company’s ability to increase its student loan assets. The Company relies upon secured financing vehicles as its most significant source of funding for student loans. The Company’s primary secured financing vehicles are loan warehouse facilities and asset-backed securitizations.

Historically, the Company funded new loan originations using loan warehouse facilities and asset-backed securitizations. Student loan warehousing has historically allowed the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements.

In August 2008, the Company began funding FFELP Stafford and PLUS student loan originations for the 2008-2009 academic year through the Department’s Participation and Purchase Programs pursuant to the ECASLA. Under the Department’s Purchase Program, the Department purchases loans at a price equal to the sum of (i) par value, (ii) accrued interest, (iii) the one percent origination fee paid to the Department, and (iv) a fixed amount of $75 per loan. Under the Participation Program, the Department provides interim short term liquidity to FFELP lenders by purchasing participation interests in pools of FFELP loans. FFELP lenders are charged a rate of commercial paper plus 50 basis points on the principal amount of participation interests outstanding. Loans funded under the Participation Program for the 2008-2009 academic year were required to be either refinanced by the lender or sold to the Department pursuant to the Purchase Program prior to its expiration on October 15, 2009. To be eligible for purchase or participation under the Department’s programs, loans were originally limited to FFELP Stafford or PLUS loans made for the academic year 2008-2009, first disbursed between May 1, 2008 and July 1, 2009, with eligible borrower benefits.

On October 7, 2008, legislation was enacted to extend the Department’s authority to finance and acquire FFELP student loans made for the 2009-2010 academic year by extending the Participation and Purchase Programs from September 30, 2009 to September 30, 2010. The Department indicated that loans for the 2008-2009 academic year which were funded under the Department’s Participation Program had to be refinanced or sold to the Department prior to October 15, 2009. On November 8, 2008, the Department announced the replication of the terms of the Participation and Purchase Programs, in accordance with the October 7th legislation, to include FFELP student loans made for the 2009-2010 academic year. Loans for the 2009-2010 academic year must be refinanced or sold to the Department prior to October 15, 2010.  With respect to the origination of new FFELP student loans for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 academic years, the Company has utilized the Department’s Participation and Purchase Programs.

On August 3, 2009, the Company entered into a FFELP warehouse facility (the “2009 FFELP Warehouse Facility”). The 2009 FFELP Warehouse Facility has a maximum financing amount of $500.0 million, with a revolving financing structure supported by 364-day liquidity provisions, which expire on August 2, 2010. The final maturity date of the facility is August 3, 2012. In the event the Company is unable to renew the liquidity provisions by August 2, 2010, 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 August 3, 2012.

The 2009 FFELP Warehouse Facility provides for formula based advance rates depending on FFELP loan type, up to a maximum of 92 percent to 98 percent of the principal and interest of loans financed. The advance rates for collateral may increase or decrease based on market conditions. The facility contains financial covenants relating to levels of the Company’s consolidated net worth, ratio of adjusted EBITDA to corporate debt interest, and unencumbered cash. Any violation of these covenants could result in a requirement for the immediate repayment of any outstanding borrowings under the facility. Unlike the Company’s prior FFELP warehouse facility, the new facility does not require the Company to refinance or remove a percentage of the pledged student loan collateral on an annual basis.  Continued disruptions in the credit and financial markets may cause additional volatility in the loan valuation formula under the warehouse facility and a decline in advance rates may adversely affect the Company’s liquidity position.

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In January 2009, the Department published summary terms for its program under which it will finance eligible FFELP Stafford and PLUS loans in a conduit vehicle established to provide funding for student lenders (the “Conduit Program”).  Loans eligible for the Conduit Program had to be first disbursed on or after October 1, 2003, but not later than June 30, 2009, and fully disbursed before September 30, 2009, and meet certain other requirements. The Conduit Program was launched on May 11, 2009. Funding for the Conduit Program is provided by the capital markets at a cost based on market rates, with the Company being advanced 97 percent of the student loan face amount. Excess amounts needed to fund the remaining 3 percent of the student loan balances are contributed by the Company. The Conduit Program has a term of five years and expires on May 8, 2014. The Student Loan Short-Term Notes (“Student Loan Notes”) issued by the Conduit Program are supported by a combination of  (i) notes backed by FFELP loans, (ii) a liquidity agreement with the Federal Financing Bank, and (iii) a put agreement provided by the Department.  If the conduit does not have sufficient funds to pay all Student Loan Notes, then those Student Loan Notes will be repaid with funds from the Federal Financing Bank.  The Federal Financing Bank will hold the notes for a short period of time and, if at the end of that time, the Student Loan Notes still cannot be paid off, the underlying FFELP loans that serve as collateral to the Conduit Program will be sold to the Department through the Put Agreement at a price of 97 percent of the face amount of the loans.
 
The Company has a $750.0 million unsecured line of credit that terminates in May 2012. Upon termination in 2012, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain this line of credit, find alternative funding, or increase the amount outstanding under the line, if necessary. The line of credit agreement contains certain financial covenants that, if not met, lead to an event of default under the agreement. The covenants include maintaining a minimum consolidated net worth, minimum adjusted EBITDA to corporate debt interest (over the last four rolling quarters), limitation on subsidiary indebtedness, and limitation on the percentage of non-guaranteed loans in the Company’s portfolio. A default on the 2009 FFELP Warehouse Facility would result in an event of default on the Company’s unsecured line of credit that would result in the outstanding balance on the line becoming immediately due and payable.
 
If the Company is unable to obtain cost-effective and stable funding alternatives, its funding capabilities and liquidity would be negatively impacted and its cost of funds could increase, adversely affecting the Company’s results of operations. In addition, the Company’s ability to originate and acquire student loans would be limited or could be eliminated.

The ratings of the Company or of any securities issued by the Company may change, which may increase the Company’s costs of capital and may reduce the liquidity of the Company’s securities.

Ratings are based primarily on the creditworthiness of the Company, the underlying assets of asset-backed securitizations, the amount of credit enhancement in any given transaction, and the legal structure of any given transaction. Ratings are not a recommendation to purchase, hold, or sell any of the Company’s securities inasmuch as the ratings do not address the market price or suitability for investors. There is no assurance that ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that current ratings will not be lowered or withdrawn by any rating agency. Ratings for the Company or any of its securities may be increased, lowered, or withdrawn by any rating agency if, in the rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant. If the Company’s credit ratings are lowered or withdrawn, the Company may experience an increase in the interest rate paid on the Company’s unsecured line of credit or the interest rates or other costs associated with other capital raising activities by the Company, which may negatively affect the Company’s operations. Moreover, if the unsecured ratings of the Company are lowered or withdrawn, it may affect the terms of the Company’s outstanding derivative contracts and could result in requirements for the Company to post additional collateral under those contracts. Additionally, a lowered or withdrawn credit rating may negatively affect the liquidity of the Company’s securities.

There are risks inherent in owning the Company’s common stock.

From January 1, 2009 to March 1, 2010, the closing daily sales price of the Company’s Class A common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange ranged from a low of $4.25 per share to a high of $17.78 per share. The Company expects the Class A common stock to continue to be subject to fluctuations as a result of a variety of factors, including factors beyond the Company’s control. These factors include:	

·  	Changes in interest rates and credit market conditions affecting the cost and availability of financing for the Company’s student loan assets	
·  	Changes in the education financing regulatory framework	
·  	Changes in the education financing or other products and services that the Company offers	
·  	Variations in the Company’s quarterly operating results	
·  	Changes in financial estimates by securities analysts	
·  	Changes in market valuations of comparable companies	
·  	Changes in the amounts and frequency of share repurchases or dividends	

In December 2009, Company announced that it was reinstating its quarterly dividend payments of $0.07 per share on its Class A and Class B common stock. The Company will continue to evaluate its dividend policy, but the payment of future dividends remains in the discretion of the Company’s board of directors and will continue to depend on the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, and other factors. In addition, the payment of dividends is subject to the terms of the Company’s outstanding junior subordinated hybrid securities, which generally provide that if the Company defers interest payments on those securities it cannot pay dividends on its capital stock.	

23

 
The Company may not meet the expectations of shareholders and/or of securities analysts at some time in the future, and the market price of the Company’s Class A common stock could decline as a result.	
 
Changes in industry structure and market conditions could lead to charges related to discontinuances of certain products or businesses and asset impairment, including goodwill.
 
In response to changes in industry and market conditions, the Company may be required to strategically realign its resources and consider restructuring, disposing of, or otherwise exiting businesses.  Any decision to limit investment in or dispose of or otherwise exit businesses may result in the recording of special charges, such as workforce reduction costs, charges relating to consolidation of excess facilities, or impairments of intangible assets.  Estimates with respect to the useful life or ultimate recoverability of the carrying basis of assets, including purchased intangible assets, could change as a result of such assessments and decisions.  Additionally, the Company is required to perform goodwill impairment tests on an annual basis and between annual tests in certain circumstances, and future goodwill impairment tests may result in a charge to earnings.

The Company faces counterparty risk.

The Company has exposure to the financial condition of its various lending, investment, and derivative counterparties. If any of the Company’s counterparties is unable to perform its obligations, the Company would, depending on the type of counterparty arrangement, experience a loss of liquidity or an economic loss.

The lending commitment for the Company’s unsecured line of credit is provided by a total of thirteen banks, with no individual bank representing more than 11% of the total lending commitment. The bank lending group includes Lehman Brothers Bank (“Lehman”), a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., which represents approximately 7% of the lending commitment under the line of credit. On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The Company does not expect Lehman to fund future borrowing requests.

As a source of liquidity for funding new FFELP student loan originations, the Company maintains a participation agreement with the related party Union Bank and Trust Company ("Union Bank"), as trustee for various grantor trusts, under which Union Bank has agreed to purchase from the Company participation interests in student loans. The Company currently participates loans to Union Bank to the extent of availability under the grantor trusts. In the event that Union Bank experiences adverse changes to its financial condition, such participation agreement liquidity may not be available to the Company in the future.

The restricted cash in many of the Company’s asset backed securitizations is invested in guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”), These GICs are primarily with three financial institutions, although the Company’s risk is concentrated with one institution which is the provider of approximately 85% of the Company’s investment contracts. All of the institutions are currently at least A rated. These agreements may be terminated by the Company if the GIC providers’ unsecured credit rating falls below a certain threshold. A default by the counterparties under the GICs could lead to a loss of the Company’s investment and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

Related to derivative exposure, the Company may not be able to cost effectively replace the derivative position depending on the type of derivative and the current economic environment. If the Company was not able to replace the derivative position, the Company would be exposed to a greater level of interest rate and/or foreign currency exchange rate risk which could lead to additional losses.

When the mark-to-market value of a derivative instrument is negative, the Company owes the counterparty and, therefore, has no immediate counterparty risk. Additionally, if the negative mark-to-market value of derivatives with a counterparty exceeds a specified threshold, the Company may have to make a collateral deposit with the counterparty. The threshold at which the Company posts collateral may depend on the Company’s unsecured credit rating. If interest and foreign currency exchange rates move materially, the Company could be required to deposit a significant amount of collateral with its derivative instrument counterparties. The collateral deposits, if significant, could negatively impact the Company’s capital resources.

When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, this generally indicates that the counterparty owes the Company. If the counterparty fails to perform, credit risk with such counterparty is equal to the extent of the fair value gain in the derivative less any collateral held by the Company.

The Company attempts to manage market and credit risks associated with interest and foreign currency exchange rates by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken, and by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties that are reviewed periodically by the Company’s risk committee. The Company also has a policy requiring that all derivative contracts be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement.

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The Company is subject to foreign currency exchange risk and such risk could lead to increased costs.

As a result of the Company’s offerings in Euro-denominated notes, the Company is exposed to market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Euro. The principal and accrued interest on these notes is re-measured at each reporting period and recorded on the Company’s balance sheet in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date. When foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Euro change significantly, earnings may fluctuate significantly. The Company entered into cross-currency interest rate swaps that hedge these risks but, as discussed previously, such swaps may not always be effective.

Managing assets for third parties has inherent risks that, if not properly managed, could negatively affect the Company’s business.

The Company manages loan portfolios and transfers funds for third party customers. A compromise of security surrounding loan portfolio and cash management processes or mismanagement of customer assets could lead to litigation, fraud, reputation damage, and unanticipated operating costs that could affect the Company’s overall business.

The Company must satisfy certain requirements necessary to maintain the federal guarantees of its federally insured loans, and the Company may incur penalties or lose its guarantees if it fails to meet these requirements.

The Company must meet various requirements in order to maintain the federal guaranty on its federally insured loans. These requirements include establishing servicing requirements and procedural guidelines and specify school and loan eligibility criteria. The federal guaranty on the Company’s federally insured loans is conditional based on the Company’s compliance with origination, servicing, and collection policies set by the Department and guaranty agencies. Federally insured loans that are not originated, disbursed, or serviced in accordance with the Department’s and guaranty agency regulations may risk partial or complete loss of the guaranty. If the Company experiences a high rate of servicing deficiencies (including any deficiencies resulting from the conversion of loans from one servicing platform to another, errors in the loan origination process, establishment of the borrower’s repayment status, and due diligence or claim filing processes), it could result in the loan guarantee being revoked or denied. In most cases the Company has the opportunity to cure these deficiencies by following a prescribed cure process which usually involves obtaining the borrower’s reaffirmation of the debt. The lender becomes ineligible for special allowance interest benefits from the time of the first error leading to the loan rejection through the date that the loan is cured.

The Company is allowed three years from the date of the loan rejection to cure most loan rejections. If a cure cannot be achieved during this three year period, insurance is permanently revoked and the Company maintains its right to collect the loan proceeds from the borrower.

A guaranty agency may also assess an interest penalty upon claim payment if the error(s) does not result in a loan rejection. These interest penalties are not subject to cure provisions, and are typically related to isolated instances of due diligence deficiencies.

Failure to comply with Federal and guarantor regulations may result in loss of insurance or assessment of interest penalties at the time of claim reimbursement by the Company. A future increase in either the loans claim rejections and/or interest penalties could become material to the Company’s fiscal operations.

Future losses due to defaults on loans held by the Company, or loans sold to third parties which the Company is obligated to repurchase in the event of certain delinquencies , present credit risk which could adversely affect the Company’s earnings.

Over 99% of the Company’s student loan portfolio is comprised of federally insured loans. These loans currently benefit from a federal guaranty of their principal balance and accrued interest. The allowance for loan losses from the federally insured loan portfolio is based on periodic evaluations of the Company’s loan portfolios considering past experience, trends in student loan claims rejected for payment by guarantors, changes to federal student loan programs, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. The federal government currently guarantees 97% of the principal of and the interest on federally insured student loans disbursed on and after July 1, 2006 (and 98% for those loans disbursed prior to July 1, 2006), which limits the Company’s loss exposure on the outstanding balance of the Company’s federally insured portfolio. Student loans disbursed prior to October 1, 1993 are fully insured for both principal and interest.

The Company’s non-federally insured loans are unsecured and are not guaranteed or reinsured under any government or private insurance program. Accordingly, the Company bears the full risk of loss on these loans if the borrower and co-borrower, if applicable, default. In determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on the non-federally insured loans, the Company considers several factors including: loans in repayment versus those in a nonpaying status, delinquency status, loan program type, and trends in defaults in the portfolio based on company and industry data. The Company places a non-federally insured loan on nonaccrual status when the collection of principal and interest is 30 days past due and charges off the loan when the collection of principal and interest is 120 days past due.

25

The evaluation of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be subject to significant changes. The provision for loan losses reflects the activity for the applicable period and provides an allowance at a level that the Company’s management believes is adequate to cover probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. However, future defaults can be higher than anticipated due to a variety of factors such as downturns in the economy, regulatory or operational changes, debt management operational effectiveness, and other unforeseen future trends. If actual performance is worse than estimated, it could materially affect the Company’s estimate of the allowance for loan losses and the related provision for loan losses in the Company’s statement of operations.

The Company has participated non-federally insured loans to third parties. Loans participated under these agreements have been accounted for by the Company as loan sales. Accordingly, the participation interests sold are not included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  Per the terms of the servicing agreements, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase loans subject to the participation interests when such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent.  The evaluation of the reserve related to these participated loans is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that may be subject to changes.  If actual performance is worse than estimated, it could negatively affect the Company’s results of operations.

A failure to attract and retain necessary technical personnel, skilled management, and qualified subcontractors may have an adverse impact on the Company’s future growth.

Because the Company operates in intensely competitive markets, its success depends, to a significant extent, upon its ability to attract, retain, and motivate highly skilled and qualified personnel and to subcontract with qualified, competent subcontractors. If the Company fails to attract, train, and retain sufficient numbers of qualified engineers, technical and operational staff, and sales and marketing representatives or is unable to contract with qualified, competent subcontractors, the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. The Company’s success also depends on the skills, experience, and performance of key members of its management team. The loss of any key employee or the loss of a key subcontractor relationship could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, cash flow, results of operations, and future prospects.

The Company’s government contracts are subject to termination rights, audits, and investigations, and, if terminated, could negatively impact the Company’s reputation and reduce its ability to compete for new contracts.

The Company has entered into new contracts with government agencies and has plans to expand its government agency services. For example, in June 2009, the Department of Education named the Company as one of four private sector companies awarded a servicing contract to service all federally-owned student loans. Federal and state governments and their agencies may have the right to terminate contracts at any time, without cause. These contracts, upon their expiration or termination, are typically subject to bidding processes in which the Company may not be successful.  Also, the Department of Education and other federal contracts are subject to the approval of appropriations by the United States Congress to fund the expenditures of the federal government under these contracts.  Additionally, government contracts are generally subject to audits and investigations by government agencies.  If the government discovers improper or illegal activities in the course of audits or investigations, the Company may be subject to various civil and criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, which may include termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and suspensions, or debarment from doing business with the government.  Further, the negative publicity that arises from findings in such audits or investigations, or the penalties or sanctions which result, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s reputation in the industry and reduce the ability to compete for new contracts.  Any resulting reputation damage, penalties, or sanctions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

The Company may face operational and security risks from its reliance on vendors to complete specific business operations.

The Company relies on outside vendors to provide some of the key components of business operations.  Several of these key vendors are provided access to the Company’s customer data to complete the operations required by their contracts, such as banking services, electronic and paper correspondence, credit reporting, skip tracing, and secure storage of proprietary and customer information.  The Company’s vendors must comply with the Company’s defined servicing levels, security policies, and the Company’s industry regulations.  However, disruptions in vendor services, changes in servicing contracts, security, or non-compliance with industry regulations could hinder the Company’s ability to meet customer obligations, service levels, or lead to financial or reputation damage. Financial or operational difficulties of an outside vendor could also hurt operations if those difficulties interfere with the vendor’s services.

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The markets in which the Company competes are highly competitive, which could affect revenue and profit margins.

As the Company seeks to further expand its business, the Company will face numerous competitors who may be well established in the markets the Company’s operating segments seek to penetrate, or who may have better brand recognition and greater financial resources. Demand for the Company’s products and services can be affected by following competitive factors:

·  	Development and timely introduction of competitive products and services	
·  	Ability to reduce operating costs	
·  	Product and servicing performance	
·  	Ability to provide value-added features	
·  	Response to pricing pressures	
·  	Changes in customer discretionary spending	
·  	Changes in customers’ preferences, including the success of products and services offered by competitors	
·  	Availability of capital	

Additionally, if the Company fails to deliver results that are superior to its competitors, the Company could lose clients and experience a decline in revenue and profit margins.

Transactions with affiliates and potential conflicts of interest of certain of the Company’s officers and directors, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, pose risks to the Company’s shareholders that the Company may not enter into transactions on the same terms that the Company could receive from unrelated third-parties.

The Company has entered into certain contractual arrangements with entities controlled by Michael S. Dunlap, the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and a principal shareholder, and members of his family and, to a lesser extent, with entities in which other directors and members of management hold equity interests or board or management positions. Such arrangements constitute a significant portion of the Company’s business and include cash management activities and sales of student loans and student loan origination rights by such affiliates to the Company. These arrangements may present potential conflicts of interest. Many of these arrangements are with Union Bank, in which Mr. Dunlap owns an indirect interest and of which he serves as a member of the Board of Directors. The Company intends to maintain its relationship with Union Bank, which management believes provides substantial benefits to the Company, although there can be no assurance that any transactions between the Company and entities controlled by Mr. Dunlap, his family, and/or other officers and directors of the Company are, or in the future will be, on terms that are no less favorable than what could be obtained from an unrelated third party.

The Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer owns a substantial percentage of the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock and is able to control all matters subject to a shareholder vote.
 
Michael S. Dunlap, the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and a principal shareholder, beneficially owns a substantial percentage of the Company’s outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Each share of Class A common stock has one vote and each share of Class B common stock has 10 votes on all matters to be voted upon by the Company’s shareholders. As a result, Mr. Dunlap is able to control all matters requiring approval by the Company’s shareholders, including the election of all members of the Board of Directors, and may do so in a manner with which other shareholders may not agree or which they may not consider to be in the best interest of other shareholders. Stephen F. Butterfield, the Company’s Vice Chairman, also owns a substantial number of shares of Class B common stock.

Negative publicity could damage the Company’s reputation and adversely affect its operating segments and their financial results.

Reputation risk, or the risk to earnings and capital from negative public opinion, is inherent in the Company’s business.   Negative public opinion could adversely affect the Company’s ability to keep and attract customers and expose the Company to adverse legal and regulatory consequences.  Negative public opinion could result from actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending practices, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and disclosure, sharing or inadequate protection of customer information, and from actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to that conduct.  Because the Company conducts most of its businesses under the “Nelnet” brand, negative public opinion about one operating segment could affect other operating segments.

Over the last several years, the student lending industry has been the subject of various investigations and reports. The publicity associated with these investigations and reports may have a negative impact on the Company’s reputation and its operating segments. To the extent that potential or existing customers decide not to utilize the Company’s products or services as a result of such publicity, the Company’s overall operating results may be adversely affected.

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 A continued economic recession could reduce demand for Company products and services and lead to lower revenue and earnings.

The Company generates revenue from the interest earned on loans and fees charged for other products and services it sells. When the economy slows, the demand for products and services can fall, reducing fee revenue and earnings. An economic downturn can also impede on the ability of customers to repay their loans or to afford fee-based products and services. Additionally, the Company may be exposed to credit risk from business customers.  Several factors could cause the economy to slow down or even recede, including higher energy costs, higher interest rates, reduced consumer or corporate spending, declining home values, natural disasters, terrorist activities, military conflicts, and the normal cyclical nature of the economy.

The Company may not be able to successfully protect its intellectual property and may be subject to infringement claims.

The Company relies on a combination of contractual rights and copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secret laws to establish and protect its proprietary technology and other intellectual property.  Despite the Company’s efforts to protect its intellectual property, third parties may infringe or misappropriate intellectual property or may develop software or technology competitive to the Company’s products.  The Company’s competitors may independently develop similar technology, duplicate products or services, or design around intellectual property rights.  The Company may have to litigate to enforce and protect its intellectual property rights, trade secrets, and know-how or to determine their scope, validity, or enforceability, which is expensive and could cause a diversion of resources and may not prove successful.  The loss of intellectual property protection or the inability to secure or enforce intellectual property protection could harm the Company’s operating segments and ability to compete.

The Company may also be subject to costly litigation in the event its products and technology infringe upon another party’s proprietary rights. Third parties may have, or may eventually be issued, patents or other proprietary rights that would be infringed by the Company’s products or technology.  Any of these third parties could make a claim of infringement against the Company. The Company may also be subject to claims by third parties for breach of copyright, trademark, or license usage rights. Any such claims and any resulting litigation could subject the Company to significant liability for damages.  An adverse determination in any litigation of this type could require the Company to design around a third party’s intellectual property or to license alternative technology from another party. In addition, litigation is time consuming and expensive to defend and could divert management’s attention away from other critical business operations. Any claim by third parties may result in limitations on the Company’s ability to use the intellectual property subject to these claims.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

The Company has no unresolved comments from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding its periodic or current reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The following table lists the principal facilities for office space owned or leased by the Company. The Company owns the building in Lincoln, Nebraska where its principal office is located. The building is subject to a lien securing the outstanding mortgage debt on the property.

 
Location	 	 
 
Primary Function or Segment	 	Approximate square feet	 	 	Lease
expiration
date	 	
Lincoln, NE                           	 	Corporate Headquarters, Asset Generation and Management, Student Loan
and Guaranty Servicing, Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce	 	 	154,000	 	 	–	 	
Aurora, CO                           	 	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing, Software and Technical Services	 	 	96,000	 	 	February 2015	 	
Jacksonville, FL                           	 	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing, Software and Technical Services	 	 	106,000	 	 	January 2014	 	
Lawrenceville, NJ	 	Enrollment Services	 	 	62,000	 	 	April 2011	 	

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The square footage amounts above exclude a total of approximately 43,000 square feet of owned office space in Lincoln, Nebraska that the Company leases to third parties. The Company also leases approximately 62,000 square feet of office space in Indianapolis, Indiana where Asset Generation and Management and Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operations were previously conducted, of which 56,000 square feet was subleased to third parties as of December 31, 2009. The sublease expired in January 2010. The Company leases other office facilities located throughout the United States. These properties are leased on terms and for durations that are reflective of commercial standards in the communities where these properties are located. The Company believes that its respective properties are generally adequate to meet its long term business goals. The Company’s principal office is located at 121 South 13 th Street, Suite 201, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

General

The Company is subject to various claims, lawsuits, and proceedings that arise in the normal course of business. These matters principally consist of claims by student loan borrowers disputing the manner in which their student loans have been processed and disputes with other business entities. In addition, from time to time the Company receives information and document requests from state or federal regulators concerning its business practices. The Company cooperates with these inquiries and responds to the requests. While the Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of any inquiry or investigation, the Company believes its activities have materially complied with applicable law, including the Higher Education Act, the rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Education thereunder, and the Department’s guidance regarding those rules and regulations. On the basis of present information, anticipated insurance coverage, and advice received from counsel, it is the opinion of the Company’s management that the disposition or ultimate determination of these claims, lawsuits, and proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial position, or results of operations.

Regulatory Reviews
 
The Department of Education periodically reviews participants in the FFELP for compliance with program provisions.  On June 28, 2007, the Department notified the Company that it would be conducting a review of the Company’s practices in connection with the prohibited inducement provisions of the Higher Education Act and the associated regulations that allow borrowers to have a choice of lenders.  The Company understands that the Department selected several schools and lenders for review.  The Company responded to the Department’s requests for information and documentation and cooperated with their review.  On May 1, 2009, the Company received the Department’s preliminary program review report, which covered the Department’s review of the period from October 1, 2002 to September 30, 2007.  The preliminary program review report contained certain initial findings of noncompliance with the Higher Education Act’s prohibited inducement provisions and required that the Company provide an explanation for the basis of the arrangements noted in the preliminary program review report.  The Company has responded and provided an explanation of the arrangements noted in the Department of Education’s initial findings and follow-up requests. The Department of Education is expected to issue a final program review determination letter and advise the Company whether it intends to take any additional action.  To the extent any findings are contained in a final letter, the additional action may include the assessment of fines or penalties, or the limitation, suspension, and termination of the Company’s participation in the FFELP.

In connection with the Company’s settlement agreement with the Department of Education in January 2007 to resolve an audit report by the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Education (the “OIG”) with respect to the Company’s student loan portfolio receiving special allowance payments at a minimum 9.5% interest rate (the “Settlement Agreement”), the Company was informed in February 2007 by the Department of Education that a civil attorney with the Department of Justice had opened a file regarding the issues set forth in the OIG report, which the Company understands is common procedure following an OIG audit report. The Company has engaged in discussions with and provided information to the Department of Justice in connection with the review.

While the Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these reviews, the Company believes its practices complied with applicable law, including the provisions of the Higher Education Act, the rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Education thereunder, and the Department’s guidance regarding those rules and regulations.

United States ex rel Oberg v. Nelnet, Inc. et al

On September 28, 2009, the Company was served with a Summons and First Amended Complaint naming the Company as one of ten defendants in a “qui tam” action brought by Jon H. Oberg on behalf of the United States of America.  Qui tam actions assert claims by an individual on behalf of the federal government, and are filed under seal until the government decides, if at all, to intervene in the case.

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An original complaint in the action was filed under seal in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on September 21, 2007, and was unsealed on August 26, 2009 upon the government’s filing of a Notice of Election to Decline Intervention in the matter.  The First Amended Complaint (the “Oberg Complaint”) was filed on August 24, 2009 and alleges the defendant student loan lenders submitted false claims for payment to the Department of Education in order to obtain special allowance payments on certain student loans at a rate of 9.5%, which the Oberg Complaint alleges is in excess of amounts permitted by law.  The Oberg Complaint seeks the imposition of civil penalties and treble the amount of damages sustained by the government in connection with the alleged overbilling by the defendants for special allowance payments.   The Oberg Complaint alleges that approximately $407 million in unlawful 9.5% special allowance payment claims were submitted by the Company to the Department of Education. 

The 9.5% special allowance payments received by the Company were disclosed by the Company on multiple occasions beginning in 2003.  In January, 2007, the Company entered into the Settlement Agreement.  The Settlement Agreement resolved the issues now raised by the Oberg Complaint, and contains an acknowledgment by the Department of Education that the Company acted in good faith in connection with its billings for 9.5% special allowance payments.

The Company believes the allegations in the above qui tam action to be frivolous and without merit and intends to vigorously defend the claim.  However, the Company cannot currently predict the ultimate outcome of this matter or any liability which may result, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition. 

United States ex rel Vigil v. Nelnet, Inc. et al

On November 4, 2009, the Company was served with a Summons and Third Amended Complaint naming the Company as one of three defendants in an unrelated qui tam action brought by Rudy Vigil (the “Vigil Complaint”).  This matter was filed under seal in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska on July 11, 2007 and was unsealed on October 15, 2009 following the government’s notice that it declined to intervene in the matter.  The Vigil Complaint, filed by a former employee of the Company, appears to allege that the Company engaged in false advertising and offered prohibited inducements to student loan borrowers in order to increase the Company’s loan holdings, and subsequently submitted false claims to the Department of Education in order to obtain special allowance payments and default claim payments on such loans.

The Company believes the allegations in the above qui tam action to be frivolous and without merit and intends to vigorously defend the claim.  However, the Company cannot currently predict the ultimate outcome of this matter or any liability which may result, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition. 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

PART II.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Company’s Class A Common Stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NNI,” while its Class B Common Stock is not publicly traded. The number of holders of record of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as of January 31, 2010 was 777 and nine, respectively. Because many shares of the Company’s Class A Common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of shareholders, the Company is unable to estimate the total number of beneficial owners represented by these record holders. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for the Company’s Class A Common Stock for each full quarterly period in 2009 and 2008.
 
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
 	 	1st Quarter	 	 	2nd Quarter	 	 	3rd Quarter	 	 	4th Quarter	 	 	1st Quarter	 	 	2nd Quarter	 	 	3rd Quarter	 	 	4th Quarter	 	
High	 	$	14.87	 	 	$	13.61	 	 	$	15.41	 	 	$	17.78	 	 	$	13.66	 	 	$	14.11	 	 	$	16.06	 	 	$	14.80	 	
Low	 	 	4.25	 	 	 	5.51	 	 	 	12.44	 	 	 	12.15	 	 	 	9.00	 	 	 	10.35	 	 	 	9.37	 	 	 	9.21	 	
 
In the first quarter of 2007, the Company began paying dividends of $0.07 per share on the Company's Class A and Class B Common Stock which were paid quarterly through the first quarter of 2008.  On May 21, 2008, the Company announced that it was temporarily suspending its quarterly dividend program.  On November 5, 2009, the Company's Board of Directors voted to reinstate the quarterly dividend program.  Accordingly, a dividend of $0.07 per share on the Company's Class A and Class B Common Stock was paid on December 15, 2009 to all holders of record as of December 1, 2009.  The Company currently plans to continue making 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 junior subordinated hybrid securities, which generally provide that if the Company defers interest payments on those securities it cannot pay dividends on its capital stock.

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Performance Graph

The following graph compares the change in the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s Class A Common Stock to that of the cumulative return of the Dow Jones U.S. Total Market Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services Index. The graph assumes that the value of an investment in the Company’s Class A Common Stock and each index was $100 on December 31, 2004 and that all dividends, if applicable, were reinvested. The performance shown in the graph represents past performance and should not be considered an indication of future performance.
 
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG NELNET, INC., THE DOW JONES US TOTAL MARKET INDEX,
AND THE DOW JONES US FINANCIAL SERVICES INDEX

Company/Index	 	12/31/2004	 	 	12/31/2005	 	 	12/31/2006	 	 	12/31/2007	 	 	12/31/2008	 	 	12/31/2009	 	
Nelnet, Inc.	 	$	100.00	 	 	$	151.06	 	 	$	101.60	 	 	$	47.90	 	 	$	54.34	 	 	$	65.60	 	
Dow Jones U.S. Total Market Index	 	 	100.00	 	 	 	106.32	 	 	 	122.88	 	 	 	130.26	 	 	 	81.85	 	 	 	105.42	 	
Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services Index	 	 	100.00	 	 	 	108.38	 	 	 	138.46	 	 	 	116.16	 	 	 	48.27	 	 	 	73.13	 	

The preceding information under the caption “Performance Graph” shall be deemed to be “furnished” but not “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Stock Repurchases

The following table summarizes the repurchases of Class A common stock during the fourth quarter of 2009 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.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Total number of	 	 	Maximum number	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	shares purchased	 	 	of shares that may	 	
 	 	Total number	 	 	Average	 	 	as part of publicly	 	 	yet be purchased	 	
 	 	of shares	 	 	price paid	 	 	announced plans	 	 	under the plans	 	
Period	 	purchased (1)	 	 	per share	 	 	or programs (2) (3)	 	 	or programs (4)	 	
October 1 - October 31, 2009	 	 	1,156	 	 	$	13.63	 	 	 	1,156	 	 	 	7,433,639	 	
November 1 - November 30, 2009	 	 	2,056	 	 	 	16.71	 	 	 	1,610	 	 	 	6,932,471	 	
December 1 - December 31, 2009	 	 	3,986	 	 	 	17.45	 	 	 	118	 	 	 	6,949,403	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
                       Total	 	 	7,198	 	 	$	16.62	 	 	 	2,884	 	 	 	 	 	
 
(1)	The total number of shares includes: (i) shares purchased pursuant to the 2006 Plan discussed in footnote (2) below; (ii) shares owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations on the vesting of restricted shares; and (iii) shares purchased pursuant to the 2006 ESLP discussed in footnote (3) below, of which there were none for the months of October, November, or December 2009. Shares of Class A common stock purchased pursuant to the 2006 Plan included 1,156 shares, 1,610 shares, and 118 shares in October, November, and December, respectively, that had been issued to the Company’s 401(k) plan and allocated to employee participant accounts pursuant to the plan’s provisions for Company matching contributions in shares of Company stock, and were purchased by the Company from the plan pursuant to employee participant instructions to dispose of such shares. Shares of Class A common stock tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations included 446 shares and 3,868 shares in November and December, 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.	

31

 
(2)	On May 25, 2006, the Company publicly 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 (the “2006 Plan”). On February 7, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors increased the total shares the Company is allowed to repurchase to 10 million. The 2006 Plan had an initial expiration date of May 24, 2008, which was extended until May 24, 2010 by the Company’s Board of Directors on January 30, 2008.	

(3)	On May 25, 2006, the Company publicly announced that the shareholders of the Company approved an Employee Stock Purchase Loan Plan (the “2006 ESLP”) to allow the Company to make loans to employees for the purchase of shares of the Company's Class A common stock either in the open market or directly from the Company. A total of $40 million in loans may be made under the 2006 ESLP, and a total of one million shares of Class A common stock are reserved for issuance under the 2006 ESLP. Shares may be purchased directly from the Company or in the open market through a broker at prevailing market prices at the time of purchase, subject to any conditions or restrictions on the timing, volume, or prices of purchases as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and set forth in the Stock Purchase Loan Agreement with the participant. The 2006 ESLP shall terminate May 25, 2016.	

(4)	The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans is calculated below. There are no assurances that any additional shares will be repurchased under either the 2006 Plan or the 2006 ESLP. Shares under the 2006 ESLP may be issued by the Company rather than purchased in open market transactions.	
 
As of	 	Maximum number of
shares that may yet be
purchased under the
2006 Plan
(A)	 	 	Approximate dollar
value of shares that
may yet be
purchased under
the 2006 ESLP
(B)	 	 	Closing price on
the last trading
day of the
Company's Class
A Common Stock
(C)	 	 	(B / C)
Approximate
number of shares
that may yet be
purchased under
the 2006 ESLP
(D)	 	 	(A + D)
Approximate
number of shares
that may yet be
purchased under
the 2006 Plan and
2006 ESLP	 	
October 31, 2009	 	 	4,835,635 	 	 	$	36,450,000	 	 	$	14.03	 	 	 	2,598,004	 	 	 	7,433,639	 	
November 30, 2009	 	 	4,834,025	 	 	 	36,450,000	 	 	 	17.37	 	 	 	2,098,446	 	 	 	6,932,471	 	
December 31, 2009	 	 	4,833,907	 	 	 	36,450,000	 	 	 	17.23	 	 	 	2,115,496	 	 	 	6,949,403	 	

Equity Compensation Plans

For information regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans, see Part III, Item 12 of this Report.

32

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth selected financial and other operating information of the Company. The selected financial data in the table is derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, the related notes, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this Report. Management evaluates the Company’s GAAP-based financial information as well as operating results on a non-GAAP performance measure referred to as “base net income.” Management believes “base net income” provides additional insight into the financial performance of the core operations.
 
 	 	Year ended Decmber 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	 	2006	 	 	2005	 	
 	 	(dollars in thousands, except share data)	 	
Operating Data:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net interest income before provision for loan losses	 	$	235,345	 	 	 	187,892	 	 	 	244,614	 	 	 	308,459	 	 	 	328,999	 	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	 	 	108,747	 	 	 	99,942	 	 	 	122,380	 	 	 	121,593	 	 	 	93,332	 	
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	 	 	53,894	 	 	 	48,155	 	 	 	42,766	 	 	 	34,784	 	 	 	14,088	 	
Enrollment services revenue	 	 	119,397	 	 	 	112,405	 	 	 	103,905	 	 	 	55,361	 	 	 	12,349	 	
Software services revenue	 	 	21,164	 	 	 	24,115	 	 	 	27,764	 	 	 	15,890	 	 	 	9,170	 	
Derivative settlements, net	 	 	39,286	 	 	 	55,657	 	 	 	18,677	 	 	 	23,432	 	 	 	(17,008	)  	
Total revenue	 	 	577,833	 	 	 	528,166	 	 	 	560,106	 	 	 	559,519	 	 	 	440,930	 	
Other income	 	 	68,152	 	 	 	22,775	 	 	 	30,423	 	 	 	19,405	 	 	 	16,561	 	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans	 	 	35,148	 	 	 	(51,414	)  	 	 	3,597	 	 	 	16,133	 	 	 	301	 	
Total operating expense	 	 	(405,633	)  	 	 	(440,614	)  	 	 	(535,609	)  	 	 	(446,279	)  	 	 	(267,731	)  	
Income tax expense	 	 	(76,573	)  	 	 	(17,896	)  	 	 	(21,716	)  	 	 	(36,237	)  	 	 	(100,581	)  	
Income from continuing operations	 	 	139,125	 	 	 	26,844	 	 	 	35,429	 	 	 	65,916	 	 	 	178,074	 	
Income (expense) from discontinued operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,818	 	 	 	(2,575	)  	 	 	2,239	 	 	 	3,048	 	
Net income	 	 	139,125	 	 	 	28,662	 	 	 	32,854	 	 	 	68,155	 	 	 	181,122	 	
Earnings (loss) per common share:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Basic:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Continuing operations	 	$	2.79	 	 	 	0.54	 	 	 	0.71	 	 	 	1.23	 	 	 	3.31	 	
Discontinued operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	0.04	 	 	 	(0.05	)  	 	 	0.04	 	 	 	0.06	 	
Net earnings	 	 	2.79	 	 	 	0.58	 	 	 	0.66	 	 	 	1.27	 	 	 	3.37	 	
Diluted:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Continuing operations	 	$	2.78	 	 	 	0.54	 	 	 	0.71	 	 	 	1.23	 	 	 	3.31	 	
Discontinued operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	0.04	 	 	 	(0.05	)  	 	 	0.04	 	 	 	0.06	 	
Net earnings	 	 	2.78	 	 	 	0.58	 	 	 	0.66	 	 	 	1.27	 	 	 	3.37	 	
Dividends per common share	 	$	0.07	 	 	 	0.07	 	 	 	0.28	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other Data:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Revenue from fee-based segments as a percentage of total revenue	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(excluding fixed rate floor income and Corporate Activity and	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Overhead)	 	 	66.3	%	 	 	54.5	%	 	 	53.3	%	 	 	44.0	%	 	 	33.8	%	
Fixed rate floor income	 	$	145,098	 	 	 	37,457	 	 	 	10,347	 	 	 	30,234	 	 	 	44,694	 	
Core student loan spread	 	 	1.18	%	 	 	0.99	%	 	 	1.13	%	 	 	1.42	%	 	 	1.51	%	
Origination and acquisition volume (a)	 	$	2,779,873	 	 	 	2,809,082	 	 	 	5,152,110	 	 	 	6,696,118	 	 	 	8,471,121	 	
Student loans serviced (at end of period) (b)	 	 	37,549,563	 	 	 	35,888,693	 	 	 	33,817,458	 	 	 	30,593,592	 	 	 	26,988,839	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	As of December 31,	 	
 	 	 	2009	 	 	 	2008	 	 	 	2007	 	 	 	2006	 	 	 	2005	 	
 	 	(dollars in thousands, except share data)	 	
Balance Sheet Data:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	 	$	338,181	 	 	 	189,847	 	 	 	111,746	 	 	 	102,343	 	 	 	96,678	 	
Student loans receivables, net	 	 	23,926,957	 	 	 	25,413,008	 	 	 	26,736,122	 	 	 	23,789,552	 	 	 	20,260,807	 	
Goodwill and intangible assets	 	 	197,255	 	 	 	252,232	 	 	 	277,525	 	 	 	353,008	 	 	 	243,630	 	
Total assets	 	 	25,876,427	 	 	 	27,854,897	 	 	 	29,162,783	 	 	 	26,796,873	 	 	 	22,798,693	 	
Bonds and notes payable	 	 	24,805,289	 	 	 	26,787,959	 	 	 	28,115,829	 	 	 	25,562,119	 	 	 	21,673,620	 	
Shareholders' equity	 	 	784,563	 	 	 	643,226	 	 	 	608,879	 	 	 	671,850	 	 	 	649,492	 	
Tangible shareholders' equity	 	 	587,308	 	 	 	390,994	 	 	 	331,354	 	 	 	318,842	 	 	 	405,862	 	
Book value per common share	 	 	15.73	 	 	 	13.05	 	 	 	12.31	 	 	 	12.79	 	 	 	12.03	 	
Tangible book value per common share	 	 	11.77	 	 	 	7.93	 	 	 	6.70	 	 	 	6.07	 	 	 	7.52	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Ratios:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Shareholders' equity to total assets	 	 	3.03	%	 	 	2.31	%	 	 	2.09	%	 	 	2.51	%	 	 	2.85	%	

(a)  	Initial loans originated or acquired through various channels, including originations through the direct channel; acquisitions through the branding partner channel, the forward flow channel, and the secondary market (spot purchases); and loans acquired in portfolio and business acquisitions.	

(b)  	The student loans serviced does not include loans serviced by EDULINX for all periods presented. The Company sold EDULINX in May 2007. As a result of this transaction, EDULINX is reported as discontinued operations.	

33

 
ITEM 7. 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 years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007. All dollars are in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted. Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The reclassifications were made to change the income statement presentation to provide the users of the financial statements additional information related to the operating results of the Company’s fee-based businesses, which are becoming more significant to the Company’s operations.) These reclassifications include reclassifying “tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue” and “enrollment services revenue,” which were previously included in “other fee-based income.” In addition, the “cost to provide enrollment services” was reclassified from various operating expense accounts, primarily “advertising and marketing.”

OVERVIEW

The Company is a transaction processing and finance company focused primarily on providing quality education related products and services to students, families, schools, and financial institutions nationwide.  The Company earns its revenue from fee-based processing businesses, including its loan servicing, payment processing, and lead generation businesses, and the net interest income on its student loan portfolio.

The Company has certain business objectives in place that include:

·  	Grow and diversify revenue from fee generating businesses	
·  	Manage operating costs	
·  	Maximize the value of existing portfolio	
·  	Eliminate exposure to liquidity risk and unfunded debt burden	

Achieving these business objectives has impacted the financial condition and operating results of the Company during the year ended December 31, 2009. In addition, legislation concerning the student loan industry has impacted and will continue to impact the financial condition and operating results of the Company.  Each of these items are discussed below.

Grow and Diversify Revenue from Fee-Based Businesses

In recent years, the Company has expanded products and services generated from businesses that are not dependent upon the FFEL Program, thereby reducing legislative and political risk related to the education lending industry. Revenues from these businesses are primarily generated from products and services offered in the Company’s Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce and Enrollment Services operating segments. As shown below, revenue earned from businesses less dependent upon the FFEL Program has grown $22.1 million (18.3%) for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	$ Change	 	 	% Change	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce	 	$	53,894	 	 	 	48,155	 	 	 	5,739	 	 	 	 	
Enrollment Services - Lead Generation	 	 	88,851	 	 	 	72,513	 	 	 	16,338	 	 	 	 	

 	 	 	142,745	 	 	 	120,668	 	 	$	22,077	 	 	 	18.3	%	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Enrollment Services - Other	 	 	30,546	 	 	 	39,929	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing	 	 	113,974	 	 	 	104,287	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Software and Technical Services	 	 	17,463	 	 	 	19,707	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net interest income from fee-based segments	 	 	174	 	 	 	3,107	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
          Total revenue from fee-based segments	 	$	304,902	 	 	 	287,698	 	 	 		 	 	 		 	

34

 
Department of Education Servicing Contract

In June 2009, the Department of Education named the Company as one of four private sector servicers awarded a servicing contract to service all federally-owned student loans, including FFELP loans purchased by the Department pursuant to ECASLA. No later than August 2010, the Company expects to also begin servicing new loans originated under the Direct Loan Program. Servicing volume has initially been allocated by the Department to the four servicers and performance factors such as customer satisfaction levels and default rates will determine volume allocations over time. The contract spans five years with one, five-year renewal option.  Servicing loans under this contract will further diversify the Company’s revenue and customer base.

For the federal fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, the estimated volume for the Direct Loan Program was approximately $38 billion, an increase of 110% from the federal fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.  This increase was the result of schools shifting from the FFELP to the Direct Loan Program as a result of lenders exiting the FFELP marketplace due to legislation and capital market disruptions. See discussion under "– Legislation – Recent Developments.”  Regardless of the outcome of the currently proposed legislation, the Direct Loan Program volume is expected to increase substantially in the next few years, which would lead to an increase in servicing volume for the Department’s four private sector servicers.

The Company began servicing loans for the Department in September 2009 and recognized approximately $1.7 million of revenue under this contract in 2009. As of December 31, 2009 and March 1, 2010, the Company was servicing approximately $3.4 billion and $ 6.3 billion, respectively, of loans under the Department’s servicing contract, which includes approximately $1.5 billion and $ 4.3 billion, respectively, of loans not previously serviced by the Company that were sold by third parties to the Department as part of the ECASLA Purchase Program.

Manage Operating Costs

The Company has continued to focus on managing costs and gaining efficiencies and has continued to benefit from restructuring activities.  As shown below, excluding the cost to provide enrollment services and restructuring and impairment charges, operating expenses decreased $46.2 million (13.7%) for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

Operating Expenses

 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	$ Change	 	 	% Change	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Salaries and benefits (a)	 	$	151,285	 	 	 	177,724	 	 	 	(26,439	)  	 	 	(14.9	)%	
Other expenses (b)	 	 	138,712	 	 	 	158,499	 	 	 	(19,787	)  	 	 	(12.5	)	
   Operating expenses, excluding the cost	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
       to provide enrollment services and	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
       restructure and impairment expenses	 	 	289,997	 	 	 	336,223	 	 	$	(46,226	)	 	 	(13.7	)%	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	74,926	 	 	 	64,965	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructure expense (c)	 	 	7,982	 	 	 	7,067	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Impairment expense	 	 	32,728	 	 	 	18,834	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Liquidity contingency planning fees (d)	 	 	—	 	 	 	13,525	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Total operating expenses	 	$	405,633	 	 	 	440,614	 	 	 		 	 	 			
 
(a)  	Excludes restructure expenses related to employee termination benefits.	

(b)  	Excludes liquidity contingency planning fees and restructure expenses related to lease terminations.	
 
(c)  	Restructure expense is included in “salaries and benefits” and “occupancy and communications” in the consolidated statements of income.	

(d)  	Liquidity contingency planning fees were incurred by the Company to minimize exposure related to the equity support provisions of the Company’s FFELP loan warehouse facility.  These fees are included in “other” under “other operating expense” in the consolidated statements of income.	

Included in operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2009 is an impairment charge of $32.7 million related to the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets related to the Company’s direct marketing and list management business.  This business has been negatively affected by the economic recession and deterioration of the direct-to-consumer student loan market.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company has $143.7 million of goodwill remaining on its consolidated balance sheet.  See note 6 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Report, which provides a summary of the remaining goodwill by operating segment.

35

Maximize the Value of Existing Portfolio

Fixed rate floor income

Loans originated prior to April 1, 2006 generally earn interest at the higher of a floating rate based on the Special Allowance Payment or the SAP formula set by the Department and the borrower rate, which is fixed over a period of time.  The SAP formula is based on an applicable index plus a fixed spread that is dependent upon when the loan was originated, the loan’s repayment status, and funding sources for the loan.  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 rate produced by the SAP formula, the Company’s student loans earn at a fixed rate while the interest on the variable rate debt typically continues to decline.  In these interest rate environments, the Company earns additional spread income that it refers to as floor income.  For loans where the borrower rate is fixed to term, the Company earns floor income for an extended period of time, which the Company refers to as fixed rate floor income.

The Company’s core student loan spread (variable student loan spread including fixed rate floor contribution) and variable student loan spread (net interest margin excluding fixed rate floor income) during 2008 and 2009 is summarized below.

During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, loan interest income includes $145.1 million (58 basis points of spread contribution) and $37.5 million (14 basis points of spread contribution), respectively, of fixed rate floor income.  The increase in fixed rate floor income throughout 2009 is due to a decrease in interest rates.  The Company’s variable student loan spread increased throughout 2009 as a result of the tightening of the commercial paper rate, which is the primary rate the Company earns on its student loan portfolio, and the LIBOR rate, which is the primary rate the Company pays to fund its student loan assets. See Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment – Results of Operations – Student Loan Spread Analysis.” If interest rates remain low, the Company anticipates continuing to earn significant fixed rate floor income in future periods.

Future Cash Flow from Portfolio

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 and there are minimal liquidity issues related to these facilities. In addition, due to the difference between the yield the Company receives on the loans and cost of financing within these transactions, the Company has created a portfolio that will generate earnings and significant cash flow over the life of these transactions.

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 from its portfolio to be approximately $1.43 billion. See Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further details related to the estimated future cash flow from the Company’s portfolio.

36

Eliminate Exposure to Liquidity Risk and Unfunded Debt Burden

Reducing Liquidity Risk

The Company had a FFELP warehouse facility that was due to expire in May 2010 that provided for formula-based advance rates based on current market conditions, which required equity support to be posted to the facility under certain circumstances.  As of December 31, 2008, the Company had $1.6 billion of student loans in this facility, $1.4 billion borrowed under the facility, and $280.6 million in cash posted as equity funding support for the facility.  During 2009, the Company reduced its liquidity exposure under this facility as a result of the following transactions:

·  	In March 2009, the Company completed a $294.6 million asset-backed securitization and refinanced loans previously financed in the facility.	

·  	In June 2009, the Company accessed the Department’s Conduit Program and refinanced loans previously financed in the facility.	

·  	In August 2009, the Company entered into a new $500.0 million FFELP warehouse facility that expires in August 2012.  In August 2009, the Company utilized the new warehouse facility to refinance all remaining loans in the old warehouse facility.  Refinancing these loans allowed the Company to terminate the prior facility and withdraw all remaining equity funding support.	

In the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company completed asset-backed securities transactions totaling $852.9 million.  On February 17, 2010, the Company also completed an asset-backed securities transaction of $523.3 million. The Company used the proceeds from the sale of these notes to purchase student loans that were previously financed in the new FFELP warehouse facility and certain other existing asset-backed securitizations.  As of March 1, 2010, $30.5 million was outstanding under the new FFELP warehouse and $469.5 million was available for future use.

In addition to the new FFELP warehouse, the Company has reliable sources of liquidity available for new FFELP Stafford and PLUS loan originations for the 2009-2010 academic year under the Department’s Participation and Purchase Programs. In addition, the Company maintains an agreement with Union Bank, as trustee for various grantor trusts, under which Union Bank has agreed to purchase from the Company participation interests in student loans.

Debt Repurchases

During 2009, the Company repurchased outstanding debt as summarized below. Gains recorded by the Company from the repurchase of debt are included in “other income” on the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
 
 	 	Year ended December 31, 2009	 	 	Remaining balance	 	
 	 	Notional
amount	 	 	Purchase
price	 	 	Gain	 	 	as of December 31,
2009	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
5.125% Senior Notes due 2010	 	$	208,284	 	 	 	196,529	 	 	 	11,755	 	 	$	66,716	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	 	 	1,750	 	 	 	350	 	 	 	1,400	 	 	$	198,250	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Asset-backed securities	 	 	348,155	 	 	 	319,627	 	 	 	28,528	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	$	558,189	 	 	 	516,506	 	 	 	41,683	 	 	 	 	 	
 
Subsequent to December 31, 2009 (through March 1, 2010), the Company has repurchased an additional $174.5 million (notional amount) of asset-backed securities resulting in a gain of approximately $6 million.
 
Legislation

ECASLA

In August 2008, the Department implemented the Loan Purchase Commitment Program and the Loan Purchase Participation Program pursuant to ECASLA.  During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company sold $2.1 billion of student loans to the Department under the Purchase Program, resulting in a gain of $36.6 million.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $463.9 million of FFELP loans funded using the Participation Program.  The Company plans to continue to use the Participation Program to fund certain loans originated for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Recent Developments

On February 26, 2009, the President introduced a fiscal year 2010 Federal budget proposal calling for the elimination of the FFEL Program and a recommendation that all new student loan originations be funded through the Federal Direct Loan Program.    On September 17, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act ("SAFRA"), which would eliminate the FFEL Program and require that, after July 1, 2010, all new federal student loans be made through the Federal Direct Loan Program. The Senate is expected to begin its consideration of similar student loan reform legislation sometime in 2010. In addition to the House-passed legislation, there are several other proposals for changes to the education financing framework that may be considered that would maintain a role for private lenders in the origination of federal student loans.  These include a possible extension of ECASLA, which expires on July 1, 2010, and the Student Loan Community Proposal, a proposal endorsed by a cross-section of FFELP service providers (including the Company) as an alternative to the 100% federal direct lending proposal included in SAFRA.

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Elimination of the FFEL Program would impact the Company’s operations and profitability by, among other things, reducing the Company’s interest revenues as a result of the inability to add new FFELP loans to the Company’s portfolio and reducing guarantee and third-party FFELP servicing fees as a result of reduced FFELP loan servicing and origination volume. Additionally, the elimination of the FFEL Program could reduce education loan software licensing opportunities and related consulting fees received from lenders using the Company’s software products and services.

In June 2009, the Department of Education named the Company as one of four private sector companies awarded a servicing contract to service student loans.  No later than August 2010, the Company expects to begin servicing new loans originated under the Direct Loan Program. If legislation is passed mandating that all new student loan originations be funded through the Direct Loan Program, revenue from servicing loans under this contract will partially offset the loss of revenue if the FFEL Program is eliminated.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company’s operating results are primarily driven by the performance of its existing portfolio, the cost necessary to generate new assets, the revenues generated by its fee based businesses, and the cost to provide those services.  The performance of the Company’s portfolio is driven by net interest income and losses related to credit quality of the assets along with the cost to administer and service the assets and related debt.

Net Interest Income

The Company generates a significant portion of its earnings from the spread, referred to as its student loan spread, between the yield the Company receives on its student loan portfolio and the cost of funding these loans. This spread income is reported on the Company’s consolidated statements of income as net interest income. The amortization of loan premiums, including capitalized costs of origination, the 1.05% per year consolidation loan rebate fee paid to the Department, and yield adjustments from borrower benefit programs, are netted against loan interest income on the Company’s consolidated statements of income. The amortization of debt issuance costs is included in interest expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

The Company’s portfolio of FFELP loans originated prior to April 1, 2006 earns interest at the higher of a variable rate based on the special allowance payment or SAP formula set by the Department of Education and the borrower rate.  The SAP formula is based on an applicable index plus a fixed spread that is dependent upon when the loan was originated, the loan’s repayment status, and funding sources for the loan.  As a result of one of the provisions of the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (“HERA”), the Company’s portfolio of FFELP loans originated on or after April 1, 2006 earns interest at a variable rate based on the SAP formula.  For the portfolio of loans originated on or after April 1, 2006, when the borrower rate exceeds the variable rate based on the SAP formula, the Company must return the excess to the Department.

In September 2007, the College Cost Reduction Act was enacted into law.  This legislation reduced the annual yield on FFELP loans originated after October 1, 2007 and should be considered when reviewing the Company’s results of operations.  The Company has mitigated some of the reduction in annual yield by creating efficiencies and lowering costs, modifying borrower benefits, and reducing loan acquisition costs.

Because the Company generates a significant portion of its earnings from its student loan spread, the interest rate sensitivity of the Company’s balance sheet is very important to its operations. The current and future interest rate environment can and will affect the Company’s interest earnings, net interest income, and net income. The effects of changing interest rate environments are further outlined in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk — Interest Rate Risk.”

Investment interest income, which is a component of net interest income, includes income from unrestricted interest-earning deposits and funds in the Company’s special purpose entities which are utilized for its asset-backed securitizations.

Net interest income also includes interest expense on unsecured debt offerings.  The proceeds from these unsecured debt offerings were used by the Company to fund general business operations, certain asset and business acquisitions, and the repurchase of stock under the Company’s stock repurchase plan.

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Provision for Loan Losses

Management estimates and establishes an allowance for loan losses through a provision charged to expense. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collection of the loan principal is unlikely. Recovery of amounts previously charged off is credited to the allowance for loan losses.  Management maintains the allowance for federally insured and non-federally insured loans at a level believed to be adequate to provide for estimated probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. This evaluation is inherently subjective because it requires estimates that may be susceptible to significant changes.  The Company analyzes the allowance separately for its federally insured loans and its non-federally insured loans.

The allowance for the federally insured loan portfolio is based on periodic evaluations of the Company’s loan portfolios considering past experience, trends in student loan claims rejected for payment by guarantors, changes to federal student loan programs, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. The federal government currently guarantees 97% of the principal of and the interest on federally insured student loans disbursed on and after July 1, 2006 (and 98% for those loans disbursed prior to July 1, 2006), which limits the Company’s loss exposure on the outstanding balance of the Company’s federally insured portfolio. Student loans disbursed prior to October 1, 1993 are fully insured.

In determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on the non-federally insured loans, the Company considers several factors including: loans in repayment versus those in a nonpaying status, delinquency status, type of program, and trends in defaults in the portfolio based on Company and industry data. The Company places a non-federally insured loan on nonaccrual status when the collection of principal and interest is 30 days past due and charges off the loan when the collection of principal and interest is 120 days past due.

Other Income

The Company also earns fees and generates revenue from other sources as summarized below.

Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Revenue – Loan servicing fees are determined according to individual agreements with customers and are calculated based on the dollar value of loans, number of loans, or number of borrowers serviced for each customer. Guaranty servicing fees, generally, are calculated based on the number of loans serviced, volume of loans serviced, or amounts collected.  Revenue is recognized when earned pursuant to applicable agreements, and when ultimate collection is assured.

Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Revenue – Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue includes actively managed tuition payment solutions, online payment processing, detailed information reporting, and data integration services.  Fees for these payment management services are recognized over the period in which services are provided to customers.

Enrollment Services Revenue –   Enrollment services revenue primarily consists of the following items:

·  	Lead generation – Revenue from lead generation is derived primarily from fees which are earned through the delivery of qualified leads or clicks. The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is deemed to have occurred at the time a qualified lead or click is delivered to the customer provided that no significant obligations remain. From time to time, the Company may agree to credit certain leads or clicks if they fail to meet the contractual or other guidelines of a particular client. The Company has established a sales reserve based on historical experience. To date, such credits have been immaterial and within management’s expectations.
 
For a portion of its lead revenue, the Company has agreements with providers of online media or traffic (“Publishers”) used in the generation of leads or clicks. The Company receives a fee from its customers and pays a fee to Publishers either on a cost per lead, cost per click, or cost per number of impressions basis. The Company is the primary obligor in the transaction. As a result, the fees paid by the Company’s customers are recognized as revenue and the fees paid to its Publishers are included in “cost to provide enrollment services” in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.	
 
·  	Publishing and editing services - Revenue from the sale of print products and editing services is generally earned and recognized, net of estimated returns, upon shipment or delivery.	

·  	Content management and recruitment services – Content management and recruitment services includes the sale of subscription and performance based products and services, as well as list sales.  Revenues from sales of subscription and performance based products and services are recognized ratably over the term of the contract. Subscription and performance based revenues received or receivable in advance of the delivery of services is included in deferred revenue.  Revenue from the sale of lists is generally earned and recognized, net of estimated returns, upon delivery.	

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Software Services Revenue – Software services revenue is determined from individual agreements with customers and includes license and maintenance fees associated with student loan software products.  Computer and software consulting services are recognized over the period in which services are provided to customers.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses includes indirect costs incurred to generate and acquire student loans, costs incurred to manage and administer the Company’s student loan portfolio and its financing transactions, costs incurred to service the Company’s student loan portfolio and the portfolios of third parties, the cost to provide enrollment services, costs incurred to provide tuition payment processing, campus commerce, content management, recruitment, software and technical services to third parties, the depreciation and amortization of capital assets and intangible assets, investments in products, services, and technology to meet customer needs and support continued revenue growth, and other general and administrative expenses.  The cost to provide enrollment services, as discussed previously, consists of costs incurred to provide lead generation and publishing and editing services in the Company’s Enrollment Services operating segment.  Operating expenses also includes employee termination benefits, lease termination costs, and the write-down of certain assets related to the Company’s restructuring initiatives.

Year ended December 31, 2009 compared to year ended December 31, 2008

Net Interest Income (Net of settlements on derivatives)
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Change	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	$	 	 	%	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest income:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loan interest	 	$	609,920	 	 	 	1,176,383	 	 	 	(566,463	)	 	 	(48.2	)%	
Investment interest	 	 	10,287	 	 	 	37,998	 	 	 	(27,711	)	 	 	(72.9	)	
Total interest income	 	 	620,207	 	 	 	1,214,381	 	 	 	(594,174	)	 	 	(48.9	)	
Interest expense:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest on bonds and notes payable	 	 	384,862	 	 	 	1,026,489	 	 	 	(641,627	)	 	 	(62.5	)	
Net interest income	 	 	235,345	 	 	 	187,892	 	 	 	47,453	 	 	 	25.3	 	
Provision for loan losses	 	 	29,000	 	 	 	25,000	 	 	 	4,000	 	 	 	16.0	 	
Net interest income after	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
provision for loan losses	 	 	206,345	 	 	 	162,892	 	 	 	43,453	 	 	 	26.7	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Derivative settlements, net (a)	 	 	39,286	 	 	 	55,657	 	 	 	(16,371	)	 	 	(29.4	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net interest income after	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
provision for loan losses (net of	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
settlements on derivatives)	 	$	245,631	 	 	 	218,549	 	 	 	27,082	 	 	 	12.4	%	

(a)	The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility.  Management has structured all of the Company’s derivative transactions with the intent that each is economically effective; however, the Company’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting.  Derivative settlements for each applicable period should be evaluated with the Company’s net interest income, as discussed below.	

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Net interest income after provision for loan losses, net of settlements on derivatives, changed for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008 as follows:

 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Change	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	$	 	 	%	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Variable student loan interest margin, net	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
of settlements on derivatives (a)	 	$	148,181	 	 	 	210,217	 	 	 	(62,036	)	 	 	(29.5	)%	
Fixed rate floor income, net of	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
settlements on derivatives (b)	 	 	145,098	 	 	 	37,457	 	 	 	107,641	 	 	 	287.4	 	
Investment interest (c)	 	 	10,287	 	 	 	37,998	 	 	 	(27,711	)	 	 	(72.9	)	
Corporate debt interest expense (d)	 	 	(28,935	)	 	 	(42,123	)	 	 	13,188	 	 	 	(31.3	)	
Provision for loan losses (e)	 	 	(29,000	)	 	 	(25,000	)	 	 	(4,000	)	 	 	16.0	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
    Net interest income after	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
       provision for loan losses (net of	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   settlements on derivatives)	 	$	245,631	 	 	 	218,549	 	 	 	27,082	 	 	 	12.4	%	

(a)  	Variable student loan spread decreased to 0.63% for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 0.91% in 2008 as further discussed in this Item 7 under “Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment – Results of Operations – Student Loan Spread Analysis.”	

(b)  	The Company has a portfolio of student loans that are earning interest at a fixed borrower rate which exceeds the statutorily defined variable lender rate creating fixed rate floor income. Due to lower interest rates in the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008, the Company received additional fixed rate floor income on a portion of its student loan portfolio.  See Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk” for additional information.	

(c)  	Investment interest decreased for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008 due to lower interest rates in 2009.	

(d)  	 Corporate debt interest expense decreased for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008 as a result of a decrease in interest rates, as well as a reduction in debt outstanding due to the purchase of unsecured fixed rate debt.  The weighted average interest rate and notes outstanding on the Company’s unsecured line of credit was 0.73% and $691.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2009 compared to 1.25% and $691.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2008.  During 2009, the Company repurchased $208.3 million of its 5.125% Senior Notes due 2010.	

(e)  	The provision for loan losses increased in 2009 compared to 2008 primarily due to increases in delinquencies.	

Other Income

 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Change	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	  $	 	 	%	 	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue (a)	 	$	108,747	 	 	 	99,942	 	 	 	8,805	 	 	 	8.8	%	
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue (b)	 	 	53,894	 	 	 	48,155	 	 	 	5,739	 	 	 	11.9	 	
Enrollment services revenue (c)	 	 	119,397	 	 	 	112,405	 	 	 	6,992	 	 	 	6.2	 	
Software services revenue (d)	 	 	21,164	 	 	 	24,115	 	 	 	(2,951	)  	 	 	(12.2	)  	
Other income (e)	 	 	68,152	 	 	 	22,775	 	 	 	45,377	 	 	 	199.2	 	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans, net (f)	 	 	35,148	 	 	 	(51,414	)  	 	 	86,562	 	 	 	(168.4	)  	
Derivative market value, foreign currency,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and put option adjustments (g)	 	 	(30,802	)  	 	 	10,827	 	 	 	(41,629	)  	 	 	(384.5	)  	
Derivative settlements, net (h)	 	 	39,286	 	 	 	55,657	 	 	 	(16,371	)  	 	 	(29.4	)  	
Total other income	 	$	414,986	 	 	 	322,462	 	 	 	92,524	 	 	 	28.7	%	
 
(a)  	“Loan and guaranty servicing revenue” increased due to an increase in FFELP loan servicing revenue.  This increase was offset by a decrease in guaranty servicing revenue related to rehabilitation collections on defaulted loan assets. See Item 7 under “Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Operating Segment – Results of Operations” for additional information.	

(b)  	“Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue” increased due to an increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans and an increase in campus commerce transactions processed as discussed in this Item 7 under “Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Operating Segment – Results of Operations.”	

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(c)  	“Enrollment services revenue” increased due to an increase in lead generation revenue offset by a reduction in revenue related to other enrollment products and services as further discussed in this Item 7 under “Enrollment Services Operating Segment – Results of Operations.”	

(d)  	“Software and technical services revenue” decreased due to a reduction in the number of projects for existing customers and the loss of customers due to the legislative developments in the student loan industry throughout 2008 as further discussed in this Item 7 under “Software and Technical Services Operating Segment – Results of Operations.”	

(e)  	The following table summarizes the components of “other income”.	
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gains on debt repurchases	 	$	41,683	 	 	 	—	 	
Borrower late fee income	 	 	11,305	 	 	 	11,515	 	
Gain on sale of equity method investment	 	 	3,500	 	 	 	—	 	
Other	 	 	11,664	 	 	 	11,260	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
        Other income	 	$	68,152	 	 	 	22,775	 	

 	The change in other income is primarily the result of gains on debt repurchases. In addition, during 2009, the Company earned $3.5 million related to the sale of an equity method investment.	

(f)  	“Gain (loss) on sale of loans” includes a gain of $36.6 million related to the sale of $2.1 billion of student loans to the Department under the Purchase Program during the year ended December 31, 2009.  In addition, the Company recognized a loss of $51.4 million during 2008 as a result of the sale of $1.8 billion of student loans as further discussed in this Item 7 under “Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment – Results of Operations.”	

(g)  	The change in “derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments” was primarily the result of the change in the fair value of the Company’s derivative portfolio and transaction gains/losses resulting from the remeasurement of the Company’s Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars. These changes are summarized below.	
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Change in fair value of derivatives	 	$	6,852	 	 	 	(38,576	)	
Foreign currency transaction adjustment	 	 	(37,654	)	 	 	52,886	 	
Change in fair value of put options	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
issued in business acquisitions	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,483	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and put option adjustments	 	$	(30,802	)	 	 	10,827	 	
 
(h)  	Further detail of the components of derivative settlements is included in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”  The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility.  Management has structured all of the Company’s derivative transactions with the intent that each is economically effective; however, the Company’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting.  Derivative settlements for each applicable period should be evaluated with the Company’s net interest income, as discussed previously.	

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Operating Expenses
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	$ Change	 	 	% Change	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Salaries and benefits (a)	 	$	151,285	 	 	 	177,724	 	 	 	(26,439	)  	 	 	(14.9	)%	
Other expenses (b)	 	 	138,712	 	 	 	158,499	 	 	 	(19,787	)  	 	 	(12.5	)	
   Operating expenses, excluding the cost	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
      to provide enrollment services and	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
      restructure and impairment expenses	 	 	289,997	 	 	 	336,223	 	 	$	(46,226	)	 	 	(13.7	)%	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	74,926	 	 	 	64,965	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructure expense (c)	 	 	7,982	 	 	 	7,067	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Impairment expense	 	 	32,728	 	 	 	18,834	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Liquidity contingency planning fees (d)	 	 	—	 	 	 	13,525	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Total operating expenses	 	$	405,633	 	 	 	440,614	 	 	 		 	 	 		 	

(a)  	Excludes restructure expenses related to employee termination benefits.	
 
(b)  	Excludes liquidity contingency planning fees and restructure expenses related to lease terminations.	
 
(c)  	Restructure expense is included in “salaries and benefits” and “occupancy and communications” in the consolidated statements of income.	

(d)  	Liquidity contingency planning fees were incurred by the Company to minimize exposure related to the equity support provisions of the Company’s FFELP loan warehouse facility.  These fees are included in “other” under “other operating expense” in the consolidated statements of income.	

Excluding the cost to provide enrollment services, restructuring and impairment charges, and liquidity contingency planning fees, operating expenses decreased $46.2 million (13.7%) for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008. This decrease was the result of continued focus by the Company on managing costs and gaining efficiencies and continued benefits from restructuring activities.

Included in operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 are impairment charges of $32.7 million and $18.8 million, respectively.  The 2009 impairment charge relates to the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets related to the Company’s direct marketing and list management business.  This business has been negatively affected by the economic recession and deterioration of the direct-to-consumer student loan market.  The 2008 impairment charge related to the student loan business model modifications the Company implemented due to the disruptions in the debt and secondary markets.

Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate was 35.5% and 40.0% for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The effective tax rate during 2009 decreased compared to 2008 due to expenses incurred in 2008 that were not deductible for tax purposes and a decrease in a valuation allowance in 2009.

Additional information on the Company’s results of operations is included with the discussion of the Company’s operating segments in this Item 7 under “Operating Segments”.

43

Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to year ended December 31, 2007

Net Interest Income (Net of settlements on derivatives)
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	 	Change	 	
 							 	$	 	 	%	 	
Interest income:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loan interest	 	$	1,176,383	 	 	 	1,667,057	 	 	 	(490,674	)	 	 	(29.4	)%	
Investment interest	 	 	37,998	 	 	 	80,219	 	 	 	(42,221	)	 	 	(52.6	)	
Total interest income	 	 	1,214,381	 	 	 	1,747,276	 	 	 	(532,895	)	 	 	(30.5	)	
Interest expense:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest on bonds and notes payable	 	 	1,026,489	 	 	 	1,502,662	 	 	 	(476,173	)	 	 	(31.7	)	
Net interest income	 	 	187,892	 	 	 	244,614	 	 	 	(56,722	)	 	 	(23.2	)	
Provision for loan losses	 	 	25,000	 	 	 	28,178	 	 	 	(3,178	)	 	 	(11.3	)	
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	 	 	162,892	 	 	 	216,436	 	 	 	(53,544	)	 	 	(24.7	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Derivative settlements, net (a)	 	 	55,657	 	 	 	18,677	 	 	 	36,980	 	 	 	198.0	 	
Net interest income after provision for loan losses (net of settlements on derivatives)	 	$	218,549	 	 	 	235,113	 	 	 	(16,564	)	 	 	(7.0	)%	

(a)	The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility.  Management has structured all of the Company’s derivative transactions with the intent that each is economically effective; however, the Company’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting.  Derivative settlements for each applicable period should be evaluated with the Company’s net interest income, as discussed below.	

Net interest income after provision for loan losses, net of settlements on derivatives, changed for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007 as follows:

 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Change	 	
 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	 	$	 	 	%	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Variable student loan interest margin, net	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
of settlements on derivatives (a)	 	$	210,217	 	 	 	213,227	 	 	 	(3,010	)	 	 	(1.4	)%	
Fixed rate floor income, net of	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
settlements on derivatives (b)	 	 	37,457	 	 	 	10,347	 	 	 	27,110	 	 	 	262.0	 	
Investment interest (c)	 	 	37,998	 	 	 	80,219	 	 	 	(42,221	)	 	 	(52.6	)	
Corporate debt interest expense (d)	 	 	(42,123	)	 	 	(40,502	)	 	 	(1,621	)	 	 	4.0	 	
Provision for loan losses (e)	 	 	(25,000	)	 	 	(28,178	)	 	 	3,178	 	 	 	(11.3	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
    Net interest income after	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
provision for loan losses (net of	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
settlements on derivatives)	 	$	218,549	 	 	 	235,113	 	 	 	(16,564	)	 	 	(7.0	)%	

(a)  	Variable student loan spread decreased to 0.91% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 1.10% in 2007 as discussed in this Item 7 under “Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment – Results of Operations – Student Loan Spread Analysis.”  	

(b)  	The Company has a portfolio of student loans that are earning interest at a fixed borrower rate which exceeds the statutorily defined variable lender rate creating fixed rate floor income. Due to lower interest rates in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007, the Company received additional fixed rate floor income on a portion of its student loan portfolio.  See Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk” for additional information.	

(c)  	Investment interest decreased for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007 due to lower interest rates in 2008.	

(d)  	 Corporate debt interest expense increased for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007 as a result of an increase in the notes outstanding on the Company’s unsecured line of credit, offset by a decrease in interest rates.  The weighted average interest rate and notes outstanding on the Company’s unsecured line of credit was 1.25% and $691.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2008 compared to 5.48% and $80.0 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2007.	

44

 
(e)  	Excluding an expense of $15.7 million to increase the Company’s allowance for loan losses related to the increase in risk share as a result of the elimination of the Exceptional Performer program in the third quarter of 2007, the provision for loan losses increased for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007. The provision for loan losses for federally insured loans increased as a result of the increase in risk share as a result of the loss of Exceptional Performer. The provision for loan losses for non-federally insured loans increased primarily due to increases in delinquencies as a result of the weakening of the U.S. economy.	

Other Income

 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Change	 	
 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	 	$	 	 	%		
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue (a)	 	$	99,942	 	 	 	122,380	 	 	 	(22,438	)  	 	 	(18.3	)%	
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue (b)	 	 	48,155	 	 	 	42,766	 	 	 	5,389	 	 	 	12.6	 	
Enrollment services revenue (c)	 	 	112,405	 	 	 	103,905	 	 	 	8,500	 	 	 	8.2	 	
Software services revenue (d)	 	 	24,115	 	 	 	27,764	 	 	 	(3,649	)  	 	 	(13.1	)  	
Other income (e)	 	 	22,775	 	 	 	30,423	 	 	 	(7,648	)  	 	 	(25.1	)  	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans, net (f)	 	 	(51,414	)  	 	 	3,597	 	 	 	(55,011	)  	 	 	(1,529.4	)  	
Derivative market value, foreign currency,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and put option adjustments (g)	 	 	10,827	 	 	 	26,806	 	 	 	(15,979	)  	 	 	(59.6	)  	
Derivative settlements, net (h)	 	 	55,657	 	 	 	18,677	 	 	 	36,980	 	 	 	198.0	 	
Total other income	 	$	322,462	 	 	 	376,318	 	 	 	(53,856	)  	 	 	(14.3	)%	
 
(a)  	“Loan and guaranty servicing revenue” decreased due to decreases in FFELP loan servicing revenue, non-federally insured loan servicing revenue, and guaranty servicing revenue as further discussed in this Item 7 under “Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing Operating Segment – Results of Operations.”	

(b)  	“Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue” increased due to an increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans and an increase in campus commerce transactions processed as discussed in this Item 7 under “Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce Operating Segment – Results of Operations.”	

(c)  	“Enrollment services revenue” increased due to an increase in lead generation revenue offset by a reduction in revenue related to other enrollment products and services as further discussed in this Item 7 under “Enrollment Services Operating Segment – Results of Operations.”	

(d)  	“Software and technical services revenue” decreased due to a reduction in the number of projects for existing customers and the loss of customers due to the legislative developments in the student loan industry throughout 2008 as further discussed in this Item 7 under “Software and Technical Services Operating Segment – Results of Operations.”	

(e)  	The following table summarizes the components of “other income”.	
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Borrower late fee income	 	$	11,515	 	 	 	8,207	 	
Gain on sale of equity method investment	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,942	 	
Administrative service fee income	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,605	 	
Other	 	 	11,260	 	 	 	15,669	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
        Other income	 	$	22,775	 	 	 	30,423	 	

The change in other income is primarily the result of a gain of $3.9 million from the sale of an entity accounted for under the equity method in 2007. In addition, the Company recognized $2.6 million in 2007 related to an agreement with a third party under which the Company provided administrative services to the third party for a fee. This agreement was terminated in the third quarter of 2007. The decrease in “other” above is a result of a decrease in income earned on certain investment activities in 2008 compared to 2007.	

45

 
(f)	“Gain (loss) on sale of loans” includes a loss of $51.4 million related to the sale of $1.8 billion of student loans during the year ended December 31, 2008 as further discussed in this Item 7 under “Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment – Results of Operations.”	

(g) 	The change in “derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments” was primarily the result of the change in the fair value of the Company’s derivative portfolio and transaction gains/losses resulting from the remeasurement of the Company’s Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars. These changes are summarized below.	
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Change in fair value of derivatives	 	$	(38,576	)	 	 	139,146	 	
Foreign currency transaction adjustment	 	 	52,886	 	 	 	(108,712	)	
Change in fair value of put options	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
issued in business acquisitions	 	 	(3,483	)	 	 	(3,628	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and put option adjustments	 	$	10,827	 	 	 	26,806	 	
 
(h) 	Further detail of the components of derivative settlements is included in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”  The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility.  Management has structured all of the Company’s derivative transactions with the intent that each is economically effective; however, the Company’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting.  Derivative settlements for each applicable period should be evaluated with the Company’s net interest income, as discussed previously.	

Operating expenses

 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	 	$ Change	 	 	% Change	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Salaries and benefits (a)	 	$	177,724	 	 	 	230,316 	 	 	 	(52,592	)  	 	 	(22.8	) %	
Other expenses (b)	 	 	158,499 	 	 	 	200,150 	 	 	 	(41,651	)  	 	 	(20.8	)  	
   Operating expenses, excluding the cost	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
to provide enrollment services,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
restructure and impairment expenses,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and liquidity contingency planning fees	 	 	336,223 	 	 	 	430,466 	 	 	$	(94,243	)	 	 	(21.9	) %	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	64,965 	 	 	 	45,408 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructure expense (c)	 	 	7,067 	 	 	 	10,231 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Impairment expense	 	 	18,834 	 	 	 	49,504 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Liquidity contingency planning fees (d)	 	 	13,525 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Total operating expenses	 	$	440,614	 	 	 	535,609 	 	 	 		 	 	 			

(a)  	Excludes restructure expenses related to employee termination benefits.	

(b)  	Excludes liquidity contingency planning fees and restructure expenses related to lease terminations.	
 
(c)  	Restructure expense is included in “salaries and benefits” and “occupancy and communications” in the consolidated statements of income.	

(d)  	Liquidity contingency planning fees were incurred by the Company to minimize exposure related to the equity support provisions of the Company’s FFELP loan warehouse facility.  These fees are included in “other” under “other operating expense” in the consolidated statements of income.	

Excluding the cost to provide enrollment services, restructuring and impairment charges, and liquidity contingency planning fees, operating expenses decreased $94.2 million (21.9%) for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007. This decrease was the result of cost savings from the September 2007 and January 2008 restructuring plans implemented by the Company. These plans resulted in the net reduction of approximately 700 positions in the Company’s overall workforce, leading to decreases in salaries and benefits and other expenses. The decrease is also a result of the Company capitalizing on the operating leverage of its business structure and strategies.

Included in operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are impairment charges of $18.8 million and $49.5 million, respectively.  The 2008 impairment charge related to the student loan business model modifications the Company implemented due to the disruptions in the debt and secondary markets.  The 2007 impairment charge related to the student loan business model modifications the Company implemented due to the passage of the College Cost Reduction Act.

46

Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate was 40% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 38% for the same period in 2007. The effective tax rate increased due to the permanent tax impact of stock compensation and outstanding put options related to prior acquisitions and a reduction of federal and state tax credits as a percentage of pre-tax book income. This increase was partially offset by a benefit from resolution of uncertain tax matters and a reduction in state taxes.

Financial Condition as of December 31, 2009 compared to December 31, 2008

 	 	As of December 31,	 	 	Change	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	
Assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Student loans receivable, net	 	$	23,926,957	 	 	 	25,413,008	 	 	 	(1,486,051	)	 	 	(5.8	) %	
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments	 	 	1,055,414	 	 	 	1,348,104	 	 	 	(292,690	)	 	 	(21.7	)	
Goodwill	 	 	143,717	 	 	 	175,178	 	 	 	(31,461	)	 	 	(18.0	)	
Intangible assets, net	 	 	53,538	 	 	 	77,054	 	 	 	(23,516	)	 	 	(30.5	)	
Fair value of derivative instruments	 	 	193,899	 	 	 	175,174	 	 	 	18,725	 	 	 	10.7	 	
Other assets	 	 	502,902	 	 	 	666,379	 	 	 	(163,477	)	 	 	(24.5	)	
Total assets	 	$	25,876,427	 	 	 	27,854,897	 	 	 	(1,978,470	)	 	 	(7.1	) %	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Bonds and notes payable	 	$	24,805,289	 	 	 	26,787,959	 	 	 	(1,982,670	)	 	 	(7.4	) %	
Fair value of derivative instruments	 	 	2,489	 	 	 	1,815	 	 	 	674	 	 	 	37.1	 	
Other liabilities	 	 	284,086	 	 	 	421,897	 	 	 	(137,811	)	 	 	(32.7	)	
Total liabilities	 	 	25,091,864	 	 	 	27,211,671	 	 	 	(2,119,807	)	 	 	(7.8	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Shareholders' equity	 	 	784,563	 	 	 	643,226	 	 	 	141,337	 	 	 	22.0	 	
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	 	$	25,876,427	 	 	 	27,854,897	 	 	 	(1,978,470	)	 	 	(7.1	) %	

Total assets decreased during 2009 primarily due to decreases in student loans receivable and restricted cash and investments.  Student loans receivable decreased as the result of the sale of $2.1 billion of student loans to the Department under the Purchase Program during the year ended December 31, 2009. Total liabilities decreased during 2009 primarily due to a decrease in bonds and notes payable as a result of fewer loans to finance and payments on debt and debt repurchases, which resulted in a decrease in restricted cash and investments.

OPERATING SEGMENTS

The Company has five operating segments as follows: Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing, Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce, Enrollment Services, Software and Technical Services, and Asset Generation and Management.  The Company’s operating segments are defined by the products and services they offer or the types of customers they serve, and they reflect the manner in which financial information is currently evaluated by management. The accounting policies of the Company’s operating segments are the same as those described in note 3 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Report.  Intersegment revenues are charged by a segment to another segment that provides the product or service.  Intersegment revenues and expenses are included within each segment consistent with the income statement presentation provided to management.  Changes in management structure or allocation methodologies and procedures may result in changes in reported segment financial information.

The management reporting process measures the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on the management structure of the Company as well as the methodology used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources.  Management, including the Company’s chief operating decision maker, evaluates the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on their profitability.  As discussed further below, management measures the profitability of the Company’s operating segments on the basis of “base net income.”  Accordingly, information regarding the Company’s operating segments is provided based on “base net income.”  The Company’s “base net income” is not a defined term within GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.  Unlike financial accounting, there is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for management reporting.

47

In May 2007, the Company sold EDULINX, a Canadian student loan service provider and subsidiary of the Company. As a result of this transaction, the results of operations for EDULINX are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The operating results of EDULINX were included in the Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment. The Company presents “base net income” excluding discontinued operations since the operations and cash flows of EDULINX have been eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company. Therefore, the results of operations for the Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing segment exclude the operating results of EDULINX for all periods presented. See note 2 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Report for additional information concerning EDULINX’s detailed operating results that have been segregated from continuing operations and reported as discontinued operations.

Historically, the Company generated the majority of its revenue from net interest income earned in its Asset Generation and Management operating segment.  The Company made several acquisitions that have expanded the Company’s products and services and have diversified its revenue – primarily from fee-based businesses.  The Company currently offers a broad range of pre-college, in-college, and post-college products and services to students, families, schools, and financial institutions.  These products and services help students and families plan and pay for their education and students plan their careers.  The Company’s products and services are designed to simplify the education planning and financing process and are focused on providing value to students, families, and schools throughout the education life cycle.  The Company continues to look for ways to diversify its sources of revenue, including those generated from businesses that are not dependent upon government programs, reducing legislative and political risk.

“Base net income” is the primary financial performance measure used by management to develop the Company’s financial plans, track results, and establish corporate performance targets and incentive compensation.  While “base net income” is not a substitute for reported results under GAAP, the Company relies on “base net income” in operating its business because “base net income” permits management to make meaningful period-to-period comparisons of the operational and performance indicators that are most closely assessed by management.  Management believes this information provides additional insight into the financial performance of the core business activities of the Company’s operating segments.

Accordingly, the tables presented below reflect “base net income” which is reviewed and utilized by management to manage the business for each of the Company’s operating segments.  Reconciliation of the segment totals to the Company’s consolidated operating results in accordance with GAAP are also included in the tables below.  Included below under “Non-GAAP Performance Measures” is further discussion regarding “base net income” and its limitations, including a table that details the differences between “base net income” and GAAP net income by operating segment.

Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The reclassifications were made to change the income statement presentation to provide the users of the financial statements additional information related to the operating results of the Company’s fee-based businesses, which are becoming more significant to the Company’s operations. These reclassifications include reclassifying “tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue” and “enrollment services revenue,” which were previously included in “other fee-based income.” In addition, the “cost to provide enrollment services” was reclassified from various operating expense accounts, primarily “advertising and marketing.”

48

 
Segment Results and Reconciliations to GAAP
 
 	 	Year ended December 31, 2009	 	
 	 	Fee-Based	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	Tuition	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Student	 	 	Payment	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	"Base net	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Loan	 	 	Processing	 	 	 	 	 	Software	 	 	 	 	 	Asset	 	 	Corporate	 	 	Eliminations	 	 	income"	 	 	 	 	
 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	 	 	 	and	 	 	Total	 	 	Generation	 	 	Activity	 	 	and	 	 	Adjustments	 	 	GAAP	 	
 	 	Guaranty	 	 	Campus	 	 	Enrollment	 	 	Technical	 	 	Fee-	 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	Reclass-	 	 	to GAAP	 	 	Results of	 	
 	 	Servicing	 	 	Commerce	 	 	Services	 	 	Services	 	 	Based	 	 	Management	 	 	Overhead	 	 	ifications	 	 	Results	 	 	Operations	 	
Total interest income	 	$	112	 	 	 	62 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	174 	 	 	 	609,143 	 	 	 	5,391 	 	 	 	(2,003	)  	 	 	7,502 	 	 	 	620,207 	 	
Interest expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	357,930 	 	 	 	28,935 	 	 	 	(2,003	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	384,862 	 	
Net interest income (loss)	 	 	112 	 	 	 	62 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	174 	 	 	 	251,213 	 	 	 	(23,544	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	7,502 	 	 	 	235,345 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Less provision for loan losses	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	29,000 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	29,000 	 	
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	 	 	112	 	 	 	62	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	174	 	 	 	222,213	 	 	 	(23,544	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	7,502	 	 	 	206,345	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other income (expense):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	 	 	110,273 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	110,273 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(1,526	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	108,747 	 	
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	 	 	—	 	 	 	53,894 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	53,894 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	53,894 	 	
Enrollment services revenue	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	119,397 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	119,397 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	119,397 	 	
Software services revenue	 	 	3,701 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	17,463 	 	 	 	21,164 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	21,164 	 	
Other income	 	 	644 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	644 	 	 	 	45,697 	 	 	 	21,811 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	68,152 	 	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans, net	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	35,148 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	35,148 	 	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	85,104 	 	 	 	237 	 	 	 	555 	 	 	 	14,586 	 	 	 	100,482 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	33,469 	 	 	 	(133,951	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(30,802	)  	 	 	(30,802	)  	
Derivative settlements, net	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	39,286 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	39,286 	 	
Total other income (expense)	 	 	199,722 	 	 	 	54,131 	 	 	 	119,952 	 	 	 	32,049 	 	 	 	405,854 	 	 	 	120,131 	 	 	 	53,754 	 	 	 	(133,951	)  	 	 	(30,802	)  	 	 	414,986 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	54,289 	 	 	 	25,549 	 	 	 	23,222 	 	 	 	21,978 	 	 	 	125,038 	 	 	 	6,767 	 	 	 	24,777 	 	 	 	(1,209	)  	 	 	159 	 	 	 	155,532 	 	
Restructure expense- severance and contract termination costs	 	 	5,964	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	936	 	 	 	6,900	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,082	 	 	 	(7,982	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Impairment expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	32,728 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	32,728 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	32,728 	 	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	74,926 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	74,926 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	74,926 	 	
Other expenses	 	 	35,391 	 	 	 	9,642 	 	 	 	13,226 	 	 	 	3,330 	 	 	 	61,589 	 	 	 	19,566 	 	 	 	35,307 	 	 	 	3,736 	 	 	 	22,249 	 	 	 	142,447 	 	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	37,039 	 	 	 	2,800 	 	 	 	2,121 	 	 	 	2,867 	 	 	 	44,827 	 	 	 	81,335 	 	 	 	2,334 	 	 	 	(128,496	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	132,683 	 	 	 	37,991 	 	 	 	146,223 	 	 	 	29,111 	 	 	 	346,008 	 	 	 	107,668 	 	 	 	63,500 	 	 	 	(133,951	)  	 	 	22,408 	 	 	 	405,633 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income (loss) before income taxes	 	 	67,151 	 	 	 	16,202 	 	 	 	(26,271	)  	 	 	2,938 	 	 	 	60,020 	 	 	 	234,676 	 	 	 	(33,290	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(45,708	)  	 	 	215,698 	 	
Income tax (expense) benefit (a)	 	 	(25,518	)  	 	 	(6,156	)  	 	 	9,984 	 	 	 	(1,118	)  	 	 	(22,808	)  	 	 	(89,178	)  	 	 	19,186 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	16,227 	 	 	 	(76,573	)  	
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	 	 	41,633 	 	 	 	10,046 	 	 	 	(16,287	)  	 	 	1,820 	 	 	 	37,212 	 	 	 	145,498 	 	 	 	(14,104	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(29,481	)  	 	 	139,125 	 	
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Net income (loss)	 	$	41,633	 	 	 	10,046 	 	 	 	(16,287	)  	 	 	1,820 	 	 	 	37,212 	 	 	 	145,498 	 	 	 	(14,104	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(29,481	)  	 	 	139,125 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(a) Income taxes are applied based on 38% of income (loss) before taxes for the individual operating segments.	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Before tax operating margin (1):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Year ended December 31, 2009	 	 	36.6	%	 	 	29.9	%	 	 	5.4	%	 	 	12.1	%	 	 	24.5	%	 	 	45.4	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Year ended December 31, 2008	 	 	26.6	%	 	 	31.1	%	 	 	4.7	%	 	 	13.8	%	 	 	19.6	%	 	 	16.9	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(1) Before tax operating margin excludes impairment and restructuring charges and fixed rate floor income.	

49

 
 	 	Year ended December 31, 2008	 	
 	 	Fee-Based	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	Tuition	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Student	 	 	Payment	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	"Base net	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Loan	 	 	Processing	 	 	 	 	 	Software	 	 	 	 	 	Asset	 	 	Corporate	 	 	 	 	 	income"	 	 	 	 	
 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	 	 	 	and	 	 	Total	 	 	Generation	 	 	Activity	 	 	Eliminations	 	 	Adjustments	 	 	GAAP	 	
 	 	Guaranty	 	 	Campu s	 	 	Enrollment	 	 	Technical	 	 	Fee-	 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	to GAAP	 	 	Results of	 	
 	 	Servicing	 	 	Commerce	 	 	Services	 	 	Services	 	 	Based	 	 	Management	 	 	Overhead	 	 	Reclassifications	 	 	Results	 	 	Operations	 	
Total interest income	 	$	1,377	 	 	 	1,689 	 	 	 	17 	 	 	 	24 	 	 	 	3,107 	 	 	 	1,164,329 	 	 	 	6,810 	 	 	 	(2,190	)  	 	 	42,325 	 	 	 	1,214,381 	 	
Interest expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	986,556 	 	 	 	42,123 	 	 	 	(2,190	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,026,489 	 	
Net interest income (loss)	 	 	1,377 	 	 	 	1,689 	 	 	 	17 	 	 	 	24 	 	 	 	3,107 	 	 	 	177,773 	 	 	 	(35,313	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	42,325 	 	 	 	187,892 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Less provision for loan losses	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	25,000 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	25,000 	 	
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	 	 	1,377 	 	 	 	1,689 	 	 	 	17 	 	 	 	24 	 	 	 	3,107 	 	 	 	152,773 	 	 	 	(35,313	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	42,325 	 	 	 	162,892 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other income (expense):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	 	 	99,916 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	99,916 	 	 	 	26 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	99,942 	 	
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	 	 	—	 	 	 	48,155 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	48,155 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	48,155 	 	
Enrollment services revenue	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	112,405 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	112,405 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	112,405 	 	
Software services revenue	 	 	4,371 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	37 	 	 	 	19,707 	 	 	 	24,115 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	24,115 	 	
Other income	 	 	51 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	51 	 	 	 	17,401 	 	 	 	5,323 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	22,775 	 	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(53,035	)  	 	 	1,621 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(51,414	)  	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	75,361 	 	 	 	302 	 	 	 	2 	 	 	 	6,831 	 	 	 	82,496 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	63,384 	 	 	 	(145,880	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	466 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	10,361 	 	 	 	10,827 	 	
Derivative settlements, net	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	65,622 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(9,965	)  	 	 	55,657 	 	
Total other income (expense)	 	 	179,699 	 	 	 	48,457 	 	 	 	112,444 	 	 	 	26,538 	 	 	 	367,138 	 	 	 	30,480 	 	 	 	70,328 	 	 	 	(145,880	)  	 	 	396 	 	 	 	322,462 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	51,320 	 	 	 	23,290 	 	 	 	24,379 	 	 	 	18,081 	 	 	 	117,070 	 	 	 	8,316 	 	 	 	54,910 	 	 	 	98 	 	 	 	2,999 	 	 	 	183,393 	 	
Restructure expense - severance and contract termination costs	 	 	747 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	282 	 	 	 	487 	 	 	 	1,516 	 	 	 	1,845 	 	 	 	3,706 	 	 	 	(7,067	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Impairment expense	 	 	5,074 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	5,074 	 	 	 	9,351 	 	 	 	4,409 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	18,834 	 	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	64,965 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	64,965 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	64,965 	 	
Other expenses	 	 	33,922 	 	 	 	9,879 	 	 	 	11,224 	 	 	 	2,489 	 	 	 	57,514 	 	 	 	35,679 	 	 	 	53,975 	 	 	 	24 	 	 	 	26,230 	 	 	 	173,422 	 	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	47,737 	 	 	 	1,397 	 	 	 	6,641 	 	 	 	2,323 	 	 	 	58,098 	 	 	 	77,105 	 	 	 	3,732 	 	 	 	(138,935	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	138,800 	 	 	 	34,566 	 	 	 	107,491 	 	 	 	23,380 	 	 	 	304,237 	 	 	 	132,296 	 	 	 	120,732 	 	 	 	(145,880	)  	 	 	29,229 	 	 	 	440,614 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income (loss) before income taxes	 	 	42,276 	 	 	 	15,580 	 	 	 	4,970 	 	 	 	3,182 	 	 	 	66,008 	 	 	 	50,957 	 	 	 	(85,717	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	13,492 	 	 	 	44,740 	 	
Income tax (expense) benefit (a)	 	 	(14,321	)  	 	 	(5,175	)  	 	 	(1,730	)  	 	 	(1,021	)  	 	 	(22,247	)  	 	 	(18,356	)  	 	 	28,499 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(5,792	)  	 	 	(17,896	)  	
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	 	 	27,955 	 	 	 	10,405 	 	 	 	3,240 	 	 	 	2,161 	 	 	 	43,761 	 	 	 	32,601 	 	 	 	(57,218	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	7,700 	 	 	 	26,844 	 	
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,818 	 	 	 	1,818 	 	
Net income (loss)	 	$	27,955	 	 	 	10,405 	 	 	 	3,240 	 	 	 	2,161 	 	 	 	43,761 	 	 	 	32,601 	 	 	 	(57,218	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	9,518 	 	 	 	28,662 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(a) Income taxes are applied to each operating segment based on the consolidated effective tax rate for the period.	

50

 
 	 	Year ended December 31, 2007	 	
 	 	Fee-Based	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	Tuition	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Student	 	 	Payment	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	"Base net	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Loan	 	 	Processing	 	 	 	 	 	Software	 	 	 	 	 	Asset	 	 	Corporate	 	 	 	 	 	income"	 	 	 	 	
 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	 	 	 	and	 	 	Total	 	 	Generation	 	 	Activity	 	 	Eliminations	 	 	Adjustments	 	 	GAAP	 	
 	 	Guaranty	 	 	 Campus	 	 	Enrollment	 	 	Technical	 	 	Fee-	 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	to GAAP	 	 	Results of	 	
 	 	Servicing	 	 	Commerce	 	 	Services	 	 	Services	 	 	Based	 	 	Management	 	 	Overhead	 	 	Reclassifications	 	 	Results	 	 	Operations	 	
Total interest income	 	$	5,459	 	 	 	3,809 	 	 	 	347 	 	 	 	18 	 	 	 	9,633 	 	 	 	1,730,882 	 	 	 	7,485 	 	 	 	(3,737	)  	 	 	3,013 	 	 	 	1,747,276 	 	
Interest expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	7 	 	 	 	7 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	14 	 	 	 	1,465,883 	 	 	 	40,502 	 	 	 	(3,737	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,502,662 	 	
Net interest income (loss)	 	 	5,459 	 	 	 	3,802 	 	 	 	340 	 	 	 	18 	 	 	 	9,619 	 	 	 	264,999 	 	 	 	(33,017	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,013 	 	 	 	244,614 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Less provision for loan losses	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	28,178 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	28,178 	 	
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses	 	 	5,459 	 	 	 	3,802 	 	 	 	340 	 	 	 	18 	 	 	 	9,619 	 	 	 	236,821 	 	 	 	(33,017	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,013 	 	 	 	216,436 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other income (expense):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	 	 	122,086 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	122,086 	 	 	 	294 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	122,380 	 	
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce   revenue	 	 	—	 	 	 	42,766 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	42,766 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	42,766 	 	
Enrollment services revenue	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	103,905 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	103,905 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	103,905 	 	
Software services revenue	 	 	5,689 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	22,075 	 	 	 	27,764 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	27,764 	 	
Other income	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	17,820 	 	 	 	12,603 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	30,423 	 	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,597 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,597 	 	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	74,687 	 	 	 	688 	 	 	 	891 	 	 	 	15,683 	 	 	 	91,949 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	9,040 	 	 	 	(100,989	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	26,806 	 	 	 	26,806 	 	
Derivative settlements, net	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	6,628 	 	 	 	12,049 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	18,677 	 	
Total other income (expense)	 	 	202,462 	 	 	 	43,454 	 	 	 	104,796 	 	 	 	37,758 	 	 	 	388,470 	 	 	 	28,339 	 	 	 	33,692 	 	 	 	(100,989	)  	 	 	26,806 	 	 	 	376,318 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	85,462 	 	 	 	20,426 	 	 	 	33,480 	 	 	 	23,959 	 	 	 	163,327 	 	 	 	23,101 	 	 	 	49,839 	 	 	 	(1,747	)  	 	 	2,111 	 	 	 	236,631 	 	
Restructure expense- severance and contract termination costs	 	 	1,840 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	929 	 	 	 	58 	 	 	 	2,827 	 	 	 	2,406 	 	 	 	4,998 	 	 	 	(10,231	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Impairment expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	11,401 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	11,401 	 	 	 	28,291 	 	 	 	9,812 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	49,504 	 	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	45,408 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	45,408 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	45,408 	 	
Other expenses	 	 	36,618 	 	 	 	8,901 	 	 	 	15,037 	 	 	 	2,995 	 	 	 	63,551 	 	 	 	29,205 	 	 	 	77,915 	 	 	 	2,969 	 	 	 	30,426 	 	 	 	204,066 	 	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	10,552 	 	 	 	364 	 	 	 	335 	 	 	 	775 	 	 	 	12,026 	 	 	 	74,714 	 	 	 	5,240 	 	 	 	(91,980	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	134,472 	 	 	 	29,691 	 	 	 	106,590 	 	 	 	27,787 	 	 	 	298,540 	 	 	 	157,717 	 	 	 	147,804 	 	 	 	(100,989	)  	 	 	32,537 	 	 	 	535,609 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income (loss) before income taxes	 	 	73,449 	 	 	 	17,565 	 	 	 	(1,454	)  	 	 	9,989 	 	 	 	99,549 	 	 	 	107,443 	 	 	 	(147,129	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(2,718	)  	 	 	57,145 	 	
Income tax (expense) benefit (a)	 	 	(27,910	)  	 	 	(6,675	)  	 	 	553 	 	 	 	(3,796	)  	 	 	(37,828	)  	 	 	(40,828	)  	 	 	57,285 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(345	)  	 	 	(21,716	)  	
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	 	 	45,539 	 	 	 	10,890 	 	 	 	(901	)  	 	 	6,193 	 	 	 	61,721 	 	 	 	66,615 	 	 	 	(89,844	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,063	)  	 	 	35,429 	 	
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(2,575	)  	 	 	(2,575	)  	
Net income (loss)	 	$	45,539	 	 	 	10,890 	 	 	 	(901	)  	 	 	6,193 	 	 	 	61,721 	 	 	 	66,615 	 	 	 	(89,844	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(5,638	)  	 	 	32,854 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(a) Income taxes are based on 38% of net income (loss) before tax for the individual operating segment.	
 
Non-GAAP Performance Measures

In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company prepares financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  In addition to evaluating the Company’s GAAP-based financial information, management also evaluates the Company’s operating segments on a non-GAAP performance measure referred to as “base net income” for each operating segment.  While “base net income” is not a substitute for reported results under GAAP, the Company relies on “base net income” to manage each operating segment because management believes these measures provide additional information regarding the operational and performance indicators that are most closely assessed by management.

“Base net income” is the primary financial performance measure used by management to develop financial plans, establish corporate performance targets, allocate resources, track results, evaluate performance, and determine incentive compensation.  Accordingly, financial information is reported to management on a “base net income” basis by operating segment, as these are the measures used regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision maker.  The Company’s board of directors utilizes “base net income” to set performance targets and evaluate management’s performance.  The Company also believes analysts, rating agencies, and creditors use “base net income” in their evaluation of the Company’s results of operations.  While “base net income” is not a substitute for reported results under GAAP, the Company utilizes “base net income” in operating its business because “base net income” permits management to make meaningful period-to-period comparisons by eliminating the temporary volatility in the Company’s performance that arises from certain items that are primarily affected by factors beyond the control of management.  Management believes “base net income” provides additional insight into the financial performance of the core business activities of the Company’s operations.

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Limitations of “Base Net Income”

While GAAP provides a uniform, comprehensive basis of accounting, for the reasons discussed above, management believes that “base net income” is an important additional tool for providing a more complete understanding of the Company’s results of operations.  Nevertheless, “base net income” is subject to certain general and specific limitations that investors should carefully consider.  For example, as stated above, unlike financial accounting, there is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for management reporting.  The Company’s “base net income” is not a defined term within GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.  Investors, therefore, may not be able to compare the Company’s performance with that of other companies based upon “base net income”.  “Base net income” results are only meant to supplement GAAP results by providing additional information regarding the operational and performance indicators that are most closely monitored and used by the Company’s management and board of directors to assess performance and information which the Company believes is important to analysts, rating agencies, and creditors.

Other limitations of “base net income” arise from the specific adjustments that management makes to GAAP results to derive “base net income” results.  These differences are described below.

The adjustments required to reconcile from the Company’s “base net income” measure to its GAAP results of operations relate to differing treatments for derivatives, foreign currency transaction adjustments, and certain other items that management does not consider in evaluating the Company’s operating results.  The following table reflects adjustments associated with these areas by operating segment and Corporate Activity and Overhead:
 
 	 	Student	 	 	Tuition	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Loan	 	 	Payment	 	 	 	 	 	Software	 	 	Asset	 	 	Corporate	 	 	 	 	
 	 	and	 	 	Processing	 	 	 	 	 	and	 	 	Generation	 	 	Activity	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Guaranty	 	 	and Campus	 	 	Enrollment	 	 	Technical	 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Servicing	 	 	Commerce	 	 	Services	 	 	Services	 	 	Management	 	 	Overhead	 	 	Total	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Year ended December 31, 2009	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments	 	$	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	34,569 	 	 	 	(3,767	)  	 	 	30,802 	 	
Amortization of intangible assets	 	 	4,315 	 	 	 	7,440 	 	 	 	9,961 	 	 	 	533 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	22,249 	 	
Compensation related to business combinations	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	159 	 	 	 	159 	 	
Variable-rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(7,502	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(7,502	)  	
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Net tax effect (a)	 	 	(1,640	)  	 	 	(2,827	)  	 	 	(3,787	)  	 	 	(202	)  	 	 	(10,285	)  	 	 	2,514 	 	 	 	(16,227	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total adjustments to GAAP	 	$	2,675	 	 	 	4,613 	 	 	 	6,174 	 	 	 	331 	 	 	 	16,782 	 	 	 	(1,094	)  	 	 	29,481 	 	

 	 	Year ended December 31, 2008	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments	 	$	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(13,844	)	 	 	3,483	 	 	 	(10,361	)	
Amortization of intangible assets	 	 	4,751	 	 	 	7,826	 	 	 	12,451	 	 	 	1,057	 	 	 	145	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	26,230	 	
Compensation related to business combinations	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,999	 	 	 	2,999	 	
Variable-rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(32,360	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	(32,360	)	
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	 	 	(1,818	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(1,818	)	
Net tax effect (a)	 	 	(1,590	)	 	 	(2,615	)	 	 	(4,185	)	 	 	(354	)	 	 	16,770	 	 	 	(2,234	)	 	 	5,792	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total adjustments to GAAP	 	$	1,343	 	 	 	5,211	 	 	 	8,266	 	 	 	703	 	 	 	(29,289	)	 	 	4,248	 	 	 	(9,518	)	

 	 	Year ended December 31, 2007	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments	 	$	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(24,224	)	 	 	(2,582	)	 	 	(26,806	)	
Amortization of intangible assets	 	 	5,094	 	 	 	5,815	 	 	 	12,692	 	 	 	1,191	 	 	 	5,634	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	30,426	 	
Compensation related to business combinations	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,111	 	 	 	2,111	 	
Variable-rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,013	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,013	)	
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	 	 	2,575	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,575	 	
Net tax effect (a)	 	 	(1,936	)	 	 	(2,209	)	 	 	(4,823	)	 	 	(452	)	 	 	8,209	 	 	 	1,556	 	 	 	345	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total adjustments to GAAP	 	$	5,733	 	 	 	3,606	 	 	 	7,869	 	 	 	739	 	 	 	(13,394	)	 	 	1,085	 	 	 	5,638	 	
 
(a)  	For 2009 and 2007, income taxes are applied based on 38% for each operating segment and any difference between 38% and the effective tax rate for the period is reflected in Corporate Activities and Overhead. For 2008, income taxes are applied to each operating segment (including Corporate Activities and Overhead) based on the consolidated effective tax rate for the period.	

52

 
Differences between GAAP and “Base Net Income”

Management’s financial planning and evaluation of operating results does not take into account the following items because their volatility and/or inherent uncertainty affect the period-to-period comparability of the Company’s results of operations.  A more detailed discussion of the differences between GAAP and “base net income” follows.

Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments:  “ Base net income” excludes the periodic unrealized gains and losses that are caused by the change in fair value on derivatives used in the Company’s risk management strategy in which the Company does not qualify for “hedge treatment” under GAAP.  As such, the Company recognizes changes in fair value of derivative instruments currently in earnings. The Company maintains an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility.  Derivative instruments primarily used by the Company to manage interest rate risk includes interest rate swaps and basis swaps. Management has structured all of the Company's derivative transactions with the intent that each is economically effective. However, the Company does not qualify its derivatives for “hedge treatment”, and the stand-alone derivative must be marked-to-market in the income statement with no consideration for the corresponding change in fair value of the hedged item.  The Company believes these point-in-time estimates of asset and liability values that are subject to interest rate fluctuations make it difficult to evaluate the ongoing results of operations against its business plan and affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations.  Included in “base net income” are the economic effects of the Company’s derivative instruments, which includes any cash paid or received being recognized as an expense or revenue upon actual derivative settlements.  These settlements are included in “Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” on the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

“Base net income” excludes the foreign currency transaction gains or losses caused by the re-measurement of the Company’s Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars.  In connection with the issuance of the Euro-denominated bonds, the Company has entered into cross-currency interest rate swaps.  Under the terms of these agreements, the principal payments on the Euro-denominated notes will effectively be paid at the exchange rate in effect at the issuance date of the bonds.  The cross-currency interest rate swaps also convert the floating rate paid on the Euro-denominated bonds (EURIBOR index) to an index based on LIBOR.   Included in “base net income” are the economic effects of any cash paid or received being recognized as an expense or revenue upon actual settlements of the cross-currency interest rate swaps. These settlements are included in “Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” on the Company’s consolidated statements of income.  However, the gains or losses caused by the re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars and the change in market value of the cross-currency interest rate swaps are excluded from “base net income” as the Company believes the point-in-time estimates of value that are subject to currency rate fluctuations related to these financial instruments make it difficult to evaluate the ongoing results of operations against the Company’s business plan and affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations.  The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in fair value of the cross-currency interest rate swaps.  However, the Company will experience unrealized gains or losses related to the cross-currency interest rate swaps if the two underlying indices (and related forward curve) do not move in parallel.

In 2008 and 2007, “base net income” also excluded the change in fair value of put options issued by the Company for certain business acquisitions.  The put options were valued by the Company each reporting period using a Black-Scholes pricing model.  Therefore, the fair value of those options were primarily affected by the strike price and term of the underlying option, the Company’s stock price, and the dividend yield and volatility of the Company’s stock.  The Company believed those point-in-time estimates of value that were subject to fluctuations made it difficult to evaluate the ongoing results of operations against the Company’s business plans and affected the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations.  In 2008, the Company settled all of its obligations related to these put options.
 
The gains and/or losses included in “Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” on the Company’s consolidated statements of income are primarily caused by interest rate and currency volatility, changes in the value of put options based on the inputs used in the Black-Scholes pricing model, as well as the volume and terms of put options and of derivatives not receiving hedge treatment.  “Base net income” excludes these unrealized gains and losses and isolates the effect of interest rate, currency, and put option volatility on the fair value of such instruments during the period.  Under GAAP, the effects of these factors on the fair value of the put options and the derivative instruments (but not the underlying hedged item) tend to show more volatility in the short term.

Amortization of intangible assets:   “Base net income” excludes the amortization of acquired intangibles, which arises primarily from the acquisition of definite life intangible assets in connection with the Company’s acquisitions, since the Company feels that such charges do not drive the Company’s operating performance on a long-term basis and can affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations.

Compensation related to business combinations:   The Company has structured certain business combinations in which the consideration paid has been dependent on the sellers’ continued employment with the Company.  As such, the value of the consideration paid is recognized as compensation expense by the Company over the term of the applicable employment agreement.  “Base net income” excludes this expense because the Company believes such charges do not drive its operating performance on a long-term basis and can affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations.  If the Company did not enter into the employment agreements in connection with the acquisition, the amount paid to these former shareholders of the acquired entity would have been recorded by the Company as additional consideration of the acquired entity, thus, not having an effect on the Company’s results of operations.

53

Variable-rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives :   Loans that reset annually on July 1 can generate excess spread income compared with the rate based on the special allowance payment formula in declining interest rate environments.  The Company refers to this additional income as variable-rate floor income.  The Company excludes variable-rate floor income, net of settlements paid on derivatives used to hedge student loan assets earning variable-rate floor income, from its “base net income” since the timing and amount of variable-rate floor income (if any) is uncertain, it has been eliminated by legislation for all loans originated on and after April 1, 2006, and it is in excess of expected spreads.  In addition, because variable-rate floor income is subject to the underlying rate for the subject loans being reset annually on July 1, it is a factor beyond the Company’s control which can affect the period-to-period comparability of results of operations.

The Company has used derivative instruments to hedge variable rate floor income during certain periods. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company made payments (settlements) of $10.0 million on such derivatives.  These settlements are netted with variable-rate floor income and are excluded from “base net income.”

Discontinued operations: In May 2007, the Company sold EDULINX. As a result of this transaction, the results of operations for EDULINX are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The Company presents “base net income” excluding discontinued operations since the operations and cash flows of EDULINX have been eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company.
 
STUDENT LOAN AND GUARANTY SERVICING OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment provides for the servicing of the Company’s student loan portfolio and the portfolios of third parties and servicing provided to guaranty agencies. The loan servicing activities include loan origination activities, loan conversion activities, application processing, borrower updates, payment processing, due diligence procedures, and claim processing. These activities are performed internally for the Company’s portfolio in addition to generating fee revenue when performed for third-party clients.  The guaranty servicing activities include providing software and data center services, borrower and loan updates, default aversion tracking services, claim processing services, and post-default collection services to guaranty agencies. The Company’s student loan servicing division uses proprietary systems to manage the servicing process. These systems provide for automated compliance with most of the federal student loan regulations adopted under the Higher Education Act.

Loan servicing fees are determined according to individual agreements with customers and are calculated based on the dollar value of loans, number of loans, or number of borrowers serviced for each customer.  In addition, the Company earns servicing revenue for the origination of loans and conversion of loan portfolios.  Guaranty servicing fees, generally, are calculated based on the number of loans serviced, volume of loans serviced, or amounts collected.

In June 2009, the Department of Education named the Company as one of four private sector companies awarded a servicing contract to service all federally-owned student loans, including FFELP loans purchased by the Department pursuant to ECASLA. No later than August 2010, the Company expects to also begin servicing new loans originated under the Direct Loan Program. Servicing volume has initially been allocated by the Department to the four servicers and performance factors such as customer satisfaction levels and default rates will determine volume allocations over time. The contract spans five years with one, five-year renewal option. Servicing loans under this contract will increase revenue earned by this segment.  However, operating margins under this contract are expected to be lower than historical levels achieved.

The Company began servicing loans for the Department under this contract in September 2009 and recognized approximately $1.7 million of revenue during 2009. As of December 31, 2009 and March 1, 2010, the Company was servicing approximately $3.4 billion and $6.3 billion, respectively, of loans under the Department’s servicing contract, which includes approximately $1.5 billion and $4.3 billion, respectively, of loans not previously serviced by the Company that were sold by third parties to the Department as part of the ECASLA Purchase Program .

54

Student Loan Servicing Volumes (dollars in millions)

(a)      	As of December 31, 2009, the Company was servicing $464.2 million of loans owned by the Company and approximately $809.3 million of loans for third parties that were disbursed on or after July 1, 2009 and may be eligible to be sold to the Department of Education pursuant to its 2009-2010 Loan Purchase Commitment Program.  The Company expects to retain servicing rights on all loans sold to the Department which are currently being serviced by the Company.	

Year ended December 31, 2009 compared to year ended December 31, 2008
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	$ Change	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net interest income	 	$	112	 	 	 	1,377	 	 	 	(1,265	)	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	 	 	110,273	 	 	 	99,916	 	 	 	10,357	 	
Software services revenue	 	 	3,701	 	 	 	4,371	 	 	 	(670	)	
Other income	 	 	644	 	 	 	51	 	 	 	593	 	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	85,104	 	 	 	75,361	 	 	 	9,743	 	
Total other income	 	 	199,722	 	 	 	179,699	 	 	 	20,023	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	54,289	 	 	 	51,320	 	 	 	2,969	 	
Restructure expense - severance and contract	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
termination costs	 	 	5,964	 	 	 	747	 	 	 	5,217	 	
Impairment expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	5,074	 	 	 	(5,074	)	
Other expenses	 	 	35,391	 	 	 	33,922	 	 	 	1,469	 	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	37,039	 	 	 	47,737	 	 	 	(10,698	)	
Total operating expenses	 	 	132,683	 	 	 	138,800	 	 	 	(6,117	)	
"Base net income" before income taxes	 	 	67,151	 	 	 	42,276	 	 	 	24,875	 	
Income tax expense	 	 	(25,518	)	 	 	(14,321	)	 	 	(11,197	)	
"Base net income"	 	$	41,633	 	 	 	27,955	 	 	 	13,678	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Before Tax Operating Margin	 	 	33.6	%	 	 	23.3	%	 	 	 	 	

55

 
N et interest income .   Investment income decreased as a result of decreases in interest rates on cash held in 2009 compared to 2008.

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue and intersegment revenue .
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
 	 	Origination
revenue	 	 	Servicing
revenue	 	 	Total
revenue	 	 	Origination
revenue	 	 	Servicing
revenue	 	 	Total
revenue	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
FFELP servicing (a)	 	$	1,893	 	 	 	57,630	 	 	 	59,523	 	 	 	3,754	 	 	 	45,346	 	 	 	49,100	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Private servicing	 	 	816	 	 	 	7,454	 	 	 	8,270	 	 	 	486	 	 	 	7,495	 	 	 	7,981	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Government servicing	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,679	 	 	 	1,679	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Guaranty servicing (b)	 	 	307	 	 	 	40,494	 	 	 	40,801	 	 	 	442	 	 	 	42,393	 	 	 	42,835	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	 	 	3,016	 	 	 	107,257	 	 	 	110,273	 	 	 	4,682	 	 	 	95,234	 	 	 	99,916	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Intersegment revenue (c)	 	 	8,569	 	 	 	76,535	 	 	 	85,104	 	 	 	5,389	 	 	 	69,972	 	 	 	75,361	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total servicing revenue	 	$	11,585	 	 	 	183,792	 	 	 	195,377	 	 	 	10,071	 	 	 	165,206	 	 	 	175,277	 	
 
(a)  	FFELP origination revenue decreased in 2009 compared to 2008 due to lenders exiting the FFELP marketplace as a result of legislative changes and disruptions in the capital markets. FFELP servicing revenue increased in 2009 due to an increase in servicing volume and the receipt of $6.8 million in conversion fees associated with the loss of life of loan servicing and transfer related activities for third party clients that sold loans to the Department of Education under the Purchase Program.	

(b)  	Guaranty servicing revenue decreased in 2009 due to the receipt of $13.7 million in fees received from rehabilitation collections on defaulted loan assets in 2008.  In 2009, the revenue from rehabilitation collections on defaulted loans was $7.8 million. This decrease was offset by an increase in consolidation collection revenue in 2009.	

(c)   	Intersegment origination revenue increased in 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 due to an increase in the Company’s disbursement volume. Intersegment servicing revenue increased in 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 due to an increase in the number of loans transferred between various financings as the Company was executing certain financing strategies and conversion fees received upon the Company selling student loans to the Department under the Purchase Program.	

Operating expenses .   Excluding restructure and impairment charges and collection fees paid related to rehabilitation sales, operating expenses decreased $3.0 million (2.4%) for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008. This decrease was the result of cost savings from the Company’s restructuring plans.

Before tax operating margin .   Excluding restructure and impairment expenses, before tax operating margins were 36.6% and 26.6% for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

56

 
Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to year ended December 31, 2007
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	 	$ Change	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net interest income	 	$	1,377	 	 	 	5,459	 	 	 	(4,082	)	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	 	 	99,916	 	 	 	122,086	 	 	 	(22,170	)	
Software services revenue	 	 	4,371	 	 	 	5,689	 	 	 	(1,318	)	
Other income	 	 	51	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	51	 	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	75,361	 	 	 	74,687	 	 	 	674	 	
Total other income	 	 	179,699	 	 	 	202,462	 	 	 	(22,763	)	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	51,320	 	 	 	85,462	 	 	 	(34,142	)	
Restructure expense - severance and contract	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
termination costs	 	 	747	 	 	 	1,840	 	 	 	(1,093	)	
Impairment expense	 	 	5,074	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	5,074	 	
Other expenses	 	 	33,922	 	 	 	36,618	 	 	 	(2,696	)	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	47,737	 	 	 	10,552	 	 	 	37,185	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	138,800	 	 	 	134,472	 	 	 	4,328	 	
"Base net income" before income taxes	 	 	42,276	 	 	 	73,449	 	 	 	(31,173	)	
Income tax expense	 	 	(14,321	)	 	 	(27,910	)	 	 	13,589	 	
"Base net income"	 	$	27,955	 	 	 	45,539	 	 	 	(17,584	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Before Tax Operating Margin	 	 	23.3	%	 	 	35.3	%	 	 	 	 	
 
N et interest income .   Investment income decreased as a result of an overall decrease in cash held in 2008 compared to 2007, as well as a decrease in interest rates on cash held in 2008 compared to 2007.

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue and intersegment revenue .
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
 	 	Origination
revenue	 	 	Servicing
revenue	 	 	Total
revenue	 	 	Origination
revenue	 	 	Servicing
revenue	 	 	Total
revenue	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
FFELP servicing (a)	 	$	3,754	 	 	 	45,346	 	 	 	49,100	 	 	 	7,758	 	 	 	47,618	 	 	 	55,376	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Private servicing	 	 	486	 	 	 	7,495	 	 	 	7,981	 	 	 	1,635	 	 	 	8,661	 	 	 	10,296	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Government servicing	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Guaranty servicing (b)	 	 	442	 	 	 	42,393	 	 	 	42,835	 	 	 	534	 	 	 	55,880	 	 	 	56,414	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	 	 	4,682	 	 	 	95,234	 	 	 	99,916	 	 	 	9,927	 	 	 	112,159	 	 	 	122,086	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	5,389	 	 	 	69,972	 	 	 	75,361	 	 	 	8,745	 	 	 	65,942	 	 	 	74,687	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total servicing revenue	 	$	10,071	 	 	 	165,206	 	 	 	175,277	 	 	 	18,672	 	 	 	178,101	 	 	 	196,773	 	
 
(a)  	FFELP origination revenue decreased in 2008 compared to 2007 due to lenders exiting the FFELP marketplace as a result of legislative changes and disruptions in the capital markets.	

(b)  	Guaranty servicing revenue decreased in 2008 mainly due to the termination of a Voluntary Flexible Agreement between the Department and College Assist, one of the Company’s customers, which decreased certain rates in which the Company earns revenue. The remaining decrease is due to the receipt of $16.2 million in fees received from rehabilitation collections on defaulted loan assets in 2007.  In 2008, the revenue from rehabilitation collections on defaulted loans was $13.7 million.	

Operating expenses .   Operating expenses increased for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 as a result of the allocation of additional corporate overhead expenses, which were included in Corporate Activity and Overhead for the year ended December 31, 2007.  Excluding restructure and impairment charges and corporate allocations, operating expenses decreased $22.3 million (16.8%) for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007. This decrease was the result of cost savings from the Company’s restructuring plans.

57

Before tax operating margin .   Excluding restructure and impairment expenses and expenses associated with the allocation of additional corporate overhead expenses, which were included in Corporate Activity and Overhead for the year ended December 31, 2007, the before tax operating margins were 39.1% and 36.2% for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

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

The Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce operating segment provides products and services to help institutions and education seeking families manage the payment of education costs during the pre-college and college stages of the education life cycle.  The Company provides actively managed tuition payment solutions, online payment processing, detailed information reporting, financial needs analysis, and data integration services to K-12 and higher educational institutions, families, and students.  In addition, the Company provides customer-focused electronic transactions, information sharing, and account and bill presentment to colleges and universities.

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. Revenue associated with providing electronic commerce subscription services is recognized over the service period with the highest revenue months being July through September and December and January.  The Company’s operating expenses do not follow the seasonality of the revenues. This is primarily due to fixed year-round personnel costs and seasonal marketing costs.

Year ended December 31, 2009 compared to year ended December 31, 2008
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	$ Change	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net interest income	 	$	62	 	 	 	1,689	 	 	 	(1,627	)	
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	 	 	53,894	 	 	 	48,155	 	 	 	5,739	 	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	237	 	 	 	302	 	 	 	(65	)	
Total other income	 	 	54,131	 	 	 	48,457	 	 	 	5,674	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	25,549	 	 	 	23,290	 	 	 	2,259	 	
Other expenses	 	 	9,642	 	 	 	9,879	 	 	 	(237	)	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	2,800	 	 	 	1,397	 	 	 	1,403	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	37,991	 	 	 	34,566	 	 	 	3,425	 	
"Base net income" before income taxes	 	 	16,202	 	 	 	15,580	 	 	 	622	 	
Income tax expense	 	 	(6,156	)	 	 	(5,175	)	 	 	(981	)	
"Base net income"	 	$	10,046	 	 	 	10,405	 	 	 	(359	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Before Tax Operating Margin	 	 	29.9	%	 	 	31.1	%	 	 	 	 	
 
Net interest income .   Investment income decreased as a result of decreases in interest rates on cash held in 2009 compared to 2008.

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue . Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue increased in 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 as a result of an increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans as well as an increase in campus commerce transactions processed.

Operating expenses . Operating expenses increased for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008 as a result of incurring additional costs associated with salaries and benefits to support the increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans and campus commerce transactions.  In addition, the Company continues to invest in new products and services to meet customer needs and expand product and service offerings.  These investments increased operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008.

Before tax operating margin .   Excluding net interest income, the before tax operating margins were 29.8% and 28.7% for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Net interest income earned by the Company during any given period is subject to the underlying interest rate earned on cash and is a factor beyond the Company’s control which can affect the period-to-period comparability of results of operations.

58

Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to year ended December 31, 2007
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	 	$ Change	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net interest income	 	$	1,689	 	 	 	3,802	 	 	 	(2,113	)	
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	 	 	48,155	 	 	 	42,766	 	 	 	5,389	 	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	302	 	 	 	688	 	 	 	(386	)	
Total other income	 	 	48,457	 	 	 	43,454	 	 	 	5,003	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	23,290	 	 	 	20,426	 	 	 	2,864	 	
Other expenses	 	 	9,879	 	 	 	8,901	 	 	 	978	 	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	1,397	 	 	 	364	 	 	 	1,033	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	34,566	 	 	 	29,691	 	 	 	4,875	 	
"Base net income" before income taxes	 	 	15,580	 	 	 	17,565	 	 	 	(1,985	)	
Income tax expense	 	 	(5,175	)	 	 	(6,675	)	 	 	1,500	 	
"Base net income"	 	$	10,405	 	 	 	10,890	 	 	 	(485	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Before Tax Operating Margin	 	 	31.1	%	 	 	37.2	%	 	 	 	 	
 
Net interest income .   Investment income decreased as a result of decreases in interest rates on cash held in 2008 compared to 2007.

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue . Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue increased in 2008 compared to the same periods in 2007 as a result of an increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans as well as an increase in campus commerce transactions processed.

Operating expenses . Operating expenses increased for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007 as a result of incurring additional costs associated with salaries and benefits to support the increase in the number of managed tuition payment plans and campus commerce transactions.  In addition, the Company continues to invest in new products and services to meet customer needs and expand product and service offerings.  These investments increased operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007.

Before tax operating margin.   Excluding net interest income and expenses associated with the allocation of additional corporate overhead expenses, which were included in Corporate Activity and Overhead for the year ended December 31, 2007, the before tax operating margins were 30.6% and 31.7% for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Net interest income earned by the Company during any given period is subject to the underlying interest rate earned on cash and is a factor beyond the Company’s control which can affect the period-to-period comparability of results of operations.

59

 
ENROLLMENT SERVICES OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Enrollment Services segment offers products and services that are focused on helping colleges recruit and retain students (lead generation and recruitment services and helping students plan and prepare for life after high school (content management and publishing and editing services). Lead generation products and services include vendor lead management services and admissions lead generation. Recruitment services include pay per click marketing management, email marketing, list marketing services, and admissions consulting. Content management products and services include online courses and related services. Publishing and editing services include test preparation study guides and essay and resume editing services.

Year ended December 31, 2009 compared to year ended December 31, 2008
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	$ Change	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net interest income	 	$	—	 	 	 	17	 	 	 	(17	)	
Enrollment services revenue	 	 	119,397	 	 	 	112,405	 	 	 	6,992	 	
Software services revenue	 	 	—	 	 	 	37	 	 	 	(37	)	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	555	 	 	 	2	 	 	 	553	 	
Total other income	 	 	119,952	 	 	 	112,444	 	 	 	7,508	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	23,222	 	 	 	24,379	 	 	 	(1,157	)	
Restructure expense - severance and	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
           and contract termination costs	 	 	—	 	 	 	282	 	 	 	(282	)	
Impairment expense	 	 	32,728	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	32,728	 	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	74,926	 	 	 	64,965	 	 	 	9,961	 	
Other expenses	 	 	13,226	 	 	 	11,224	 	 	 	2,002	 	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	2,121	 	 	 	6,641	 	 	 	(4,520	)	
Total operating expenses	 	 	146,223	 	 	 	107,491	 	 	 	38,732	 	
"Base net income (loss)" before income taxes	 	 	(26,271	)	 	 	4,970	 	 	 	(31,241	)	
Income tax (expense) benefit	 	 	9,984	 	 	 	(1,730	)	 	 	11,714	 	
"Base net income (loss)"	 	$	(16,287	)	 	 	3,240	 	 	 	(19,527	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Before Tax Operating Margin	 	 	(21.9	%)	 	 	4.4	%	 	 	 	 	

60

 
Enrollment services revenue, cost to provide enrollment services, and gross profit.
 
 	 	Year ended December 31, 2009	 	
 	 	 	 	 	Publishing	 	 	 	 	 	Content	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	and	 	 	 	 	 	management	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Lead	 	 	editing	 	 	 	 	 	and recruitment	 	 	 	 	
 	 	generation (a)	 	 	services (b)	 	 	Subtotal	 	 	services (c)	 	 	Total	 	
Enrollment services revenue	 	$	88,851	 	 	 	10,906	 	 	 	99,757	 	 	 	19,640	 	 	 	119,397	 	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	70,663	 	 	 	4,263	 	 	 	74,926	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit	 	$	18,188	 	 	 	6,643	 	 	 	24,831	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit %	 	 	20.5	%	 	 	60.9	%	 	 	24.9	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Year ended December 31, 2008	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	Publishing	 	 	 	 	 	 	Content	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	and	 	 	 	 	 	 	management	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Lead	 	 	editing	 	 	 	 	 	 	and recruitment	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	generation (a)	 	 	services (b)	 	 	Subtotal	 	 	services (c)	 	 	Total	 	
Enrollment services revenue	 	$	72,513	 	 	 	15,114	 	 	 	87,627	 	 	 	24,778	 	 	 	112,405	 	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	58,668	 	 	 	6,297	 	 	 	64,965	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit	 	$	13,845	 	 	 	8,817	 	 	 	22,662	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit %	 	 	19.1	%	 	 	58.3	%	 	 	25.9	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 
(a)  	Lead generation revenue increased $16.3 million (22.5%) for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008 as a result of an increase in lead generation services volume.  The gross profit for lead generation services increased due to the Company’s focus on eliminating lower margin sales and creating cost efficiencies.	

(b)  	Publishing and editing services revenue decreased $4.2 million (27.8%) for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008 due to competition related to online delivery of similar products, as well as a general downturn in economic conditions.  The gross profit for publishing and editing services increased as a result of a shift in the mix of products sold.	

(c)  	Content management and recruitment services revenue decreased $5.1 million (20.7%) for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008.  This decrease was the result of a decrease of $3.8 million associated with the Company’s pay per click marketing management, email marketing, and admissions consulting services and a decrease of $1.9 million associated with the Company’s list marketing services. These decreases were offset by an increase in revenue related to online courses.	

Impairment expense. Impairment expense includes a $32.7 million charge related to the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets related to the Company’s direct marketing and list management business.  This business has been negatively affected by the economic recession and deterioration of the direct-to-consumer student loan market.

Operating expenses .   Excluding restructure and impairment charges and the cost to provide enrollment services, operating expenses decreased $3.7 million (8.7%) for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008 as a result of continued focus on cost efficiencies.

Before tax operating margin .   Excluding restructure and impairment expenses, before tax operating margins were 5.4% and 4.7% for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

61

 
Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to year ended December 31, 2007
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	 	$ Change	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net interest income	 	$	17	 	 	 	340	 	 	 	(323	)	
Enrollment services revenue	 	 	112,405	 	 	 	103,905	 	 	 	8,500	 	
Software services revenue	 	 	37	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	37	 	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	2	 	 	 	891	 	 	 	(889	)	
Total other income	 	 	112,444	 	 	 	104,796	 	 	 	7,648	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	24,379	 	 	 	33,480	 	 	 	(9,101	)	
Restructure expense - severance and	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
contract termination costs	 	 	282	 	 	 	929	 	 	 	(647	)	
Impairment expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	11,401	 	 	 	(11,401	)	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	64,965	 	 	 	45,408	 	 	 	19,557	 	
Other expenses	 	 	11,224	 	 	 	15,037	 	 	 	(3,813	)	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	6,641	 	 	 	335	 	 	 	6,306	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	107,491	 	 	 	106,590	 	 	 	901	 	
"Base net income (loss)" before income taxes	 	 	4,970	 	 	 	(1,454	)	 	 	6,424	 	
Income tax (expense) benefit	 	 	(1,730	)	 	 	553	 	 	 	(2,283	)	
"Base net income (loss)"	 	$	3,240	 	 	 	(901	)	 	 	4,141	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Before Tax Operating Margin	 	 	4.4	%	 	 	(1.4	%)	 	 	 	 	
 
Enrollment services revenue, cost to provide enrollment services, and gross profit.
 
 	 	Year ended December 31, 2008	 	
 	 	 	 	 	Publishing	 	 	 	 	 	Content	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	and	 	 	 	 	 	management	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Lead	 	 	editing	 	 	 	 	 	and recruitment	 	 	 	 	
 	 	generation (a)	 	 	services (b)	 	 	Subtotal	 	 	services (c)	 	 	Total	 	
Enrollment services revenue	 	$	72,513	 	 	 	15,114	 	 	 	87,627	 	 	 	24,778	 	 	 	112,405	 	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	58,668	 	 	 	6,297	 	 	 	64,965	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit	 	$	13,845	 	 	 	8,817	 	 	 	22,662	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit %	 	 	19.1	%	 	 	58.3	%	 	 	25.9	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Year ended December 31, 2007	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	Publishing	 	 	 	 	 	 	Content	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	and	 	 	 	 	 	 	management	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Lead	 	 	editing	 	 	 	 	 	 	and recruitment	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	generation (a)	 	 	services (b)	 	 	Subtotal	 	 	services (c)	 	 	Total	 	
Enrollment services revenue	 	$	50,195	 	 	 	17,835	 	 	 	68,030	 	 	 	35,875	 	 	 	103,905	 	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	38,585	 	 	 	6,823	 	 	 	45,408	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit	 	$	11,610	 	 	 	11,012	 	 	 	22,622	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit %	 	 	23.1	%	 	 	61.7	%	 	 	33.3	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 
(a)  	Lead generation revenue increased $22.3 million (44.5%) for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007 as a result of an increase in lead generation services volume.  The gross profit for lead generation services decreased due to the Company’s focus on increasing customer base and volume.	

(b)  	Publishing and editing services revenue decreased $2.7 million (15.3%) for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007 due to competition related to online delivery of similar products, as well as a general downturn in economic conditions.  The gross profit for publishing and editing services decreased as a result of a shift in the mix of products sold.	

(c)  	Content management and recruitment services revenue decreased $11.1 million (30.9%) for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007.  This decrease was the result of a decrease of $1.5 million associated with the Company’s pay per click marketing management, email marketing, and admissions consulting services and a decrease of $9.1 million associated with the Company’s list marketing services.	

62

 
Operating expenses .   Excluding restructure and impairment charges and the cost to provide enrollment services, operating expenses decreased $6.6 million (13.5%) for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007 as a result of continued focus on cost efficiencies.

Before tax operating margin.   Excluding restructure and impairment expenses and expenses associated with the allocation of additional corporate overhead expenses, which were included in Corporate Activity and Overhead for the year ended December 31, 2007, the before tax operating margins were 7.7% and 10.3% for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

SOFTWARE AND TECHNICAL SERVICES OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company’s Software and Technical Services operating segment develops student loan servicing software, which is used internally by the Company and also licensed to third-party student loan holders and servicers.  This segment also provides information technology products and services, with core areas of business in educational loan software solutions, legacy modernization, technical consulting services, and Enterprise Content Management solutions.

Many of the Company’s external customers receiving services in this segment have been negatively impacted as a result of the passage of the College Cost Reduction Act and the recent disruption in the capital markets. This impact could decrease the demand for products and services and affect this segment’s future revenue and profit margins.

Year ended December 31, 2009 compared to year ended December 31, 2008
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	$ Change	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net interest income	 	$	—	 	 	 	24	 	 	 	(24	)	
Software services revenue	 	 	17,463	 	 	 	19,707	 	 	 	(2,244	)	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	14,586	 	 	 	6,831	 	 	 	7,755	 	
Total other income	 	 	32,049	 	 	 	26,538	 	 	 	5,511	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	21,978	 	 	 	18,081	 	 	 	3,897	 	
Restructure expense - severance and contract	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
termination costs	 	 	936	 	 	 	487	 	 	 	449	 	
Other expenses	 	 	3,330	 	 	 	2,489	 	 	 	841	 	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	2,867	 	 	 	2,323	 	 	 	544	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	29,111	 	 	 	23,380	 	 	 	5,731	 	
"Base net income" before income taxes	 	 	2,938	 	 	 	3,182	 	 	 	(244	)	
Income tax expense	 	 	(1,118	)	 	 	(1,021	)	 	 	(97	)	
"Base net income"	 	$	1,820	 	 	 	2,161	 	 	 	(341	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Before Tax Operating Margin	 	 	9.2	%	 	 	12.0	%	 	 	 	 	
 
Software services revenue . Software services revenue decreased in 2009 compared to 2008 as the result of a reduction in the number of projects for existing external customers and the loss of external customers due to the legislative developments in the student loan industry throughout 2008 and 2009.

Intersegment revenue .   Intersegment revenue increased in 2009 compared to 2008 as a result of an increase in the number of projects for internal customers.

Operating expenses .   Operating expenses increased in 2009 compared to 2008 as a result of costs associated with salaries and benefits to support the increase in intersegment revenue.

Before tax operating margin. Excluding restructure expenses, operating margins were 12.1% and 13.8% for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

63

Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to year ended December 31, 2007
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	 	$ Change	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net interest income after the provision	 	$	24	 	 	 	18	 	 	 	6	 	
Software services revenue	 	 	19,707	 	 	 	22,075	 	 	 	(2,368	)	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	6,831	 	 	 	15,683	 	 	 	(8,852	)	
Total other income	 	 	26,538	 	 	 	37,758	 	 	 	(11,220	)	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	18,081	 	 	 	23,959	 	 	 	(5,878	)	
Restructure expense - severance and contract	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
termination costs	 	 	487	 	 	 	58	 	 	 	429	 	
Other expenses	 	 	2,489	 	 	 	2,995	 	 	 	(506	)	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	2,323	 	 	 	775	 	 	 	1,548	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	23,380	 	 	 	27,787	 	 	 	(4,407	)	
"Base net income" before income taxes	 	 	3,182	 	 	 	9,989	 	 	 	(6,807	)	
Income tax expense	 	 	(1,021	)	 	 	(3,796	)	 	 	2,775	 	
"Base net income"	 	$	2,161	 	 	 	6,193	 	 	 	(4,032	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Before Tax Operating Margin	 	 	12.0	%	 	 	26.4	%	 	 	 	 	

Software services revenue . Software services revenue decreased in 2008 compared to 2007 as the result of a reduction in the number of projects for existing external customers and the loss of external customers due to the legislative developments in the student loan industry throughout 2008.

Intersegment revenue .   Intersegment revenue decreased in 2008 compared to 2007 as a result of an decrease in the number of projects for internal customers.

Operating expenses .   Operating expenses decreased in 2008 compared to 2007 as a result of a decrease in costs associated with salaries and benefits as a result of the decrease in projects for customers and the loss of customers due to legislative developments in the student loan industry.  These decreases were partially offset by increases in operating expenses as a result of the allocation of additional corporate overhead expenses, which were included in Corporate Activity and Overhead for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Before tax operating margin.   Excluding restructure expense and expenses associated with the allocation of additional corporate overhead expenses, which were included in Corporate Activity and Overhead for the year ended December 31, 2007, the before tax operating margins were 22.4 % and 26.6% for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

64

ASSET GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment includes the origination, acquisition, management, and ownership of the Company’s student loan assets, which has historically been the Company’s largest product and service offering. The Company generates a substantial portion of its earnings from the spread, referred to as the Company’s student loan spread, between the yield it receives on its student loan portfolio and the costs associated with originating, acquiring, and financing its portfolio. The Company generates student loan assets through direct origination or through acquisitions. The student loan assets are held in a series of education lending subsidiaries designed specifically for this purpose. In addition to the student loan portfolio, all costs and activity associated with the generation of assets, funding of those assets, and maintenance of the debt transactions are included in this segment.

Student Loan Portfolio

The tables below outline the components of the Company’s student loan portfolio:
 
 	 	As of December 31, 2009	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Originated	 	 	Originated	 	 	2009-2010	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	prior to	 	 	on or after	 	 	Academic Year	 	
 	 	Total	 	 	10/1/07	 	 	 10/1/07	 	 	Loans (b)	 	
Federally insured:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Stafford	 	$	7,145,966	 	 	 	29.9	%	 	$	6,237,445	 	 	 	494,611	 	 	 	413,910	 	
   PLUS/SLS	 	 	474,826	 	 	 	2.0	%	 	 	372,434	 	 	 	52,122	 	 	 	50,270	 	
   Consolidation	 	 	15,851,761	 	 	 	66.3	%	 	 	15,665,937	 	 	 	185,824	 	 	 	—	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
      Total federally insured	 	 	23,472,553	 	 	 	98.2	%	 	$	22,275,816	 	 	 	732,557	 	 	 	464,180	 	
 	 	 	100.0	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	94.9	%	 	 	3.1	%	 	 	2.0	%	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Non-federally insured	 	 	163,321	 	 	 	0.6	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
      Total student loans receivable (gross)	 	 	23,635,874	 	 	 	98.8	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Unamortized premiums and deferred	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   origination costs	 	 	341,970	 	 	 	1.4	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Allowance for loan losses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Federally insured	 	 	(30,102	)	 	 	(0.1	%)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Non-federally insured	 	 	(20,785	)	 	 	(0.1	%)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
      Total student loans receivable (net)	 	$	23,926,957	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 
 	 	As of December 31, 2008	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Originated	 	 	Originated	 	 	2008-2009	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	prior to	 	 	on or after	 	 	Academic Year	 	
 	 	Total	 	 	10/1/07	 	 	 10/1/07	 	 	Loans (b)	 	
Federally insured:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Stafford	 	$	7,602,568	 	 	 	29.9	%	 	$	6,641,817	 	 	 	390,658	 	 	 	570,093	 	
   PLUS/SLS	 	 	527,670	 	 	 	2.1	%	 	 	412,142	 	 	 	48,346	 	 	 	67,182	 	
   Consolidation	 	 	16,657,703	 	 	 	65.5	%	 	 	16,614,950	 	 	 	42,753	 	 	 	—	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
      Total federally insured	 	 	24,787,941	 	 	 	97.5	%	 	$	23,668,909	 	 	 	481,757	 	 	 	637,275	 	
 	 	 	100.0	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	95.5	%	 	 	1.9	%	 	 	2.6	%	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Non-federally insured	 	 	273,108	 	 	 	1.1	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
      Total student loans receivable (gross)	 	 	25,061,049	 	 	 	98.6	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Unamortized premiums and deferred	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   origination costs	 	 	402,881	 	 	 	1.6	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Allowance for loan losses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Federally insured	 	 	(25,577	)	 	 	(0.1	%)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Non-federally insured	 	 	(25,345	)	 	 	(0.1	%)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
      Total student loans receivable (net)	 	$	25,413,008	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

65

 
 	 	As of December 31, 2007	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Originated	 	 	Originated	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	prior to	 	 	 on or after	 	
 	 	Total	 	 	10/1/07	 	 	 10/1/07 (a)	 	
Federally insured:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Stafford	 	$	6,725,910	 	 	 	25.2	%	 	$	6,624,009	 	 	 	101,901	 	
   PLUS/SLS	 	 	429,941	 	 	 	1.6	%	 	 	414,708	 	 	 	15,233	 	
   Consolidation	 	 	18,898,547	 	 	 	70.7	%	 	 	18,646,993	 	 	 	251,554	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
      Total federally insured	 	 	26,054,398	 	 	 	97.5	%	 	$	25,685,710	 	 	 	368,688	 	
 	 	 	100.0	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	98.6	%	 	 	1.4	%	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Non-federally insured	 	 	274,815	 	 	 	1.0	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
      Total student loans receivable (gross)	 	 	26,329,213	 	 	 	98.5	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Unamortized premiums and deferred	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   origination costs	 	 	452,501	 	 	 	1.7	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Allowance for loan losses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Federally insured	 	 	(24,534	)	 	 	(0.1	%)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Non-federally insured	 	 	(21,058	)	 	 	(0.1	%)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
      Total student loans receivable (net)	 	$	26,736,122	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 
(a)  	Federally insured student loans originated on or after October 1, 2007 earn a reduced annual yield as a result of the enactment of the College Cost Reduction Act in September 2007.	

(b)  	2008-2009 and 2009-2010 Academic Year loans are eligible to be participated and sold to the Department under the Department’s Participation and Purchase Programs.	
 
Origination and Acquisition

The Company has historically originated and acquired loans through various methods and channels including: (i) direct-to-consumer channel (in which the Company originates student loans directly with student and parent borrowers), (ii) campus based origination channels, and (iii) spot purchases.

The Company will originate or acquire loans through its campus based channel either directly under one of its brand names or through other originating lenders. In addition to its brands, the Company acquires student loans from lenders to whom the Company provides marketing and/or origination services established through various contracts. Branding partners are lenders for which the Company acts as a marketing agent in specified geographic areas. A forward flow lender is one for whom the Company provides origination services but provides no marketing services or whom simply agrees to sell loans to the Company under forward sale commitments.

66

 
The following table sets forth the activity of loans originated or acquired through each of the Company’s channels:
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Beginning balance	 	$	25,061,049	 	 	 	26,329,213	 	 	 	23,414,468	 	
Direct channel:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Consolidation loan originations	 	 	—	 	 	 	69,078	 	 	 	3,096,754	 	
Less consolidation of existing portfolio	 	 	—	 	 	 	(28,474	)  	 	 	(1,602,835	)  	
Net consolidation loan originations	 	 	—	 	 	 	40,604	 	 	 	1,493,919	 	
Stafford/PLUS loan originations	 	 	1,669,582	 	 	 	1,258,961	 	 	 	1,086,398	 	
Branding partner channel	 	 	860,171	 	 	 	936,044	 	 	 	662,629	 	
Forward flow channel	 	 	202,520	 	 	 	517,551	 	 	 	1,105,145	 	
Other channels	 	 	47,600	 	 	 	55,922	 	 	 	804,019	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total channel acquisitions	 	 	2,779,873	 	 	 	2,809,082	 	 	 	5,152,110	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other	 	 	(1,443,191	)  	 	 	(1,877,885	)  	 	 	(1,321,055	)  	
Consolidation loans lost to external parties	 	 	(430,475	)  	 	 	(369,145	)  	 	 	(800,978	)  	
Loans sold	 	 	(2,331,382	)  	 	 	(1,830,216	)  	 	 	(115,332	)  	
Ending balance	 	$	23,635,874	 	 	 	25,061,049	 	 	 	26,329,213	 	

The Company has significant financing needs that it meets through the capital markets. Beginning in August 2007, the capital markets experienced unprecedented disruptions. Since the Company could not determine nor control the length of time or extent to which the capital markets would remain disrupted, it reduced its direct and indirect costs related to its asset generation activities and was more selective in pursuing origination activity in the direct to consumer channel. Accordingly, beginning in January 2008, the Company suspended Consolidation and private student loan originations and exercised contractual rights to discontinue, suspend, or defer the acquisition of student loans in connection with substantially all of its branding and forward flow relationships. Prior to and in conjunction with exercising this right, during the first quarter of 2008, the Company accelerated the purchase of loans from certain branding partner and forward flow lenders of approximately $511 million.  During 2009, the Company acquired certain loans based on certain lending relationships and to fulfill certain obligations with its brand and forward flow partners.

Historically, the Company funded new loan originations using loan warehouse facilities and asset-backed securitizations. Student loan warehousing has historically allowed the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements. In August 2008, the Company began funding FFELP Stafford and PLUS student loan originations for the 2008-2009 academic year pursuant to the Department’s Participation Program. On October 7, 2008, legislation was enacted to extend the Department’s authority to address FFELP student loans made for the 2009-2010 academic year and allowing for the extension of the Participation Program from September 30, 2009 to September 30, 2010. The Company plans to continue to use the Participation Program and a participation agreement with Union Bank to fund loans for the 2009-2010 academic year. These facilities are allowing the Company to continue originating new federal student loans to all students regardless of the school they attend.

67

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. An analysis of the Company’s allowance for loan losses is presented in the following table:

 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
Balance at beginning of period	 	$	50,922	 	 	 	45,592	 	 	 	26,003	 	
Provision for loan losses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Federally insured loans	 	 	20,000	 	 	 	17,000	 	 	 	23,158	 	
Non-federally insured loans	 	 	9,000	 	 	 	8,000	 	 	 	5,020	 	
Total provision for loan losses	 	 	29,000	 	 	 	25,000	 	 	 	28,178	 	
Charge-offs, net of recoveries:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Federally insured loans	 	 	(14,954	)  	 	 	(15,207	)  	 	 	(6,225	)  	
Non-federally insured loans	 	 	(3,761	)  	 	 	(3,713	)  	 	 	(1,193	)  	
Net charge-offs	 	 	(18,715	)  	 	 	(18,920	)  	 	 	(7,418	)  	
Sale of federally insured loans	 	 	(520	)  	 	 	(750	)  	 	 	—	 	
Sale of non-federally insured loans	 	 	(9,800	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(1,171	)  	
Balance at end of period	 	$	50,887	 	 	 	50,922	 	 	 	45,592	 	
Allocation of the allowance for loan losses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Federally insured loans	 	$	30,102	 	 	 	25,577	 	 	 	24,534	 	
Non-federally insured loans	 	 	20,785	 	 	 	25,345	 	 	 	21,058	 	
Total allowance for loan losses	 	$	50,887	 	 	 	50,922	 	 	 	45,592	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Allowance for federally insured loans as a percentage such loans	 	 	0.13	%	 	 	0.10	%	 	 	0.09	%	
Allowance for non-federally insured loans as a percentage such loans	 	 	12.73	%	 	 	9.28	%	 	 	7.66	%	
 
In September 2007, the Company recorded an expense of $15.7 million to increase the Company’s allowance for loan losses related to an increase in risk share as a result of the elimination of the Exceptional Performer program.

During 2009, the Company participated $95.5 million of non-federally insured loans to third parties.  Loans participated under these agreements have been accounted for by the Company as loan sales. Accordingly, the participation interests sold are not included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
 
Per the terms of the servicing agreements, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase loans subject to the participation interests in the event such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent.  The activity in the accrual account during 2009 related to this repurchase obligation, which is included in “other liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, is detailed below.
 
Beginning balance	 	$	—	 	
Transfer from allowance for loan losses	 	 	9,800	 	
Reserve for repurchase of delinquent loans (a)	 	 	800	 	
Ending balance	 	$	10,600	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
(a)  The reserve for repurchase of loans is included in "other" under other operating expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of income.	 	

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 student loan delinquency amounts.

68

 
 	 	As of December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	
Federally Insured Loans:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loans in-school/grace/deferment (a)	 	$	5,783,648	 	 	 	 	 	$	7,374,602	 	 	 	 	
Loans in forebearance (b)	 	 	2,495,672	 	 	 	 	 	 	2,484,478	 	 	 	 	
Loans in repayment status:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loans current	 	 	13,038,428	 	 	 	85.8	%	 	 	13,169,101	 	 	 	88.2	%	
Loans delinquent 31-60 days (c)	 	 	691,232	 	 	 	4.5	 	 	 	536,112	 	 	 	3.6	 	
Loans delinquent 61-90 days (c)	 	 	314,265	 	 	 	2.1	 	 	 	240,549	 	 	 	1.6	 	
Loans delinquent 91 days or greater (d)	 	 	1,149,308	 	 	 	7.6	 	 	 	983,099	 	 	 	6.6	 	
Total loans in repaymentt	 	 	15,193,233	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	 	14,928,861	 	 	 	100.0	%	
Total federally insured loans	 	$	23,472,553	 	 	 	 	 	 	$	24,787,941	 	 	 	 	 	
Non-Federally Insured Loans:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loans in-school/grace/deferment (a)	 	$	34,815	 	 	 	 	 	 	$	84,237	 	 	 	 	 	
Loans in forebearance (b)	 	 	1,919	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	9,540	 	 	 	 	 	
Loans in repayment status:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loans current	 	 	118,761	 	 	 	93.8	%	 	 	169,865	 	 	 	94.7	%	
Loans delinquent 31-60 days (c)	 	 	3,023	 	 	 	2.4	 	 	 	3,315	 	 	 	1.8	 	
Loans delinquent 61-90 days (c)	 	 	1,559	 	 	 	1.2	 	 	 	1,743	 	 	 	1.0	 	
Loans delinquent 91 days or greater (d)	 	 	3,244	 	 	 	2.6	 	 	 	4,408	 	 	 	2.5	 	
Total loans in repayment	 	 	126,587	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	 	179,331	 	 	 	100.0	%	
Total non-federally insured loans	 	$	163,321	 	 	 	 	 	 	$	273,108	 	 	 	 	 	

(a)	Loans for borrowers who still may be attending school or engaging in other permitted educational activities and are not yet required to make payments on the loans, e.g. , residency periods for medical students or a grace period for bar exam preparation for law students.	

(b)	Loans for borrowers who have temporarily ceased making full payments due to hardship or other factors, according to a schedule approved by the servicer consistent with the established loan program servicing procedures and policies.	

(c)	The period of delinquency is based on the number of days scheduled payments are contractually past due and relate to repayment loans, that is, receivables not charged off, and not in school, grace, deferment, or forbearance.	

(d)	Loans delinquent 91 days or greater include loans in claim status, which are loans that have gone into default and have been submitted to the guaranty agency for FFELP loans, or, if applicable, the insurer for non-federally insured loans, to process the claim for payment.	
 
Student Loan Spread Analysis

The following table analyzes the student loan spread on the Company’s portfolio of student loans and represents the spread on assets earned in conjunction with the liabilities and derivative instruments used to fund the assets.
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
Variable student loan yield	 	 	2.87	%	 	 	5.42	%	 	 	7.74	%	
Consolidation rebate fees	 	 	(0.70	)  	 	 	(0.73	)  	 	 	(0.77	)  	
Premium and deferred origination costs amortization	 	 	(0.30	)  	 	 	(0.35	)  	 	 	(0.36	)  	
   Variable student loan net yield	 	 	1.87	 	 	 	4.34	 	 	 	6.61	 	
Student loan cost of funds - interest expense	 	 	(1.40	)  	 	 	(3.66	)  	 	 	(5.51	)  	
Student loan cost of funds - derivative settlements	 	 	0.16	 	 	 	0.23	 	 	 	—	 	
   Variable student loan spread	 	 	0.63	 	 	 	0.91	 	 	 	1.10	 	
Variable rate floor income,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
net of settlements on derivatives (a)	 	 	(0.03	)  	 	 	(0.06	)  	 	 	(0.01	)  	
Fixed rate floor income,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
net of settlements on derivatives	 	 	0.58	 	 	 	0.14	 	 	 	0.04	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Core student loan spread	 	 	1.18	%	 	 	0.99	%	 	 	1.13	%	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Average balance of student loans	 	$	24,794,311	 	 	 	26,044,507	 	 	 	25,143,059	 	
Average balance of debt outstanding	 	 	25,286,533	 	 	 	26,869,364	 	 	 	26,599,361	 	
 
(a)   	Prior to October 1, 2008, variable rate floor income was calculated by the Company on a statutory maximum basis. However, as a result of the disruption in the capital markets beginning in August 2007, the full benefit of variable rate floor income calculated on a statutory maximum basis has not been realized by the Company due to the widening of the spread between short term interest rate indices and the Company’s actual cost of funds. As a result of the ongoing volatility of interest rates, effective October 1, 2008, the Company changed its calculation of variable rate floor income to better reflect the economic benefit received by the Company.  For the student loan spread analysis shown above, variable-rate floor income for prior periods was changed to reflect the economic benefit to conform to the current period presentation.	

69

 
The Company’s variable student loan spread has decreased due primarily to the following items:

·  	Legislation reduced the yield on FFELP loans originated after October 1, 2007.	

·  	Historically, the movement of the various interest rate indices received on the Company’s student loan assets, primarily three-month commercial paper, and paid on the debt to fund such loans, primarily LIBOR, was highly correlated.  The short term movement of these indices was dislocated beginning in August 2007 which has negatively impacted the Company’s net interest income.	

The decrease in variable student loan spread has been offset by an increase in fixed rate floor income.  The Company has a portfolio of student loans that are earning interest at a fixed borrower rate which exceeds the statutorily defined variable lender rate creating fixed rate floor income.  Due to the decrease in the short-term interest rates during 2008 and 2009, the Company received additional fixed rate floor income on a portion of its portfolio.

Year ended December 31, 2009 compared to year ended December 31, 2008
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	$ Change	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net interest income after provision	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
for loan losses	 	$	222,213	 	 	 	152,773	 	 	 	69,440	 	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	 	 	—	 	 	 	26	 	 	 	(26	)	
Other income	 	 	45,697	 	 	 	17,401	 	 	 	28,296	 	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans, net	 	 	35,148	 	 	 	(53,035	)	 	 	88,183	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and put option adjustments	 	 	—	 	 	 	466	 	 	 	(466	)	
Derivative settlements, net	 	 	39,286	 	 	 	65,622	 	 	 	(26,336	)	
Total other income	 	 	120,131	 	 	 	30,480	 	 	 	89,651	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	6,767	 	 	 	8,316	 	 	 	(1,549	)	
Restructure expense - severance and contract	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
termination costs	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,845	 	 	 	(1,845	)	
Impairment expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	9,351	 	 	 	(9,351	)	
Other expenses	 	 	19,566	 	 	 	35,679	 	 	 	(16,113	)	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	81,335	 	 	 	77,105	 	 	 	4,230	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	107,668	 	 	 	132,296	 	 	 	(24,628	)	
"Base net income" before income taxes	 	 	234,676	 	 	 	50,957	 	 	 	183,719	 	
Income tax expense	 	 	(89,178	)	 	 	(18,356	)	 	 	(70,822	)	
"Base net income"	 	$	145,498	 	 	 	32,601	 	 	 	112,897	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Before Tax Operating Margin	 	 	68.5	%	 	 	27.8	%	 	 	 	 	
 
Net interest income after the provision for loan losses.
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	 	Change	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	
Loan interest	 	$	850,023	 	 	 	1,415,281	 	 	 	(565,258	)	 	 	(39.9	)%	
Consolidation rebate fees	 	 	(174,075	)	 	 	(190,604	)	 	 	16,529	 	 	 	8.7	 	
Amortization of loan premiums and deferred origination costs	 	 	(73,530	)	 	 	(90,619	)	 	 	17,089	 	 	 	18.9	 	
Total loan interest	 	 	602,418	 	 	 	1,134,058	 	 	 	(531,640	)	 	 	(46.9	)	
Investment interest	 	 	6,725	 	 	 	30,271	 	 	 	(23,546	)	 	 	(77.8	)	
Total interest income	 	 	609,143	 	 	 	1,164,329	 	 	 	(555,186	)	 	 	(47.7	)	
Interest on bonds and notes payable	 	 	357,930	 	 	 	986,556	 	 	 	(628,626	)	 	 	(63.7	)	
Provision for loan losses	 	 	29,000	 	 	 	25,000	 	 	 	4,000	 	 	 	16.0	 	
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	 	$	222,213	 	 	 	152,773	 	 	 	69,440	 	 	 	45.5	%	

70

 
·  	Loan interest income decreased $565.3 million as a result of a decrease in the average student loan portfolio of $1.3 billion (4.8%) and a decrease in the yield earned on student loans due to a decrease in interest rates for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008.  In addition, the passage of the College Cost Reduction Act reduced the yield on all FFELP loans originated after October 1, 2007.  As of December 31, 2009, 5.1% of the Company’s federally insured student loan portfolio was originated after October 1, 2007 as compared to 4.5% as of December 31, 2008. These decreases were offset by an increase of $104.6 million due to an increase in fixed rate floor income.	
 
·  	Consolidation rebate fees decreased due to the $1.8 billion (10.1%) decrease in the average consolidation portfolio.	
 
·  	The amortization of loan premiums and deferred origination costs decreased as a result of reduced costs to acquire or originate loans.	
 
·  	Investment income decreased as a result of lower interest rates and a decrease in average cash held for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008.	

·  	Interest expense decreased as a result of a decrease in interest rates on the Company’s variable rate debt which lowered the Company’s cost of funds (excluding net derivative settlements) to 1.40% for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 3.66% for the same period a year ago.  In addition, average debt decreased by $1.6 billion (5.9%) for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008.	

·  	The provision for loan losses increased for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008 primarily due to increases in delinquencies.	

Other income .  The increase in other income is due to the Company repurchasing certain asset-backed securities resulting in the recognition of a gain of $28.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2009.

Gain (loss) on sale of loans, net . A summary of gain (loss) from the sale of student loans follows:
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Department's Purchase Program (a)	 	$	36,596	 	 	 	—	 	
Private loan participations (b)	 	 	(695	)  	 	 	—	 	
FFELP loan sales to a related party (c)	 	 	(753	)  	 	 	(5,480	)  	
FFELP loan sales to a third party (d)	 	 	—	 	 	 	(47,555	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans, net	 	$	35,148	 	 	 	(53,035	)  	

(a)  	During 2009, the Company sold $2.1 billion of student loans to the Department under the Purchase Program.	

(b)  	During 2009, the Company participated $­­­­95.5 million of non-federally insured loans to third parties, which resulted in the recognition of a loss on the sale of these loans.	

(c)  	During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company sold $76.4 million (par value) and $535.4 million (par value), respectively, of federally insured student loans to Union Bank, an entity under common control.	

(d)  	The Company sold $1.3 billion (par value) of student loans to third parties in 2008 in order to reduce the amount of student loans remaining under the Company’s FFELP warehouse facility, which reduced the Company’s exposure related to certain equity support provisions included in this facility.	

Derivative settlements, net . The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility. Management has structured all of the Company’s derivative transactions with the intent that each is economically effective; however, the Company’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting. Derivative settlements for each applicable period should be evaluated with the Company’s net interest income as shown in this Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment – Results of Operations – Student Loan Spread Analysis.”

Other expenses . The Company incurred expenses of $13.5 million in 2008 from fees paid related to liquidity contingency planning.

71

Intersegment expenses .   Intersegment expenses increased in 2009 compared to the same periods in 2008 due to additional fees paid to the Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment.  These additional fees relate to an increase in origination fees due to an increase in disbursement volume, an increase in fees related to the number of loans transferred between various financings as the Company was executing financing strategies, and incurring conversion fees as a result of the Company selling student loans to the Department under the Purchase Program.

Before tax operating margin .   Excluding restructure and impairment expenses and fixed rate floor income, before tax operating margins were 45.4% and 16.9% for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to year ended December 31, 2007
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	 	$ Change	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net interest income after the provision	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
for loan losses	 	$	152,773	 	 	 	236,821	 	 	 	(84,048	)	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	 	 	26	 	 	 	294	 	 	 	(268	)	
Other income	 	 	17,401	 	 	 	17,820	 	 	 	(419	)	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans, net	 	 	(53,035	)	 	 	3,597	 	 	 	(56,632	)	
Derivative market value, foreign currency,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and put option adjustments	 	 	466	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	466	 	
Derivative settlements, net	 	 	65,622	 	 	 	6,628	 	 	 	58,994	 	
Total other income	 	 	30,480	 	 	 	28,339	 	 	 	2,141	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	8,316	 	 	 	23,101	 	 	 	(14,785	)	
Restructure expense - severance and contract	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
termination costs	 	 	1,845	 	 	 	2,406	 	 	 	(561	)	
Impairment expense	 	 	9,351	 	 	 	28,291	 	 	 	(18,940	)	
Other expenses	 	 	35,679	 	 	 	29,205	 	 	 	6,474	 	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	77,105	 	 	 	74,714	 	 	 	2,391	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	132,296	 	 	 	157,717	 	 	 	(25,421	)	
"Base net income" before income taxes	 	 	50,957	 	 	 	107,443	 	 	 	(56,486	)	
Income tax expense	 	 	(18,356	)	 	 	(40,828	)	 	 	22,472	 	
"Base net income"	 	$	32,601	 	 	 	66,615	 	 	 	(34,014	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Before Tax Operating Margin	 	 	27.8	%	 	 	40.5	%	 	 	 	 	
 
Net interest income after the provision for loan losses.
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	 	Change	 	
 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loan interest	 	$	1,415,281	 	 	 	1,948,751	 	 	 	(533,470	)	 	 	(27.4	)%	
Consolidation rebate fees	 	 	(190,604	)	 	 	(193,687	)	 	 	3,083	 	 	 	1.6	 	
Amortization of loan premiums and	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
deferred origination costs	 	 	(90,619	)	 	 	(91,020	)	 	 	401	 	 	 	0.4	 	
Total loan interest	 	 	1,134,058	 	 	 	1,664,044	 	 	 	(529,986	)	 	 	(31.8	)	
Investment interest	 	 	30,271	 	 	 	66,838	 	 	 	(36,567	)	 	 	(54.7	)	
Total interest income	 	 	1,164,329	 	 	 	1,730,882	 	 	 	(566,553	)	 	 	(32.7	)	
Interest on bonds and notes payable	 	 	986,556	 	 	 	1,465,883	 	 	 	(479,327	)	 	 	(32.7	)	
Provision for loan losses	 	 	25,000	 	 	 	28,178	 	 	 	(3,178	)	 	 	(11.3	)	
Net interest income after provision for	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
loan losses	 	$	152,773	 	 	 	236,821	 	 	 	(84,048	)	 	 	(35.5	)%	

·  	The average student loan portfolio increased $0.9 billion, or 3.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. The increase in average loans was offset by a decrease in the yield earned on student loans. Loan interest income decreased $533.5 million as a result of these factors.	

·  	Consolidation rebate fees decreased due to the $0.2 billion, or 1.1%, decrease in the average consolidation loan portfolio.	

·  	The amortization of loan premiums and deferred origination costs decreased as a result of reduced costs to acquire or originate loans.	

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·  	Investment interest decreased as a result of an overall decrease in average cash held in 2008 as compared to 2007, as well as lower interest rates.	

·  	Interest expense decreased as a result of a decrease in interest rates on the Company’s variable rate debt which lowered the Company’s cost of funds (excluding net derivative settlements) to 3.66% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 5.51% for the same period a year ago.	

·  	Excluding an expense of $15.7 million to increase the Company’s allowance for loan losses related to the increase in risk share as a result of the elimination of the Exceptional Performer program in 2007, the provision for loan losses increased for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007. The provision for loan losses for federally insured loans increased in 2008 as a result of the increase in risk share as a result of the loss of Exceptional Performer. The provision for loan losses for non-federally insured loans increased primarily due to increases in delinquencies as a result of the continued weakening of the U.S. economy.	

Other income .   Borrower late fees increased $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 as a result of the increase in the average student loan portfolio.  Other income decreased due to the elimination of an agreement with a third party during the third quarter of 2007 under which the Company provided administrative services to the third party for a fee. Income in 2007 from this agreement was $2.6 million. Other income also decreased due to losses on certain investments.

Gain (loss) on sale of loans, net . As part of the Company’s asset management strategy, the Company periodically sells student loan portfolios to third parties. In 2007, the Company sold $115.3 million (par value) of student loans and recorded a gain of $3.6 million. During 2008, the Company recognized a loss of $53.0 million as a result of the sale of $1.8 billion (par value) of loans. These loans were sold to reduce the amount of student loans remaining under the Company’s FFELP warehouse facility, which reduced the Company’s exposure related to  certain equity support provisions included in this facility.

Derivative settlements, net . The Company maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce the economic effect of interest rate volatility. Management has structured all of the Company’s derivative transactions with the intent that each is economically effective; however, the Company’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting. Derivative settlements for each applicable period should be evaluated with the Company’s net interest income as shown in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment – Results of Operations – Student Loan Spread Analysis.”

Operating expenses . The Company incurred expenses of $13.5 million in 2008 from fees paid related to liquidity contingency planning. Excluding these fees, restructure expense, impairment expense, and corporate allocations, which were included in Corporate Activity and Overhead for the year ended December 31, 2007, operating expenses decreased $21.9 million, or 17.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to same period in 2007. This decrease is a result of cost savings from the Company’s September 2007 and January 2008 restructuring plans.

Before tax operating margin .   Excluding restructure and impairment expenses, fixed rate floor income, and expenses associated with the allocation of additional corporate overhead expenses, which were included in Corporate Activity and Overhead for the year ended December 31, 2007, before tax operating margins were 18.7% and 50.2% for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s fee generating businesses are non-capital intensive and all produce positive operating cash flows. As such, a minimal amount of debt and equity capital is allocated to the fee-based 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, primarily unsecured corporate debt and debt facilities in the Asset Generation and Management operating segment, and fund new FFELP student loan originations.

The Company may issue equity and debt securities in the future in order to improve capital, increase liquidity, refinance upcoming maturities, or provide for general corporate purposes. Moreover, the Company may from time-to-time repurchase certain amounts of its outstanding secured and unsecured debt securities, including debt securities which the Company may issue in the future, for cash and/or through exchanges for other securities. Such repurchases or exchanges may be made in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. Any such repurchases or exchanges will depend on prevailing market conditions, the Company’s liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions, compliance with securities laws, and other factors. The amounts involved in any such transactions may be material.

The Company has historically utilized operating cash flow, secured financing transactions (which include warehouse facilities and asset-backed securitizations), operating lines of credit, and other borrowing arrangements to fund its Asset Generation and Management operations and student loan acquisitions. In addition, the Company has used operating cash flow, borrowings on its unsecured line of credit, and unsecured debt offerings to fund corporate activities, business acquisitions, and repurchases of common stock.  The Company has also used its common stock to partially fund certain business acquisitions. The Company has a universal shelf registration statement with the SEC which allows the Company to sell up to $825.0 million of securities that may consist of common stock, preferred stock, unsecured debt securities, warrants, stock purchase contracts, and stock purchase units. The terms of any securities are established at the time of the offering.

The following table summarizes the Company’s debt obligations.

 	 	As of December 31, 2009	
 	 	Carrying	 	 	Interest rate	 	Final	
 	 	amount	 	 	range	 	maturity	
Asset Generation and Management:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations	 	$	21,923,256	 	 	0.21% - 6.90%	 	05/01/11 - 04/25/42	
Department of Education Participation	 	 	463,912	 	 	0.79%	 	09/30/10	
FFELP warehouse facility	 	 	305,710	 	 	0.21% - 0.32%	 	08/03/12	
Department of Education Conduit	 	 	1,125,929	 	 	0.27%	 	05/08/14	
Other borrowings	 	 	30,016	 	 	0.24% - 5.10%	 	01/01/10 and 11/01/15	
 	 	 	23,848,823	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Unsecured Corporate Debt:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Senior Notes due 2010	 	 	66,716	 	 	5.125%		06/01/10	
Unsecured line of credit	 	 	691,500	 	 	0.73%	 	05/18/12	
Junior Subordinated Hybrid securities	 	 	198,250	 	 	7.40%	 	09/15/61	
 	 	 	956,466	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	$	24,805,289	 	 	 	 	 	
 
Liquidity Needs

The Company has three primary liquidity needs:

·  	Satisfy unsecured debt obligations, specifically its unsecured senior notes and unsecured line of credit	
·  	Satisfy debt obligations secured by student loan assets and related collateral	
·  	Fund new FFELP Stafford and PLUS loan originations for the 2009-2010 academic year	

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Liquidity Needs and Sources of Liquidity Available to Satisfy Unsecured Debt Obligations

Excluding the Junior Subordinated Hybrid securities (which have a maturity in 2061), the Company had the following unsecured debt obligations outstanding:
 
 	 	As of
March 1, 2010	 	
Unsecured Corporate Debt:	 	 	 	
Senior Notes - due June 2010	 	$	66,716	 	
Unsecured line of credit - due May 2012	 	 	691,500	 	
 	 	$	758,216	 	

Sources of liquidity currently available

The following table details the Company’s sources of liquidity currently available:
 
 	 	As of
March 1, 2010	 	
Sources of primary liquidity:	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	 	$	425,000	 	
Unencumbered FFELP student loan assets	 	 	 6,000	 	
Unencumbered private student loan assets	 	 	 112,000	 	
Asset-backed security investments - Class B subordinated notes (a)	 	 	77,000	 	
Asset-backed security investments (b)	 	 	 120,000	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
Total sources of primary liquidity	 	$	740,000	 	
 
(a)  	As part of the Company’s issuance of asset-backed securitizations in March 2008 and May 2008, due to credit market conditions when these notes were issued, the Company purchased the Class B subordinated notes of $36 million (par value) and $41 million (par value), respectively. These notes are not included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. If the credit market conditions improve, the Company anticipates selling these notes to third parties. Upon a sale to third parties, the Company would obtain cash proceeds equal to the market value of the notes on the date of such sale. The amount included in the table above is the par value of these subordinated notes as of March 1, 2010 and may not represent market value upon sale of the notes.	

(b)  	During 2009, the Company purchased $ 120 million of its own asset-backed securities (bonds and notes payable).  For accounting purposes, these notes were 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.  Upon a sale to third parties, the Company would obtain cash proceeds equal to the market value of the notes on the date of such sale.  The amount included in the table above is the par value of these notes as of March 1, 2010 and may not represent market value upon sale of the notes.	

Cash generated from operations

In addition to current sources of liquidity, the Company plans to use cash generated from operations to satisfy its unsecured debt obligations.  The Company has historically generated positive cash flow from operations.  For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company had net cash flow from operating activities of $325 million, $321 million, and $273 million, respectively.

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

The Company had the following debt obligations outstanding that are secured by student loan assets and related collateral.
 
 	 	As of December 31, 2009	
 	 	Carrying	 	Final	
 	 	amount	 	maturity	
Asset Generation and Management:	 	 	 	 	
Bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations	 	$	21,923,256	 	05/01/11 - 04/25/42	
Department of Education Participation	 	 	463,912	 	09/30/10	
FFELP warehouse facility	 	 	305,710	 	08/03/12	
Department of Education Conduit	 	 	1,125,929	 	05/08/14	
Other borrowings	 	 	30,016	 	01/01/10 and 11/01/15	
 	 	$	23,848,823	 	 	

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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 and there are minimal liquidity issues related to these facilities. In addition, due to the difference between the yield the Company receives on the loans and cost of financing within these transactions, the Company has created a portfolio that will generate earnings and significant cash flow over the life of these transactions.

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 from its portfolio to be approximately $1.43 billion as detailed below. This amount does not include cash flows that the Company expects to receive related to loans funded through the Department of Education’s Conduit and Loan Participation Programs and other warehouse facilities.  The Company expects the future cash flows shown below would correspond to earnings when excluding the amortization of loan premiums and deferred origination costs, potential derivative activity used by the Company to hedge the portfolio, and other portfolio management and administrative costs. Because the Company does not use gain-on-sale accounting when issuing asset-backed securitizations, the future earnings of these transactions are not yet reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Department of Education Participation / FFELP Warehouse Facility

The Department of Education Participation and FFELP warehouse facility are further discussed below under “Sources of Liquidity Available to Fund New FFELP Stafford and PLUS Loan Originations for the 2009-2010 Academic Year.”

Department of Education Conduit

In January 2009, the Department published summary terms for its program under which it will finance eligible FFELP Stafford and PLUS loans in a conduit vehicle established to provide funding for student lenders (the “Conduit Program”).  Loans eligible for the Conduit Program had to be first disbursed on or after October 1, 2003, but not later than June 30, 2009, and fully disbursed before September 30, 2009, and meet certain other requirements. The Conduit Program was launched on May 11, 2009. Funding for the Conduit Program is provided by the capital markets at a cost based on market rates, with the Company being advanced 97 percent of the student loan face amount. Excess amounts needed to fund the remaining 3 percent of the student loan balances are contributed by the Company. The Conduit Program has a term of five years and expires on May 8, 2014. The Student Loan Short-Term Notes (“Student Loan Notes”) issued by the Conduit Program are supported by a combination of  (i) notes backed by FFELP loans, (ii) a liquidity agreement with the Federal Financing Bank, and (iii) a put agreement provided by the Department.  If the conduit does not have sufficient funds to pay all Student Loan Notes, then those Student Loan Notes will be repaid with funds from the Federal Financing Bank.  The Federal Financing Bank will hold the notes for a short period of time and, if at the end of that time, the Student Loan Notes still cannot be paid off, the underlying FFELP loans that serve as collateral to the Conduit Program will be sold to the Department through the Put Agreement at a price of 97 percent of the face amount of the loans.

Sources of Liquidity Available to Fund New FFELP Stafford and PLUS Loan Originations for the 2009-2010 Academic Year

The Company has reliable sources of liquidity available for new FFELP Stafford and PLUS loan originations for the 2009-2010 academic year under the Department’s Participation and Purchase Programs.  In addition, the Company maintains an agreement with Union Bank, as trustee for various grantor trusts, under which Union Bank has agreed to purchase from the Company participation interests in student loans, and in August 2009, the Company entered into a FFELP warehouse facility that has a maximum financing amount of $500.0 million with a revolving financing structure.

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The Company plans to fund all 2009-2010 academic year loans using the Participation Program, the agreement with Union Bank, and the new FFELP warehouse facility.  These facilities are described in further detail below.

Department of Education’s Loan Participation and Purchase Commitment Programs

In August 2008, the Department implemented the Purchase and Participation Programs pursuant to ECASLA. Under the Department’s Purchase Program, the Department will purchase loans at a price equal to the sum of (i) par value, (ii) accrued interest, (iii) the one percent origination fee paid to the Department, and (iv) a fixed amount of $75 per loan. Under the Participation Program, the Department provides interim short term liquidity to FFELP lenders by purchasing participation interests in pools of FFELP loans. FFELP lenders are charged a rate of commercial paper plus 50 basis points on the principal amount of participation interests outstanding. Loans funded under the Participation Program for the 2008-2009 academic year were required to be either refinanced by the lender or sold to the Department pursuant to the Purchase Program prior to its expiration on October 15, 2009. To be eligible for purchase or participation under the Department’s programs, loans were originally limited to FFELP Stafford or PLUS loans made for the academic year 2008-2009, first disbursed between May 1, 2008 and July 1, 2009, with eligible borrower benefits.

On October 7, 2008, legislation was enacted to extend the Department’s authority to address FFELP student loans made for the 2009-2010 academic year and allowing for the extension of the Participation Program and Purchase Program from September 30, 2009 to September 30, 2010. The Department indicated that loans for the 2008-2009 academic year funded under the Department's Participation Program were required to be refinanced or sold to the Department prior to October 15, 2009. On November 8, 2008, the Department announced the replication of the terms of the Participation and Purchase Programs, in accordance with the October 7, 2008 legislation, which will include FFELP student loans made for the 2009-2010 academic year.

During 2009, the Company sold $2.1 billion of 2008-2009 academic year loans to the Department under the Purchase Program and recognized a gain of $36.6 million. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $464.2 million of 2009-2010 academic year FFELP loans funded using the Participation Program.

Union Bank Participation Agreement

The Company maintains an agreement with Union Bank, as trustee for various grantor trusts, under which Union Bank has agreed to purchase from the Company participation interests in student loans (the “FFELP Participation Agreement”). The Company has the option to purchase the participation interests from the grantor trusts at the end of a 364-day period upon termination of the participation certificate. As of December 31, 2009, $613.3 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 on a short term basis. 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 on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

FFELP Warehouse Facility

On August 3, 2009, the Company entered into the 2009 FFELP Warehouse Facility. The 2009 FFELP Warehouse Facility has a maximum financing amount of $500.0 million, with a revolving financing structure supported by 364-day liquidity provisions, which expire on August 2, 2010. The final maturity date of the facility is August 3, 2012. In the event the Company is unable to renew the liquidity provisions by August 2, 2010, 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 August 3, 2012.

The 2009 FFELP Warehouse Facility provides for formula based advance rates depending on FFELP loan type up to a maximum of 92 percent to 98 percent of the principal and interest financed. The advance rates for collateral may increase or decrease based on market conditions. The facility contains financial covenants relating to levels of the Company’s consolidated net worth, ratio of adjusted EBITDA to corporate debt interest, and unencumbered cash. Any violation of these covenants could result in a requirement for the immediate repayment of any outstanding borrowings under the facility. Unlike the Company’s prior FFELP warehouse facility, the new facility does not require the Company to refinance or remove a percentage of the pledged student loan collateral on an annual basis.  As of December 31, 2009 and March 1, 2010, $305.7 million and $30.5 million, respectively, was outstanding under this facility and $194.3 million and $469.5 million, respectively, was available for future use. Upon termination or expiration of the facility, the Company would expect to access the securitization market, use operating cash, rely on sale of assets, or transfer collateral to satisfy any remaining obligations.

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Asset-backed securities transactions

Depending on market conditions, the Company anticipates continuing to access the asset-backed securities market.  Asset-backed securities transactions would be used to refinance student loans included in the FFELP warehouse facility, the Department of Education Conduit facility, and/or existing asset-backed security transactions.  The FFELP warehouse facility and DOE Conduit facility have advance rates that are less than par.  As of December 31, 2009 and March 1, 2010, the Company had approximately $14.2 million and $ 8.8 million, respectively, advanced in operating cash for the FFELP warehouse facility and $66.8 million and $ 75.9 million, respectively, advanced in operating cash for the DOE Conduit facility.  Depending on the terms of asset-backed security transactions, refinancing loans included in these facilities could produce positive cash flow to the Company and are contemplated by management when making student loan financing decisions.

During 2009, the Company completed asset-backed securities transactions totaling $1.0 billion. In addition, on February 17, 2010, the Company completed as asset-backed securities transaction of $523.3 million. The Company used the proceeds from the sale of these notes to purchase student loans previously financed in other asset-backed securitizations and the FFELP warehouse facility.

Description of Other Debt Facilities

Unsecured Line of Credit

The Company has a $750.0 million unsecured line of credit that terminates in May 2012. As of December 31, 2009 and March 1, 2010, there was $691.5 million outstanding on this line. The weighted average interest rate on this line of credit was 0.725% as of December 31, 2009. Upon termination in 2012, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain this line of credit, find alternative funding, or increase the amount outstanding under the line, if necessary.  The lending commitment under the Company’s unsecured line of credit is provided by a total of thirteen banks, with no individual bank representing more than 11% of the total lending commitment. The bank lending group includes Lehman Brothers Bank, a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., which represents approximately 7% of the lending commitment under the line of credit. On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The Company does not expect Lehman to fund future borrowing requests. As of December 31, 2009 and March 1, 2010, excluding Lehman’s lending commitment, the Company had $51.2 million available for future use under its unsecured line of credit.

The line of credit agreement contains certain financial covenants that, if not met, lead to an event of default under the agreement. The covenants include maintaining:

·  	A minimum consolidated net worth	

·  	A minimum adjusted EBITDA to corporate debt interest (over the last four rolling quarters)	

·  	A limitation on subsidiary indebtedness	

·  	A limitation on the percentage of non-guaranteed loans in the Company’s portfolio	

As of December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all of these requirements. Many of these covenants are duplicated in the Company’s other lending facilities, including its FFELP warehouse facilities.

A default on the 2009 FFELP Warehouse Facility would result in an event of default on the Company’s unsecured line of credit that would result in the outstanding balance on the line of credit becoming immediately due and payable.

The Company’s operating line of credit does not have any covenants related to unsecured debt ratings. However, changes in the Company’s ratings (as well as the amounts the Company borrows) have modest implications on the pricing level at which the Company obtains funding.

Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities

In September 2006, the Company issued $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities (“Hybrid Securities”). The Hybrid Securities are unsecured obligations of the Company. The interest rate on the Hybrid Securities from the date they were issued through the optional redemption date, September 28, 2011, is 7.40%, payable semi-annually. Beginning September 29, 2011 through September 29, 2036, the “scheduled maturity date”, the interest rate on the Hybrid Securities will be equal to three-month LIBOR plus 3.375%, payable quarterly. The principal amount of the Hybrid Securities will become due on the scheduled maturity date only to the extent that the Company has received proceeds from the sale of certain qualifying capital securities prior to such date (as defined in the Hybrid Securities’ prospectus). If any amount is not paid on the scheduled maturity date, it will remain outstanding and bear interest at a floating rate as defined in the prospectus, payable monthly. On September 15, 2061, the Company must pay any remaining principal and interest on the Hybrid Securities in full whether or not the Company has sold qualifying capital securities. At the Company’s option, the Hybrid Securities are redeemable in whole at any time or in part from time to time at the redemption price described in the prospectus supplement.

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Debt Repurchases

Due to the Company’s improved cash position, the Company repurchased debt during 2009 as summarized below.  Gains recorded by the Company from the purchase of debt are included in “other income” on the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

 	 	Year ended December 31, 2009	 	 	Remaining
balance as of	 	
 	 	Notional
amount	 	 	Purchase
price	 	 	Gain	 	 	  December 31,
2009	 	
5.125% Senior Notes due 2010	 	$	208,284	 	 	 	196,529	 	 	 	11,755	 	 	$	66,716	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	 	 	1,750	 	 	 	350	 	 	 	1,400	 	 	$	198,250	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Asset-backed securities (a)	 	 	348,155	 	 	 	319,627	 	 	 	28,528	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	$	558,189	 	 	 	516,506	 	 	 	41,683	 	 	 	 	 	
 
(a)  	In accordance with the various indentures, the Company expects to continue to use funds available in the trust to purchase certain asset-backed securities for cash in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise to redeem such securities.  Under the terms of the indentures, the purchase price paid in any such transaction must be less than the par amount of securities acquired.  Any redemptions in the normal course must be made at par.  Any such transaction will depend on prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions, compliance with securities laws, and other factors.	

The Company's Senior Notes due 2010 (“Senior Notes”) were previously covered debt under a Replacement Capital Covenant dated September 27, 2006 (the "RCC"). Under the RCC, if $100 million or more of the Senior Notes remained outstanding, the Company was restricted in its ability to repurchase or redeem its Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities.  On September 17, 2009, the Company announced that less than $100 million of the Senior Notes remained outstanding, and therefore the RCC no longer provided any benefit to the holders of the Senior Notes.  The Company has no other eligible senior debt or eligible subordinated debt under the terms of the RCC, therefore the RCC and the restrictions on repurchase or redemption of the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities are of no further force and effect.  

Contractual Obligations

The Company is committed under noncancelable operating leases for certain office and warehouse space and equipment.  The Company’s contractual obligations were as follows:
 
 	 	As of December 31, 2009	 	
 	 	Total	 	 	Less than
1 year	 	 	1 to 3
years	 	 	3 to 5
years	 	 	More than
5 years	 	
Bonds and notes payable	 	$	24,805,289	 	 	 	861,471	 	 	 	740,700	 	 	 	1,471,087	 	 	 	21,732,031	 	
Operating lease obligations (a)	 	 	26,332	 	 	 	7,995	 	 	 	11,405	 	 	 	6,633	 	 	 	299	 	
Other	 	 	26,647	 	 	 	26,647	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
   Total	 	$	24,858,268	 	 	 	896,113	 	 	 	752,105	 	 	 	1,477,720	 	 	 	21,732,330	 	
 
(a)  	Operating lease obligations are presented net of approximately $2.1 million in sublease arrangements.	

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had a reserve of $6.3 million for uncertain income tax positions (including the federal benefit received from state positions and accrued interest).  This obligation is not included in the above table as the timing and resolution of the income tax positions cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

The Company has an obligation to purchase $26.6 million of private loans from an unrelated financial institution in quarterly installments of approximately $5.0 million through the third quarter of 2010 with any remaining amount to be purchased at that time.  This obligation is included in “other” in the above table.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company participated $95.5 million of non-federally insured loans to third parties. The Company has accounted for these participations as loan sales. Accordingly, the participation interests sold are not included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  Per the terms of the servicing agreements, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase loans subject to the participation interests when such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company has $10.6 million accrued related to this obligation which is included in “other liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  This obligation is not included in the above table.

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The Company has commitments with its branding partners and forward flow lenders which obligate the Company to purchase loans originated under specific criteria, although the branding partners and forward flow lenders are typically not obligated to provide the Company with a minimum amount of loans. These commitments generally run for periods ranging from one to five years and are generally renewable. Commitments to purchase loans under these arrangements are not included in the table above.  

In 2004, the Company purchased 50% of the stock of infiNET Integrated Solutions, Inc. (“infiNET”) and, in 2006, purchased the remaining 50% of infiNET’s stock. Consideration for the purchase of the remaining 50% of the stock of infiNET included 95,380 restricted shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the 95,380 shares of Class A common stock issued in the acquisition are subject to stock price guaranty provisions whereby if on or about February 28, 2011 the average market trading price of the Class A common stock is less than $104.8375 per share and has not exceeded that price for any 25 consecutive trading days during the 5-year period from the closing of the acquisition to February 28, 2011, then the Company must pay additional cash to the sellers of infiNET for each share of Class A common stock issued in an amount representing the difference between $104.8375 less the greater of $41.9335 or the gross sales price such seller obtained from a sale of the shares occurring subsequent to February 28, 2011 as defined in the agreement. Based on the closing price of the Company’s Class A common stock as of December 31, 2009 of $17.23 per share, the Company’s obligation under this stock price guarantee would have been approximately $6.0 million (($104.8375-$41.9335) x 95,380 shares). Any payment on the guaranty is reduced by the aggregate of any dividends or other distributions made by the Company to the sellers. Any cash paid by the Company in consideration of satisfying the guaranteed value of stock issued for this acquisition would be recorded by the Company as a reduction to additional paid-in capital. The obligation to pay this guaranteed stock price is due February 28, 2011 and is not included in the table above.

Dividends

In the first quarter of 2007, the Company began paying dividends of $0.07 per share on the Company's Class A and Class B Common Stock which were paid quarterly through the first quarter of 2008.  On May 21, 2008, the Company announced that it was temporarily suspending its quarterly dividend program.  On November 5, 2009, the Company's Board of Directors voted to reinstate the quarterly dividend program.  Accordingly, a dividend of $0.07 per share on the Company's Class A and Class B Common Stock was paid on December 15, 2009 to all holders of record as of December 1, 2009. The Company currently plans to continue making 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 junior subordinated hybrid securities, which generally provide that if the Company defers interest payments on those securities it cannot pay dividends on its capital stock.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

This 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. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under varying assumptions or conditions. Note 3 of the consolidated financial statements, which are included in this Report, includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, particularly as they relate to accounting policies that management believes are most “critical” — that is, they are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and they require management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.  Management has identified the following critical accounting policies that are discussed in more detail below: allowance for loan losses, revenue recognition, impairment assessments related to goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes, and accounting for derivatives.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable losses on student loans. This evaluation process is subject to numerous estimates and judgments. The Company evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on its federally insured loan portfolio separately from its non-federally insured loan portfolio.

The allowance for the federally insured loan portfolio is based on periodic evaluations of the Company’s loan portfolios considering past experience, trends in student loan claims rejected for payment by guarantors, changes to federal student loan programs, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. Should any of these factors change, the estimates made by management would also change, which in turn would impact the level of the Company’s future provision for loan losses.

In determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on the non-federally insured loans, the Company considers several factors including: loans in repayment versus those in a nonpaying status, delinquency status, type of program, and trends in defaults in the portfolio based on Company and industry data. Should any of these factors change, the estimates made by management would also change, which in turn would impact the level of the Company’s future provision for loan losses. The Company places a non-federally insured loan on nonaccrual status when the collection of principal and interest is 30 days past due and charges off the loan when the collection of principal and interest is 120 days past due.

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The allowance for federally insured and non-federally insured loans is maintained at a level management believes is adequate to provide for estimated probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. This evaluation is inherently subjective because it requires estimates that may be susceptible to significant changes.

Revenue Recognition

Student Loan Income – The Company recognizes student loan income as earned, net of amortization of loan premiums and deferred origination costs. Loan income is recognized based upon the expected yield of the loan after giving effect to borrower utilization of incentives such as principal reductions for timely payments (“borrower benefits”) and other yield adjustments. The estimate of the borrower benefits discount is dependent on the estimate of the number of borrowers who will eventually qualify for these benefits. For competitive and liquidity purposes, the Company frequently changes the borrower benefit programs in both amount and qualification factors. These programmatic changes must be reflected in the estimate of the borrower benefit discount. Loan premiums, deferred origination costs, and borrower benefits are included in the carrying value of the student loan on the consolidated balance sheet and are amortized over the estimated life of the loan. The most sensitive estimate for loan premiums, deferred origination costs, and borrower benefits is the estimate of the constant prepayment rate (“CPR”). CPR is a variable in the life of loan estimate that measures the rate at which loans in a portfolio pay before their stated maturity. The CPR is directly correlated to the average life of the portfolio. CPR equals the percentage of loans that prepay annually as a percentage of the beginning of period balance. A number of factors can affect the CPR estimate such as the rate of consolidation activity and default rates. Should any of these factors change, the estimates made by management would also change, which in turn would impact the amount of loan premium and deferred origination cost amortization recognized by the Company in a particular period.

Loan and guaranty servicing revenue – Loan servicing fees are determined according to individual agreements with customers and are calculated based on the dollar value of loans, number of loans, or number of borrowers serviced for each customer. Guaranty servicing fees, generally, are calculated based on the number of loans serviced, volume of loans serviced, or amounts collected.
 
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue - Fees for payment management services are recognized over the period in which services are provided to customers.

Enrollment services revenue – Enrollment services revenue primarily consists of the following items:

·  	Lead generation – Revenue from lead generation is derived primarily from fees which are earned through the delivery of qualified leads or clicks. The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is deemed to have occurred at the time a qualified lead or click is delivered to the customer provided that no significant obligations remain. From time to time, the Company may agree to credit certain leads or clicks if they fail to meet the contractual or other guidelines of a particular client. The Company has established a sales reserve based on historical experience. To date, such credits have been immaterial and within management’s expectations.
 
For a portion of its lead revenue, the Company has agreements with providers of online media or traffic (“Publishers”) used in the generation of leads or clicks. The Company receives a fee from its customers and pays a fee to Publishers either on a cost per lead, cost per click, or cost per number of impressions basis. The Company is the primary obligor in the transaction. As a result, the fees paid by the Company’s customers are recognized as revenue and the fees paid to its Publishers are included in “cost to provide enrollment services” in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.	

·  	Publishing and editing services - Revenue from the sale of print products and editing services is generally earned and recognized, net of estimated returns, upon shipment or delivery.	

·  	Content management and recruitment services – Content management and recruitment services includes the sale of subscription and performance based products and services, as well as list sales.  Revenues from sales of subscription and performance based products and services are recognized ratably over the term of the contract. Subscription and performance based revenues received or receivable in advance of the delivery of services is included in deferred revenue.  Revenue from the sale of lists is generally earned and recognized, net of estimated returns, upon delivery.	

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Fees associated with the majority of the services described above are recognized in the period services are rendered and earned under service arrangements with clients where service fees are fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company’s service fees are determined based on written price quotations or service agreements having stipulated terms and conditions that do not require management to make any significant judgments or assumptions regarding any potential uncertainties.

The Company assesses collectability of revenues and its allowance for doubtful accounts based on a number of factors, including past transaction history with the customer and the credit-worthiness of the customer. An allowance for doubtful accounts is established to record accounts receivable at estimated net realizable value. If the Company determines that collection of revenues is not reasonably assured at or prior to delivery of the Company’s services, revenue is recognized upon the receipt of cash.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets – Impairment Assessments

The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually (as of November 30) and whenever triggering events or changes in circumstances indicate its carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company performs a two-step impairment test on goodwill. In the first step, the Company compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit, goodwill is considered not impaired and the Company is not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then the Company must perform the second step of the impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then the Company would record an impairment loss equal to the difference.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions, and determination of appropriate market comparables. Actual future results may differ from those estimates.

The Company makes judgments about the recoverability of purchased intangible assets annually and whenever triggering events or changes in circumstances indicate that an other than temporary impairment may exist. Each quarter the Company evaluates the estimated remaining useful lives of purchased intangible assets and whether events or changes in circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining periods of amortization. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset.

Assumptions and estimates about future values and remaining useful lives of the Company’s intangible and other long-lived assets are complex and subjective. They can be affected by a variety of factors, including external factors such as industry and economic trends, and internal factors such as changes in the Company’s business strategy and internal forecasts. Although the Company believes the historical assumptions and estimates used are reasonable and appropriate, different assumptions and estimates could materially impact the reported financial results.

Income Taxes

The Company is subject to the income tax laws of the U.S and its states and municipalities in which the Company operates. These tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the relevant government taxing authorities. In establishing a provision for income tax expense, the Company must make judgments and interpretations about the application of these inherently complex tax laws. The Company must also make estimates about when in the future certain items will affect taxable income in the various tax jurisdictions. Disputes over interpretations of the tax laws may be subject to review/adjudication by the court systems of the various tax jurisdictions or may be settled with the taxing authority upon examination or audit. The Company reviews these balances quarterly and as new information becomes available, the balances are adjusted, as appropriate.

Derivative Accounting

The Company records derivative instruments at fair value on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability. The Company determines the fair value for its derivative contracts using either (i) pricing models that consider current market conditions and the contractual terms of the derivative contract or (ii) counterparty valuations. These factors include interest rates, time value, forward interest rate curve, and volatility factors, as well as foreign exchange rates. Pricing models and their underlying assumptions impact the amount and timing of unrealized gains and losses recognized, and the use of different pricing models or assumptions could produce different financial results. Management has structured all of the Company’s derivative transactions with the intent that each is economically effective. However, the Company’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are reported in current period earnings. Net settlements on derivatives are included in “derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” on the consolidated statements of income.

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RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
Noncontrolling Interests

In December 2007, the FASB updated ASC 810, Consolidation .  This update establishes new standards governing the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests (“NCIs”) in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and the loss of control of subsidiaries. Certain provisions of this standard indicate, among other things, that NCIs (previously referred to as minority interests) be treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability; that increases and decreases in the parent’s ownership interest that leave control intact be treated as equity transactions, rather than as step acquisitions or dilution gains or losses; and that losses of a partially owned consolidated subsidiary be allocated to the NCI even when such allocation might result in a deficit balance. The update also requires changes to certain presentation and disclosure requirements. For the Company, the guidance was effective January 1, 2009 and did not have a material impact on the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  The update is to be applied to all NCIs prospectively, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which are to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented.
 
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

In March 2008, the FASB updated ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. This update was intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand the effects of derivative instruments and hedging activities on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The update also improved transparency about the location and amounts of derivative instruments in an entity’s financial statements, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The update was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged.  The Company adopted the update as of January 1, 2009, the effective date for the Company (see note 9 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Report).

Fair Value Measurements
 
In February 2008, the FASB delayed issuing guidance to expand disclosure requirements about fair value measurements on nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years (January 1, 2009 for the Company).  Effective January 1, 2009, the Company expanded disclosures about fair value measurements on certain nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, which are recorded at fair value only upon impairment.
 
In April 2009, the FASB updated ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.   This update includes guidance on determining fair value when volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and identifying transactions that are not orderly. The update requires disclosure in interim and annual periods of the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value and a discussion of changes in valuation techniques. The update became effective for the Company for the interim period ended June 30, 2009 and was applied prospectively.  The update did not have an impact on the preparation of and disclosures in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In April 2009, the FASB updated ASC 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities, which expanded guidance on the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairment. The update amends the requirements for the recognition and measurement of other-than-temporary impairments for debt securities by modifying the pre-existing "intent and ability" indicator. Under the new update, an other-than-temporary impairment is triggered when there is an intent to sell the security, it is more likely than not that the security will be required to be sold before recovery, or the security is not expected to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. Additionally, the update changed the presentation of an other-than-temporary impairment in the income statement for those impairments involving credit losses. The credit loss component is recognized in earnings and the remainder of the impairment is recorded in other comprehensive income. The update was effective for the Company for the interim period ended June 30, 2009. The update did not have an impact on the preparation of and disclosures in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB updated ASC 825, Financial Instruments , which expanded guidance on interim disclosure about fair value of financial instruments. The update requires interim disclosures regarding the fair values of financial instruments . Additionally, the update requires disclosure of the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments on an interim basis as well as changes of the methods and significant assumptions from prior periods.  The update does not change the accounting treatment for these financial instruments and was effective for the Company for the interim period ended June 30, 2009 (see note 17 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Report).

In August 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-05, Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value, an update to ASU 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which provides guidance allowing companies to determine the fair value of a liability by using the perspective of an investor that holds the related obligation as an asset. The update was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after August 27, 2009 and applies to all fair-value measurements of liabilities required by GAAP. The update did not have a material impact on the preparation of and disclosures in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, an update to ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures .  The update provides additional disclosures for transfers in and out of Levels I and II and for activity in Level III.  This update also clarifies certain other existing disclosure requirements including level of desegregation and disclosures around inputs and valuation techniques.  The update will be effective for annual or interim periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which will be effective for fiscal and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2010.  Early adoption is permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the impacts and disclosures related to this update.

Subsequent Events

During 2009, the FASB updated ASC 855, Subsequent Events, which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosing events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued.  The update was effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009.  The Company adopted the update on June 30, 2009 (see note 3 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Report).

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FASB Accounting Standards Codification

In June 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-01, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles , an update to ASC 105, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles . The update establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP.  The Company adopted the update on September 30, 2009, the effective date for the Company.

Transfers of Financial Assets and the Variable Interest Entity Consolidation Model

In June 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-16, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets , an update to ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing, which provides guidance on improving the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial statements about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement, if any, in transferred financial assets.  The update removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity.  Additionally, the update defines the term participating interest to establish specific conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale, and also requires that a transferor recognize and initially measure at fair value all assets obtained (including a transferor’s beneficial interest) and liabilities incurred as a result of a transfer of financial assets accounted for as a sale.  The update is effective for fiscal and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2009 (January 1, 2010 for the Company).  The Company is currently evaluating the impacts and disclosures related to this update.

In June 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-17, Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities, an update to ASC 810, Consolidations , which provides guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity in addition to subjecting enterprises to a number of other requirements including, among other things: (i) requiring an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity and specifies the characteristics the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity must have to be designated as such; (ii) requiring an enterprise to assess whether it has an implicit financial responsibility to ensure that a variable interest entity operates as designed when determining whether it has the power to direct the activities of the variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; (iii) requiring the ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity; (iv) the elimination of the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, and (v) adding an additional reconsideration event for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity when any changes in facts and circumstances occur such that investors of the equity investment at risk, as a group, lose the power from voting or similar rights of the investment to direct the activities of the entity that have the most significant impact on the entity’s economic performance.  The update is effective for fiscal and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2009 (January 1, 2010 for the Company).  The Company is currently evaluating the impacts and disclosures related to this update.

Revenue Recognition

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements , an update to ASC 605, Revenue Recognition . Under the new update, tangible products that have software components that are essential to the functionality of the tangible product will no longer be within the scope of the software revenue recognition guidance, and software-enabled products will now be subject to other relevant revenue recognition guidance.  The update will be effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010 (January 1, 2011 for the Company), with early adoption permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the impacts and disclosures related to this update.

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-14, Certain Revenue Arrangements that Include Software Elements , an update to ASC 985, Software , which provides guidance on revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables that are outside the scope of the software revenue recognition guidance. Under the update, when vendor specific objective evidence or third party evidence for deliverables in an arrangement cannot be determined, a best estimate of the selling price is required to separate deliverables and allocate arrangement consideration using the relative selling price method. The update includes new disclosure requirements on how the application of the relative selling price method affects the timing and amount of revenue recognition. The update is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010 (January 1, 2011 for the Company), with early adoption permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the impacts and disclosures related to this update.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

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. Because the Company generates a significant portion of its earnings from its student loan spread, the interest sensitivity of the balance sheet is a key profitability driver.

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

 	 	As of December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollars	 	 	Percent	 	
Fixed-rate loan assets	 	$	10,305,622	 	 	 	43.6	%	 	$	2,532,609	 	 	 	10.1	%	
Variable-rate loan assets	 	 	13,330,252	 	 	 	56.4	 	 	 	22,528,440	 	 	 	89.9	 	
   Total	 	$	23,635,874	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	25,061,049	 	 	 	100.0	%	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Fixed-rate debt instruments	 	$	273,906	 	 	 	1.1	%	 	$	677,096	 	 	 	2.5	%	
Variable-rate debt instruments	 	 	24,531,383	 	 	 	98.9	 	 	 	26,110,863	 	 	 	97.5	 	
   Total	 	$	24,805,289	 	 	 	100.0	%	 	$	26,787,959	 	 	 	100.0	%	

Loans originated prior to April 1, 2006 generally earn interest at the higher of a floating rate based on the Special Allowance Payment or SAP formula set by the Department and the borrower rate, which is fixed over a period of time. The SAP formula is based on an applicable index plus a fixed spread that is dependent upon when the loan was originated, the loan’s repayment status, and funding sources for the loan. 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 rate produced by the SAP formula, the Company’s student loans earn at a fixed rate while the interest on the variable rate debt typically continues to decline. 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. In accordance with legislation enacted in 2006, lenders are required to rebate fixed rate floor income and variable rate floor income to the Department for all new FFELP loans first originated on or after April 1, 2006.

For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, loan interest income includes approximately $145.1 million, $37.5 million, and $10.3 million of fixed rate floor income, respectively.  The amount of fixed rate floor income has increased over the last few years due to a decrease in interest rates.  If interest rates remain low, the Company anticipates continuing to earn significant fixed rate floor income in future periods.

As a result of the ongoing volatility of interest rates, effective October 1, 2008, the Company changed its calculation of variable rate floor income to better reflect the economic benefit received by the Company related to this income taking into consideration the volatility of certain rate indices which offset the value received. The economic benefit received by the Company related to variable rate floor income was $7.5 million and $25.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Variable rate floor income calculated on a statutory maximum basis was $24.2 million and $44.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The variance between variable rate floor income calculated on a statutory maximum basis and the calculation of variable rate floor income to better reflect the economic benefit received by the Company was inconsequential for the year ended December 31, 2007.

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 student loan assets that are earning fixed rate floor income:

As of December 31, 2009	
 	 	 	Borrower/	 	 	Estimated	 	 	Balance of	
Fixed	 	 	lender	 	 	variable	 	 	assets earning	
interest	 	 	weighted	 	 	conversion	 	 	 fixed-rate	
rate range	 	 	average yield	 	 	rate (a)	 	 	floor income	
Less than 3.0%	 	 	2.88 %	 	 	0.23 %	 	 	 $	  1,647,374 	
3.0 - 3.49%	 	 	3.21%	 	 	0.57%	 	 	 	1,849,245	
3.5 - 3.99%	 	 	3.65%	 	 	1.01%	 	 	 	1,891,773	
4.0 - 4.49%	 	 	4.20%	 	 	1.56%	 	 	 	1,485,648	
4.5 - 4.99%	 	 	4.72%	 	 	2.08%	 	 	 	815,780	
5.0 - 5.49%	 	 	5.25%	 	 	2.61%	 	 	 	535,793	
5.5 - 5.99%	 	 	5.67%	 	 	3.03%	 	 	 	324,082	
6.0 - 6.49%	 	 	6.19%	 	 	3.55%	 	 	 	382,610	
6.5 - 6.99%	 	 	6.70%	 	 	4.06%	 	 	 	338,974	
7.0 - 7.49%	 	 	7.17%	 	 	4.53%	 	 	 	117,326	
7.5 - 7.99%	 	 	7.71%	 	 	5.07%	 	 	 	199,493	
8.0 - 8.99%	 	 	8.16%	 	 	5.52%	 	 	 	451,963	
> 9.0%	 	 	9.04%	 	 	6.40%	 	 	 	265,561	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	$	 10,305,622	
 
(a)	The estimated variable conversion rate is the estimated short-term interest rate at which loans would convert to variable rate.  As of December 31, 2009, the short-term interest rate was 21 basis points.	

86

 
The following table summarizes the outstanding derivatives instruments used by the Company to hedge fixed-rate student loan assets.
 
 	 	As of December 31, 2009	 	
 	 	 	 	 	Weighted	 	
 	 	 	 	 	average fixed	 	
 	 	Notional	 	 	rate paid by	 	
Maturity	 	Amount	 	 	the Company (a)	 	
2010	 	$	4,750,000	 	 	 	0.54	%	
2011	 	 	150,000	 	 	 	1.03	 	
 	 	$	4,900,000	 	 	 	0.55	%	

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

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $3.3 billion of student loan assets that were eligible to earn variable rate floor income.

The Company is 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. The Company attempts to match the interest rate characteristics of certain pools of loan assets with debt instruments of substantially similar characteristics. Due to the variability in duration of the Company’s assets and varying market conditions, the Company does not attempt to perfectly match the interest rate characteristics of the entire loan portfolio with the underlying debt instruments. The Company has adopted a policy of periodically reviewing the mismatch related to the interest rate characteristics of its assets and liabilities together with the Company's outlook as to current and future market conditions. Based on those factors, the Company uses derivative instruments as part of its overall risk management strategy. Derivative instruments used as part of the Company's interest rate risk management strategy currently include interest rate swaps, basis swaps, and cross-currency swaps.

The following table presents the Company’s FFELP student loan assets and related funding arranged by underlying indices:
 
 	 	 	 	As of December 31, 2009	 	
Index (g)	 	Frequency of
Variable Resets	 	Assets	 	 	Debt
outstanding
that funded
student loan
assets (a)	 	
3 month H15 financial commercial paper (b)	 	Daily	 	$	22,435,918	 	 	 	463,912	 	
3 month Treasury bill (c)	 	Varies	 	 	1,036,635	 	 	 	—	 	
3 month LIBOR (d)	 	Quarterly	 	 	—	 	 	 	20,187,356	 	
Auction-rate or remarketing	 	Varies	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,726,960	 	
Asset-backed commercial paper (e)	 	Varies	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,431,639	 	
Fixed rate	 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	8,940	 	
Other (f)	 	 	 	 	376,270	 	 	 	30,016	 	
 	 	 	 	$	23,848,823	 	 	 	23,848,823	 	

(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 these derivatives:	

87

 
As of December 31, 2009	 	
Maturity	 	Notional Amount	 	
2010	 	$	1,000,000	 	
2013	 	 	500,000	 	
2014	 	 	500,000	 	
2018	 	 	1,300,000	 	
2019	 	 	500,000	 	
2021	 	 	250,000	 	
2023	 	 	1,250,000	 	
2024	 	 	250,000	 	
2028	 	 	100,000	 	
2039	 	 	150,000	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	$	5,800,000	 	

(b)  	The Company’s FFELP student loans earn interest based on the daily average H15 financial commercial paper index calculated on a fiscal quarter. The Company’s funding includes FFELP student loans under the Department’s Participation Program.  The interest rate on the principal amount of participation interests outstanding under the Department’s Participation Program is based on a rate of commercial paper plus 50 basis points, which is set a quarter in arrears, while the earnings on the student loans is based primarily on the daily average H15 financial commercial paper index calculated on the current fiscal quarter.	

(c)  	The Company has used derivative instruments to hedge both the basis and repricing risk on certain student loans in which the Company earns interest based on a treasury bill rate that resets daily and are funded with debt indexed to primarily three-month LIBOR. To hedge these loans, the Company has entered into basis swaps in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR set discretely in advance and pays a weekly treasury bill rate plus a spread as defined in the agreement (“T-BILL/LIBOR Basis Swaps”). The following table summarizes these derivatives:	
 
As of December 31, 2009	 	
Maturity	 	Notional Amount	 	
2011 (a)	 	$	225,000	 	
 
(a)	 These derivatives have forward effective start dates of October 2010 ($75 million), November 2010 ($75 million), and December 2010 ($75 million).	

(d)  	The Company has Euro-denominated notes that reprice on the EURIBOR index. The Company has entered into derivative instruments (cross-currency interest rate swaps) that convert 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.”	

(e)  	Asset-backed commercial paper consists of $305.7 million funded in the Company’s FFELP warehouse facility and $1.1 billion funded through the Department’s Conduit Program.  Funding for the Conduit Program is provided by the capital markets at a cost based on market rates.	

(f)  	Assets include restricted cash and investments and other assets. Debt outstanding includes other debt obligations secured by student loan assets and related collateral.	

(g)  	Historically, the movement of the various interest rate indices received on the Company’s student loan assets and paid on the debt to fund such loans was highly correlated. The short term movement of the indices was dislocated beginning in August 2007. This dislocation has had a negative impact on the Company’s student loan net interest income as compared to historical periods.	

Financial Statement Impact of Derivative Instruments

The Company recognizes changes in the fair value of derivative instruments currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Management has structured all of the Company’s derivative transactions with the intent that each is economically effective. However, the Company’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting; consequently, the change in fair value of these derivative instruments is included in the Company’s operating results. Changes or shifts in the forward yield curve and fluctuations in currency rates can significantly impact the valuation of the Company’s derivatives. Accordingly, changes or shifts to the forward yield curve and fluctuations in currency rates will impact the financial position and results of operations of the Company. The change in fair value of the Company’s derivatives are included in “derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and resulted in income of $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, expense of $38.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, and income of $139.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.

88

The following summarizes the derivative settlements included in “derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” on the consolidated statements of income.
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
Settlements, income (expense):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest rate swaps	 	$	(2,020	)	 	 	(15,036	)  	 	 	16,803	 	
Average/discrete basis swaps	 	 	11,483	 	 	 	44,947	 	 	 	7,319	 	
1/3 basis swaps	 	 	21,192	 	 	 	1,805	 	 	 	1,215	 	
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	 	 	8,631	 	 	 	23,941	 	 	 	(6,660	)  	
   Total settlements	 	$	39,286	 	 	 	55,657	 	 	 	18,677	 	

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, as it relates to the effect on earnings, 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 effect on earnings was performed on the Company’s variable rate assets and liabilities. The analysis includes the effects of the Company’s interest rate and basis swaps in existence during these periods.
 
 	 	Year ended December 31, 2009	 	
 	 	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	 	
 	 	Dollar	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollar	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollar	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollar	 	 	Percent	 	
Effect on earnings:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Increase (decrease) in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements	 	$	(96,704	)	 	 	(44.8	)%	 	 	(129,399	)	 	 	(60.0	)%	 	 	(25,290	)	 	 	(11.7	)%	 	 	(75,870	)	 	 	(35.1	)%	
Impact of derivative settlements	 	 	5,525	 	 	 	2.6	 	 	 	16,533	 	 	 	7.7	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes	 	$	(91,179	)	 	 	(42.2	)%	 	 	(112,866	)	 	 	(52.3	)%	 	 	(25,290	)	 	 	(11.7	)%	 	 	(75,870	)	 	 	(35.1	)%	
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share	 	$	(1.19	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	(1.47	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	(0.33	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	(0.99	)	 	 	 	 	

 	 	Year ended December 31, 2008	 	
 	 	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	 	
 	 	Dollar	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollar	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollar	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollar	 	 	Percent	 	
Effect on earnings:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Increase (decrease) in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements	 	$	(26,009	)	 	 	(58.1	)%	 	 	(52,485	)	 	 	(117.3	)%	 	 	(26,819	)	 	 	(59.9	)%	 	 	(80,457	)	 	 	(179.7	)%	
Impact of derivative settlements	 	 	23,855	 	 	 	53.3	 	 	 	50,811	 	 	 	113.6	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes	 	$	(2,154	)	 	 	(4.8	)%	 	 	(1,674	)	 	 	(3.7	)%	 	 	(26,819	)	 	 	(59.9	)%	 	 	(80,457	)	 	 	(179.7	)%	
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earnings per share	 	$	(0.03	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	(0.02	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	(0.33	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	(0.99	)	 	 	 	 	

 	 	Year ended December 31, 2007	 	
 	 	Change from increase
of 100 basis points	 	 	Change from increase
of 300 basis points	 	 	Asset and funding
index mismatches	 	
 										
 	 	Dollar	 	 	Percent	 	 	Dollar	 	 	Percent	 	 	Increase of 10 basis points	 	 	Increase of 30 basis points	 	
Effect on earnings:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Increase (decrease) in pre-tax net income before impact of derivative settlements	 	$	6,828	 	 	 	11.9	%	 	 	27,009	 	 	 	47.3	%	 	 	(26,599	)	 	 	(46.5	)%	 	 	(79,797	)	 	 	(139.5	)%	
Impact of derivative settlements	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Increase (decrease) in net income before taxes	 	$	6,828	 	 	 	11.9	%	 	 	27,009	 	 	 	47.3	%	 	 	(26,599	)	 	 	(46.5	)%	 	 	(79,797	)	 	 	(139.5	)%	
Increase (decrease) in basic and diluted earning per share	 	$	0.09	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	0.34	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	(0.33	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	(0.99	)	 	 	 	 	

89

 
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

During 2006, the Company completed separate debt offerings of student loan asset-backed securities that included 420.5 million and 352.7 million Euro-denominated notes with interest rates based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result of this transaction, 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 is re-measured at each reporting period and recorded on the Company’s balance sheet in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date. Changes in the principal and accrued interest amounts as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations are included in the “derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

The Company entered into cross-currency interest rate swaps in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. Under the terms of these derivative instrument agreements, the Company receives from a counterparty a spread to the EURIBOR index based on notional amounts of €420.5 million and €352.7 million and pays a spread to the LIBOR index based on notional amounts of $500.0 million and $450.0 million, respectively. In addition, under the terms of these agreements, all principal payments on the Euro Notes will effectively be paid at the exchange rate in effect as of the issuance of the notes. The Company did not qualify these derivative instruments as hedges under accounting authoritative guidance; consequently, the change in fair value is included in the Company’s operating results.

The following table summarizes the financial statement impact as a result of the remeasurement of the Euro Notes and change in the fair value of the related derivative instruments. These amounts are included in “derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” on the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Re-measurement of Euro Notes	 	$	(37,654	)	 	 	52,886	 	 	 	(108,712	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Change in fair value of	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
cross-currency derivatives	 	 	2,497	 	 	 	(24,436	)	 	 	125,532	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total impact to statements of	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
income - (expense) income	 	$	(35,157	)	 	 	28,450	 	 	 	16,820	 	

The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in fair value of the cross-currency interest rate swaps. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains or losses related to the cross-currency interest rate swaps if the two underlying indices (and related forward curve) do not move in parallel. Management intends to hold the cross-currency interest rate swaps through the maturity of the Euro-denominated bonds.

The following table summarizes all of the components of “Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” included in the consolidated statements of income.
 
 	 	Year ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
Change in fair value of derivatives	 	$	6,852	 	 	 	(38,576	)	 	 	139,146	 	
Foreign currency transaction adjustment	 	 	(37,654	)	 	 	52,886	 	 	 	(108,712	)	
Change in fair value of put options issued in business acquisitions	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,483	)	 	 	(3,628	)	
Derivative settlements, net	 	 	39,286	 	 	 	55,657	 	 	 	18,677	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net	 	$	8,484	 	 	 	66,484	 	 	 	45,483	 	
 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Reference is made to the consolidated financial statements listed under the heading “(a) 1. Consolidated Financial Statements” of Item 15 of this Report, which consolidated financial statements are incorporated into this Report by reference in response to this Item 8.

90

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. 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 the 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 chief executive and chief financial officers believe that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report with respect to timely communication to them and other members of management responsible for preparing periodic reports and material information required to be disclosed in this Report as it relates to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

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.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) for the Company. The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Management maintains a comprehensive system of controls intended to ensure that transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization, assets are safeguarded, and financial records are reliable. Management also takes steps to ensure that information and communication flows are effective and to monitor performance, including performance of internal control procedures.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 based on the criteria for effective internal control described in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2009, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 has been audited by KPMG LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report included herein, which expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009.

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Internal Controls

The Company’s management, including the chief executive and chief financial officers, understands that the disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting are subject to certain limitations, including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing, and evaluating the controls and procedures, the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events, and the inability to eliminate misconduct completely.  The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of a control system must be considered relative to their costs.  These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.  Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls.  The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.  Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks.  Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

As a result, there can be no assurance that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls over financial reporting will prevent all errors or fraud or ensure that all material information will be made known to management in a timely fashion. By their nature, the Company’s or any system of disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls over financial reporting, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives.

91

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Nelnet, Inc.:

We have audited Nelnet, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Nelnet, Inc.’s (the Company) management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting . Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Nelnet, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, and our report dated March 3, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Lincoln, Nebraska
March 3, 2010

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

During the fourth quarter of 2009, no information was required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K, but not reported.

PART III.

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information as to the directors, executive officers, corporate governance, and Section 16(a) beneficial ownership reporting compliance of the Company set forth under the captions “PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS—Nominees,” “EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,” “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE,” and “SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS – Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement to be filed on Schedule 14A with the SEC, no later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year, relating to the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on May 27, 2010 (the “Proxy Statement”) is incorporated into this Report by reference.

92

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information set forth under the captions “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE” and “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated into this Report by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information set forth under the caption “SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS—Stock Ownership” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated into this Report by reference. There are no arrangements known to the Company, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in the control of the Company.

The following table summarizes information about compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 	 	As of December 31, 2009	
 	 	Number of shares to be issued
upon exercise of outstanding
options, warrants, and rights	 	Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants, and rights	 	Number of shares remaining
available for future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities reflected in
column (a))	
Plan category	 	(a)	 	(b)	 	(c)	
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders	 	0	 	$0	 	 4,741,851	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders	0	 	$0	 	0	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total	 	0	 	$0	 	4,741,851 (1)	
 
(1) Includes 2,971,331, 231,914, 677,702, and 860,904 shares of Class A Common Stock remaining available for future issuance under the Nelnet, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan, Nelnet, Inc. Directors Stock Compensation Plan, Nelnet, Inc. Employee Share Purchase Plan, and Nelnet, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Loan Plan, respectively.	
 
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information set forth under the captions “CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS,” “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE – Board Composition and Director Independence,” and “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE – Board Committees” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated into this Report by reference.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information set forth under the caption “PROPOSAL 2—APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM—Independent Accountant Fees and Services” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated into this Report by reference.

PART IV.

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) 1. Consolidated Financial Statements
 
The following consolidated financial statements of Nelnet, Inc. and its subsidiaries and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon are included in Item 8 above:

93

 
 	Page	
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	F-2	
 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008	F-3	
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007	F-4	
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007	F-5	
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007	F-6	
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	F-7	

2. Financial Statement Schedules

All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

3. Exhibits

The exhibits listed in the accompanying index to exhibits are filed, furnished, or incorporated by reference as part of this Report.
 
4.   Appendix

Appendix A – Description of the Federal Family Education Loan Program

94

 
(b) Exhibits	 	 	
 	 	 	EXHIBIT INDEX	
 	 	 	 	
 	Exhibit	 	 	
 	No.	 	Description	
 	2.1	 	Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of October 3, 2005 among Nelnet, Inc., NNI Acquisition Servicing Limited Partnership, Greater Texas Foundation, and LoanSTAR Systems, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Nelnet, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 3, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	 	
 	2.2	 	Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 31, 2007 among Nelnet, Inc., Nelnet Academic Services, LLC and Packers Service Group, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 6, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	 	
 	3.1	 	Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Nelnet, Inc., as amended, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report for the period ended September 30, 2006, filed on Form 10-Q and incorporated by reference herein.	
 	 	 	 	
 	3.2	 	Articles of Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Nelnet, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s quarterly report for the period ended June 30, 2007, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	3.3	 	Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Nelnet, Inc., as amended as of February 3, 2010, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant's current report of Form 8-K filed on February 9, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	 	
 	4.1	 	Form of Class A Common Stock Certificate of Nelnet, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	4.2	 	Certain instruments, including indentures of trust, defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries, none of which instruments authorizes a total amount of indebtedness thereunder in excess of 10 percent of the total assets of the registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, are omitted from this Exhibit Index pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K.  Many of such instruments have been previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Commission upon request.	
 	 	 	 	
 	4.3	 	Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, by and among Nelnet, Inc. and the shareholders of Nelnet, Inc. signatory thereto.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.1	 	Marketing Expense Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1999, by and between Union Bank and Trust Company and National Education Loan Network, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.2	 	First Amendment of Marketing Expense Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2001, by and between Union Bank and Trust Company and NELnet, Inc. (f/k/a National Education Loan Network, Inc.) (subsequently renamed National Education Loan Network, Inc.). Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.3	 	Second Amendment of Marketing Expense Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2001, by and between Union Bank and Trust Company and NELnet, Inc. (f/k/a National Education Loan Network, Inc.) (subsequently renamed National Education Loan Network, Inc.). Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.4	 	Amended and Restated Participation Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2001, by and between NELnet, Inc. (subsequently renamed National Education Loan Network, Inc.) and Union Bank and Trust Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.5	 	First Amendment of Amended and Restated Participation Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2001, by and between Union Bank and Trust Company and NELnet, Inc. (subsequently renamed National Education Loan Network, Inc.). Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.6	 	Second Amendment of Amended and Restated Participation Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2002, by and between Union Bank and Trust Company and Nelnet, Inc. (f/k/a NELnet, Inc.) (subsequently renamed National Education Loan Network, Inc.). Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement.	

95

 
 	 	 	 	
 	10.7	 	Alternative Loan Participation Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2001, by and between NELnet, Inc. (subsequently renamed National Education Loan Network, Inc.) and Union Bank and Trust Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.8	 	Amended and Restated Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1999, by and between Union Bank and Trust Company and National Education Loan Network, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.9	 	Guaranteed Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2001, by and between NELnet, Inc. (subsequently renamed National Education Loan Network, Inc.) and Union Bank and Trust Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.10	 	First Amendment of Guaranteed Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2002, by and between NELnet, Inc. (subsequently renamed National Education Loan Network, Inc.) and Union Bank and Trust Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.11	 	Second Amendment of Guaranteed Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2002, by and between Nelnet, Inc. (f/k/a/ NELnet, Inc.) (subsequently renamed National Education Loan Network, Inc.) and Union Bank and Trust Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.12	 	Agreement For Use of Revolving Purchase Facility, dated as of January 1, 1999, by and between Union Bank and Trust Company and National Education Loan Network, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.78 to the registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.13	 	Guaranty Agreement, by and among Charter Account Systems, Inc., ClassCredit, Inc., EFS, Inc., EFS Services, Inc., GuaranTec LLP, Idaho Financial Associates, Inc., InTuition, Inc., National Higher Educational Loan Program, Inc., Nelnet Canada, Inc., Nelnet Corporation (subsequently renamed Nelnet Corporate Services, Inc.), Nelnet Guarantee Services, Inc., Nelnet Marketing Solutions, Inc., Student Partner Services, Inc., UFS Securities, LLC and Shockley Financial Corp., dated as of September 25, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.86 to the registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.14	 	Amendment to Application and Agreement for Standby Letter of Credit, Loan Purchase Agreements, and Standby Student Loan Purchase Agreements, dated effective October 21, 2003, by and among National Education Loan Network, Inc., Nelnet, Inc., Nelnet Education Loan Funding, Inc., Union Bank and Trust Company, and Bank of America, N.A. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.94 to the registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.15	 	Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Participation Agreement between National Education Loan Network, Inc. and Union Bank and Trust Company, dated as of February 5, 2004.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.61 to the registrant’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed on Form 10-K.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.16	 	February 2004 Amendment to Application and Agreement for Standby Letter of Credit, Loan Purchase Agreements and Standby Student Loan Purchase Agreements, dated as of February 20, 2004, among National Education Loan Network, Inc., Nelnet, Inc., Nelnet Education Loan Funding, Inc., Union Bank and Trust Company, and Bank of America, N.A.   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.62 to the registrant’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed on Form 10-K.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.17	 	Amendment to Application and Agreement for Standby Letter of Credit, Loan Purchase Agreements, and Standby Student Loan Purchase Agreements, dated effective November 20, 2003, by and among National Education Loan Network, Inc., Nelnet, Inc., Nelnet Education Loan Funding, Inc., Union Bank and Trust Company, and Bank of America, N.A.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.63 to the registrant’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed on Form 10-K.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.18	 	Amendment to Application and Agreement for Standby Letter of Credit, Loan Purchase Agreements, and Standby Student Loan Purchase Agreements, dated effective December 19, 2003, by and among National Education Loan Network, Inc., Nelnet, Inc., Nelnet Education Loan Funding, Inc., Union Bank and Trust Company, and Bank of America, N.A.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.64 to the registrant’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed on Form 10-K.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.19	 	April 2004 Amendment to Application and Agreement for Standby Letter of Credit, Loan Purchase Agreements, and Standby Purchase Agreements, dated effective April 15, 2004, among Bank of America, N.A., Nelnet Education Loan Funding, Inc., National Education Loan Network, Inc, Nelnet, Inc., and Union Bank and Trust Company.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.67 to the registrant’s quarterly report for the period ended March 31, 2004, filed on Form 10-Q.	

96

 
 	 	 	 	
 	10.20	 	Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 5, 2004, between National Education Loan Network, Inc. and infiNET Integrated Solutions, Inc.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.72 to the registrant’s quarterly report for the period ended March 31, 2004, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.21	 	Amendment of Agreements dated as of February 4, 2005, by and between National Education Loan Network, Inc. and Union Bank and Trust Company.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed on February 10, 2005.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.22	 	Amended and Restated Aircraft Management Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2008, by and between National Education Loan Network, Inc., Duncan Aviation, Inc., and Union Financial Services, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the registrant's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed on Form 10-K.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.23	 	Amended and Restated Aircraft Joint Ownership Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2009, by and between National Education Loan Network, Inc. and Union Financial Services, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the registrant's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed on Form 10-K.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.24	 	Amendment of Agreements dated as of February 4, 2005, by and between Union Bank and Trust Company and National Education Loan Network, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 10, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.25+	 	Nelnet, Inc. Employee Share Purchase Plan, as amended.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s quarterly report for the period ended September 30, 2005, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.26+	 	Summary of Named Executive Officer Compensation for 2006. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.78 to the registrants annual report for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed on Form 10-K.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.27+	 	Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation for 2006. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.79 to the registrants annual report for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed on Form 10-K.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.28+	 	Amended Nelnet, Inc. Directors Stock Compensation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.80 to the registrants annual report for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed on Form 10-K.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.29	 	Office Building Lease dated June 21, 1996 between Miller & Paine and Union Bank and Trust Company, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.30	 	Amendment to Office Building Lease dated June 11, 1997 between Miller & Paine and Union Bank and Trust Company, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.31	 	Lease Amendment Number Two dated February 8, 2001 between Miller & Paine and Union Bank and Trust Company, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.32	 	Lease Amendment Number Three dated May 23, 2005 between Miller & Paine, LLC and Union Bank and Trust Company, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.33	 	Lease Agreement dated May 20, 2005 between Miller & Paine, LLC and Union Bank and Trust Company, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.34	 	Office Sublease dated April 30, 2001 between Union Bank and Trust Company and Nelnet, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.35+	 	Executive Officers Bonus Plan as amended, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 20, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.36+	 	Nelnet, Inc. Share Retention Policy, as amended. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.72 to the registrant’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed on Form 10-K.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.37+	 	Nelnet, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan, As amended through March 22, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s quarterly report for the period ended March 31, 2007, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.38	 	Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for $750 million line of credit dated as of May 8, 2007 among Nelnet, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., individually and as Administrative Agent, Citibank, N.A., individually and as Syndication Agent, and various lender parties thereto, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 10, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.	

97

 
 	 	 	 	
 	10.39+	 	Nelnet, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan, as amended through May 24, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.40	 	Real Estate Purchase Agreement dated as of October 31, 2007 between Union Bank and Trust Company and First National Life of the USA, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 2, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.41+	 	Employment Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2005, between FACTS Management Co. and Timothy A. Tewes.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's quarterly report for the period ended March 31, 2008, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.42+	 	Non-competition Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2005, between FACTS Management Co. and Timothy A. Tewes.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant's quarterly report for the period ended March 31, 2008, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.43+	 	First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated November 22, 2006, between FACTS Management Co. and Timothy A. Tewes.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant's quarterly report for the period ended March 31, 2008, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.44+	 	Nelnet, Inc. Directors Stock Compensation Plan, as amended through April 18, 2008, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Nelnet, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on June 27, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.45	 	Seventh Amendment of Amended and Restated Participation Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2008, by and between Union Bank and Trust Company and Nelnet, Inc. (f/k/a NELnet, Inc.) (subsequently renamed National Education Loan Network, Inc.).  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant's quarterly report for the period ended June 30, 2008, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.46	 	Fourth Amendment of Amended and Restated Participation Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2005, by and between Union Bank and Trust Company and Nelnet, Inc. (f/k/a NELnet, Inc.) (subsequently renamed National Education Loan Network, Inc.).  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's quarterly report for the period ended September 30, 2008, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.47	 	Fifth Amendment of Amended and Restated Participation Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2005, by and between Union Bank and Trust Company and Nelnet, Inc. (f/k/a NELnet, Inc.) (subsequently renamed National Education Loan Network, Inc.).  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant's quarterly report for the period ended September 30, 2008, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.48	 	Sixth Amendment of Amended and Restated Participation Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2005, by and between Union Bank and Trust Company and Nelnet, Inc. (f/k/a NELnet, Inc.) (subsequently renamed National Education Loan Network, Inc.).  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant's quarterly report for the period ended September 30, 2008, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.49	 	Master Participation Agreement, dated as of August 14, 2008, by and between the United States Department of Education and Nelnet, Inc.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the registrant's quarterly report for the period ended September 30, 2008, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.50	 	Master Loan Sale Agreement, dated as of August 14, 2008, by and between the United States Department of Education and Nelnet, Inc.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the registrant's quarterly report for the period ended September 30, 2008, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.51+	 	Separation Agreement, dated as of July 21, 2008, by and between Matthew D. Hall and Nelnet, Inc.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the registrant's quarterly report for the period ended September 30, 2008, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.52	 	Eighth Amendment of Amended and Restated Participation Agreement, dated as of December 24, 2008, by and between Union Bank and Trust Company and Nelnet, Inc. (f/k/a NELnet, Inc.) (subsequently renamed National Education Loan Network, Inc.). Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.69 to the registrant's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed on Form 10-K.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.53+	 	Separation Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2008, by and between Raymond J. Ciarvella and Nelnet, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.70 to the registrant's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed on Form 10-K.	

98

 
 	 	 	 	
 	10.54	 	Loan Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2008, by and between Nelnet Education Loan Funding, Inc., f/k/a NEBHELP, INC., a Nebraska corporation, acting, where applicable, by and through Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, not individually but as Eligible Lender Trustee for the Seller under the Warehouse Agreement or Eligible Lender Trust Agreement, and Union Bank and Trust Company, a Nebraska state bank and trust company, acting in its individual capacity and as trustee. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.71 to the registrant's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed on Form 10-K.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.55	 	Loan Servicing Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2008, by and between Nelnet, Inc. and Union Bank and Trust Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.72 to the registrant's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed on Form 10-K.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.56	 	Assurance Commitment Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2008, by and among Jay L. Dunlap, individually, Angie Muhleisen, individually, and Michael S. Dunlap, individually, Nelnet, Inc., Union Bank and Trust Company, and Farmers & Merchants Investment Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.73 to the registrant's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed on Form 10-K.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.57+	 	Nelnet, Inc. Second Amended Executive Officers Bonus Plan.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's quarterly report for the period ended March 31, 2009, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.58+	 	Nelnet, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan, as amended through May 20, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.59	 	Funding Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2009, among Straight-A Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Conduit Lender, Nelnet Super Conduit Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Funding Note Issuer, First National Bank, a national banking association, as Eligible Lender Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as Conduit Administrator for the Conduit Lender, as Securities Intermediary and as Conduit Lender Eligible Lender Trustee, National Education Loan Network, Inc., a Nevada corporation, as the SPV Administrator for the Funding Note Issuer, Nelnet, Inc., a Nebraska corporation, as Sponsor, BMO Capital Markets Corp., a Delaware company, as Manager for the Conduit Lender, and National Education Loan Network, Inc., a Nevada corporation, as Master Servicer.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant's quarterly report for the period ended June 30, 2009, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.60	 	Eligible Lender Trust Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2009 between Nelnet Super Conduit Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Zions First National Bank, a national banking association, not in its individual capacity but solely as eligible lender trustee on behalf and for the benefit of the Funding Note Issuer.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant's quarterly report for the period ended June 30, 2009, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	10.61	 	Student Loan Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2009, among National Education Loan Network, Inc., a Nevada corporation, Union Bank and Trust Company, a Nebraska banking corporation, not in its individual capacity but solely as eligible lender trustee for the benefit of the Seller and its assigns, Nelnet Super Conduit Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Zions First National Bank, a national banking association, not in its individual capacity but solely as eligible lender trustee for the benefit of the Purchaser and its assigns. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the registrant's quarterly report for the period ended June 30, 2009, filed on Form 10-Q.	
 	 	 	 	
 	12.1*	 	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.	
 	 	 	 	
 	21.1*	 	Subsidiaries of Nelnet, Inc.	
 	 	 	 	
 	23.1*	 	Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.	
 	 	 	 	
 	31.1*	 	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Chief Executive Officer Michael S. Dunlap.	
 	 	 	 	
 	31.2*	 	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Chief Financial Officer Terry J. Heimes.	
 	 	 	 	
 	32**	 	Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	
 	 	 	 	
 	*   Filed herewith	
 	** Furnished herewith	
 	+   Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement contemplated by Item 15(a)(3) of Form 10-K.	

99

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
 
Dated: March 3, 2010
 	NELNET, INC.	 	
 	 	 	 	
 	By:	/s/  MICHAEL S. DUNLAP	 	
 	 	Michael S. Dunlap
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)	 	
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the dates indicated.

Signature	 	Title	 	Date	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ MICHAEL S. DUNLAP	 	Chairman and	 	March 3, 2010	
Michael S. Dunlap	 	Chief Executive Officer	 	 	
 	 	(Principal Executive Officer)	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ TERRY J. HEIMES	 	Chief Financial Officer	 	March 3, 2010	
Terry J. Heimes	 	(Principal Financial Officer and	 	 	
 	 	Principal Accounting Officer)	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ STEPHEN F. BUTTERFIELD	 	Vice Chairman	 	March 3, 2010	
Stephen F. Butterfield	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ JAMES P. ABEL	 	Director	 	March 3, 2010	
James P. Abel	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ KATHLEEN A. FARRELL	 	Director	 	March 3, 2010	
Kathleen A. Farrell	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ THOMAS E. HENNING	 	Director	 	March 3, 2010	
Thomas E. Henning	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ BRIAN J. O’CONNOR	 	Director	 	March 3, 2010	
Brian J. O’Connor	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ KIMBERLY K. RATH	 	Director	 	March 3, 2010	
Kimberly K. Rath	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/s/ MICHAEL D. REARDON	 	Director	 	March 3, 2010	
Michael D. Reardon	 	 	 	 	

100

 
NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 	Page	
 	 	
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	F-2	
 	 	
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008	F-3	
 	 	
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007	F-4	
 	 	
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007	F-5	
 	 	
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007	F-6	
 	 	
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	F-7	

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Nelnet, Inc.:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Nelnet, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 3, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
 
Lincoln, Nebraska
March 3, 2010

F-2

 
NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES	
Consolidated Balance Sheets	
December 31, 2009 and 2008	
 
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
 	 	(Dollars in thousands, except share data)	 	
Assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $50,887 in 2009 and $50,922 in 2008)	 	$	23,926,957	 	 	 	25,413,008	 	
Cash and cash equivalents:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents – not held at a related party	 	 	12,301	 	 	 	13,129	 	
Cash and cash equivalents – held at a related party	 	 	325,880	 	 	 	176,718	 	
Total cash and cash equivalents	 	 	338,181	 	 	 	189,847	 	
Restricted cash and investments	 	 	625,492	 	 	 	997,272	 	
Restricted cash – due to customers	 	 	91,741	 	 	 	160,985	 	
Accrued interest receivable	 	 	329,313	 	 	 	471,878	 	
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,198 in 2009 and $1,005 in 2008)	 	 	42,043	 	 	 	42,088	 	
Goodwill	 	 	143,717	 	 	 	175,178	 	
Intangible assets, net	 	 	53,538	 	 	 	77,054	 	
Property and equipment, net	 	 	26,606	 	 	 	38,747	 	
Other assets	 	 	104,940	 	 	 	113,666	 	
Fair value of derivative instruments	 	 	193,899	 	 	 	175,174	 	
Total assets	 	$	25,876,427	 	 	 	27,854,897	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Bonds and notes payable	 	$	24,805,289	 	 	 	26,787,959	 	
Accrued interest payable	 	 	19,831	 	 	 	81,576	 	
Other liabilities	 	 	172,514	 	 	 	179,336	 	
Due to customers	 	 	91,741	 	 	 	160,985	 	
Fair value of derivative instruments	 	 	2,489	 	 	 	1,815	 	
Total liabilities	 	 	25,091,864	 	 	 	27,211,671	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
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	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
38,396,791 shares in 2009 and 37,794,067 shares in 2008	 	 	384	 	 	 	378	 	
Class B, convertible, $0.01 par value. Authorized 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
11,495,377 shares in 2009 and 2008	 	 	115	 	 	 	115	 	
Additional paid-in capital	 	 	109,359	 	 	 	103,762	 	
Retained earnings	 	 	676,154	 	 	 	540,521	 	
Employee notes receivable	 	 	(1,449	)  	 	 	(1,550	)  	
Total shareholders’ equity	 	 	784,563	 	 	 	643,226	 	
Commitments and contingencies	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	 	$	25,876,427	 	 	 	27,854,897	 	
   
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES	 	 	
Consolidated Statements of Income	 	 	
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007	 	 	
 
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
 	 	(Dollars in thousands, except share data)	 	
Interest income:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loan interest	 	$	609,920	 	 	 	1,176,383	 	 	 	1,667,057	 	
Investment interest	 	 	10,287	 	 	 	37,998	 	 	 	80,219	 	
Total interest income	 	 	620,207	 	 	 	1,214,381	 	 	 	1,747,276	 	
Interest expense:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest on bonds and notes payable	 	 	384,862	 	 	 	1,026,489	 	 	 	1,502,662	 	
Net interest income	 	 	235,345	 	 	 	187,892	 	 	 	244,614	 	
Less provision for loan losses	 	 	29,000	 	 	 	25,000	 	 	 	28,178	 	
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	 	 	206,345	 	 	 	162,892	 	 	 	216,436	 	
Other income (expense):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	 	 	108,747	 	 	 	99,942	 	 	 	122,380	 	
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	 	 	53,894	 	 	 	48,155	 	 	 	42,766	 	
Enrollment services revenue	 	 	119,397	 	 	 	112,405	 	 	 	103,905	 	
Software services revenue	 	 	21,164	 	 	 	24,115	 	 	 	27,764	 	
Other income	 	 	68,152	 	 	 	22,775	 	 	 	30,423	 	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans, net	 	 	35,148	 	 	 	(51,414	)  	 	 	3,597	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and derivative settlements, net	 	 	8,484	 	 	 	66,484	 	 	 	45,483	 	
Total other income	 	 	414,986	 	 	 	322,462	 	 	 	376,318	 	
Operating expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	155,532	 	 	 	183,393	 	 	 	236,631	 	
Other operating expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	74,926	 	 	 	64,965	 	 	 	45,408	 	
Depreciation and amortization	 	 	35,636	 	 	 	43,669	 	 	 	47,451	 	
Impairment expense	 	 	32,728	 	 	 	18,834	 	 	 	49,504	 	
Professional and other services	 	 	27,265	 	 	 	32,482	 	 	 	37,034	 	
Occupancy and communications	 	 	19,306	 	 	 	19,215	 	 	 	25,395	 	
Postage and distribution	 	 	9,377	 	 	 	11,163	 	 	 	17,016	 	
Trustee and other debt related fees	 	 	9,167	 	 	 	10,408	 	 	 	11,450	 	
Advertising and marketing	 	 	8,046	 	 	 	7,924	 	 	 	17,393	 	
Other	 	 	33,650	 	 	 	48,561	 	 	 	48,327	 	
Total other operating expenses	 	 	250,101	 	 	 	257,221	 	 	 	298,978	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	405,633	 	 	 	440,614	 	 	 	535,609	 	
Income before income taxes	 	 	215,698	 	 	 	44,740	 	 	 	57,145	 	
Income tax expense	 	 	(76,573	)  	 	 	(17,896	)  	 	 	(21,716	)  	
Income from continuing operations	 	 	139,125	 	 	 	26,844	 	 	 	35,429	 	
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,818	 	 	 	(2,575	)  	
Net income	 	$	139,125	 	 	 	28,662	 	 	 	32,854	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Earnings per common share:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Continuing operations	 	$	2.79	 	 	 	0.54	 	 	 	0.71	 	
Discontinued operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	0.04	 	 	 	(0.05	)  	
Net earnings	 	$	2.79	 	 	 	0.58	 	 	 	0.66	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Diluted:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Continuing operations	 	$	2.78	 	 	 	0.54	 	 	 	0.71	 	
Discontinued operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	0.04	 	 	 	(0.05	)  	
Net earnings	 	$	2.78	 	 	 	0.58	 	 	 	0.66	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Dividends paid per common share	 	$	0.07	 	 	 	0.07	 	 	 	0.28	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic	 	 	49,484,816	 	 	 	49,099,967	 	 	 	49,618,107	 	
Diluted	 	 	49,685,143	 	 	 	49,324,278	 	 	 	49,732,973	 	
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4

 
NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES	
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income	
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007	
 
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Accumulated	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Preferred	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Class A	 	 	Class B	 	 	Additional	 	 	 	 	 	Employee	 	 	other	 	 	Total	 	
 	 	stock	 	 	Common stock shares	 	 	Preferred	 	 	common	 	 	common	 	 	paid-in	 	 	Retained	 	 	notes	 	 	comprehensive	 	 	shareholders’	 	
 	 	shares	 	 	Class A	 	 	Class B	 	 	stock	 	 	stock	 	 	stock	 	 	capital	 	 	earnings	 	 	receivable	 	 	income	 	 	equity	 	
 	 	(Dollars in thousands, except share data)	 	
Balance as of December 31, 2006	 	 	—	 	 	 	39,035,169	 	 	 	13,505,812	 	 	$	—	 	 	 	390	 	 	 	135	 	 	 	177,678	 	 	 	496,341	 	 	 	(2,825	)  	 	 	131 	 	 	 	671,850	 	
Comprehensive income:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	32,854	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	32,854	 	
Other comprehensive income:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Foreign currency translation	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(322	)  	 	 	(322	)  	
Non-pension post retirement benefit plan	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	191 	 	 	 	191	 	
Total comprehensive income	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	32,723	 	
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
common stock - $0.28 per share	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(13,817	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(13,817	)  	
Adjustment to adopt provisions of authoritative	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
guidance on uncertain tax positions	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(61	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(61	)  	
Reserve for uncertain income tax positions	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,519	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,519	 	
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	 	 	—	 	 	 	781,561	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	8	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	5,698	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(725	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	4,981	 	
Compensation expense for stock based awards	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	4,810	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	4,810	 	
Repurchase of common stock	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,372,122	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(33	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(82,018	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(82,051	)  	
Conversion of common stock	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,010,435	 	 	 	(2,010,435	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	20	 	 	 	(20	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Acquisition of enterprise under common control	 	 	—	 	 	 	(474,426	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(5	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(12,502	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(12,507	)  	
Reduction of employee notes receivable	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	432	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	432	 	
Balance as of December 31, 2007	 	 	—	 	 	 	37,980,617	 	 	 	11,495,377	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	380	 	 	 	115	 	 	 	96,185	 	 	 	515,317	 	 	 	(3,118	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	608,879	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Comprehensive income:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	28,662	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	28,662	 	
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
common stock - $0.07 per share	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,458	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,458	)  	
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	 	 	—	 	 	 	201,654	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	2	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,826	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,828	 	
Compensation expense for stock based awards	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	5,283	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	5,283	 	
Repurchase of common stock	 	 	—	 	 	 	(388,204	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(4	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(1,532	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(1,536	)  	
Reduction of employee notes receivable	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,568	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,568	 	
Balance as of December 31, 2008	 	 	—	 	 	 	37,794,067	 	 	 	11,495,377	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	378	 	 	 	115	 	 	 	103,762	 	 	 	540,521	 	 	 	(1,550	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	643,226	 	
Comprehensive income:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	139,125	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	139,125	 	
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
common stock - $0.07 per share	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,492	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,492	)  	
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	 	 	—	 	 	 	641,153	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	7	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	4,365	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	4,372	 	
Compensation expense for stock based awards	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,661	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,661	 	
Repurchase of common stock	 	 	—	 	 	 	(38,429	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(1	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(429	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(430	)  	
Reduction of employee notes receivable	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	101	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	101	 	
Balance as of December 31, 2009	 	 	—	 	 	 	38,396,791	 	 	 	11,495,377	 	 	$	—	 	 	 	384	 	 	 	115	 	 	 	109,359	 	 	 	676,154	 	 	 	(1,449	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	784,563	 	

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES	
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007	
 
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
 	 	(Dollars in thousands)	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	 	$	139,125	 	 	 	28,662	 	 	 	32,854	 	
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,818	 	 	 	(2,575	)	
Income from continuing operations	 	 	139,125	 	 	 	26,844	 	 	 	35,429	 	
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
by operating activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Depreciation and amortization, including loan premiums and deferred origination costs	 	 	116,038	 	 	 	141,605	 	 	 	261,385	 	
Provision for loan losses	 	 	29,000	 	 	 	25,000	 	 	 	28,178	 	
Impairment expense	 	 	32,728	 	 	 	18,834	 	 	 	49,504	 	
Derivative market value adjustment	 	 	(6,852	)	 	 	38,576	 	 	 	(139,146	)	
Foreign currency transaction adjustment	 	 	37,654	 	 	 	(52,886	)	 	 	108,712	 	
Change in value of put options issued in business acquisitions	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,483	 	 	 	3,628	 	
Proceeds to terminate and/or amend derivative instruments	 	 	3,870	 	 	 	20,368	 	 	 	50,843	 	
Payments to terminate and/or amend derivative instruments	 	 	(15,069	)	 	 	(16,367	)	 	 	(8,100	)	
Gain from repurchase of bonds and notes payable	 	 	(41,683	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Originations and purchases of student loans - held for sale	 	 	(13,345	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Loss on sale of business	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	8,291	 	
Gain on sale of equity method investment	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,942	)	
(Gain) loss on sale of student loans, net	 	 	(35,148	)	 	 	51,414	 	 	 	(3,087	)	
Deferred income tax benefit	 	 	(19,057	)	 	 	(9,468	)	 	 	(24,979	)	
Non-cash compensation expense	 	 	2,644	 	 	 	7,320	 	 	 	6,686	 	
Other non-cash items	 	 	1,976	 	 	 	1,788	 	 	 	(2,643	)	
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable	 	 	142,565	 	 	 	121,444	 	 	 	(89,924	)	
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	 	 	45	 	 	 	6,996	 	 	 	(6,659	)	
Decrease (increase) in other assets	 	 	9,283	 	 	 	1,603	 	 	 	(5,324	)	
(Decrease) increase in accrued interest payable	 	 	(61,745	)	 	 	(47,870	)	 	 	9,235	 	
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	 	 	2,677	 	 	 	(17,581	)	 	 	(1,310	)	
Net cash flows from operating activities - continuing operations	 	 	324,706	 	 	 	321,103	 	 	 	276,777	 	
Net cash flows from operating activities - discontinued operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,717	)	
Net cash provided by operating activities	 	 	324,706	 	 	 	321,103	 	 	 	273,060	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash flows from investing activities, net of business acquisitions:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Originations, purchases, and consolidations of student loans, including loan premiums	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   and deferred origination costs	 	 	(2,776,557	)	 	 	(2,685,876	)	 	 	(5,042,378	)	
Purchases of student loans, including loan premiums, from a related party	 	 	(47,621	)	 	 	(212,888	)	 	 	(260,985	)	
Net proceeds from student loan repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other	 	 	1,873,666	 	 	 	2,247,031	 	 	 	2,122,033	 	
Proceeds from sale of student loans	 	 	2,317,093	 	 	 	1,807,813	 	 	 	118,649	 	
Proceeds from sale of student loans to a related party	 	 	76,448	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Purchases of property and equipment, net	 	 	(1,204	)	 	 	(5,141	)	 	 	(20,061	)	
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash and investments, net	 	 	371,780	 	 	 	(70,025	)	 	 	590,604	 	
Purchases of equity method investments	 	 	—	 	 	 	(2,988	)	 	 	—	 	
Distributions from equity method investments	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	747	 	
Sale of business, net of cash sold	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	14,497	 	
Business acquisitions - contingent consideration and purchase price adjustments, net	 	 	—	 	 	 	(18,000	)	 	 	(1,773	)	
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	10,000	 	
Net cash flows from investing activities - continuing operations	 	 	1,813,605	 	 	 	1,059,926	 	 	 	(2,468,667	)	
Net cash flows from investing activities - discontinued operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(294	)	
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	 	 	1,813,605	 	 	 	1,059,926	 	 	 	(2,468,961	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash flows from financing activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Payments on bonds and notes payable	 	 	(6,644,250	)	 	 	(6,879,826	)	 	 	(5,750,423	)	
Proceeds from issuance of bonds and notes payable	 	 	4,688,404	 	 	 	5,640,865	 	 	 	8,121,833	 	
Payments from issuance of notes payable due to a related party, net	 	 	(21,520	)	 	 	(35,772	)	 	 	(50,796	)	
Payments of debt issuance costs	 	 	(9,239	)	 	 	(14,886	)	 	 	(15,160	)	
Dividends paid	 	 	(3,492	)	 	 	(3,458	)	 	 	(13,817	)	
Payment on settlement of put option	 	 	—	 	 	 	(9,600	)	 	 	(15,875	)	
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	 	 	449	 	 	 	710	 	 	 	1,467	 	
Repurchases of common stock	 	 	(430	)	 	 	(1,536	)	 	 	(76,648	)	
Payments received on employee stock notes receivable	 	 	101	 	 	 	575	 	 	 	432	 	
Net cash flows from financing activities - continuing operations	 	 	(1,989,977	)	 	 	(1,302,928	)	 	 	2,201,013	 	
Net cash flows from financing activities - discontinued operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	 	 	(1,989,977	)	 	 	(1,302,928	)	 	 	2,201,013	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	548	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	 	 	148,334	 	 	 	78,101	 	 	 	5,660	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	 	 	189,847	 	 	 	111,746	 	 	 	106,086	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	 	$	338,181	 	 	 	189,847	 	 	 	111,746	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest paid	 	$	434,834	 	 	 	1,056,640	 	 	 	1,369,287	 	
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	 	$	101,491	 	 	 	24,058	 	 	 	36,999	 	
Supplemental disclosures of noncash financing activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Notes payable assumed in connection with an acquisition of an entity under common control	 	$	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	14,110	 	
Common stock issued in consideration for notes receivable	 	$	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	725	 	
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

1.	Description of Business	

Nelnet, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Nelnet” or the “Company”) is a transaction processing and finance company focused primarily on providing quality education related products and services to students, families, schools, and financial institutions nationwide.  The Company earns its revenues from fee-based processing businesses, including its loan servicing, payment processing, and lead generation businesses, and the net interest income on its student loan portfolio.

The Company offers a broad range of pre-college, in-college, and post-college products and services that help students and families plan and pay for their education and plan their careers. The Company’s products and services are designed to simplify the education planning and financing process and provide value to customers throughout the education life cycle.

The Company has five operating segments, as follows:

·       Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing
·       Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce
·       Enrollment Services
·       Software and Technical Services
·       Asset Generation and Management

See note 22 for additional information on the Company’s segment reporting.

Fee-Based Operating Segments

Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing

The Company’s Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment provides for the servicing of it’s student loan portfolio and the portfolios of third parties and servicing provided to guaranty agencies. The loan servicing activities include loan origination activities, loan conversion activities, application processing, borrower updates, payment processing, due diligence procedures, and claim processing. These activities are performed internally for the Company’s portfolio in addition to generating fee revenue when performed for third-party clients.  The guaranty servicing activities include providing software and data center services, borrower and loan updates, default aversion tracking services, claim processing services, and post-default collection services to guaranty agencies.

Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce

The Company’s Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce operating segment provides products and services to help institutions and education-seeking families manage the payment of education costs during the pre-college and college stages of the education life cycle. The Company provides actively managed tuition payment solutions, online payment processing, detailed information reporting, financial needs analysis, and data integration services to K-12 and higher educational institutions, families, and students. In addition, the Company provides customer-focused electronic transactions, information sharing, and account and bill presentment to colleges and universities.

Enrollment Services

The Company’s Enrollment Services operating segment offers products and services that are focused on helping colleges recruit and retain students (lead generation and recruitment services) and helping students plan and prepare for life after high school (content management and publishing and editing services). Lead generation products and services include vendor lead management services and admissions lead generation. Recruitment services include pay per click marketing management, email marketing, list marketing services, and admissions consulting. Content management products and services include online courses and related services. Publishing and editing services include test preparation study guides and essay and resume editing services.

F-7

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

Software and Technical Services

The Company’s Software and Technical Services operating segment develops student loan servicing software, which is used internally by the Company and also licensed to third-party student loan holders and servicers. This segment also provides information technology products and services, with core areas of business in educational loan software solutions, legacy modernization, technical consulting services, and Enterprise Content Management solutions.

Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment

The Company’s Asset Generation and Management operating segment includes the origination, acquisition, management, and ownership of the Company’s student loan assets. The Company generates a substantial portion of its earnings from the spread, referred to as the Company’s student loan spread, between the yield it receives on its student loan portfolio and the costs associated with originating, acquiring, and financing its portfolio. The Company generates student loan assets through direct origination or through acquisitions.  Student loan assets include loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP” or “FFEL Program”), including the Stafford Loan Program, the PLUS Loan program, the Supplemental Loans for Students (“SLS”) program, and loans that consolidate certain borrower obligations (“Consolidation”).

2. 	Discontinued Operations	

On May 25, 2007, the Company sold EDULINX Canada Corporation (“EDULINX”), a Canadian student loan service provider and a subsidiary of the Company, for initial proceeds of $19.0 million. The Company recognized an initial net loss of $8.3 million related to this transaction. During 2008, the Company earned $2.0 million in additional consideration as a result of the sale of EDULINX. This payment represented contingent consideration earned by the Company based on EDULINX meeting certain performance measures. As a result of the sale of EDULINX, the results of operations for EDULINX, including the contingent payment earned in 2008, are reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

The components of income (loss) from discontinued operations are presented below for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.
 
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating income of discontinued operations	 	$	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	9,278	 	
Income tax on operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,562	)	
Gain (loss) on disposal	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,966	 	 	 	(8,316	)	
Income tax (expense) benefit on disposal	 	 	—	 	 	 	(148	)	 	 	25	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	 	$	—	 	 	 	1,818	 	 	 	(2,575	)	
 
The following operations of EDULINX have been segregated from continuing operations and reported as discontinued operations through the date of disposition. Interest expense was not allocated to EDULINX and, therefore, all of the Company’s interest expense is included within continuing operations.
 
 	 	2007	 	
 	 	 	 	
Net interest income	 	$	124	 	
Other income	 	 	31,511	 	
Operating expenses	 	 	(22,357	)	
Income before income taxes	 	 	9,278	 	
Income tax expense	 	 	3,562	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
Operating income of discontinued	 	 	 	 	
   operations, net of tax	 	$	5,716	 	

F-8

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
3.	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices	

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company’s education lending subsidiaries are engaged in the securitization of education finance assets. These education lending subsidiaries hold beneficial interests in eligible loans, subject to creditors with specific interests. The liabilities of the Company’s education lending subsidiaries are not the direct obligations of Nelnet, Inc. or any of its other subsidiaries. Each education lending subsidiary is structured to be bankruptcy remote, meaning that they should not be consolidated in the event of bankruptcy of the parent company or any other subsidiary. For accounting purposes, the transfers of student loans to the eligible lender trusts do not qualify as sales, as the trusts continue to be under the effective control of the Company. Accordingly, all the financial activities and related assets and liabilities, including debt, of the securitizations are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The reclassifications were made to change the income statement presentation to provide the users of the financial statements additional information related to the operating results of the Company’s fee-based businesses, which are becoming more significant to the Company’s operations.  These reclassifications include reclassifying “tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue” and “enrollment services revenue,” which were previously included in “other fee-based income.” In addition, the “cost to provide enrollment services” was reclassified from various operating expense accounts, primarily “advertising and marketing.”

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make a number of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, reported amounts of revenues and expenses, and other disclosures. Management has made significant estimates in several areas, including allowance for loan losses, the amortization of loan premiums, deferred origination costs, and borrower benefits, impairment assessment related to goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes, and the valuation of derivatives.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Student Loans Receivable

Student loans consist of federally insured student loans, non-federally insured student loans, and student loan participations. If the Company has the ability and intent to hold loans for the foreseeable future, such loans are held for investment and carried at amortized cost. Amortized cost includes the unamortized premiums and capitalized origination costs and fees, all of which are amortized to interest income. Loans which are held-for-investment also have an allowance for loan loss as needed. Any loans the Company has the ability and intent to sell are classified as held for sale and are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Loans which are held-for-sale do not have the associated premium and origination costs and fees amortized into interest income and there is also no related allowance for loan losses. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, no loans were held for sale.

Federally insured loans may be made under the FFEL Program by certain lenders as defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (the “Higher Education Act”). These loans, including related accrued interest, are guaranteed at their maximum level permitted under the Higher Education Act by an authorized guaranty agency, which has a contract of reinsurance with the U.S. Department of Education (the “Department”). The terms of the loans, which vary on an individual basis, generally provide for repayment in monthly installments of principal and interest over a period of up to 30 years. Interest rates on loans may be fixed or variable, dependent upon type, terms of loan agreements, and date of origination. For FFELP loans, the education lending subsidiaries have entered into trust agreements in which unrelated financial institutions serve as the eligible lender trustees. As eligible lender trustees, the financial institutions act as the eligible lender in acquiring certain eligible student loans as an accommodation to the subsidiaries, which hold beneficial interests in the student loan assets as the beneficiaries of such trusts.

Substantially all FFELP loan principal and related accrued interest is guaranteed as defined by the Higher Education Act. These guarantees are made subject to the performance of certain loan servicing procedures stipulated by applicable regulations. If these due diligence procedures are not met, affected student loans may not be covered by the guarantees should the borrower default. The Company and its education lending subsidiaries retain and enforce recourse provisions against servicers and lenders under certain circumstances. Such student loans are subject to “cure” procedures and reinstatement of the guaranty under certain circumstances.

F-9

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Student loans receivable also includes non-federally insured loans. The terms of the non-federally insured loans, which vary on an individual basis, generally provide for repayment in monthly installments of principal and interest over a period of up to 30 years. The non-federally insured loans are not covered by guarantees or collateral should the borrower default.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable losses on student loans. This evaluation process is subject to numerous estimates and judgments. The Company evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on its federally insured loan portfolio separately from its non-federally insured loan portfolio.

The allowance for the federally insured loan portfolio is based on periodic evaluations of the Company’s loan portfolios considering past experience, trends in student loan claims rejected for payment by guarantors, changes to federal student loan programs, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. The federal government currently guarantees 97% of the principal of and the interest on federally insured student loans disbursed on and after July 1, 2006 (and 98% for those loans disbursed prior to July 1, 2006), which limits the Company’s loss exposure on the outstanding balance of the Company’s federally insured portfolio. Student loans disbursed prior to October 1, 1993 are fully insured.

Effective June 1, 2004, the Company was designated as an Exceptional Performer by the Department in recognition of its exceptional level of performance in servicing FFELP loans. As a result of this designation, the Company received 100% reimbursement on all eligible FFELP default claims submitted for reimbursement. On September 27, 2007, the President signed into law the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 (the “College Cost Reduction Act”). Among other things, this legislation eliminated all provisions relating to Exceptional Performer status, and the monetary benefit associated with it, effective October 1, 2007.

In determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on the non-federally insured loans, the Company considers several factors including: loans in repayment versus those in a nonpaying status, delinquency status, type of program, and trends in defaults in the portfolio based on Company and industry data. The Company places a non-federally insured loan on nonaccrual status when the collection of principal and interest is 30 days past due and charges off the loan when the collection of principal and interest is 120 days past due.

The evaluation of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be subject to significant changes. The provision for loan losses reflects the activity for the applicable period and provides an allowance at a level that the Company’s management believes is adequate to cover probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all investments with maturities when purchased of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash and Investments 

The Company’s restricted investments are held by trustees in various accounts subject to use restrictions imposed by the trust indenture and consist of guaranteed investment contracts, which are classified as held-to-maturity. Due to the characteristics of the investments, there is no available or active market for this type of financial instrument. These investments are purchased at par value, which equals their cost as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. All restricted cash and investments held by the trustees are included on the consolidated balance sheets.

Restricted Cash – Due to Customers

As a servicer of student loans, the Company collects student loan remittances and subsequently disburses these remittances to the appropriate lending entities. In addition, the Company requests funding from lenders and subsequently disburses loan funds to borrowers and schools on behalf of borrowers. The Company also collects tuition payments and subsequently remits these payments to the appropriate schools. Cash collected for customers and the related liability are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Interest income earned, net of service charges, by the Company on this cash for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $2.7 million and $8.7 million, respectively.  Due to low interest rates, the Company earned minimal interest income, net of servicing charges, during 2009.

F-10

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are presented at their net realizable values, which includes allowances for doubtful accounts. Allowance estimates are based upon individual customer experience, as well as age of receivables and likelihood of collection.

Goodwill

The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually (as of November 30) and whenever triggering events or changes in circumstances indicate its carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill is tested for impairment using a fair value approach at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is the operating segment, or a business one level below that operating segment if discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management. However, components are aggregated as a single reporting unit if they have similar economic characteristics. The Company performs a two-step impairment test on goodwill. In the first step, the Company compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit, goodwill is considered not impaired and the Company is not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then the Company must perform the second step of the impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then the Company would record an impairment loss equal to the difference.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions, and determination of appropriate market comparables. Actual future results may differ from those estimates.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated lives. Such assets are amortized using a method of amortization that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset is consumed or otherwise used up. If that pattern cannot be reliably determined, the Company uses a straight-line amortization method.

The Company evaluates the estimated remaining useful lives of purchased intangible assets and whether events or changes in circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining periods of amortization.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, and major improvements, including leasehold improvements, are capitalized. Gains and losses from the sale of property and equipment are included in determining net income. The Company uses accelerated and straight-line methods for recording depreciation and amortization. Accelerated methods are used for certain equipment and software when this method is believed to provide a better matching of income and expenses. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their useful life or the related lease period.

F-11

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. The Company uses estimates to determine the fair value of long-lived assets. Such estimates are generally based on estimated future cash flows or cost savings associated with particular assets and are discounted to a present value using an appropriate discount rate. The estimates of future cash flows associated with assets are generally prepared using a cost savings method, a lost income method, or an excess return method, as appropriate. In utilizing such methods, management must make certain assumptions about the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows and other economic benefits from the assets, the remaining economic useful life of the assets, and general economic factors concerning the selection of an appropriate discount rate. The Company may also use replacement cost or market comparison approaches to estimating fair value if such methods are determined to be more appropriate.

Assumptions and estimates about future values and remaining useful lives of the Company’s intangible and other long-lived assets are complex and subjective. They can be affected by a variety of factors, including external factors such as industry and economic trends, and internal factors such as changes in the Company’s business strategy and internal forecasts. Although the Company believes the historical assumptions and estimates used are reasonable and appropriate, different assumptions and estimates could materially impact the reported financial results.

Other Assets

Other assets are recorded at cost or amortized cost and consist primarily of debt issuance costs, student list costs, and other miscellaneous assets. Debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest method.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing and able market participants.  The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures.

The Company determines fair value using valuation techniques which are based upon observable and unobservable inputs.  Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions.  Transaction costs are not included in the determination of fair value.  When possible, the Company seeks to validate the model’s output to market transactions.  Depending on the availability of observable inputs and prices, different valuation models could produce materially different fair value estimates.  The values presented may not represent future fair values and may not be realizable.  Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future values.

The Company categorizes its fair value estimates based on a hierarchal framework associated with three levels of price transparency utilized in measuring financial instruments at fair value.  Classification is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value of the instrument.  The three levels include:

·	Level 1: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.  The types of financial instruments included in Level 1 are highly liquid instruments with quoted prices.	

·	Level 2: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose primary value drivers are observable.	

·	Level 3: Instruments whose primary value drivers are unobservable .  Inputs are developed based on the best information available; however, significant judgment is required by management in developing the inputs.	

Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available for identical or similar instruments, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.

F-12

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Revenue Recognition

Loan interest income   – Loan interest is paid by the Department or the borrower, depending on the status of the loan at the time of the accrual. In addition, the Department makes quarterly interest subsidy payments on certain qualified FFELP loans until the student is required under the provisions of the Higher Education Act to begin repayment. Borrower repayment of FFELP loans normally begins within six months after completion of the loan holder’s course of study, leaving school, or ceasing to carry at least one-half the normal full-time academic load, as determined by the educational institution. Borrower repayment of PLUS and Consolidation loans normally begins within 60 days from the date of loan disbursement. Borrower repayment of non-federally insured loans typically begins six months following a borrower’s graduation from a qualified institution and the interest is either paid by the borrower or capitalized annually or at repayment.

The Department provides a special allowance to lenders participating in the FFEL Program. The special allowance is accrued based upon the fiscal quarter average rate of 13-week Treasury Bill auctions (for loans originated prior to January 1, 2000) or the fiscal quarter average rate of daily H15 financial commercial paper rates (for loans originated on and after January 1, 2000) relative to the yield of the student loan.

The Company recognizes student loan income as earned, net of amortization of loan premiums and deferred origination costs. Loan income is recognized based upon the expected yield of the loan after giving effect to borrower utilization of incentives such as timely payments (“borrower benefits”) and other yield adjustments. Loan premiums, deferred origination costs, and borrower benefits are amortized over the estimated life of the loan, which includes an estimate of prepayment speeds .  The Company periodically evaluates the assumptions used to estimate the life of the loans and prepayment speeds.
 
The Company also pays the Department an annual 105 basis point rebate fee on Consolidation loans. These rebate fees are netted against loan interest income.
 
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue – Loan servicing fees are determined according to individual agreements with customers and are calculated based on the dollar value of loans, number of loans, or number of borrowers serviced for each customer. Guaranty servicing fees, generally, are calculated based on the number of loans serviced, volume of loans serviced, or amounts collected. Revenue is recognized when earned pursuant to applicable agreements, and when ultimate collection is assured.
 
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue - Fees for payment management services are recognized over the period in which services are provided to customers.

Enrollment services revenue – Enrollment services revenue primarily consists of the following items:

 	·	Lead generation – Revenue from lead generation is derived primarily from fees which are earned through the delivery of qualified leads or clicks. The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is deemed to have occurred at the time a qualified lead or click is delivered to the customer provided that no significant obligations remain. From time to time, the Company may agree to credit certain leads or clicks if they fail to meet the contractual or other guidelines of a particular client. The Company has established a sales reserve based on historical experience. To date, such credits have been immaterial and within management’s expectations.	

For a portion of its lead generation revenue, the Company has agreements with providers of online media or traffic (“Publishers”) used in the generation of leads or clicks. The Company receives a fee from its customers and pays a fee to Publishers either on a cost per lead, cost per click, or cost per number of impressions basis. The Company is the primary obligor in the transaction. As a result, the fees paid by the Company’s customers are recognized as revenue and the fees paid to its Publishers are included in “cost to provide enrollment services” in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

F-13

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
 	·	Publishing and editing services - Revenue from the sale of print products and editing services is generally earned and recognized, net of estimated returns, upon shipment or delivery.	

 	·	Content management and recruitment services – Content management and recruitment services includes the sale of subscription and performance based products and services, as well as list sales.  Revenues from sales of subscription and performance based products and services are recognized ratably over the term of the contract. Subscription and performance based revenues received or receivable in advance of the delivery of services is included in deferred revenue.  Revenue from the sale of lists is generally earned and recognized, net of estimated returns, upon delivery.	

Other income – Other income includes borrower late fee income, which is earned by the education lending subsidiaries and is recognized when payments are collected from the borrower.

Software services revenue – Software services revenue is determined from individual agreements with customers and includes license and maintenance fees associated with student loan software products. Income for contracts with customers that does not require significant production, modification, or customization of software is recognized when all the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, vendors fee is fixed and determinable, and collectability is probable. Payments made on maintenance and enhancement agreements for services to be performed in subsequent periods are deferred and recognized in revenue over the life of the agreements. Computer and software consulting services are recognized over the period in which services are provided to customers.

Derivative Accounting

The Company records derivative instruments at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet as either an asset or liability. The Company determines the fair value for its derivative contracts using either (i) pricing models that consider current market conditions and the contractual terms of the derivative contract or (ii) counterparty valuations. These factors include interest rates, time value, forward interest rate curve, and volatility factors, as well as foreign exchange rates. Pricing models and their underlying assumptions impact the amount and timing of unrealized gains and losses recognized, and the use of different pricing models or assumptions could produce different financial results. Management has structured all of the Company’s derivative transactions with the intent that each is economically effective. However, the Company’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are reported in current period earnings. Net settlements on derivatives are included in “derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” on the consolidated statements of income.

Foreign Currency

The Company’s foreign subsidiary, EDULINX, used the Canadian dollar as its functional currency. The assets and liabilities of EDULINX were translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses were translated at the average exchange rate during the period. As discussed in note 2, the Company sold EDULINX in May 2007. As a result of this transaction, the results of operations for EDULINX are reported as discontinued operations. Prior to the sale of EDULINX, translation gains or losses were reflected in the consolidated financial statements as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

During 2006, the Company issued Euro-denominated bonds, which are included in “bonds and notes payable” on the consolidated balance sheets. Transaction gains and losses resulting from exchange rate changes when re-measuring these bonds to U.S. dollars at the balance sheet date are included in “derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” on the consolidated statements of income.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

F-14

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Income tax expense includes deferred tax expense, which represents the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability balance during the year, plus any change made in the valuation allowance, and current tax expense, which represents the amount of tax currently payable to or receivable from a tax authority plus amounts for expected tax deficiencies (including both tax and interest).

Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events, and the impact on the reported results and disclosures through March 3, 2010, which is the date these financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

4. 	Recent Developments - Legislation	
 
On February 26, 2009, the President introduced a fiscal year 2010 Federal budget proposal calling for the elimination of the FFEL Program and a recommendation that all new student loan originations be funded through the Federal Direct Loan Program.    On September 17, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (“SAFRA”), which would eliminate the FFEL Program and require that, after July 1, 2010, all new federal student loans be made through the Federal Direct Loan Program. The Senate is expected to begin its consideration of similar student loan reform legislation sometime in 2010. In addition to the House-passed legislation, there are several other proposals for changes to the education financing framework that may be considered that would maintain a role for private lenders in the origination of federal student loans.  These include a possible extension of ECASLA, which expires on July 1, 2010, and the Student Loan Community Proposal, a proposal endorsed by a cross-section of FFELP service providers (including the Company) as an alternative to the 100% federal direct lending proposal included in SAFRA.
 
Elimination of the FFEL Program would impact the Company’s operations and profitability by, among other things, reducing the Company’s interest revenues as a result of the inability to add new FFELP loans to the Company’s portfolio and reducing guarantee and third-party FFELP servicing fees as a result of reduced FFELP loan servicing and origination volume. Additionally, the elimination of the FFEL Program could reduce education loan software licensing opportunities and related consulting fees received from lenders using the Company’s software products and services. The fair value and/or ability to recover the Company’s goodwill, intangible assets, and other long-lived assets related to these activities could be adversely affected if the FFEL Program is eliminated.
 
In June 2009, the Department of Education named the Company as one of four private sector companies awarded a servicing contract to service student loans. No later than August 2010, the Company expects to also begin servicing new loans originated under the Direct Loan Program. If legislation is passed mandating that all new student loan originations be funded through the Direct Loan Program, revenue from servicing loans under this contract will partially offset the loss of revenue if the FFEL Program is eliminated.
 
5. 	Restructuring Charges	

Legislative Impact – 2007 Restructuring

On September 6, 2007, the Company announced a strategic initiative to create efficiencies and lower costs in advance of the enactment of the College Cost Reduction Act, which impacted the FFEL Program in which the Company participates. In anticipation of the federally driven cuts to the student loan programs, management initiated a variety of strategies to modify the Company’s student loan business model, including lowering the cost of student loan acquisition, creating efficiencies in the Company’s asset generation business, and decreasing operating expenses through a reduction in workforce and realignment of operating facilities. These strategies resulted in the net reduction of approximately 400 positions in the Company’s overall work force. In addition, the Company simplified its operating structure to leverage its larger facilities and technology by closing five small origination offices and downsizing its presence in Indianapolis. Implementation of the plan began immediately and was completed as of December 31, 2007. As a result of these strategic decisions, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $20.3 million in 2007 and income of $0.2 million in 2008 and an expense of $0.7 million in 2009 to recognize adjustments from initial estimates.

F-15

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Selected information relating to the restructuring charge and accrual follows:

 	 	Employee	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Write-down	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	termination	 	 	 	Lease	 	 	 	of property	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	benefits	 	 	 	terminations	 	 	 	and equipment	 	 	 	Total	 	
 	 	 	 	
Restructuring costs recognized in 2007	 	$	6,315	 	 (a)	 	 	3,916	 	 (b)	 	 	10,060	 	 (c)	 	 	20,291	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Write-down of assets to net realizable value	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	(10,060	)	 	 	 	(10,060	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Adjustment from initial estimate of charges	 	 	(134	)  	 (a)	 	 	(16	)  	 (b)	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	(150	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash payments	 	 	(4,988	)  	 	 	 	(218	)  	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	(5,206	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring accrual as of December 31, 2007	 	 	1,193	 	 	 	 	3,682	 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	4,875	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Adjustment from initial estimate of charges	 	 	(191	)  	 (a)	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	(191	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash payments	 	 	(1,002	)  	 	 	 	(791	)  	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	(1,793	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring accrual as of December 31, 2008	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	2,891	 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	2,891	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Adjustment from initial estimate of charges	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	692	 	 (b)	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	692	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash payments	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	(650	)  	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	(650	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring accrual as of December 31, 2009	 	$	—	 	 	 	 	2,933	 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	2,933	 	

 	(a)	Employee termination benefits are included in “salaries and benefits” in the consolidated statements of income.	

 	(b)	Lease termination costs are included in “occupancy and communications” in the consolidated statements of income.	

 	(c)	Costs related to the write-down of assets are included in “impairment expense” in the consolidated statements of income.	

F-16

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Selected information relating to the restructuring charge by operating segment and Corporate Activity and Overhead follows:
 
 	 	Operating segment	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing	 	 	Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce	 	 	Enrollment Services	 	 	Software and Technical Services	 	 	Asset Generation and Management	 	 	Corporate Activity and Overhead	 	 	Total	 	

Restructuring costs recognized in 2007	 	$	1,840	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	929	 	 	 	58	 	 	 	2,654	 	 	 	14,810	 	 	 	20,291	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Write-down of assets to net realizable value	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(248	)  	 	 	(9,812	)  	 	 	(10,060	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Adjustment from initial estimate of charges	 	 	(95	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(25	)  	 	 	(30	)  	 	 	(150	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash payments	 	 	(1,276	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(848	)  	 	 	(58	)  	 	 	(2,003	)  	 	 	(1,021	)  	 	 	(5,206	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring accrual as of December 31, 2007	 	 	469	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	81	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	378	 	 	 	3,947	 	 	 	4,875	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Adjustment from initial estimate of charges	 	 	(72	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(15	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(40	)  	 	 	(64	)  	 	 	(191	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash payments	 	 	(397	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(34	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(330	)  	 	 	(1,032	)  	 	 	(1,793	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring accrual as of December 31, 2008	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	32	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	8	 	 	 	2,851	 	 	 	2,891	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reclassification of initial estimate of charges	 	 	(692	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(32	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(8	)  	 	 	732	 	 	 	—	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Adjustment from initial estimate of charges	 	 	692	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	692	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash payments	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(650	)  	 	 	(650	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring accrual as of December 31, 2009	 	$	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,933	 	 	 	2,933	 	
 
Capital Markets Impact

On January 23, 2008, the Company announced a plan to further reduce operating expenses related to its student loan origination and related businesses as a result of ongoing disruptions in the credit markets. Management developed a restructuring plan related to its asset generation and supporting businesses which reduced marketing, sales, service, and related support costs through a reduction in workforce of approximately 300 positions and realignment of certain operating facilities. Implementation of the plan began immediately and was completed as of June 30, 2008. As a result of these strategic decisions, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $26.1 million in 2008 and an additional expense of approximately $12,000 in 2009 to recognize adjustments from initial estimates.

F-17

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Selected information relating to the restructuring charge and accrual follows:
 
 	 	Employee	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	termination	 	 	 	Lease	 	 	 	Write-down	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	benefits	 	 	 	terminations	 	 	 	of assets	 	 	 	Total	 	
 	 	 	 	
Restructuring costs recognized in 2008	 	$	5,865	 	 (a)	 	 	1,398	 	 (b)	 	 	18,834	 	 (c)	 	 	26,097	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Write-down of assets to net realizable value	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	(18,834	)	 	 	 	(18,834	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash payments	 	 	(5,865	)  	 	 	 	(809	)  	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	(6,674	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring accrual as of December 31, 2008	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	589	 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	589	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Adjustment from initial estimate of charges	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	12	 	 (b)	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	12	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash payments	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	(250	)  	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	(250	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring accrual as of December 31, 2009	 	$	—	 	 	 	 	351	 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	351	 	
 
 	(a)	Employee termination benefits are included in “salaries and benefits” in the consolidated statements of income.	

 	(b)	Lease termination costs are included in “occupancy and communications” in the consolidated statements of income.	

 	(c)	Costs related to the write-down of assets are included in “impairment expense” in the consolidated statements of income.	

Selected information relating to the restructuring charge by operating segment and Corporate Activity and Overhead follows:

 	 	Operating segment	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing	 	 	Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce	 	 	Enrollment Services	 	 	Software and Technical Services	 	 	Asset Generation and Management	 	 	Corporate Activity and Overhead	 	 	Total	 	

Restructuring costs recognized in 2008	 	$	5,906	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	297	 	 	 	510	 	 	 	11,235	 	 	 	8,149	 	 	 	26,097	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Write-down of assets to net realizable value	 	 	(5,074	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(9,351	)  	 	 	(4,409	)  	 	 	(18,834	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash payments	 	 	(786	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(310	)  	 	 	(511	)  	 	 	(1,878	)  	 	 	(3,189	)  	 	 	(6,674	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring accrual as of December 31, 2008	 	 	46	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(13	)  	 	 	(1	)  	 	 	6	 	 	 	551	 	 	 	589	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reclassification of initial estimate of charges	 	 	84	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	13	 	 	 	1	 	 	 	(6	)  	 	 	(92	)  	 	 	—	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Adjustment from initial estimate of charges	 	 	(130	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	142	 	 	 	12	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash payments	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(250	)  	 	 	(250	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring accrual as of December 31, 2009	 	$	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	351	 	 	 	351	 	

F-18

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Legislative Impact – 2009 Restructuring

On May 8, 2009, as a result of the continued challenges in the economy and the student loan industry, the Company adopted a plan to further streamline its operations by continuing to reduce its geographic footprint and consolidate servicing operations and related support services.

Management developed a restructuring plan that will result in lower costs and provide enhanced synergies through cross training, career development, and simplified communications.  The Company will simplify its operating structure to leverage its larger facilities and technology by closing certain offices and downsizing its presence in certain geographic locations.  Approximately 300 associates will be impacted by this restructuring plan.  However, the majority of these functions will be relocated to the Company’s Lincoln headquarters and Denver offices.  Implementation of the plan began immediately and is expected to be substantially complete during the second quarter of 2010.

The Company estimates that the charge to earnings associated with this restructuring plan will total approximately $12.8 million, consisting of approximately $6.2 million in severance costs and approximately $6.6 million in contract terminations, of which $7.3 million was recognized in 2009, and $5.5 million is expected to be recognized in 2010. Selected information relating to the restructuring charge and accrual follows:
 
 	Employee	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	termination	 	 	 	Lease	 	 	 	 	 	
 	benefits	 	 	 	terminations	 	 	 	Total	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring costs recognized in 2009	$	4,247	 	 (a)	 	3,031	 	 (b)	 	 	7,278	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash payments	 	(898	)  	 	 	(605	)  	 	 	 	(1,503	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring accrual as of December 31, 2009	$	3,349	 	 	 	2,426	 	 	 	 	5,775	 	
 
(a)	Employee termination benefits are included in "salaries and benefits" in the consolidated statements of income.	
(b)	Lease termination costs are included in "occupancy and communications" in the consolidated statements of income.	

Selected information relating to the restructuring charge by operating segment and Corporate Activity and Overhead follows:
 
 	 	Operating segment	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing	 	 	Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce	 	 	Enrollment Services	 	 	Software and Technical Services	 	 	Asset Generation and Management	 	 	Corporate Activity and Overhead	 	 	Total	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring costs recognized in 2009	 	$	5,402	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	936	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	940	 	 	 	7,278	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash payments	 	 	(871	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(411	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(221	)  	 	 	(1,503	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring accrual as of December 31, 2009	 	$	4,531	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	525	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	719	 	 	 	5,775	 	
 
 	 	Operating segment	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing	 	 	Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce	 	 	Enrollment Services	 	 	Software and Technical Services	 	 	Asset Generation and Management	 	 	Corporate Activity and Overhead	 	 	Total	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Estimated total restructuring costs	 	$	9,810	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,224	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,741	 	 	 	12,775	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Restructuring costs recognized in 2009	 	 	(5,402	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(936	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(940	)  	 	 	(7,278	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Remaining restructuring costs expected	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
to be recognized	 	$	4,408	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	288	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	801	 	 	 	5,497	 	

F-19

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

6.	Intangible Assets and Goodwill	

Intangible assets consist of the following as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

 	 	Weighted	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	average	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	remaining	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	useful life as of	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	December 31,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2009 (months)	 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Amortizable intangible assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Customer relationships (net of accumulated amortization of $38,785	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and $29,737, respectively)	 	 	97	 	 	$	40,991	 	 	 	50,623	 	
Trade names (net of accumulated amortization of $9,101	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and $5,478, respectively)	 	 	34	 	 	 	7,452	 	 	 	11,581	 	
Covenants not to compete (net of accumulated amortization of $20,372	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and $14,887, respectively)	 	 	8	 	 	 	3,229	 	 	 	8,735	 	
Database and content (net of accumulated amortization of $7,701	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and $5,447, repectively)	 	 	12	 	 	 	1,779	 	 	 	4,033	 	
Computer software (net of accumulated amortization of $8,915	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and $7,441, respectively)	 	 	13	 	 	 	87	 	 	 	1,561	 	
Other	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	521	 	
Total - amortizable intangible assets	 	 	80	 	 	$	53,538	 	 	 	77,054	 	
 
The Company recorded amortization expense on its intangible assets of $22.2 million, $26.2 million, and $30.4 million, during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. The Company will continue to amortize intangible assets over their remaining useful lives. As of December 31, 2009, the Company estimates it will record amortization expense as follows:
 
2010	 	$	15,219	 	
2011	 	 	9,746	 	
2012	 	 	8,961	 	
2013	 	 	6,143	 	
2014	 	 	5,689	 	
2015 and thereafter	 	 	7,780	 	
 	 	$	53,538	 	
 
The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment was as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	Tuition	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Student Loan	 	 	Payment	 	 	 	 	 	Software	 	 	Asset	 	 	 	 	
 	 	and	 	 	Processing	 	 	 	 	 	and	 	 	Generation	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Guaranty	 	 	and Campus	 	 	Enrollment	 	 	Technical	 	 	and	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Servicing	 	 	Commerce	 	 	Services	 	 	Services	 	 	Management	 	 	Total	 	
Balance as of December 31, 2007	 	$	—	 	 	 	58,086	 	 	 	55,463	 	 	 	8,596	 	 	 	42,550	 	 	 	164,695	 	
Additional contingent consideration paid	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	11,150	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	11,150	 	
Impairment charge	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(667	)	 	 	(667	)	
Balance as of December 31, 2008	 	 	—	 	 	 	58,086	 	 	 	66,613	 	 	 	8,596	 	 	 	41,883	 	 	 	175,178	 	
Impairment charge	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(31,461	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(31,461	)	
Balance as of December 31, 2009	 	$	—	 	 	 	58,086	 	 	 	35,152	 	 	 	8,596	 	 	 	41,883	 	 	 	143,717	 	

On September 27, 2007, the President signed into law the College Cost Reduction Act. This legislation contained provision with significant implication for participants in the FFEL Program including reducing special allowance payments received by lenders, increasing origination fees paid by lenders, and eliminating the designation of Exceptional Performer status and the monetary benefit associated with it. As a result of this legislation and the student loan business model modifications the Company implemented as a result of these legislative changes (see note 5), the Company recorded an impairment charge of $49.5 million during 2007. This charge is included in “impairment expense” in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Information related to the impairment charge follows:

F-20

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

 	 	Operating	 	Impairment	 	
Asset	 	segment	 	charge	 	
Amortizable intangible assets:	 	 	 	 	 	
Covenants not to compete	 	 Asset Generation and Management	 	$	13,581	 	
Loan origination rights	 	 Asset Generation and Management	 	 	11,555	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Unamortizable intangible assets - trade names	 	 Asset Generation and Management	 	 	2,907	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Goodwill	 	 Enrollment Services	 	 	11,401	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Property and equipment	 	 Asset Generation and Management	 	 	248	 	
Property and equipment	 	 Corporate Activity	 	 	9,812	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
        Total impairment charge	 	 	 	$	49,504	 	

As disclosed in note 5, as a result of the disruptions in the debt and secondary markets and the student loan business model modifications the Company implemented due to the disruptions, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $18.8 million during the first quarter of 2008. This charge is included in “impairment expense” in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Information related to the impairment charge follows:
 
 	 	 Operating	 	Impairment	 	
Asset	 	 segment	 	charge	 	
Amortizable intangible assets:	 	 	 	 	 	
Covenants not to compete	 	 Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing	 	$	4,689	 	
Covenants not to compete	 	 Asset Generation and Management	 	 	336	 	
Loan origination rights	 	 Asset Generation and Management	 	 	8,336	 	
Computer software	 	 Asset Generation and Management	 	 	12	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Goodwill	 	 Asset Generation and Management	 	 	667	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Property and equipment	 	 Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing	 	 	385	 	
Property and equipment	 	 Corporate activities	 	 	4,409	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
        Total impairment charge	 	 	 	$	18,834	 	

F-21

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually. This annual review is completed by the Company as of November 30 of each year and whenever triggering events or changes in circumstances indicate its carrying value may not be recoverable. As a result of the 2009 annual test, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $31.5 million related to its list marketing business. The Company’s list marketing business has been negatively affected by the economic recession and deterioration of the direct-to-consumer student loan market.  In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $1.2 million on certain intangible assets related to its list marketing business. These charges are included in “impairment expense” in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Information related to the impairment charge follows:
 
 	 	 Operating	 	Impairment	 	
Asset	 	 segment	 	charge	 	
Amortizable intangible assets:	 	 	 	 	 	
Customer relationships	 	 Enrollment Services	 	$	584	 	
Trade names	 	 Enrollment Services	 	 	506	 	
Covenants not to compete	 	 Enrollment Services	 	 	21	 	
Other	 	 Enrollment Services	 	 	156	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Goodwill	 	 Enrollment Services	 	 	31,461	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
        Total impairment charge	 	 	 	$	32,728	 	
 
With the exception of the Company’s list marketing business as discussed previously, as of November 30, 2009, the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units exceeded the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit and the Company was not required to perform further testing for impairment.
 
7.	Student Loans Receivable	

Student loans receivable consisted of the following as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
Federally insured loans	 	$	23,472,553	 	 	 	24,787,941	 	
Non-federally insured loans	 	 	163,321	 	 	 	273,108	 	
 	 	 	23,635,874	 	 	 	25,061,049	 	
Unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs	 	 	341,970	 	 	 	402,881	 	
Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans	 	 	(30,102	)  	 	 	(25,577	)  	
Allowance for loan losses – non-federally insured loans	 	 	(20,785	)  	 	 	(25,345	)  	
 	 	$	23,926,957	 	 	 	25,413,008	 	
Allowance for federally insured loans as a percentage of such loans	 	 	0.13	%	 	 	0.10	%	
Allowance for non-federally insured allowance as a percentage of such loans	 	 	12.73	%	 	 	9.28	%	
 
Interest rates on loans may be fixed or variable, dependent upon type, terms of loan agreements, and date of origination.  Interest rates on loans currently range from 1.9% to 12.0% (the weighted average rate was 4.8% and 5.1% as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively).

The Company has provided for an allowance for loan losses related to its student loan portfolio. Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 is shown below:

 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
Beginning balance	 	$	50,922	 	 	 	45,592	 	 	 	26,003	 	
Provision for loan losses	 	 	29,000	 	 	 	25,000	 	 	 	28,178	 	
Loans charged off, net of recoveries	 	 	(18,715	)  	 	 	(18,920	)  	 	 	(7,418	)  	
Sale of loans	 	 	(10,320	)  	 	 	(750	)  	 	 	(1,171	)  	
Ending balance	 	$	50,887	 	 	 	50,922	 	 	 	45,592	 	

F-22

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
In September 2007, the Company recorded an expense of $15.7 million to increase the Company’s allowance for loan losses related to an increase in risk share as a result of the elimination of the Exceptional Performer program.

Loan Sales

The activity included in “gain (loss) on sale of loans, net” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 is detailed below.
 
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Department's Purchase Program (a)	 	$	36,596	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Private loan participations (b)	 	 	(695	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
FFELP loan sales to related party (c)	 	 	(753	)  	 	 	(3,860	)  	 	 	—	 	
FFELP loan sales to third parties (d)	 	 	—	 	 	 	(47,554	)  	 	 	3,597	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans, net	 	$	35,148	 	 	 	(51,414	)  	 	 	3,597	 	
 
 	(a)	The Company sold $2.1 billion (par value) of student loans to the Department under the Department’s Loan Purchase Commitment Program. See note 8 for a description of this program.	

 	(b)	The Company participated $95.5 million of non-federally insured loans to third parties.  Loans participated under these agreements have been accounted for by the Company as loan sales. Accordingly, the participation interests sold are not included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  Per the terms of the servicing agreements, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase loans subject to the participation interests in the event such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent.  The activity in the accrual account during 2009 related to this repurchase obligation, which is included in “other liabilities” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet, is detailed below.	
 
Beginning balance	 	$	—	 	
Transfer from allowance for loan losses	 	 	9,800	 	
Reserve for repurchase of delinquent loans (a)	 	 	800	 	
Ending balance	 	$	10,600	 	
 
(a)	The reserve for repurchase of loans is included in "other" under other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.	 	
 
 	(c)	As a result of the disruptions in the debt and secondary markets, the Company sold $76.4 million (par value) and $535.4 million (par value) of federally insured student loans to Union Bank & Trust Company (“Union Bank”), an entity under common control with the Company, during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, in order to reduce the Company’s exposure related to certain equity support provisions included in the Company’s warehouse facility for FFELP loans.	

 	(d)	As a result of the disruptions in the debt and secondary markets, the Company sold $1.3 billion (par value) of federally insured student loans in order to reduce the amount of student loans remaining under the Company’s warehouse facility for FFELP loans, which reduced the Company’s exposure related to certain equity support provisions included in this facility.	

F-23

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
8. 	Bonds and Notes Payable	

The following tables summarize the Company’s outstanding bonds and notes payable by type of instrument as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

 	 	2009	
 	 	Carrying	 	 	Interest rate	 	 	
 	 	amount	 	 	range	 	Final maturity	
Variable-rate bonds and notes (a):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Bonds and notes based on indices	 	$	20,187,356	 	 	 	0.26% - 6.90%	 	05/26/14 - 04/25/42	
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing	 	 	1,726,960	 	 	 	0.21% - 3.73%	 	05/01/11 - 07/01/43	
Total variable-rate bonds and notes	 	 	21,914,316	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Commercial paper - FFELP facility (b)	 	 	305,710	 	 	 	0.21% - 0.32%	 	08/03/12	
Fixed-rate bonds and notes (a)	 	 	8,940	 	 	 	6.15% - 6.34%	 	07/02/20 - 05/01/29	
Unsecured fixed rate debt	 	 	264,966	 	 	5.125% and 7.40%	 	06/01/10 and 09/15/61	
Unsecured line of credit	 	 	691,500	 	 	 	0.73%	 	05/08/12	
Department of Education Participation	 	 	463,912	 	 	 	0.79%	 	09/30/10	
Department of Education Conduit	 	 	1,125,929	 	 	 	0.27%	 	05/08/14	
Other borrowings	 	 	30,016	 	 	 	0.24% - 5.10%	 	01/01/10 - 11/01/15	
 	 	$	24,805,289	 	 	 	 	 	 	

 	 	2008	
 	 	Carrying	 	 	Interest rate	 	 	
 	 	amount	 	 	range	 	Final maturity	
Variable-rate bonds and notes (a):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Bonds and notes based on indices	 	$	20,509,073	 	 	 	0.75% - 5.02%	 	09/25/13 - 06/25/41	
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing (c)	 	 	2,713,285	 	 	 	0.00% - 6.00%	 	11/01/09 - 07/01/43	
Total variable-rate bonds and notes	 	 	23,222,358	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Commercial paper - FFELP facility (b)	 	 	1,445,327	 	 	 	1.32% - 2.94%	 	05/09/10	
Commercial paper - private loan facility (b)	 	 	95,020	 	 	 	2.49%	 	03/14/09	
Fixed-rate bonds and notes (a)	 	 	202,096	 	 	 	5.30% - 6.68%	 	11/01/09 - 05/01/29	
Unsecured fixed rate debt	 	 	475,000	 	 	5.125% and 7.40%	 	06/01/10 and 09/15/61	
Unsecured line of credit	 	 	691,500	 	 	 	0.98% - 2.41%	 	05/08/12	
Department of Education Participation	 	 	622,170	 	 	 	3.37%	 	09/30/09	
Other borrowings	 	 	34,488	 	 	 	1.25% - 5.47%	 	05/22/09 - 11/01/15	
 	 	$	26,787,959	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 
 	(a)	Issued in asset-backed securitizations	
 
 	(b)	Loan warehouse facilities	

 	(c)	As of December 31, 2008, the Company had $115.2 million of bonds based on an auction rate of 0%, due to the Maximum Rate auction provisions in the underlying documents for such financings. The Maximum Rate provisions include multiple components, one of which is based on T-bill rates. The T-bill component calculation for these bonds produced negative rates, which resulted in auction rates of zero percent for the applicable period.	

F-24

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Secured Financing Transactions

The Company has historically relied upon secured financing vehicles as its most significant source of funding for student loans. The net cash flow the Company receives from the securitized student loans generally represents the excess amounts, if any, generated by the underlying student loans over the amounts required to be paid to the bondholders, after deducting servicing fees and any other expenses relating to the securitizations. The Company’s rights to cash flow from securitized student loans are subordinate to bondholder interests and may fail to generate any cash flow beyond what is due to bondholders. The Company’s secured financing vehicles are loan warehouse facilities, asset-backed securitizations, and the government’s Participation and Conduit Programs (as described below).

The majority of the bonds and notes payable are primarily secured by the student loans receivable, related accrued interest, and by the amounts on deposit in the accounts established under the respective bond resolutions or financing agreements. Certain variable rate bonds and notes and fixed rate bonds are secured by financial guaranty insurance policies or a letter of credit and reimbursement agreement issued by Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation, Ambac Assurance Corporation, and State Street.

Historically, the Company funded new loan originations using loan warehouse facilities and asset-backed securitizations. Student loan warehousing has historically allowed the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements. In July 2008, the Company did not renew its liquidity provisions on its FFELP warehouse facility. Accordingly, the facility became a term facility and no new loan originations could be funded with this facility. In August 2008, the Company began funding FFELP Stafford and PLUS student loan originations for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 academic years pursuant to the Department’s Participation Program and a participation agreement with Union Bank.
 
Loan warehouse facilities

Student loan warehousing has historically allowed the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements.  To support its funding needs on a short-term basis, the Company historically relied upon a multi-year committed facility for FFELP loans and a $250.0 million private loan warehouse for non-federally insured student loans.
 
FFELP Warehouse Facility
 
On August 3, 2009, the Company entered into a FFELP warehouse facility (the “2009 FFELP Warehouse Facility”). The 2009 FFELP Warehouse Facility has a maximum financing amount of $500.0 million, with a revolving financing structure supported by 364-day liquidity provisions, which expire on August 2, 2010. The final maturity date of the facility is August 3, 2012. In the event the Company is unable to renew the liquidity provisions by August 2, 2010, 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 August 3, 2012.

The 2009 FFELP Warehouse Facility provides for formula based advance rates depending on FFELP loan type, up to a maximum of 92 percent to 98 percent of the principal and interest of loans financed. The advance rates for collateral may increase or decrease based on market conditions. The facility contains financial covenants relating to levels of the Company’s consolidated net worth, ratio of adjusted EBITDA to corporate debt interest, and unencumbered cash. Any violation of these covenants could result in a requirement for the immediate repayment of any outstanding borrowings under the facility. As of December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all of these requirements. Unlike the Company’s prior FFELP warehouse facility, the new facility does not require the Company to refinance or remove a percentage of the pledged student loan collateral on an annual basis. As of December 31, 2009, $305.7 million was outstanding under this facility and $194.3 million was available for future use.

The Company’s prior FFELP warehouse facility was supported by 364-day liquidity which was up for renewal on May 9, 2008.  The Company obtained an extension on this renewal until July 31, 2008.  On July 31, 2008, the Company did not renew the liquidity provisions of this facility.   Accordingly, as of July 31, 2008, the facility became a term facility with a final maturity date of May 9, 2010. The terms and conditions of the prior FFELP warehouse facility provided for formula-based advance rates based on market conditions. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had $1.6 billion of student loans in the facility, $1.4 billion borrowed under the facility, and $280.6 million in cash posted as equity funding support for this facility. During 2009, the Company refinanced the student loans in this facility which allowed the Company to withdraw all remaining equity funding support from the facility. The Company refinanced these loans using the following facilities:

F-25

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
 	·	In March 2009, the Company completed a privately placed asset-backed securitization of $294.6 million.	

 	·	In June 2009, the Company accessed the Department’s Conduit Program (as further discussed below).	

 	·	In August 2009, the Company refinanced all remaining loans using the 2009 FFELP Warehouse Facility and terminated the prior FFELP facility.	

Private Loan Warehouse Facility

On February 25, 2009, the Company paid $91.5 million on the outstanding debt of its private loan warehouse facility with operating cash and terminated the facility.  Beginning in January 2008, the Company suspended private student loan originations.

Asset-backed securitizations

During 2009 and 2008, the Company completed asset-backed securities transactions totaling $1.0 billion and $4.5 billion, respectively. Notes issued in the 2009 and 2008 asset-backed securities transactions carry interest rates based on a spread to LIBOR. As part of the Company’s issuance of asset-backed securities in March 2008 and May 2008, due to credit market conditions when these notes were issued, the Company purchased the Class B subordinated notes of $36 million (par value) and $41 million (par value), respectively.  These notes are not included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  If the credit market conditions improve, the Company anticipates selling these notes to third parties.  Upon a sale to third parties, the Company would obtain cash proceeds equal to the market value of the notes on the date of such sale.  Upon sale, these notes would be shown as “bonds and notes payable” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  Unless there is a significant market improvement, the Company believes the market value of such notes will be less than par value.  The difference between the par value and market value would be recognized by the Company as interest expense over the life of the bonds.

Notes issued during 2006 included €773.2 million (950 million in U.S. dollars) with variable interest rates initially based on a spread to EURIBOR (the “Euro Notes”). As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Euro Notes were recorded on the Company’s balance sheet at $1.1 billion. The changes in the principal amount of Euro Notes as a result of the fluctuation of the foreign currency exchange rate were an increase of $37.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of $52.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, and an increase of $108.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.  These changes are included in the “derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” in the consolidated statements of income. Concurrently with the issuance of the Euro Notes, the Company entered into cross-currency interest rate swaps which are further discussed in note 9.

The interest rates on certain of the Company's asset-backed securities are set and periodically reset via a "dutch auction" ("Auction Rate Securities") or through a remarketing utilizing remarketing agents ("Variable Rate Demand Notes"). The Company is currently sponsor on approximately $1.4 billion of Auction Rate Securities and $0.3 billion of Variable Rate Demand Notes.

For Auction Rate Securities, investors and potential investors submit orders through a broker-dealer as to the principal amount of notes they wish to buy, hold, or sell at various interest rates. The broker-dealers submit their clients' orders to the auction agent, who then determines the clearing interest rate for the upcoming period. Interest rates on these Auction Rate Securities are reset periodically, generally every 7 to 35 days, by the auction agent or agents. During the first quarter of 2008, as part of the credit market crisis, auction rate securities from various issuers failed to receive sufficient order interest from potential investors to clear successfully, resulting in failed auction status. Since February 8, 2008, all of the Company’s Auction Rate Securities have failed in this manner. Under normal conditions, banks have historically purchased these securities when investor demand is weak. However, since February 2008, banks have been allowing auctions to fail.

As a result of a failed auction, the Auction Rate Securities will 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. Based on the relative levels of these indices as of December 31, 2009, the rates expected to be paid by the Company range from 91-day T-Bill plus 125 basis points, on the low end, to LIBOR plus 250 basis points, on the high end. These maximum rates are subject to increase if the credit ratings on the bonds are downgraded.

F-26

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
The Company cannot predict whether future auctions related to its Auction Rate Securities will be successful, but management believes it is likely auctions will continue to fail indefinitely. The Company is currently seeking alternatives for reducing its exposure to the auction rate market, but may not be able to achieve alternate financing for some of its Auction Rate Securities.

For Variable Rate Demand Notes, the remarketing agents set the price, which is then offered to investors. If there are insufficient potential bid orders to purchase all of the notes offered for sale, the Company could be subject to interest costs substantially above the anticipated and historical rates paid on these types of securities. The maximum rate for Variable Rate Demand Notes is based on a spread to certain indexes as defined in the underlying documents, with the highest to the Company being Prime plus 200 basis points.

Department of Education’s Loan Participation and Purchase Commitment Programs

In August 2008, the Department implemented the Purchase Program and the Participation Program pursuant to the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 (“ECASLA”). Under the Department’s Purchase Program, the Department will purchase loans at a price equal to the sum of (i) par value, (ii) accrued interest, (iii) the one percent origination fee paid to the Department, and (iv) a fixed amount of $75 per loan. Under the Participation Program, the Department provides interim short term liquidity to FFELP lenders by purchasing participation interests in pools of FFELP loans. FFELP lenders are charged a rate of commercial paper plus 50 basis points on the principal amount of participation interests outstanding. Loans funded under the Participation Program for the 2008-2009 academic year had to be either refinanced by the lender or sold to the Department pursuant to the Purchase Program prior to October 15, 2009. To be eligible for purchase or participation under the Department’s programs, loans were originally limited to FFELP Stafford or PLUS loans made for the academic year 2008-2009, first disbursed between May 1, 2008 and July 1, 2009, with eligible borrower benefits.

On October 7, 2008, legislation was enacted to extend the Department’s authority to address FFELP student loans made for the 2009-2010 academic year and allowing for the extension of the Participation Program and Purchase Program from October 15, 2009 to September 30, 2010. The Department indicated that loans for the 2008-2009 academic year which were funded under the Department's Participation Program would need to be refinanced or sold to the Department prior to October 15, 2009. On November 8, 2008, the Department announced the replication of the terms of the Participation and Purchase Programs, in accordance with the October 7, 2008 legislation, which includes FFELP student loans made for the 2009-2010 academic year.

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had $463.9 million and $622.2 million, respectively, borrowed under the Participation Program.  The Company plans to continue to use the Participation Program to fund certain loans through the 2009-2010 academic year. These programs are allowing the Company to continue originating new federal student loans to all students regardless of the school they attend.

Department of Education’s Conduit Program

In January 2009, the Department published summary terms for its program under which it will finance eligible FFELP Stafford and PLUS loans in a conduit vehicle established to provide funding for student lenders (the “Conduit Program”).  Loans eligible for the Conduit Program had to be first disbursed on or after October 1, 2003, but not later than June 30, 2009, and fully disbursed before September 30, 2009, and meet certain other requirements. The Conduit Program was launched on May 11, 2009. Funding for the Conduit Program is provided by the capital markets at a cost based on market rates, with the Company being advanced 97 percent of the student loan face amount. Excess amounts needed to fund the remaining 3 percent of the student loan balances are contributed by the Company. The Conduit Program has a term of five years and expires on May 8, 2014. The Student Loan Short-Term Notes (“Student Loan Notes”) issued by the Conduit Program are supported by a combination of  (i) notes backed by FFELP loans, (ii) a liquidity agreement with the Federal Financing Bank, and (iii) a put agreement provided by the Department.  If the conduit does not have sufficient funds to pay all Student Loan Notes, then those Student Loan Notes will be repaid with funds from the Federal Financing Bank.  The Federal Financing Bank will hold the notes for a short period of time and, if at the end of that time, the Student Loan Notes still cannot be paid off, the underlying FFELP loans that serve as collateral to the Conduit Program will be sold to the Department through the Put Agreement at a price of 97 percent of the face amount of the loans.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $1.1 billion borrowed under the facility and $66.8 million advanced as equity support in the facility.

F-27

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

Union Bank Participation Agreement

The Company maintains an agreement with Union Bank, as trustee for various grantor trusts, under which Union Bank has agreed to purchase from the Company participation interests in student loans (the “FFELP Participation Agreement”). The Company has the option to purchase the participation interests from the grantor trusts at the end of a 364-day period upon termination of the participation certificate. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, $613.3 million and $548.4 million, respectively, 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 on a short term basis. 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 on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Unsecured Line of Credit

The Company has a $750.0 million unsecured line of credit that terminates in May 2012.  As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, there was $691.5 million outstanding on this line.  The weighted average interest rate on this line of credit was 0.73% as of December 31, 2009.  Upon termination in 2012, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain this line of credit, find alternative funding, or increase the amount outstanding under the line, if necessary.  The lending commitment under the Company’s unsecured line of credit is provided by a total of thirteen banks, with no individual bank representing more than 11% of the total lending commitment. The bank lending group includes Lehman Brothers Bank (“Lehman”), a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., which represents approximately 7% of the lending commitment under the line of credit. On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The Company does not expect that Lehman will fund future borrowing requests. As of December 31, 2009, excluding Lehman’s lending commitment, the Company has $51.2 million available for future use under its unsecured line of credit.

The line of credit agreement contains certain financial covenants that, if not met, lead to an event of default under the agreement.  The covenants include maintaining:

 	·	A minimum consolidated net worth	

 	·	A minimum adjusted EBITDA to corporate debt interest (over the last four rolling quarters)	

 	·	A limitation on subsidiary indebtedness	

 	·	A limitation on the percentage of non-guaranteed loans in the Company’s portfolio	

As of December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all of these requirements. Many of these covenants are duplicated in the Company’s other lending facilities, including its FFELP warehouse facilities.

The Company’s operating line of credit does not have any covenants related to unsecured debt ratings.  However, changes in the Company’s ratings (as well as the amounts the Company borrows) have modest implications on the pricing level at which the Company obtains funding.

A default on the 2009 FFELP Warehouse Facility would result in an event of default on the Company’s unsecured line of credit that would result in the outstanding balance on the line of credit becoming immediately due and payable.

Unsecured Fixed Rate Debt

On May 25, 2005, the Company issued $275.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due June 1, 2010 (the “Notes”). The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company. The interest rate on the Notes is 5.125%, payable semiannually. At the Company’s option, the Notes are redeemable in whole at any time or in part from time to time at the redemption price described in its prospectus supplement.

F-28

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
On September 27, 2006 the Company issued $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities (“Hybrid Securities”). The Hybrid Securities are unsecured obligations of the Company. The interest rate on the Hybrid Securities from the date they were issued through September 28, 2011 is 7.40%, payable semi-annually.  Beginning September 29, 2011 through September 29, 2036, the “scheduled maturity date”, the interest rate on the Hybrid Securities will be equal to three-month LIBOR plus 3.375%, payable quarterly. The principal amount of the Hybrid Securities will become due on the scheduled maturity date only to the extent that the Company has received proceeds from the sale of certain qualifying capital securities prior to such date (as defined in the Hybrid Securities’ prospectus). If any amount is not paid on the scheduled maturity date, it will remain outstanding and bear interest at a floating rate as defined in the prospectus, payable monthly. On September 15, 2061, the Company must pay any remaining principal and interest on the Hybrid Securities in full whether or not the Company has sold qualifying capital securities. At the Company’s option, the Hybrid Securities are redeemable (i) in whole or in part, at any time on or after September 29, 2011, at their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, provided in the case of a redemption in part that the principal amount outstanding after such redemption is at least $50.0 million, or (ii) in whole, but not in part, prior to September 29, 2011, after certain events involving taxation (as described in the Hybrid Securities’ prospectus).

During 2009, the Company repurchased certain amounts of its unsecured fixed rate debt as summarized below.

Other Borrowings

On October 13, 2006, the Company purchased a building in which its corporate headquarters is located. In connection with the acquisition of the building, the Company assumed the outstanding note on the property. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the outstanding balance on the note was $4.9 million and $5.0 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, bonds and notes payable included $10.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively, of notes due to a third-party.  The Company used the proceeds from these notes to invest in non-federally insured student loan assets via a participation agreement.

As of December 31, 2009, bonds and notes payable included a line of credit with a balance of $15.1 million.  The Company used the proceeds from the line of credit to purchase federally insured student loans.

As of December 31, 2008, bonds and notes payable included $21.5 million of notes due to Union Bank. The Company used the proceeds from these notes to invest in student loan assets via a participation agreement. This participation agreement is in addition to the $750 million FFELP Participation Agreement, and loans participated under this agreement do not qualify as loan sales.

Debt Repurchases

During 2009, the Company repurchased outstanding debt as summarized below. There were no debt repurchases in 2008 and 2007. Gains recorded by the Company from the repurchase of debt are included in “other income” on the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 	 	Notional amount	 	 	Purchase price	 	 	Gain	 	 	Remaining
balance	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
5.125% Senior Notes due 2010	 	$	208,284	 	 	 	196,529	 	 	 	11,755	 	 	$	66,716	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	 	 	1,750	 	 	 	350	 	 	 	1,400	 	 	$	198,250	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Asset-backed securities	 	 	348,155	 	 	 	319,627	 	 	 	28,528	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	$	558,189	 	 	 	516,506	 	 	 	41,683	 	 	 	 	 	

F-29

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Maturity Schedule

Bonds and notes outstanding as of December 31, 2009 are due in varying amounts as shown below.
 
2010	 	$	861,471	 	
2011	 	 	49,200	 	
2012	 	 	691,500	 	
2013	 	 	—	 	
2014	 	 	1,471,087	 	
2015 and thereafter	 	 	21,732,031	 	
 	 	$	24,805,289	 	
 
Generally, the Company’s secured financing instruments bearing interest at variable rates can be redeemed on any interest payment date at par plus accrued interest. Subject to certain provisions, all bonds and notes are subject to redemption prior to maturity at the option of certain education lending subsidiaries.

One of the Company’s education lending subsidiaries has irrevocably escrowed funds to make the remaining principal and interest payments on previously issued bonds and notes. Accordingly, neither these obligations nor the escrowed funds are included on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, $34.3 million and $31.9 million, respectively, of defeased debt remained outstanding.

Certain bond resolutions contain, among other requirements, covenants relating to restrictions on additional indebtedness, limits as to direct and indirect administrative expenses, and maintaining certain financial ratios. Management believes the Company is in compliance with all covenants of the bond indentures and related credit agreements as of December 31, 2009.

9.	Derivative Financial Instruments	

The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations.  The primary risks managed by using derivative instruments are interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk.

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. Because the Company generates a significant portion of its earnings from its student loan spread, the interest rate sensitivity of the balance sheet is a key profitability driver.  The Company has adopted a policy of periodically reviewing the mismatch related to the interest rate characteristics of its assets and liabilities together with the Company's outlook as to current and future market conditions. Based on those factors, the Company uses derivative instruments as part of its overall risk management strategy.

Basis Swaps

The Company issues asset-backed securities, the vast majority being variable rate, to fund its student loan assets. The variable rate debt is generally indexed to three-month LIBOR, set by auction, or through a remarketing process. The income generated by the Company’s student loan assets is generally driven by short term indices (treasury bills, commercial paper, and certain fixed rates) that are different from those which affect the Company’s liabilities, which creates basis risk. Moreover, the Company also faces repricing risk due to the timing of the interest rate resets on its liabilities, which may occur as infrequently as every quarter, and the timing of the interest rate resets on its assets, which generally occurs daily. In a declining interest rate environment, this may cause the Company’s student loan spread to compress, while in a rising rate environment, it may cause the spread to increase.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $22.4 billion and $1.0 billion of FFELP loans indexed to the three-month financial commercial paper rate and the three-month treasury bill rate, respectively, both of which reset daily, and $20.2 billion of debt indexed to three-month LIBOR, which resets quarterly.

Because of the different index types and different index reset frequencies, the Company is exposed to interest rate risk in the form of basis risk and repricing risk, which, as noted above, is the risk that the different indices may reset at different frequencies, or will not move in the same direction or with the same magnitude. While these indices are short term with rate movements that are highly correlated over a longer period of time, capital market dislocations or other factors not within the Company’s control can impact the level of correlation on these indices.

F-30

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
The Company has used derivative instruments to hedge both the basis and repricing risk on certain student loans in which the Company earns interest based on a treasury bill rate that resets daily and are funded with debt indexed to primarily three-month LIBOR.  To hedge these loans, the Company has entered into basis swaps in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR set discretely in advance and pays a weekly treasury bill rate plus a spread as defined in the agreement (“T-Bill/LIBOR Basis Swaps”).

However, the Company does not generally hedge the basis risk on those assets indexed to the commercial paper rate that are funded with liabilities in which the Company pays primarily on the LIBOR index, since the derivatives needed to hedge this risk are generally illiquid or non-existent and the relationship between these indices has been highly correlated over a long period of time.

The Company has also used derivative instruments to hedge the repricing risk due to the timing of the interest rate resets on its assets and liabilities.  The Company has entered into basis swaps in which the Company:

 	·	receives three-month LIBOR set discretely in advance and pays a daily weighted average three-month LIBOR less a spread as defined in the agreements (the “Average/Discrete Basis Swaps”)	

 	·	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 following table summarizes the Company’s basis swaps outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:
 
 	 	2009	 	
 	 	Notional amount	 	
 
Maturity	 	Average/Discrete
Basis Swaps	 	 	1/3 Basis Swaps	 	 	T-Bill/LIBOR
Basis Swaps	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2010	 	$	—	 	 	 	1,000,000 	 	 	 	—	 	
2011 (a)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	225,000 	 	
2013	 	 	—	 	 	 	500,000 	 	 	 	—	 	
2014	 	 	—	 	 	 	500,000 	 	 	 	—	 	
2018	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,300,000 	 	 	 	—	 	
2019	 	 	—	 	 	 	500,000 	 	 	 	—	 	
2021	 	 	—	 	 	 	250,000 	 	 	 	—	 	
2023	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,250,000 	 	 	 	—	 	
2024	 	 	—	 	 	 	250,000 	 	 	 	—	 	
2028	 	 	—	 	 	 	100,000 	 	 	 	—	 	
2039	 	 	—	 	 	 	150,000 	 	 	 	—	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	$	—	 	 	 	5,800,000 	 	 	 	225,000 	 	
 
(a)	These derivatives have forward effective start dates of October 2010 ($75 million), November 2010 ($75 million), and December 2010 ($75 million).	

F-31

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

 	 	2008	 	
 	 	Notional amount	 	
 	 	Average/Discrete
Basis Swaps	 	 	1/3 Basis Swaps	 	 	T-Bill/LIBOR
Basis Swaps	 	
 										
Maturity										
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2010	 	$	4,500,000	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
2011	 	 	2,700,000	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
2012	 	 	2,400,000	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
2018	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,300,000	 	 	 	—	 	
2023	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,250,000	 	 	 	—	 	
2028	 	 	—	 	 	 	100,000	 	 	 	—	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	$	9,600,000	 	 	 	2,650,000	 	 	 	—	 	

During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company terminated and/or amended certain basis swap agreements for net receipts of $3.9 million and $14.3 million, respectively, and net payments of $15.1 million and $3.3 million, respectively. No basis swaps were terminated and/or amended in 2007.

Interest rate swaps

FFELP loans originated prior to April 1, 2006 generally earn interest at the higher of a floating rate based on the Special Allowance Payment (or SAP) formula set by the Department and the borrower rate, which is fixed over a period of time. The SAP formula is based on an applicable index plus a fixed spread that is dependent upon when the loan was originated, the loan’s repayment status, and funding sources for the loan. 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 rate produced by the SAP formula, the Company’s student loans earn at a fixed rate while the interest on the variable rate debt typically continues to decline. 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. In accordance with legislation enacted in 2006, lenders are required to rebate fixed rate floor income and variable rate floor income to the Department for all FFELP loans first originated on or after April 1, 2006.

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.

As previously disclosed, the Company reached a settlement agreement with the Department to resolve an audit related to the Company’s portfolio of student loans receiving 9.5% special allowance payments. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will no longer receive 9.5% special allowance payments. In December 2006, in consideration of not receiving the 9.5% special allowance payments on a prospective basis, the Company entered into a series of off-setting interest rate swaps that mirrored the $2.45 billion in pre-existing interest rate swaps that the Company had utilized to hedge its loan portfolio receiving 9.5% special allowance payments against increases in interest rates. During 2007, the Company entered into a series of off-setting interest rate swaps that mirrored the remaining interest rate swaps utilized to hedge the Company’s student loan portfolio against increases in interest rates. The net effect of the offsetting derivatives was to lock in a series of future income streams on underlying trades through their respective maturity dates. The following table summarizes these derivatives:

F-32

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

 	 	 	 	 	Weighted	 	 	 	 	Weighted	 	
 	 	 	 	 	average fixed	 	 	 	 	 	average fixed	 	
 	 	Notional	 	 	rate paid by	 	 	Notional	 	 	rate received by	 	
Maturity	 	amount	 	 	the Company	 	 	amount	 	 	the Company	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2007	 	$	512,500	 	 	 	3.42	%	 	 	$	512,500	 	 	 	5.25	%	 	
2008	 	 	462,500	 	 	 	3.76	 	 	 	 	462,500	 	 	 	5.34	 	 	
2009	 	 	312,500	 	 	 	4.01	 	 	 	 	312,500	 	 	 	5.37	 	 	
2010	 	 	1,137,500	 	 	 	4.25	 	 	 	 	1,137,500	 	 	 	4.75	 	 	
2011	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	
2012	 	 	275,000	 	 	 	4.31	 	 	 	 	275,000	 	 	 	4.76	 	 	
2013	 	 	525,000	 	 	 	4.36	 	 	 	 	525,000	 	 	 	4.80	 	 	
 	 	$	3,225,000	 	 	 	4.05	%	 	 	$	3,225,000	 	 	 	4.98	%	 	
 
In August 2007, the Company terminated all interest rate swaps summarized above for net proceeds of $50.8 million.

In December 2007 and January 2008, the Company entered into the following interest rate derivatives to hedge fixed rate student loan assets earning fixed rate floor income or variable rate floor income.
 
 	 	 	 	 	Weighted	 	
 	 	 	 	 	average fixed	 	
 	 	Notional	 	 	rate paid by	 	
Maturity	 	Amount	 	 	the Company (b)	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2008 (a)	 	$	2,000,000	 	 	 	4.18	%	 	
2009	 	 	500,000	 	 	 	4.08	 	 	
2010	 	 	700,000	 	 	 	3.44	 	 	
2011	 	 	500,000	 	 	 	3.57	 	 	
2012	 	 	250,000	 	 	 	3.86	 	 	
 	 	$	3,950,000	 	 	 	3.94	%	 	

 	(a)	The maturity date on these derivatives was June 30, 2008.	

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

During 2008, with the exception of the derivatives that expired on June 30, 2008, the Company paid $7.0 million (net) to terminate all remaining derivatives included in the table above.

As of December 31, 2009, the Company held the following interest rate derivatives to hedge fixed-rate student loan assets earning fixed rate floor income.

 	 	 	 	 	Weighted	
 	 	 	 	 	average fixed	
 	 	Notional	 	 	rate paid by	
Maturity	 	Amount	 	 	the Company (a)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2010	 	$	4,750,000	 	 	 	0.54	%	
2011	 	 	150,000	 	 	 	1.03	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	$	4,900,000	 	 	 	0.55	%	
 
(a) For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives	 	 	
 discrete three-month LIBOR.	 	 	

F-33

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

During 2006, the Company completed separate debt offerings of student loan asset-backed securities that included 420.5 million and 352.7 million Euro Notes with interest rates based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result of this transaction, 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 is re-measured at each reporting period and recorded on the Company’s balance sheet in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date. Changes in the principal and accrued interest amounts as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations are included in the “derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

The Company entered into cross-currency interest rate swaps in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. Under the terms of these derivative instrument agreements, the Company receives from a counterparty a spread to the EURIBOR index based on notional amounts of €420.5 million and €352.7 million and pays a spread to the LIBOR index based on notional amounts of $500.0 million and $450.0 million, respectively. In addition, under the terms of these agreements, all principal payments on the Euro Notes will effectively be paid at the exchange rate in effect 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 instruments for the periods ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.  These items are included in “Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” on the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Re-measurement of Euro Notes	 	$	(37,654	)	 	 	52,886	 	 	 	(108,712	)  	
Change in fair value of cross currency interest rate swaps	 	 	2,497	 	 	 	(24,436	)  	 	 	125,532	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Total impact to statements of income - (expense) income	 	$	(35,157	)	 	 	28,450	 	 	 	16,820	 	

The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in fair value of the cross-currency interest rate swaps. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains or losses related to the cross-currency interest rate swaps if the two underlying indices (and related forward curve) do not move in parallel. Management intends to hold the cross-currency interest rate swaps through the maturity of the Euro-denominated bonds.

Interest Rate Floor Contracts

In June 2006, the Company entered into interest rate floor contracts in which the Company received an upfront fee of $8.6 million. These contracts were structured to monetize on an upfront basis the potential floor income associated with certain consolidation loans. On January 30, 2007, the Company paid $8.1 million to terminate these interest rate floor contracts.

Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company records derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Management has structured all of the Company’s derivative transactions with the intent that each is economically effective; however, the Company’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting.  As a result, the change in fair value of the Company’s derivatives at each reporting date are included in “derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Changes or shifts in the forward yield curve and fluctuations in currency rates can significantly impact the valuation of the Company’s derivatives. Accordingly, changes or shifts to the forward yield curve and fluctuations in currency rates will impact the financial position and results of operations of the Company.

Any proceeds received or payments made by the Company to terminate a derivative in advance of its expiration date, or to amend the terms of an existing derivative, are included in “derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” on the consolidated statements of income and are accounted for as a change in fair value on such derivative.

F-34

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivatives not designated as hedging instruments as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:
 
 	 	Fair value of asset derivatives	 	 	Fair value of liability derivatives	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest rate swaps	 	$	4,497	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,230	 	 	 	—	 	
Average/discrete basis swaps	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,817	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,800	 	
1/3 basis swaps	 	 	17,768	 	 	 	5,037	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	15	 	
T-Bill/LIBOR basis swaps	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	259	 	 	 	—	 	
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	 	 	169,817	 	 	 	167,320	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Other	 	 	1,817	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total	 	$	193,899	 	 	 	175,174	 	 	 	2,489	 	 	 	1,815	 	

The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.  All gains and losses recognized in income related to the Company’s derivative activity are included in “Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net”, on the consolidated statements of income.
 
 	 	Amount of gain (or loss) recognized	 	
Derivatives not designated as hedging	 	in income on derivatives	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
Settlements:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest rate swaps	 	$	(2,020	)	 	 	(15,036	)  	 	 	16,803	 	
Average/discrete basis swaps	 	 	11,483	 	 	 	44,947	 	 	 	7,319	 	
1/3 basis swaps	 	 	21,192	 	 	 	1,805	 	 	 	1,215	 	
T-Bill/LIBOR basis swaps	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	 	 	8,631	 	 	 	23,941	 	 	 	(6,660	)  	
Other	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
   Total settlements	 	 	39,286	 	 	 	55,657	 	 	 	18,677	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Change in fair value:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest rate swaps	 	 	4,084	 	 	 	(4,346	)  	 	 	(13,319	)  	
Average/discrete basis swaps	 	 	(13,647	)  	 	 	(19,190	)  	 	 	26,638	 	
1/3 basis swaps	 	 	12,587	 	 	 	8,220	 	 	 	295	 	
T-Bill/LIBOR basis swaps	 	 	(101	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	 	 	2,497	 	 	 	(24,436	)  	 	 	125,532	 	
Other	 	 	1,432	 	 	 	1,176	 	 	 	—	 	
   Total change in fair value	 	 	6,852	 	 	 	(38,576	)  	 	 	139,146	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   Total impact to statements of income - (expense) income	 	$	46,138	 	 	 	17,081	 	 	 	157,823	 	
 
Derivative Instruments - Credit and Market Risk

By using derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to credit and market risk.

When the fair value of a derivative instrument is negative, the Company would owe the counterparty if the derivative was settled and, therefore, has no immediate credit risk.  Additionally, if the negative fair value of derivatives with a counterparty exceeds a specified threshold, the Company may have to make a collateral deposit with the counterparty. The threshold at which the Company posts collateral may depend on the Company’s unsecured credit rating.  If interest and foreign currency exchange rates move materially, the Company could be required to deposit a significant amount of collateral with its derivative instrument counterparties. The collateral deposits, if significant, could negatively impact the Company’s liquidity and capital resources.

When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, this generally indicates that the counterparty would owe the Company if the derivative was settled. If the counterparty fails to perform, credit risk with such counterparty is equal to the extent of the fair value gain in the derivative less any collateral held by the Company.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company held $329 million of collateral from the counterparty on the cross-currency interest rate swaps.

F-35

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
The Company attempts to manage market and credit risks associated with interest and foreign currency exchange rates by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken, and by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties that are reviewed periodically by the Company’s risk committee. The Company also has a policy of requiring that all derivative contracts be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement.

10. 	Derivative Market Value, Foreign Currency, and Put Option Adjustments and Derivative Settlements, net	

The following table summarizes the components of “Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments and derivative settlements, net” included in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.

 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Change in fair value of derivatives	 	$	6,852	 	 	 	(38,576	)	 	 	139,146	 	
Foreign currency transaction adjustment	 	 	(37,654	)	 	 	52,886	 	 	 	(108,712	)	
Change in fair value of put options	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
issued in business acquisitions	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,483	)	 	 	(3,628	)	
Derivative settlements, net	 	 	39,286	 	 	 	55,657	 	 	 	18,677	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and put option adjustments and	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
derivative settlements, net	 	$	8,484	 	 	 	66,484	 	 	 	45,483	 	

11.	Shareholders’ Equity	

Classes of Common Stock

The Company’s common stock is divided into two classes. The Class B common stock has ten votes per share and the Class A common stock has one vote per share. Each Class B share is convertible at any time at the holder’s option into one Class A share. With the exception of the voting rights and the conversion feature, the Class A and Class B shares are identical in terms of other rights, including dividend and liquidation rights.

Dividends
 
In the first quarter of 2007, the Company began paying dividends of $0.07 per share on the Company's Class A and Class B Common Stock which were paid quarterly through the first quarter of 2008.  On May 21, 2008, the Company announced that it was temporarily suspending its quarterly dividend program.  On November 5, 2009, the Company's Board of Directors voted to reinstate the quarterly dividend program.  Accordingly, a dividend of $0.07 per share on the Company's Class A and Class B Common Stock was paid on December 15, 2009 to all holders of record as of December 1, 2009.

Conversion of Class B Common Stock

During 2007, principal shareholders gifted 10,435 shares of Class B common stock to certain charitable organizations. Per the articles of incorporation, these shares were voluntarily converted to Class A shares upon transfer. Also, in 2007, in anticipation of selling shares to the Company under the Company’s stock repurchase program in a private transaction, a principal shareholder voluntarily converted 2,000,000 shares of Class B common stock to shares of Class A common stock.

F-36

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Put Option Settlements

On July 19, 2007, the Company paid $15.9 million to redeem 238,237 shares of the Company's Class A common stock that were subject to put option agreements exercisable in February 2010 at $83.95 per share. These shares were issued by the Company in February 2006 in consideration for the purchase of the remaining 20% interest of FACTS Management Co. The 238,237 shares of Class A common stock purchased by the Company were retired resulting in a $5.4 million decrease to the Company’s consolidated shareholders’ equity.

In addition, on November 10, 2008, the Company paid $9.6 million to redeem 258,760 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock that were subject to put option agreements exercisable in November 2008 at $37.10 per share. These shares were issued by the Company in November 2005 in consideration for the purchase of 5280 Solutions, Inc. The 258,760 shares of Class A common stock purchased by the Company were retired.

Stock Repurchase Program

The Company has a stock repurchase program that expires on May 24, 2010 in which it can repurchase up to a total of 10 million shares of the Company’s Class A common stock on the open market, through private transactions, or otherwise. During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company repurchased and retired 38,429 shares, 388,204 shares, and 3,372,122 shares of Class A common stock, respectively, for $0.4 million (average price of $11.17 per share), $11.1 million (average price of $28.69 per share), and $82.1 million (average price of $24.33 per share), respectively. The 2007 shares repurchased included 2,725,000 shares repurchased from certain members of management of the Company in private transactions under the stock repurchase program. As of December 31, 2009, 4,833,907 shares may yet be purchased under the Company’s stock repurchase program.

12. 	Earnings per Common Share	

Presented below is a summary of the components used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share. On January 1, 2009, the Company began applying the two-class method of computing earnings per share. The two-class method requires the calculation of separate earnings per share amounts for unvested share-based awards and for common stock. Unvested share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered securities which participate in undistributed earnings with common stock. Earnings per share attributable to common stock is shown in the table below. Prior period earnings per share data has been retroactively adjusted to conform to the current presentation.

A reconciliation of weighted average shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 follows:

 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	 	$	139,125	 	 	 	28,662	 	 	 	32,854	 	
Less earnings allocated to unvested restricted stockholders	 	 	889	 	 	 	210	 	 	 	144	 	
Net income available to common stockholders	 	$	138,236	 	 	 	28,452	 	 	 	32,710	 	
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	 	 	49,484,816	 	 	 	49,099,967	 	 	 	49,618,107	 	
Dilutive effect of the assumed vesting of restricted stock awards	 	 	200,327	 	 	 	224,311	 	 	 	114,866	 	
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	 	 	49,685,143	 	 	 	49,324,278	 	 	 	49,732,973	 	
Basic earnings per common share	 	$	2.79	 	 	 	0.58	 	 	 	0.66	 	
Diluted earnings per common share	 	$	2.78	 	 	 	0.58	 	 	 	0.66	 	

Included in the Company’s weighted average shares outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 is 96,622 shares, 54,573 shares, and 24,412 shares, respectively, of restricted stock units issued to certain associates of the Company and “phantom” shares that will be issued to nonemployee directors upon their termination from the board of directors under the Company’s nonemployee directors’ compensation plan (see note 19).

F-37

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
13. 	Other Income	

The following table summarizes the components of “other income” included in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.

 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
Gains on debt repurchases, net	$	41,683	 	 	—	 	 	—	 	
Borrower late fee income	 	11,305	 	 	11,515	 	 	8,207	 	
Gain on sale of equity method investment (a)	 	3,500	 	 	—	 	 	3,942	 	
Other	 	11,664	 	 	11,260	 	 	18,274	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
        Other income	$	$ 68,152	 	 	22,775	 	 	30,423	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(a)   On September 28, 2007, the Company sold its 50% membership interests in Premiere Credit of North America, LLC (“Premiere”) for initial proceeds of $10.0 million. Premiere is not an affiliated entity of the Company.  The Company recognized an initial gain on the sale of Premiere of $3.9 million. In January 2009, the Company earned $3.5 million in additional consideration as a result of the sale of Premiere. This payment represented contingent consideration that was owed to the Company if Premiere was awarded a collections contract as defined in the purchase agreement.	
 
14. 	Restricted Investments	

The Company’s restricted investments, included in “restricted cash and investments” in the attached consolidated balance sheets, by contractual maturity, as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, are shown below.  See note 3 for the Company’s accounting policy related to restricted investments.

 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
Over 1 year through 5 years	 	$	48,090	 	 	 	31,111	 	
After 5 years through 10 years	 	 	7,620	 	 	 	238,561	 	
After 10 years	 	 	251,252	 	 	 	340,196	 	
 	 	$	306,962	 	 	 	609,868	 	

15.	Property and Equipment	

Property and equipment consisted of the following as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

 	 	Useful life	 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
Computer equipment and software	 	1-5 years	 	 	$	80,501	 	 	 	83,200	 	
Office furniture and equipment	 	3-7 years	 	 	 	13,049	 	 	 	13,206	 	
Leasehold improvements	 	1-15 years	 	 	 	11,792	 	 	 	11,949	 	
Transportation equipment	 	3-10 years	 	 	 	3,771	 	 	 	3,771	 	
Buildings	 	5-39 years	 	 	 	8,320	 	 	 	8,534	 	
Land	 	—	 	 	 	700	 	 	 	700	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	118,133	 	 	 	121,360	 	
Accumulated depreciation	 	 	 	 	 	 	91,527	 	 	 	82,613	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	$	26,606	 	 	 	38,747	 	

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 related to property and equipment was $13.4 million, $17.4 million, and $17.0 million, respectively.

F-38

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
16.	Income Taxes	

The Company is subject to income taxes in the United States and Canada.  Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Company’s tax positions and determining the provision for income taxes.  During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain.

On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 740, which clarified the accounting for uncertainty in income tax positions. This standard requires the Company to recognize in the consolidated financial statements only those tax positions determined to be more likely than not of being sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the positions. It further requires that a change in judgment related to the expected ultimate resolution of uncertain tax positions be recognized in earnings in the quarter of such change. Upon adoption, the Company recognized approximately $61,000 of tax liabilities for positions that were previously recognized, of which the Company accounted for as a reduction to retained earnings.

As of December 31, 2009, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding the federal benefit received from state positions) was $8.6 million. Of this total, $6.3 million (net of the federal benefit on state issues) represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective tax rate in future periods.   The Company currently anticipates uncertain tax positions will decrease by $2.0 million prior to December 31, 2010 as a result of a lapse of applicable statute of limitations, settlements, correspondence with examining authorities, and recognition or measurement considerations with federal and state jurisdictions; however, actual developments in this area could differ from those currently expected. Approximately $1.3 million, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 follows:

 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
Gross balance - beginning of year	 	$	8,275	 	 	 	8,359	 	
Additions based on tax positions of prior years	 	 	1,082	 	 	 	938	 	
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	 	 	3,159	 	 	 	999	 	
Settlements with taxing authorities	 	 	—	 	 	 	(62	)	
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	 	 	(3,779	)	 	 	(858	)	
Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	 	 	(108	)	 	 	(1,101	)	
Gross balance - end of year	 	$	8,629	 	 	 	8,275	 	
 
Substantially all of the reductions due to the lapse of statute of limitations and for prior year tax positions shown above impacted the effective tax rate.

The Company's policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on uncertain tax positions as part of interest expense and other expense, respectively. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, approximately $1.2 million and $1.6 million in accrued interest and penalties, respectively, was included in other liabilities. The Company recognized interest income related to uncertain tax positions of approximately $575,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009 and interest expense of approximately $72,000 and approximately $80,000 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Penalties were accrued in 2009 totaling $235,000.  No penalties were accrued in 2008 and 2007. The impact of timing differences and tax attributes are considered when calculating interest and penalty accruals associated with the unrecognized tax benefits.

The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return in the U.S. and the Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. As the Company effectively settled with the Internal Revenue Service for tax years 2005 and 2006, it is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for years prior to 2007. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. state/local income tax examinations by tax authorities prior to 2004. As of December 31, 2009, the tax years subject to examination by a significant jurisdiction are as follows:

California                                           2004 through 2006
New York                                           2004 through 2006

F-39

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
The provision for income taxes from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 consists of the following components:
 
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
Current:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Federal	 	$	88,413	 	 	 	25,073 	 	 	 	45,016 	 	
State	 	 	7,194 	 	 	 	2,270 	 	 	 	1,674 	 	
Foreign	 	 	23 	 	 	 	21 	 	 	 	5 	 	
Total current provision	 	 	95,630 	 	 	 	27,364 	 	 	 	46,695 	 	
Deferred:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Federal	 	 	(15,947	)  	 	 	(7,256	)  	 	 	(24,105	)  	
State	 	 	(3,111	)  	 	 	(2,217	)  	 	 	(874	)  	
Foreign	 	 	1 	 	 	 	5 	 	 	 	—	 	
Total deferred provision (benefit)	 	 	(19,057	)  	 	 	(9,468	)  	 	 	(24,979	)  	
Provision for income taxes	 	$	76,573	 	 	 	17,896 	 	 	 	21,716 	 	
 
The differences between the income tax provision from continuing operations computed at the statutory federal corporate tax rate and the financial statement provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 are shown below:

 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
Tax expense at federal rate	 	 	35.0	%	 	 	35.0	%	 	 	35.0	%	
Increase (decrease) resulting from:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
State tax, net of federal income tax benefit	 	 	1.9	 	 	 	0.9	 	 	 	2.2	 	
Resolution of uncertain federal and state tax matters	 	 	—	 	 	 	(0.9	)  	 	 	(0.4	)  	
Tax credits	 	 	(0.4	)  	 	 	(1.9	)  	 	 	(3.6	)  	
Put option on common stock	 	 	—	 	 	 	4.2	 	 	 	3.4	 	
Valuation allowance	 	 	(0.6	)  	 	 	0.8	 	 	 	—	 	
Other, net	 	 	(0.4	)  	 	 	1.9	 	 	 	1.4	 	
Effective tax rate	 	 	35.5	%	 	 	40.0	%	 	 	38.0	%	

F-40

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
The Company’s net deferred income tax liability, which is included in “other liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets, consists of the following components as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
Deferred tax assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Student loans	 	$	23,940	 	 	 	20,229	 	
Accrued expenses	 	 	5,677	 	 	 	5,283	 	
Depreciation	 	 	1,073	 	 	 	969	 	
Deferred revenue	 	 	441	 	 	 	536	 	
Stock compensation	 	 	863	 	 	 	875	 	
Foreign tax credit	 	 	1,041	 	 	 	1,339	 	
Intangible assets	 	 	8,771	 	 	 	—	 	
Bond issuance costs	 	 	740	 	 	 	1,994	 	
Net operating loss carryforwards	 	 	849	 	 	 	1,165	 	
Other	 	 	—	 	 	 	141	 	
Total gross deferred tax assets	 	 	43,395	 	 	 	32,531	 	
Less, valuation allowance	 	 	(763	)  	 	 	(1,988	)  	
Deferred tax assets	 	 	42,632	 	 	 	30,543	 	
Deferred tax liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loan origination services	 	 	47,816	 	 	 	55,793	 	
Basis in certain derivative contracts	 	 	8,313	 	 	 	17,152	 	
Debt repurchases	 	 	15,225	 	 	 	—	 	
Intangible assets	 	 	—	 	 	 	5,179	 	
Prepaid expenses	 	 	204	 	 	 	477	 	
Other	 	 	158	 	 	 	—	 	
Deferred tax liabilities	 	 	71,716	 	 	 	78,601	 	
Net deferred income tax liability	 	$	(29,084	)	 	 	(48,058	)  	

The Company received $2.0 million in 2008 as contingent consideration in connection with the sale of EDULINX (see note 2). The Company incurred $1.1 million of tax expense related to this consideration and generated additional foreign tax credits of $1.8 million, of which a valuation allowance of $0.8 million was established to offset these credits. The net tax expense of $0.1 million was included in the loss on disposal of EDULINX within discontinued operations.

The Company has performed an evaluation of the recoverability of deferred tax assets. In assessing the realizability of the Company’s deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the period in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected taxable income, carry back opportunities, and tax planning strategies in making the assessment of the amount of the valuation allowance. With the exception of the Company’s state net operating loss and foreign tax credit carry forwards, it is management’s opinion that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized and should not be reduced by a valuation allowance. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable; however, could be reduced in the near terms if estimates of future taxable income during the carry forward period are reduced. As of December 31, 2009, various subsidiaries have state net operating loss carry forwards of $17.4 million expiring at various times through 2028 and foreign tax credit carry forwards of $1.0 million expiring in 2018. A valuation allowance has been established at December 31, 2009 and 2008 to reduce deferred income tax assets to amounts expected to be realized.

The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $0.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively.  The net change in the valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 2009 was a decrease of $1.2 million, which affected the Company’s effective tax rate.  Certain events occurred during the year which, in the judgment of management, changed the level of the Company’s state net operating loss and foreign tax credit carry forwards expected to be realized.

F-41

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, current income taxes receivable of $0.6 million and payable of $5.3 million are included in “other assets” and “other liabilities”, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets.

17.	Fair Value	

The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.  All financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value are categorized as Level 1 or Level 2 based on the hierarchy as discussed in note 3, summary of significant accounting policies and procedures.

 	 	2009	 	
 	 	Level 1	 	 	Level 2	 	 	Total	 	
Assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other assets (a)	 	$	4,278	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	4,278	 	
Fair value of derivative instruments (b)	 	 	—	 	 	 	193,899	 	 	 	193,899	 	
Total assets	 	$	4,278	 	 	 	193,899	 	 	 	198,177	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Fair value of derivative instruments (b)	 	$	—	 	 	 	2,489	 	 	 	2,489	 	
Total liabilities	 	$	—	 	 	 	2,489	 	 	 	2,489	 	
 
 	 	2008	 	
 	 	Level 1	 	 	Level 2	 	 	Total	 	
Assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other assets (a)	 	$	4,941	 	 	 	3,876	 	 	 	8,817	 	
Fair value of derivative instruments (b)	 	 	—	 	 	 	175,174	 	 	 	175,174	 	
Total assets	 	$	4,941	 	 	 	179,050	 	 	 	183,991	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Fair value of derivative instruments (b)	 	$	—	 	 	 	1,815	 	 	 	1,815	 	
Total liabilities	 	$	—	 	 	 	1,815	 	 	 	1,815	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(a)    Other assets includes investments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices.  Level 1 investments include investments traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, and U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets.  Level 2 investments include corporate debt securities.	
 	
(b)    All derivatives are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis.  The fair values of derivative financial instruments are determined by derivative pricing models using the stated terms of the contracts and observable yield curves, forward foreign currency exchange rates, and volatilities from active markets.  It is the Company’s policy to compare its derivative fair values to those received by its counterparties in order to validate the model’s outputs.  Fair value of derivative instruments is comprised of market value less accrued interest and excludes collateral.	
 
The Company measures certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, these adjustments to fair value resulted from the write-down to fair value of goodwill and intangible assets. For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, that were still held in the balance sheet at each respective period end, the following table provides the fair value hierarchy and the carrying value of the related individual assets at year end.

 	 	Level 3	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Goodwill (a)	 	$	143,717	 	 	 	175,178	 	
Intangible assets (b)	 	 	53,538	 	 	 	77,054	 	
Property and equipment, net (b)	 	 	26,606	 	 	 	38,747	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	$	223,861	 	 	 	290,979	 	

F-42

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
 	(a)	Goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment and whenever triggering events or changes in circumstances indicate its carrying value may not be recoverable.	

 	(b)	Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.	

The following table presents the fair value adjustments included in the consolidated statements of income related to the decrease in value of the above assets.  The fair value adjustments were recorded by the Company as impairment charges and are included in “impairment expense” in the consolidated statements of income.

 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Goodwill	 	$	(31,461	)	 	 	(667	)	
Intangible assets	 	 	(1,267	)	 	 	(13,373	)	
Property and equipment, net	 	 	—	 	 	 	(4,794	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	$	(32,728	)	 	 	(18,834	)	

The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
 	 	Fair value	 	 	Carrying value	 	 	Fair value	 	 	Carrying value	 	
Financial assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Student loans receivable	 	$	24,387,267	 	 	 	23,926,957	 	 	 	25,743,732	 	 	 	25,413,008	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	 	 	338,181	 	 	 	338,181	 	 	 	189,847	 	 	 	189,847	 	
Restricted cash	 	 	318,530	 	 	 	318,530	 	 	 	387,404	 	 	 	387,404	 	
Restricted cash – due to customers	 	 	91,741	 	 	 	91,741	 	 	 	160,985	 	 	 	160,985	 	
Restricted investments	 	 	306,926	 	 	 	306,962	 	 	 	609,868	 	 	 	609,868	 	
Accrued interest receivable	 	 	329,313	 	 	 	329,313	 	 	 	471,878	 	 	 	471,878	 	
Other assets	 	 	4,278	 	 	 	4,278	 	 	 	8,817	 	 	 	8,817	 	
Derivative instruments	 	 	193,899	 	 	 	193,899	 	 	 	175,174	 	 	 	175,174	 	
Financial liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Bonds and notes payable	 	 	24,741,306	 	 	 	24,805,289	 	 	 	26,512,082	 	 	 	26,787,959	 	
Accrued interest payable	 	 	19,831	 	 	 	19,831	 	 	 	81,576	 	 	 	81,576	 	
Due to customers	 	 	91,741	 	 	 	91,741	 	 	 	160,985	 	 	 	160,985	 	
Derivative instruments	 	 	2,489	 	 	 	2,489	 	 	 	1,815	 	 	 	1,815	 	

F-43

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are discussed above.  The remaining financial assets and liabilities were estimated using the following methods and assumptions:

Student Loans Receivable

The fair value of student loans receivable is estimated at amounts recently paid and/or received or amounts anticipated to be received by the Company to acquire and/or sell similar loans in the market and/or the characteristics of the portfolio and are considered to be fair value exit prices.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, Restricted Cash – Due to Customers, Restricted Investments, Accrued Interest Receivable/Payable and Due to Customers

The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the variable rate of interest and/or the short maturities of these instruments.

Bonds and Notes Payable

The fair value of the bonds and notes payable is based on market prices for securities that possess similar credit risk and interest rate risk.

18.	Commitments and Contingencies	

Leases

The Company is committed under noncancelable operating leases for office and warehouse space and equipment. Total rental expense incurred by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $10.4 million, $11.9 million, and $13.4 million, respectively. Minimum future rentals as of December 31, 2009, under noncancelable operating leases are shown below:

2010	 	$	7,995	 	
2011	 	 	6,030	 	
2012	 	 	5,375	 	
2013	 	 	4,701	 	
2014	 	 	1,932	 	
2015 and thereafter	 	 	299	 	
 	 	$	26,332	 	
 
Future rental commitments for leases have been reduced by minimum non-cancelable sublease rentals aggregating approximately $2.1 million as of December 31, 2009.

Contingent Considerations

infiNET Integrated Solutions, Inc. (“infiNET”)

In 2004, the Company purchased 50% of the stock of infiNET and, in 2006, purchased the remaining 50% of infiNET’s stock. infiNET provides software for customer-focused electronic transactions, information sharing, and electronic account and bill presentment for colleges and universities. Consideration for the purchase of the remaining 50% of the stock of infiNET included 95,380 restricted shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the 95,380 shares of Class A common stock issued in the acquisition are subject to stock price guaranty provisions whereby if on or about February 28, 2011 the average market trading price of the Class A common stock is less than $104.8375 per share and has not exceeded that price for any 25 consecutive trading days during the 5-year period from the closing of the acquisition to February 28, 2011, then the Company must pay additional cash to the sellers of infiNET for each share of Class A common stock issued in an amount representing the difference between $104.8375 less the greater of $41.9335 or the gross sales price such seller obtained from a sale of the shares occurring subsequent to February 28, 2011 as defined in the agreement. Based on the closing price of the Company’s Class A common stock as of December 31, 2009 of $17.23 per share, the Company’s obligation under this stock price guarantee would have been approximately $6.0 million (($104.8375-$41.9335) x 95,380 shares). Any payment on the guaranty is reduced by the aggregate of any dividends or other distributions made by the Company to the sellers. Any cash paid by the Company in consideration of satisfying the guaranteed value of stock issued for this acquisition would be recorded by the Company as a reduction to additional paid-in capital.

F-44

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Student Marketing Group, Inc. (“SMG”)  and National Honor Roll, L.L.C. (“NHR”)

In 2005, the Company purchased 100% of the capital stock of SMG and 100% of the membership interests of NHR. SMG is a full service direct marketing agency providing a wide range of products and services to help businesses reach the middle school, high school, college bound high school, college, and young adult marketplace. In addition, SMG provides marketing services and college bound student lists to college and university admissions offices nationwide. In addition to the initial purchase price, additional payments were paid by the Company based on the operating results of SMG and NHR as defined in the purchase agreement. In 2007 and 2008, the Company paid additional consideration of $6.0 million and $18.0 million, respectively. These payments satisfy all of the Company’s obligations related to the contingencies per the terms of the agreement. Additional consideration paid by the Company in 2007 and 2008, less any amounts accrued, was recorded as an increase to goodwill.

CUnet, LLC (“CUnet”)

In 2006, the Company purchased 100% of the membership interests of CUnet. CUnet provides campus locations and online schools with performance-based educational marketing, web-based marketing, lead generation, and vendor management services to enhance their brands and improve student recruitment and retention. In addition to the initial purchase price, additional payments were paid by the Company based on the operating results of CUnet. In 2007, the Company issued 62,446 restricted shares of its Class A common stock valued at $1.1 million and paid cash of $4.0 million to satisfy all of the Company’s remaining obligations related to the contingencies included in the original purchase agreement. The value of the common shares issued was determined based on the closing market price of the Company’s common shares over the 2-day period before and after the date in which the number of shares to be issued were known as determined per the terms of the purchase agreement. In connection with the acquisition, the Company entered into employment agreements with certain sellers, in which these contingency payments were related to their continued employment with the Company. Accordingly, these contingency payments are recognized by the Company as compensation expense over the remaining term of the employment agreements. The Company recognized $0.2 million, $1.9 million, and $1.9 million in compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively, related to these contingency payments.

Peterson’s

In 2006, the Company purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities from Thomson Learning Inc (“Peterson’s”). During 2007, the purchase price for Peterson’s was finalized per the terms of the purchase agreement and the Company received a $2.2 million working capital settlement. This settlement was recorded by the Company as a decrease to goodwill.

19. 	Employee Benefit Plans	

Defined Contribution Plan

The Company has a 401(k) savings plan that cover substantially all of its U.S. employees. Employees may contribute up to 100% of their pre-tax salary, subject to IRS limitations. The Company made contributions to the plan of $3.2 million, $3.5 million, and $4.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. Union Bank & Trust Company, an entity under common control with the Company, serves as the trustee for the plan.

Employee Share Purchase Plan

The Company has an employee share purchase plan pursuant to which employees are entitled to purchase common stock from payroll deductions at a 15% discount from market value. The employee share purchase plan is intended to enhance the Company’s ability to attract and retain employees and to better enable such persons to participate in the Company’s long term success and growth.

A total of 1,000,000 Class A common stock shares are reserved for issuance under the employee share purchase plan, subject to equitable adjustment by the compensation committee in the event of stock dividends, recapitalizations, and other similar corporate events. All employees, other than those whose customary employment is 20 hours or less per week, who have been employed for at least six months, or another period determined by the Company’s compensation committee not in excess of two years, are eligible to purchase Class A common stock under the plan. During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company recognized compensation expense of approximately $216,000, $186,000, and $279,000, respectively, in connection with issuing 52,311 shares, 71,172 shares, and 86,909 shares, respectively, under this plan.

F-45

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Restricted Stock Plan

The Company has a restricted stock plan that is intended to provide incentives to attract, retain, and motivate employees in order to achieve long term growth and profitability objectives. The restricted stock plan provides for the grant to eligible employees of awards of restricted shares of Class A common stock. An aggregate of 4,000,000 shares of Class A common stock have been reserved for issuance under the restricted stock plan, subject to antidilution adjustments in the event of certain changes in capital structure.

During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company issued 552,321 shares, 79,162 shares, and 563,022 shares, respectively, of its Class A common stock under the restricted stock plan. Included in the 2009 shares issued are 454,957 shares issued to employees at or above management level for bonuses awarded under the performance based incentive plan.  In addition, 58,489 shares, 169,961 shares, and 55,230 shares were owned and tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations or forfeited in 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. Tendered and forfeited shares are available for future issuance under the plan. To date, the shares issued under this plan vest immediately or vest in either three or ten years. The Company records unearned compensation in shareholders’ equity (additional paid-in capital) upon issuance of restricted stock and recognizes compensation expense over the vesting period. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company recognized compensation expense of $1.6 million, $2.4 million, and $2.6 million, respectively, related to shares issued under the restricted stock plan.

Employee Stock Purchase Loan Plan

The Company has entered into loan agreements with employees pursuant to the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Loan Plan (the “Loan Plan”). A total of $40.0 million in loans may be made under the Loan Plan, and a total of 1,000,000 shares of Class A common stock are reserved for issuance under the Loan Plan. Shares may be purchased directly from the Company or in the open market through a broker at prevailing market prices at the time of purchase. Loans under this plan mature ten years from grant date and bear interest equal to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 50 basis points. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the balance of the loans granted under the Loan Plan was $1.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively, and is reflected as a reduction to stockholders’ equity on the consolidated balance sheets.

Non-employee Directors Compensation Plan

The Company has a compensation plan for non-employee directors pursuant to which non-employee directors can elect to receive their annual retainer fees in the form of cash or Class A common stock. Up to 400,000 shares may be issued under the plan, subject to antidilution adjustments in the event of certain changes in capital structure. If a nonemployee director elects to receive Class A common stock, the number of shares of Class A common stock that are awarded is equal to the amount of the annual retainer fee otherwise payable in cash divided by 85% of the fair market value of a share of Class A common stock on the date the fee is payable. Non-employee directors who choose to receive Class A common stock may also elect to defer receipt of the Class A common stock until termination of their service on the board of directors.

During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company issued 7,143 shares, 17,837 shares, and 13,691 shares, respectively, of its Class A common stock to non-employee directors under this plan. These shares were issued to directors that elected to receive shares and did not defer receipt of the shares. In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company allocated 36,078 shares, 35,806 shares, and 7,974 shares, respectively, to directors that elected to defer receipt of their shares until their termination from the board of directors. The deferred shares are included in the Company’s weighted average shares outstanding calculation. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company recognized approximately $575,000, $494,000, and $459,000, respectively, of expense related to this plan.

F-46

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
20.	Legal Proceedings	

General

The Company is subject to various claims, lawsuits, and proceedings that arise in the normal course of business. These matters principally consist of claims by student loan borrowers disputing the manner in which their student loans have been processed and disputes with other business entities. In addition, from time to time the Company receives information and document requests from state or federal regulators concerning its business practices. The Company cooperates with these inquiries and responds to the requests. While the Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of any inquiry or investigation, the Company believes its activities have materially complied with applicable law, including the Higher Education Act, the rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Education thereunder, and the Department’s guidance regarding those rules and regulations. On the basis of present information, anticipated insurance coverage, and advice received from counsel, it is the opinion of the Company’s management that the disposition or ultimate determination of these claims, lawsuits, and proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial position, or results of operations.

Regulatory Reviews

The Department of Education periodically reviews participants in the FFELP for compliance with program provisions.  On June 28, 2007, the Department notified the Company that it would be conducting a review of the Company’s practices in connection with the prohibited inducement provisions of the Higher Education Act and the associated regulations that allow borrowers to have a choice of lenders.  The Company understands that the Department selected several schools and lenders for review.  The Company responded to the Department’s requests for information and documentation and cooperated with their review.  On May 1, 2009, the Company received the Department’s preliminary program review report, which covered the Department’s review of the period from October 1, 2002 to September 30, 2007.  The preliminary program review report contained certain initial findings of noncompliance with the Higher Education Act’s prohibited inducement provisions and required that the Company provide an explanation for the basis of the arrangements noted in the preliminary program review report.  The Company has responded and provided an explanation of the arrangements noted in the Department of Education’s initial findings and follow-up requests.  The Department of Education is expected to issue a final program review determination letter and advise the Company whether it intends to take any additional action.  To the extent any findings are contained in a final letter, the additional action may include the assessment of fines or penalties, or the limitation, suspension, and termination of the Company’s participation in the FFELP.

In connection with the Company’s settlement agreement with the Department of Education in January 2007 to resolve an audit report by the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Education (the “OIG”) with respect to the Company’s student loan portfolio receiving special allowance payments at a minimum 9.5% interest rate (the “Settlement Agreement”), the Company was informed in February 2007 by the Department of Education that a civil attorney with the Department of Justice had opened a file regarding the issues set forth in the OIG report, which the Company understands is common procedure following an OIG audit report. The Company has engaged in discussions with and provided information to the Department of Justice in connection with the review.

While the Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these reviews, the Company believes its practices complied with applicable law, including the provisions of the Higher Education Act, the rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Education thereunder, and the Department’s guidance regarding those rules and regulations.

United States ex rel Oberg v. Nelnet, Inc. et al

On September 28, 2009, the Company was served with a Summons and First Amended Complaint naming the Company as one of ten defendants in a “qui tam” action brought by Jon H. Oberg on behalf of the United States of America.  Qui tam actions assert claims by an individual on behalf of the federal government, and are filed under seal until the government decides, if at all, to intervene in the case.

An original complaint in the action was filed under seal in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on September 21, 2007, and was unsealed on August 26, 2009 upon the government’s filing of a Notice of Election to Decline Intervention in the matter.  The First Amended Complaint (the “Oberg Complaint”) was filed on August 24, 2009 and alleges the defendant student loan lenders submitted false claims for payment to the Department of Education in order to obtain special allowance payments on certain student loans at a rate of 9.5%, which the Oberg Complaint alleges is in excess of amounts permitted by law.  The Oberg Complaint seeks the imposition of civil penalties and treble the amount of damages sustained by the government in connection with the alleged overbilling by the defendants for special allowance payments.   The Oberg Complaint alleges that approximately $407 million in unlawful 9.5% special allowance payment claims were submitted by the Company to the Department of Education. 

F-47

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
The 9.5% special allowance payments received by the Company were disclosed by the Company on multiple occasions beginning in 2003.  In January, 2007, the Company entered into the Settlement Agreement.  The Settlement Agreement resolved the issues now raised by the Oberg Complaint, and contains an acknowledgment by the Department of Education that the Company acted in good faith in connection with its billings for 9.5% special allowance payments.

The Company believes the allegations in the above qui tam action to be frivolous and without merit and intends to vigorously defend the claim.  However, the Company cannot currently predict the ultimate outcome of these matters or any liability which may result, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition. 

United States ex rel Vigil v. Nelnet, Inc. et al

On November 4, 2009, the Company was served with a Summons and Third Amended Complaint naming the Company as one of three defendants in an unrelated qui tam action brought by Rudy Vigil (the “Vigil Complaint”).  This matter was filed under seal in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska on July 11, 2007 and was unsealed on October 15, 2009 following the government’s notice that it declined to intervene in the matter.  The Vigil Complaint, filed by a former employee of the Company, appears to allege that the Company engaged in false advertising and offered prohibited inducements to student loan borrowers in order to increase the Company’s loan holdings, and subsequently submitted false claims to the Department of Education in order to obtain special allowance payments and default claim payments on such loans.

The Company believes the allegations in the above qui tam action to be frivolous and without merit and intends to vigorously defend the claim.  However, the Company cannot currently predict the ultimate outcome of these matters or any liability which may result, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition. 
 
21.	Related Parties	

During 2008, the Company sold approximately $535 million of FFELP student loans (the “FFELP Loans”) to Union Bank & Trust Company, an entity under common control with the Company. These loans were sold for a purchase price of 100 percent of the outstanding unpaid principal balance plus accrued and unpaid borrower interest. The Company recognized a loss on this loan sale of $3.9 million, which represented unamortized loan costs on this portfolio.

Including the loans sold in this transaction, Union Bank may purchase up to $750 million in FFELP loans from the Company in accordance with an affiliate transaction exemption granted by the Federal Reserve Board. In connection with the exemption and the loan purchase by Union Bank, an Assurance Commitment Agreement (the “Commitment Agreement”) was also entered into, by and among, the Company, Union Bank, and Michael S. Dunlap, the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and a principal shareholder of the Company. Per the terms of the Commitment Agreement, the Company provided certain assurances to Union Bank designed to mitigate potential losses related to the FFELP Loans, including holding amounts in escrow equal to the unguaranteed portion and reimbursing Union Bank for losses, if any, related to the portfolio.  As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company held $13.9 million and $14.3 million, respectively, in escrow related to this agreement.  As part of this agreement, the Company is obligated to buy back 30 days delinquent loans; in 2009, the Company bought back from Union Bank $36.9 million in loans related to this obligation.

During 2009, the Company sold $76.4 million of loans to Union Bank under this $750 million exemption.  The Company recognized a loss on this loan sale of $0.8 million, which represented unamortized costs on this portfolio.

On February 4, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to amend certain existing contracts with Union Bank. Under the agreement, Union Bank committed to transfer to the Company substantially all of the remaining balance of Union Bank’s origination rights in guaranteed student loans to be originated in the future, except for student loans previously committed for sale to others. Union Bank will continue to originate student loans, and such guaranteed student loans not previously committed for sale to others are to be sold by Union Bank to the Company in the future. Union Bank also granted to the Company exclusive rights as marketing agent for student loans on behalf of Union Bank.

F-48

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
The Company serviced loans for Union Bank of $539.8 million and $533.1 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Income earned by the Company from servicing loans for Union Bank was $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, and $0.3 million for each of the years ended 2008 and 2007. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, accounts receivable includes $0.2 million from Union Bank for loan servicing. The loan servicing terms with Union Bank were similar to those terms with unrelated entities.   On November 25, 2008, the Company entered into an additional loan servicing agreement with Union Bank to service the FFELP Loans. Under this agreement the Company will receive a servicing fee of 34 basis points per year related to the FFELP Loans. Fees received in conjunction with this agreement are included in the servicing income for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 noted above.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company purchased student loans of $47.6 million (which includes loans purchased under the Commitment Agreement as discussed previously), $208.0 million, and $252.5 million, respectively, from Union Bank. For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, premiums paid on these loans totaled $4.9 million and $8.5 million, respectively. No premiums were paid for loans purchased during 2009.  The purchases from Union Bank were made on terms similar to those made with unrelated entities.

The Company has sold to Union Bank, as trustee, participation interests in FFELP loans with balances of $613.3 million and $548.4 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively (see note 8).

The Company participates in the Short term Federal Investment Trust (“STFIT”) of the Student Loan Trust Division of Union Bank, which is included in “cash and cash equivalents - held at a related party” and “restricted cash - due to customers” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had $387.8 million and $200.8 million, respectively, invested in the STFIT or deposited at Union Bank in operating accounts, of which $61.9 million and $24.1 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, represented cash collected for customers. The Company’s participation in the STFIT had similar terms and investment yields as those prevailing for other nonaffiliated customers. Interest income earned by the Company on the amounts invested in the STFIT for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $2.9 million, $3.9 million, and $7.0 million, respectively.

On October 13, 2006, the Company purchased its corporate headquarters building and assumed certain existing lease agreements pursuant to which Union Bank leases office and storage space. The leases assumed by the Company provided for the lease to Union Bank of a total of approximately 15,000 square feet through June 30, 2008. The lease was amended to reduce the space leased to 4,000 square feet. Union Bank paid the Company approximately $70,000, $141,000, and $173,000 for commercial rent and storage income during 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. The amended lease agreement expires on June 30, 2018.

In December 2007, the Company sold a building to Union Bank for $600,000. Prior to the sale, the Company leased office space in that building to Union Bank for a total rental amount of approximately $34,000 during 2007. The Company recognized a gain of approximately $431,000 upon sale of the building.

The Company paid Union Bank $0.7 million, $0.2 million, and $0.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively, for payroll costs, reimbursement of FDIC insurance fees (beginning in 2009), certain cash management services, and miscellaneous fees and commissions.

During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, Union Bank paid the Company $0.1 million, $0.2 million, and $0.2 million, respectively, for consulting services.  In addition, Union Bank reimbursed the Company $3.4 million, $4.6 million, and $3.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively, for marketing services and fees related to the Illinois and Nebraska College Savings Plans.

On May 31, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with Packers Service Group, Inc. (“Packers”), under which the Company agreed to acquire Packers in exchange for the issuance of 10,594,178 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock to the shareholders of Packers. Packers was owned by 30 individual shareholders, the most significant of whom included Michael S. Dunlap, an executive officer, member of the Board of Directors, and a substantial shareholder of the Company, and Angela L. Muhleisen, a substantial shareholder of the Company and a sister of Mr. Dunlap. Packers was primarily a holding company, whose principal asset was an investment in 11,068,604 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. Upon acquisition, these shares are not included in total shares outstanding for accounting purposes. Packers also owned all of the outstanding capital stock of First National Life Insurance Company of the USA (“First National Life”), which writes credit life and credit accident and health insurance policies. First National Life’s net assets as of May 31, 2007 were $1.6 million. In addition, Packers had outstanding debt of $14.1 million, which the Company assumed. The Company accounted for this transaction as exchanges of assets or equity instruments between enterprises under common control and, accordingly, recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from this transaction at Packer’s historical carrying values. This transaction resulted in a $12.5 million decrease to the Company’s consolidated shareholders’ equity and a decrease of 474,426 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock outstanding.

F-49

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
22. 	Segment Reporting	

The Company has five operating segments as follows:  Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing, Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce, Enrollment Services, Software and Technical Services, and Asset Generation and Management.  The Company’s operating segments are defined by the products and services they offer or the types of customers they serve, and they reflect the manner in which financial information is currently evaluated by management.  The accounting policies of the Company’s operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.  Intersegment revenues are charged by a segment to another segment that provides the product or service.  Intersegment revenues and expenses are included within each segment consistent with the income statement presentation provided to management.  Changes in management structure or allocation methodologies and procedures may result in changes in reported segment financial information.

The management reporting process measures the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on the management structure of the Company as well as the methodology used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources.  Management, including the Company’s chief operating decision maker, evaluates the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on their profitability.  As discussed further below, management measures the profitability of the Company’s operating segments based on “base net income.”  Accordingly, information regarding the Company’s operating segments is provided based on “base net income.”  The Company’s “base net income” is not a defined term within generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.  Unlike financial accounting, there is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for management reporting.

In May 2007, the Company sold EDULINX, a Canadian student loan service provider and subsidiary of the Company. As a result of this transaction, the results of operations for EDULINX are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The operating results of EDULINX were included in the Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment. The Company presents “base net income” excluding discontinued operations since the operations and cash flows of EDULINX have been eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company. Therefore, the results of operations for the Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing segment exclude the operating results of EDULINX for all periods presented. See note 2 for additional information concerning EDULINX’s detailed operating results that have been segregated from continuing operations and reported as discontinued operations.

Historically, the Company generated the majority of its revenue from net interest income earned in its Asset Generation and Management operating segment.  The Company made several acquisitions that have expanded the Company’s products and services and have diversified its revenue – primarily from fee-based businesses.  The Company currently offers a broad range of pre-college, in-college, and post-college products and services to students, families, schools, and financial institutions.  These products and services help students and families plan and pay for their education and students plan their careers.  The Company’s products and services are designed to simplify the education planning and financing process and are focused on providing value to students, families, and schools throughout the education life cycle.  The Company continues to diversify its sources of revenue, including those generated from businesses that are not dependent upon government programs, thereby reducing legislative and political risk.

F-50

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Fee-Based Operating Segments

Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing

The Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment provides for the servicing of the Company’s student loan portfolios and the portfolios of third parties and servicing provided to guaranty agencies. The loan servicing activities include loan origination activities, application processing, borrower updates, payment processing, due diligence procedures, and claim processing. These activities are performed internally for the Company’s portfolio in addition to generating fee revenue when performed for third-party clients. The guaranty servicing activities include providing software and data center services, borrower and loan updates, default aversion tracking services, claim processing services, and post-default collection services to guaranty agencies. The following are the primary product and service offerings the Company offers as part of its Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing segment:

 	·	Origination and servicing of FFELP loans	
 	·	Origination and servicing of non-federally insured student loans	
 	·	Servicing and support outsourcing for guaranty agencies	

In June 2009, the Department of Education named the Company as one of four private sector companies awarded a servicing contract to service all federally-owned student loans, including FFELP loans purchased by the Department pursuant to ECASLA.  No later than August 2010, the Company expects to also begin servicing new loans originated under the Direct Loan Program. The contract spans five years with one, five-year renewal option. Servicing loans under this contract will increase revenue earned by this segment.  However, operating margins under this contract are expected to be lower than historical levels achieved.

Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce

The Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce operating segment provides products and services to help institutions and education-seeking families manage the payment of education costs during the pre-college and college stages of the education life cycle. The Company provides actively managed tuition payment solutions, online payment processing, detailed information reporting, financial needs analysis, and data integration services to K-12 and higher educational institutions, families, and students. In addition, the Company provides customer-focused electronic transactions, information sharing, and account and bill presentment to colleges and universities.

Enrollment Services

The Enrollment Services operating segment offers products and services that are focused on helping colleges recruit and retain students (lead generation and recruitment services) and helping students plan and prepare for life after high school (content management and publishing and editing services). Lead generation products and services include vendor lead management services and admissions lead generation. Recruitment services include pay per click marketing management, email marketing, list marketing services, and admissions consulting. Content management products and services include online courses and related services. Publishing and editing services include test preparation study guides and essay and resume editing services.

Software and Technical Services

The Company’s Software and Technical Services operating segment develops student loan servicing software, which is used internally by the Company and also licensed to third-party student loan holders and servicers. This segment also provides information technology products and services, with core areas of business in educational loan software solutions, legacy modernization, technical consulting services, and Enterprise Content Management solutions.

Asset Generation and Management Operating Segment

The Asset Generation and Management operating segment includes the acquisition, management, and ownership of the Company’s student loan assets. Revenues are primarily generated from the Company’s earnings from the spread, referred to as the Company’s student loan spread, between the yield received on the student loan portfolio and the costs associated with originating, acquiring, and financing its student loan portfolio. The Company generates student loan assets through direct origination or through acquisitions. The student loan assets are held in a series of education lending subsidiaries designed specifically for this purpose. In addition to the student loan portfolio, all costs and activity associated with the generation of assets, funding of those assets, and maintenance of the debt transactions are included in this segment. This includes derivative activity and the related derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments.

F-51

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Segment Operating Results – “Base Net Income”

The tables below include the operating results of each of the Company’s operating segments for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007. Management, including the chief operating decision maker, evaluates the Company on certain non-GAAP performance measures that the Company refers to as “base net income” for each operating segment. While “base net income” is not a substitute for reported results under GAAP, the Company relies on “base net income” to manage each operating segment because it believes this measure provides additional information regarding the operational and performance indicators that are most closely assessed by management.

“Base net income” is the primary financial performance measure used by management to develop the Company’s financial plans, track results, and establish corporate performance targets and incentive compensation. Management believes this information provides additional insight into the financial performance of the core business activities of the Company’s operating segments. Accordingly, the tables presented below reflect “base net income,” which is the operating measure reviewed and utilized by management to manage the business. Reconciliation of the segment totals to the Company’s operating results in accordance with GAAP are also included in the tables below.

Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The reclassifications were made to change the income statement presentation to provide the users of the financial statements additional information related to the operating results of the Company’s fee-based businesses, which are becoming more significant to the Company’s operations.  These reclassifications include reclassifying “tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue” and “enrollment services revenue,” which were previously included in “other fee-based income.” In addition, the “cost to provide enrollment services” was reclassified from various operating expense accounts, primarily “advertising and marketing.”

F-52

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
Segment Results and Reconciliations to GAAP
 
 	 	2009	 	
 	 	Fee-Based	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Student	 	 	Tuition	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	"Base net	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Loan	 	 	Payment	 	 	 	 	 	Software	 	 	 	 	 	Asset	 	 	Corporate	 	 	 	 	 	income"	 	 	 	 	
 	 	and	 	 	Processing	 	 	 	 	 	and	 	 	Total	 	 	Generation	 	 	Activity	 	 	Eliminations	 	 	Adjustments	 	 	GAAP	 	
 	 	Guaranty	 	 	and Campus	 	 	Enrollment	 	 	Technical	 	 	Fee-	 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	to GAAP	 	 	Results of	 	
 	 	Servicing	 	 	Commerce	 	 	Services	 	 	Services	 	 	Based	 	 	Management	 	 	Overhead	 	 	Reclassifications	 	 	Results	 	 	Operations	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total interest income	 	$	112	 	 	 	62 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	174 	 	 	 	609,143 	 	 	 	5,391 	 	 	 	(2,003	)  	 	 	7,502 	 	 	 	620,207 	 	
Interest expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	357,930 	 	 	 	28,935 	 	 	 	(2,003	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	384,862 	 	
Net interest income (loss)	 	 	112 	 	 	 	62 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	174 	 	 	 	251,213 	 	 	 	(23,544	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	7,502 	 	 	 	235,345 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Less provision for loan losses	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	29,000 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	29,000 	 	
Net interest income (loss) after provision	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
for loan losses	 	 	112 	 	 	 	62 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	174 	 	 	 	222,213 	 	 	 	(23,544	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	7,502 	 	 	 	206,345 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other income (expense):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	 	 	110,273 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	110,273 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(1,526	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	108,747 	 	
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	 	 	—	 	 	 	53,894 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	53,894 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	53,894 	 	
Enrollment services revenue	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	119,397 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	119,397 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	119,397 	 	
Software services revenue	 	 	3,701 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	17,463 	 	 	 	21,164 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	21,164 	 	
Other income	 	 	644 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	644 	 	 	 	45,697 	 	 	 	21,811 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	68,152 	 	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans, net	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	35,148 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	35,148 	 	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	85,104 	 	 	 	237 	 	 	 	555 	 	 	 	14,586 	 	 	 	100,482 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	33,469 	 	 	 	(133,951	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and put option adjustments	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(30,802	)  	 	 	(30,802	)  	
Derivative settlements, net	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	39,286 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	39,286 	 	
Total other income (expense)	 	 	199,722 	 	 	 	54,131 	 	 	 	119,952 	 	 	 	32,049 	 	 	 	405,854 	 	 	 	120,131 	 	 	 	53,754 	 	 	 	(133,951	)  	 	 	(30,802	)  	 	 	414,986 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	54,289 	 	 	 	25,549 	 	 	 	23,222 	 	 	 	21,978 	 	 	 	125,038 	 	 	 	6,767 	 	 	 	24,777 	 	 	 	(1,209	)  	 	 	159 	 	 	 	155,532 	 	
Restructure expense- severance and contract	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
termination costs	 	 	5,964 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	936 	 	 	 	6,900 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,082 	 	 	 	(7,982	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Impairment expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	32,728 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	32,728 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	32,728 	 	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	74,926 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	74,926 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	74,926 	 	
Other expenses	 	 	35,391 	 	 	 	9,642 	 	 	 	13,226 	 	 	 	3,330 	 	 	 	61,589 	 	 	 	19,566 	 	 	 	35,307 	 	 	 	3,736 	 	 	 	22,249 	 	 	 	142,447 	 	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	37,039 	 	 	 	2,800 	 	 	 	2,121 	 	 	 	2,867 	 	 	 	44,827 	 	 	 	81,335 	 	 	 	2,334 	 	 	 	(128,496	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	132,683 	 	 	 	37,991 	 	 	 	146,223 	 	 	 	29,111 	 	 	 	346,008 	 	 	 	107,668 	 	 	 	63,500 	 	 	 	(133,951	)  	 	 	22,408 	 	 	 	405,633 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income (loss) before income taxes	 	 	67,151 	 	 	 	16,202 	 	 	 	(26,271	)  	 	 	2,938 	 	 	 	60,020 	 	 	 	234,676 	 	 	 	(33,290	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(45,708	)  	 	 	215,698 	 	
Income tax (expense) benefit (a)	 	 	(25,518	)  	 	 	(6,156	)  	 	 	9,984 	 	 	 	(1,118	)  	 	 	(22,808	)  	 	 	(89,178	)  	 	 	19,186 	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	16,227 	 	 	 	(76,573	)  	
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	 	 	41,633 	 	 	 	10,046 	 	 	 	(16,287	)  	 	 	1,820 	 	 	 	37,212 	 	 	 	145,498 	 	 	 	(14,104	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(29,481	)  	 	 	139,125 	 	
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Net income (loss)	 	$	41,633	 	 	 	10,046 	 	 	 	(16,287	)  	 	 	1,820 	 	 	 	37,212 	 	 	 	145,498 	 	 	 	(14,104	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(29,481	)  	 	 	139,125 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total assets	 	$	134,264	 	 	 	114,581 	 	 	 	76,140 	 	 	 	12,266 	 	 	 	337,251 	 	 	 	25,899,946 	 	 	 	12,201 	 	 	 	(372,971	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	25,876,427 	 	
 
(a) Income taxes are applied based on 38% of income (loss) before taxes for the individual operating segments.

F-53

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
 	 	2008	 	
 	 	Fee-Based	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	Tuition	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Student	 	 	Payment	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	"Base net	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Loan	 	 	Processing	 	 	 	 	 	Software	 	 	 	 	 	Asset	 	 	Corporate	 	 	 	 	 	income"	 	 	 	 	
 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	 	 	 	and	 	 	Total	 	 	Generation	 	 	Activity	 	 	Eliminations	 	 	Adjustments	 	 	GAAP	 	
 	 	Guaranty	 	 	Campus	 	 	Enrollment	 	 	Technical	 	 	Fee-	 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	to GAAP	 	 	Results of	 	
 	 	Servicing	 	 	Commerce	 	 	Services	 	 	Services	 	 	Based	 	 	Management	 	 	Overhead	 	 	Reclassifications	 	 	Results	 	 	Operations	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total interest income	 	$	1,377	 	 	 	1,689	 	 	 	17	 	 	 	24	 	 	 	3,107	 	 	 	1,164,329	 	 	 	6,810	 	 	 	(2,190	)  	 	 	42,325	 	 	 	1,214,381	 	
Interest expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	986,556	 	 	 	42,123	 	 	 	(2,190	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,026,489	 	
Net interest income (loss)	 	 	1,377	 	 	 	1,689	 	 	 	17	 	 	 	24	 	 	 	3,107	 	 	 	177,773	 	 	 	(35,313	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	42,325	 	 	 	187,892	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Less provision for loan losses	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	25,000	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	25,000	 	
Net interest income (loss) after provision	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
for loan losses	 	 	1,377	 	 	 	1,689	 	 	 	17	 	 	 	24	 	 	 	3,107	 	 	 	152,773	 	 	 	(35,313	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	42,325	 	 	 	162,892	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other income (expense):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	 	 	99,916	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	99,916	 	 	 	26	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	99,942	 	
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	 	 	—	 	 	 	48,155	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	48,155	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	48,155	 	
Enrollment services revenue	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	112,405	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	112,405	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	112,405	 	
Software services revenue	 	 	4,371	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	37	 	 	 	19,707	 	 	 	24,115	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	24,115	 	
Other income	 	 	51	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	51	 	 	 	17,401	 	 	 	5,323	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	22,775	 	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(53,035	)  	 	 	1,621	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(51,414	)  	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	75,361	 	 	 	302	 	 	 	2	 	 	 	6,831	 	 	 	82,496	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	63,384	 	 	 	(145,880	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and put option adjustments	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	466	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	10,361	 	 	 	10,827	 	
Derivative settlements, net	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	65,622	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(9,965	)  	 	 	55,657	 	
Total other income (expense)	 	 	179,699	 	 	 	48,457	 	 	 	112,444	 	 	 	26,538	 	 	 	367,138	 	 	 	30,480	 	 	 	70,328	 	 	 	(145,880	)  	 	 	396	 	 	 	322,462	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	51,320	 	 	 	23,290	 	 	 	24,379	 	 	 	18,081	 	 	 	117,070	 	 	 	8,316	 	 	 	54,910	 	 	 	98	 	 	 	2,999	 	 	 	183,393	 	
Restructure expense - severance and	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
contract termination costs	 	 	747	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	282	 	 	 	487	 	 	 	1,516	 	 	 	1,845	 	 	 	3,706	 	 	 	(7,067	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Impairment expense	 	 	5,074	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	5,074	 	 	 	9,351	 	 	 	4,409	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	18,834	 	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	64,965	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	64,965	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	64,965	 	
Other expenses	 	 	33,922	 	 	 	9,879	 	 	 	11,224	 	 	 	2,489	 	 	 	57,514	 	 	 	35,679	 	 	 	53,975	 	 	 	24	 	 	 	26,230	 	 	 	173,422	 	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	47,737	 	 	 	1,397	 	 	 	6,641	 	 	 	2,323	 	 	 	58,098	 	 	 	77,105	 	 	 	3,732	 	 	 	(138,935	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	138,800	 	 	 	34,566	 	 	 	107,491	 	 	 	23,380	 	 	 	304,237	 	 	 	132,296	 	 	 	120,732	 	 	 	(145,880	)  	 	 	29,229	 	 	 	440,614	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income (loss) before income taxes	 	 	42,276	 	 	 	15,580	 	 	 	4,970	 	 	 	3,182	 	 	 	66,008	 	 	 	50,957	 	 	 	(85,717	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	13,492	 	 	 	44,740	 	
Income tax (expense) benefit (a)	 	 	(14,321	)  	 	 	(5,175	)  	 	 	(1,730	)  	 	 	(1,021	)  	 	 	(22,247	)  	 	 	(18,356	)  	 	 	28,499	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(5,792	)  	 	 	(17,896	)  	
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	 	 	27,955	 	 	 	10,405	 	 	 	3,240	 	 	 	2,161	 	 	 	43,761	 	 	 	32,601	 	 	 	(57,218	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	7,700	 	 	 	26,844	 	
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,818	 	 	 	1,818	 	
Net income (loss)	 	$	27,955	 	 	 	10,405	 	 	 	3,240	 	 	 	2,161	 	 	 	43,761	 	 	 	32,601	 	 	 	(57,218	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	9,518	 	 	 	28,662	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total assets	 	$	245,202	 	 	 	128,657	 	 	 	120,961	 	 	 	14,428	 	 	 	509,248	 	 	 	27,724,122	 	 	 	106,965	 	 	 	(485,438	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	27,854,897	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(a) Income taxes are applied to each operating segment based on the consolidated effective tax rate for the period.	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

F-54

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
 	 	2007	 	
 	 	Fee-Based	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	Tuition	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Student	 	 	Payment	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	"Base net	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Loan	 	 	Processing	 	 	 	 	 	Software	 	 	 	 	 	Asset	 	 	Corporate	 	 	 	 	 	income"	 	 	 	 	
 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	 	 	 	and	 	 	Total	 	 	Generation	 	 	Activity	 	 	Eliminations	 	 	Adjustments	 	 	GAAP	 	
 	 	Guaranty	 	 	Campus	 	 	Enrollment	 	 	Technical	 	 	Fee-	 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	to GAAP	 	 	Results of	 	
 	 	Servicing	 	 	Commerce	 	 	Services	 	 	Services	 	 	Based	 	 	Management	 	 	Overhead	 	 	Reclassifications	 	 	Results	 	 	Operations	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total interest income	 	$	5,459	 	 	 	3,809	 	 	 	347	 	 	 	18	 	 	 	9,633	 	 	 	1,730,882	 	 	 	7,485	 	 	 	(3,737	)  	 	 	3,013	 	 	 	1,747,276	 	
Interest expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	7	 	 	 	7	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	14	 	 	 	1,465,883	 	 	 	40,502	 	 	 	(3,737	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,502,662	 	
Net interest income (loss)	 	 	5,459	 	 	 	3,802	 	 	 	340	 	 	 	18	 	 	 	9,619	 	 	 	264,999	 	 	 	(33,017	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,013	 	 	 	244,614	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Less provision for loan losses	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	28,178	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	28,178	 	
Net interest income (loss) after provision	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
for loan losses	 	 	5,459	 	 	 	3,802	 	 	 	340	 	 	 	18	 	 	 	9,619	 	 	 	236,821	 	 	 	(33,017	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,013	 	 	 	216,436	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other income (expense):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	 	 	122,086	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	122,086	 	 	 	294	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	122,380	 	
Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue	 	 	—	 	 	 	42,766	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	42,766	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	42,766	 	
Enrollment services revenue	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	103,905	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	103,905	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	103,905	 	
Software services revenue	 	 	5,689	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	22,075	 	 	 	27,764	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	27,764	 	
Other income	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	17,820	 	 	 	12,603	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	30,423	 	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,597	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	3,597	 	
Intersegment revenue	 	 	74,687	 	 	 	688	 	 	 	891	 	 	 	15,683	 	 	 	91,949	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	9,040	 	 	 	(100,989	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and put option adjustments	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	26,806	 	 	 	26,806	 	
Derivative settlements, net	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	6,628	 	 	 	12,049	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	18,677	 	
Total other income (expense)	 	 	202,462	 	 	 	43,454	 	 	 	104,796	 	 	 	37,758	 	 	 	388,470	 	 	 	28,339	 	 	 	33,692	 	 	 	(100,989	)  	 	 	26,806	 	 	 	376,318	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Salaries and benefits	 	 	85,462	 	 	 	20,426	 	 	 	33,480	 	 	 	23,959	 	 	 	163,327	 	 	 	23,101	 	 	 	49,839	 	 	 	(1,747	)  	 	 	2,111	 	 	 	236,631	 	
Restructure expense- severance and	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
contract termination costs	 	 	1,840	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	929	 	 	 	58	 	 	 	2,827	 	 	 	2,406	 	 	 	4,998	 	 	 	(10,231	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Impairment expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	11,401	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	11,401	 	 	 	28,291	 	 	 	9,812	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	49,504	 	
Cost to provide enrollment services	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	45,408	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	45,408	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	45,408	 	
Other expenses	 	 	36,618	 	 	 	8,901	 	 	 	15,037	 	 	 	2,995	 	 	 	63,551	 	 	 	29,205	 	 	 	77,915	 	 	 	2,969	 	 	 	30,426	 	 	 	204,066	 	
Intersegment expenses	 	 	10,552	 	 	 	364	 	 	 	335	 	 	 	775	 	 	 	12,026	 	 	 	74,714	 	 	 	5,240	 	 	 	(91,980	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Total operating expenses	 	 	134,472	 	 	 	29,691	 	 	 	106,590	 	 	 	27,787	 	 	 	298,540	 	 	 	157,717	 	 	 	147,804	 	 	 	(100,989	)  	 	 	32,537	 	 	 	535,609	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income (loss) before income taxes	 	 	73,449	 	 	 	17,565	 	 	 	(1,454	)  	 	 	9,989	 	 	 	99,549	 	 	 	107,443	 	 	 	(147,129	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(2,718	)  	 	 	57,145	 	
Income tax (expense) benefit (a)	 	 	(27,910	)  	 	 	(6,675	)  	 	 	553	 	 	 	(3,796	)  	 	 	(37,828	)  	 	 	(40,828	)  	 	 	57,285	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(345	)  	 	 	(21,716	)  	
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	 	 	45,539	 	 	 	10,890	 	 	 	(901	)  	 	 	6,193	 	 	 	61,721	 	 	 	66,615	 	 	 	(89,844	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,063	)  	 	 	35,429	 	
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(2,575	)  	 	 	(2,575	)  	
Net income (loss)	 	$	45,539	 	 	 	10,890	 	 	 	(901	)  	 	 	6,193	 	 	 	61,721	 	 	 	66,615	 	 	 	(89,844	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(5,638	)  	 	 	32,854	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total assets	 	$	206,008	 	 	 	119,084	 	 	 	121,202	 	 	 	21,186	 	 	 	467,480	 	 	 	28,696,640	 	 	 	48,147	 	 	 	(49,484	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	29,162,783	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(a) Income taxes are based on 38% of net income (loss) before tax for the individual operating segment.	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 
Corporate Activity and Overhead in the previous tables primarily includes the following items:

 	·	Income earned on certain investment activities	
 	·	Interest expense incurred on unsecured debt transactions	
 	·	Other products and service offerings that are not considered operating segments	
 	·	Certain corporate activities and unallocated overhead functions related to executive management, human resources, accounting and finance, legal, marketing, and corporate technology support	

The assets held at the corporate level are not identified with any of the operating segments. Accordingly, these assets are included in the reconciliation of segment assets to total consolidated assets. These assets consist primarily of cash, investments, property and equipment, and other assets.

The adjustments required to reconcile from the Company’s “base net income” measure to its GAAP results of operations relate to differing treatments for derivatives, foreign currency transaction adjustments, and certain other items that management does not consider in evaluating the Company’s operating results.  The following tables reflect adjustments associated with these areas by operating segment and Corporate Activity and Overhead for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007:

F-55

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
 	 	Student	 	 	Tuition	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Loan	 	 	Payment	 	 	 	 	 	Software	 	 	Asset	 	 	Corporate	 	 	 	 	
 	 	and	 	 	Processing	 	 	 	 	 	and	 	 	Generation	 	 	Activity	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Guaranty	 	 	and Campus	 	 	Enrollment	 	 	Technical	 	 	and	 	 	and	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Servicing	 	 	Commerce	 	 	Services	 	 	Services	 	 	Management	 	 	Overhead	 	 	Total	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2009	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency, and	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
put option adjustments (1)	 	$	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	34,569	 	 	 	(3,767	)  	 	 	30,802	 	
Amortization of intangible assets (2)	 	 	4,315	 	 	 	7,440	 	 	 	9,961	 	 	 	533	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	22,249	 	
Compensation related to business combinations (3)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	159	 	 	 	159	 	
Variable-rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives (4)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(7,502	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(7,502	)  	
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax (5)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Net tax effect (6)	 	 	(1,640	)  	 	 	(2,827	)  	 	 	(3,787	)  	 	 	(202	)  	 	 	(10,285	)  	 	 	2,514	 	 	 	(16,227	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total adjustments to GAAP	 	$	2,675	 	 	 	4,613	 	 	 	6,174	 	 	 	331	 	 	 	16,782	 	 	 	(1,094	)  	 	 	29,481	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2008	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency, and	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
put option adjustments (1)	 	$	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(13,844	)  	 	 	3,483	 	 	 	(10,361	)  	
Amortization of intangible assets (2)	 	 	4,751	 	 	 	7,826	 	 	 	12,451	 	 	 	1,057	 	 	 	145	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	26,230	 	
Compensation related to business combinations (3)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,999	 	 	 	2,999	 	
Variable-rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives (4)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(32,360	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(32,360	)  	
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax (5)	 	 	(1,818	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(1,818	)  	
Net tax effect (6)	 	 	(1,590	)  	 	 	(2,615	)  	 	 	(4,185	)  	 	 	(354	)  	 	 	16,770	 	 	 	(2,234	)  	 	 	5,792	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total adjustments to GAAP	 	$	1,343	 	 	 	5,211	 	 	 	8,266	 	 	 	703	 	 	 	(29,289	)  	 	 	4,248	 	 	 	(9,518	)  	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2007	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency, and	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
put option adjustments (1)	 	$	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(24,224	)  	 	 	(2,582	)  	 	 	(26,806	)  	
Amortization of intangible assets (2)	 	 	5,094	 	 	 	5,815	 	 	 	12,692	 	 	 	1,191	 	 	 	5,634	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	30,426	 	
Compensation related to business combinations (3)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,111	 	 	 	2,111	 	
Variable-rate floor income, net of settlements on derivatives (4)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,013	)  	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,013	)  	
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax (5)	 	 	2,575	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,575	 	
Net tax effect (6)	 	 	(1,936	)  	 	 	(2,209	)  	 	 	(4,823	)  	 	 	(452	)  	 	 	8,209	 	 	 	1,556	 	 	 	345	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total adjustments to GAAP	 	$	5,733	 	 	 	3,606	 	 	 	7,869	 	 	 	739	 	 	 	(13,394	)  	 	 	1,085	 	 	 	5,638	 	

 	 (1)	Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments:  “Base net income” excludes the periodic unrealized gains and losses that are caused by the change in fair value on derivatives used in the Company’s risk management strategy in which the Company does not qualify for “hedge treatment” under GAAP.  Included in “base net income” are the economic effects of the Company’s derivative instruments, which includes any cash paid or received being recognized as an expense or revenue upon actual derivative settlements.  “Base net income” also excludes the foreign currency transaction gains or losses caused by the re-measurement of the Company’s Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars and the change in fair value of put options issued by the Company for certain business acquisitions.	

 	(2)	Amortization of intangible assets:  “Base net income” excludes the amortization of acquired intangibles.	

 	(3)	Compensation related to business combinations:  The Company has structured certain business combinations in which the consideration paid has been dependent on the sellers’ continued employment with the Company.  As such, the value of the consideration paid is recognized as compensation expense by the Company over the term of the applicable employment agreement.  “Base net income” excludes this expense.	

 	(4)	Variable-rate floor income:  Loans that reset annually on July 1 can generate excess spread income compared with the rate based on the special allowance payment formula in declining interest rate environments.  The Company refers to this additional income as variable-rate floor income.  The Company excludes variable-rate floor income, net of settlements paid on derivatives used to hedge student loan assets earning variable-rate floor income, from its “base net income” since the timing and amount of variable-rate floor income (if any) is uncertain, it has been eliminated by legislation for all loans originated on and after April 1, 2006, and it is in excess of expected spreads.  In addition, because variable-rate floor income is subject to the underlying rate for the subject loans being reset annually on July 1, it is a factor beyond the Company’s control which can affect the period-to-period comparability of results of operations.	

F-56

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
The Company has used derivative instruments to hedge variable rate floor income during certain periods. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company made payments (settlements) of $10.0 million on such derivatives.  These settlements are netted with variable-rate floor income and are excluded from “base net income.”

 	(5)	Discontinued operations:  In May 2007, the Company sold EDULINX.  As a result of this transaction, the results of operations for EDULINX are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.  The Company presents “base net income” excluding discontinued operations since the operations and cash flows of EDULINX have been eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company.	

 	(6)	For 2009 and 2007, income taxes are applied based on 38% of income (loss) before income taxes for the individual operating segments.  For 2008, income taxes for each individual operating segment are applied based on the consolidated effective tax rate.	

23. 	Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	
 
 	 	2009	 	
 	 	First	 	 	Second	 	 	Third	 	 	Fourth	 	
 	 	quarter	 	 	quarter	 	 	quarter	 	 	quarter	 	
Net interest income	 	$	28,508	 	 	 	57,107	 	 	 	69,182	 	 	 	80,548	 	
Less provision for loan losses	 	 	7,500	 	 	 	8,000	 	 	 	7,500	 	 	 	6,000	 	
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	 	 	21,008	 	 	 	49,107	 	 	 	61,682	 	 	 	74,548	 	
Other income	 	 	93,347	 	 	 	87,044	 	 	 	85,357	 	 	 	105,606	 	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans	 	 	(206	)	 	 	(196	)	 	 	8,788	 	 	 	26,762	 	
Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and derivative settlements, net	 	 	19,478	 	 	 	(24,478	)	 	 	7,740	 	 	 	5,744	 	
Operating expenses	 	 	(92,571	)	 	 	(97,356	)	 	 	(92,662	)	 	 	(90,316	)	
Impairment expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(32,728	)	
Income tax (expense) benefit	 	 	(15,601	)	 	 	(5,918	)	 	 	(24,501	)	 	 	(30,553	)	
Income (loss) from continuing operations	 	 	25,455	 	 	 	8,203	 	 	 	46,404	 	 	 	59,063	 	
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Net income (loss)	 	$	25,455	 	 	 	8,203	 	 	 	46,404	 	 	 	59,063	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Earnings per common share:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Continuing operations	 	$	0.52	 	 	 	0.16 	 	 	 	0.93 	 	 	 	1.18 	 	
Discontinued operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Net earnings	 	$	0.52	 	 	 	0.16 	 	 	 	0.93 	 	 	 	1.18 	 	
Diluted:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Continuing operations	 	$	0.52	 	 	 	0.16 	 	 	 	0.93 	 	 	 	1.18 	 	
Discontinued operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Net earnings	 	$	0.52	 	 	 	0.16 	 	 	 	0.93 	 	 	 	1.18 	 	

F-57

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
 
 	 	2008	 	
 	 	First	 	 	Second	 	 	Third	 	 	Fourth	 	
 	 	quarter	 	 	quarter	 	 	quarter	 	 	quarter	 	
Net interest income	 	$	16,525	 	 	 	73,338	 	 	 	59,570	 	 	 	38,459	 	
Less provision for loan losses	 	 	5,000	 	 	 	6,000	 	 	 	7,000	 	 	 	7,000	 	
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	 	 	11,525	 	 	 	67,338	 	 	 	52,570	 	 	 	31,459	 	
Other income	 	 	80,188	 	 	 	72,263	 	 	 	81,979	 	 	 	72,962	 	
Gain (loss) on sale of loans	 	 	(47,474	)	 	 	48	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,988	)	
Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and derivative settlements, net	 	 	(16,598	)	 	 	20,192	 	 	 	6,874	 	 	 	56,016	 	
Operating expenses	 	 	(110,003	)	 	 	(97,922	)	 	 	(103,669	)	 	 	(110,186	)	
Impairment expense	 	 	(18,834	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Income tax (expense) benefit	 	 	31,371	 	 	 	(19,195	)	 	 	(13,969	)	 	 	(16,103	)	
Income (loss) from continuing operations	 	 	(69,825	)	 	 	42,724	 	 	 	23,785	 	 	 	30,160	 	
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	 	 	—	 	 	 	981	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	837	 	
Net income (loss)	 	$	(69,825	)	 	 	43,705	 	 	 	23,785	 	 	 	30,997	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Earnings per common share:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Continuing operations	 	$	(1.41	)	 	 	0.86	 	 	 	0.48	 	 	 	0.61	 	
Discontinued operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	0.02	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	0.02	 	
Net earnings	 	$	(1.41	)	 	 	0.88	 	 	 	0.48	 	 	 	0.63	 	
Diluted:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Continuing operations	 	$	(1.41	)	 	 	0.86	 	 	 	0.48	 	 	 	0.61	 	
Discontinued operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	0.02	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	0.02	 	
Net earnings	 	$	(1.41	)	 	 	0.88	 	 	 	0.48	 	 	 	0.63	 	
 
24.	Condensed Parent Company Financial Statements	

The following represents the condensed balance sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and condensed statements of income and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 for Nelnet, Inc.

The Company is limited in the amount of funds that can be transferred to it by its subsidiaries through intercompany loans, advances, or cash dividends. These limitations relate to the restrictions by trust indentures under the education lending subsidiaries debt financing arrangements. The amounts of cash and investments restricted in the respective reserve accounts of the education lending subsidiaries are shown on the consolidated balance sheets as restricted cash and investments.

F-58

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

Balance Sheets	
(Parent Company Only)	
December 31, 2009 and 2008	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	
Assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	 	$	120,332	 	 	 	130,394 	 	
Restricted cash	 	 	—	 	 	 	17,607 	 	
Restricted cash - due to customers	 	 	64,952 	 	 	 	132,336 	 	
Investment in subsidiaries	 	 	1,254,758 	 	 	 	657,020 	 	
Intangible assets, net	 	 	—	 	 	 	28,168 	 	
Accounts receivable	 	 	34 	 	 	 	13,447 	 	
Other assets	 	 	381,975 	 	 	 	980,070 	 	
Total assets	 	$	1,822,051	 	 	 	1,959,042 	 	
Liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Notes payable	 	$	937,586	 	 	 	1,166,500 	 	
Accrued interest payable	 	 	4,329 	 	 	 	5,232 	 	
Other liabilities	 	 	30,621 	 	 	 	11,748 	 	
Due to customers	 	 	64,952 	 	 	 	132,336 	 	
Total liabilities	 	 	1,037,488 	 	 	 	1,315,816 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Shareholders' equity:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Common stock	 	 	499 	 	 	 	493 	 	
Additional paid-in capital	 	 	109,359 	 	 	 	103,762 	 	
Retained earnings	 	 	676,154 	 	 	 	540,521 	 	
Employee notes receivable	 	 	(1,449	)  	 	 	(1,550	)  	
Total shareholders' equity	 	 	784,563 	 	 	 	643,226 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	 	$	1,822,051	 	 	 	1,959,042 	 	

Statements of Income	 	
(Parent Company Only)	 	
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007	 	
 	 	 	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
Operating revenues	 	$	57,029	 	 	 	133,942	 	 	 	220,985	 	
Operating expenses	 	 	4,428	 	 	 	104,803	 	 	 	143,329	 	
Net operating income	 	 	52,601	 	 	 	29,139	 	 	 	77,656	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net interest income (expense)	 	 	4,680	 	 	 	(8,030	)  	 	 	(31,429	)  	
Derivative market value, foreign currency, and put option adjustments	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
and derivative settlements, net	 	 	34,901	 	 	 	14,406	 	 	 	35,581	 	
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	 	 	101,373	 	 	 	5,445	 	 	 	(14,243	)  	
Income tax expense	 	 	54,430	 	 	 	14,116	 	 	 	32,136	 	
Net income from continuing operations	 	 	139,125	 	 	 	26,844	 	 	 	35,429	 	
Income (loss) on discontinued operations, net of tax	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,818	 	 	 	(2,575	)  	
Net income	 	$	139,125	 	 	 	28,662	 	 	 	32,854	 	

F-59

NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

Statements of Cash Flows	 	
(Parent Company Only)	 	
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007	 	
 	 	 	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	 	$	139,125	 	 	 	28,662	 	 	 	32,854	 	
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,818	 	 	 	(2,575	)	
Income from continuing operations	 	 	139,125	 	 	 	26,844	 	 	 	35,429	 	
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
by (used in) operating activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Depreciation and amortization	 	 	1,264	 	 	 	5,477	 	 	 	7,606	 	
Derivative market value adjustment	 	 	(4,207	)	 	 	13,868	 	 	 	(13,818	)	
Proceeds from termination of derivative instruments	 	 	3,870	 	 	 	20,368	 	 	 	50,843	 	
Payments to terminate derivative instruments	 	 	(15,069	)	 	 	(16,367	)	 	 	(8,100	)	
Impairment expense	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,448	 	 	 	8,643	 	
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries	 	 	(101,373	)	 	 	(5,445	)	 	 	14,243	 	
Gain on sale of equity method investment	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(3,942	)	
Gain on purchase of debt	 	 	(26,137	)	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	
Non-cash compensation expense	 	 	2,644	 	 	 	7,320	 	 	 	6,686	 	
Other non-cash items	 	 	—	 	 	 	4,133	 	 	 	(320	)	
Decrease in accounts receivable	 	 	13,413	 	 	 	9,006	 	 	 	3,613	 	
Decrease (increase) in other assets	 	 	116,886	 	 	 	(542,104	)	 	 	69,271	 	
(Decrease) increase in accrued interest payable	 	 	(903	)	 	 	79	 	 	 	(1,893	)	
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities	 	 	20,645	 	 	 	(8,992	)	 	 	(5,099	)	
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	 	 	150,158	 	 	 	(483,365	)	 	 	163,162	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash flows from investing activities, net of business acquisitions:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	 	 	17,607	 	 	 	(17,607	)	 	 	—	 	
Purchases of property and equipment, net	 	 	—	 	 	 	2,510	 	 	 	(9	)	
Distribution from equity method investment	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	747	 	
Capital contributions to/from subsidiary, net	 	 	28,168	 	 	 	12,515	 	 	 	309,413	 	
Business acquisitions - contingent consideration and purchase price adjustments, net	 	 	—	 	 	 	(18,000	)	 	 	(4,950	)	
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	10,000	 	
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	 	 	45,775	 	 	 	(20,582	)	 	 	315,201	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash flows from financing activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Payments on notes payable	 	 	(204,532	)	 	 	(14,550	)	 	 	(597,297	)	
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	 	 	1,909	 	 	 	611,500	 	 	 	230,383	 	
Payments of debt issuance costs	 	 	—	 	 	 	23	 	 	 	(114	)	
Dividends paid	 	 	(3,492	)	 	 	(3,458	)	 	 	(13,817	)	
Payment on settlement of put option	 	 	—	 	 	 	(9,600	)	 	 	(15,875	)	
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	 	 	449	 	 	 	710	 	 	 	1,467	 	
Repurchases of common stock	 	 	(430	)	 	 	(1,536	)	 	 	(76,648	)	
Payments received on employee stock notes receivable	 	 	101	 	 	 	575	 	 	 	432	 	
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	 	 	(205,995	)	 	 	583,664	 	 	 	(471,469	)	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	 	 	(10,062	)	 	 	79,717	 	 	 	6,894	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	 	 	130,394	 	 	 	50,677	 	 	 	43,783	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	 	$	120,332	 	 	 	130,394	 	 	 	50,677	 	

F-60

 
APPENDIX A

Description of
The Federal Family Education Loan Program

The Federal Family Education Loan Program
 
The Higher Education Act provides for a program of federal insurance for student loans as well as reinsurance of student loans guaranteed or insured by state agencies or private non-profit corporations.
 
The Higher Education Act currently authorizes certain student loans to be covered under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP”).  The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 extended the authorization for the Federal Family Education Loan Program through September 30, 2014.  Congress has extended similar authorization dates in prior versions of the Higher Education Act.  However, the current authorization dates may not again be extended and the other provisions of the Higher Education Act may not be continued in their present form.
 
Generally, a student is eligible for loans made under the Federal Family Education Loan Program only if he or she:
 
 	·	has been accepted for enrollment or is enrolled in good standing at an eligible institution of higher education;	
 
 	·	is carrying or planning to carry at least one-half the normal full-time workload, as determined by the institution, for the course of study the student is pursuing;	
 
 	·	is not in default on any federal education loans;	
 
 	·	has not committed a crime involving fraud in obtaining funds under the Higher Education Act which funds have not been fully repaid; and	
 
 	·	meets other applicable eligibility requirements.	
 
Eligible institutions include higher educational institutions and vocational schools that comply with specific federal regulations.  Each loan is to be evidenced by an unsecured note.
 
The Higher Education Act also establishes maximum interest rates for each of the various types of loans.  These rates vary not only among loan types, but also within loan types depending upon when the loan was made or when the borrower first obtained a loan under the Federal Family Education Loan Program.  The Higher Education Act allows lesser rates of interest to be charged.
 
Types of loans
 
Four types of loans are currently available under the Federal Family Education Loan Program:
 
 	·	Subsidized Stafford Loans	
 
 	·	Unsubsidized Stafford Loans	
 
 	·	PLUS Loans	
 
 	·	Consolidation Loans	
 
These loan types vary as to eligibility requirements, interest rates, repayment periods, loan limits, and eligibility for interest subsidies and special allowance payments.  Some of these loan types have had other names in the past.  References to these various loan types include, where appropriate, their predecessors.
 
The primary loan under the Federal Family Education Loan Program is the Subsidized Stafford Loan.  Students who are not eligible for Subsidized Stafford Loans based on their economic circumstances may be able to obtain Unsubsidized Stafford Loans.  Graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students may be able to obtain PLUS Loans.  Consolidation Loans are available to borrowers with existing loans made under the Federal Family Education Loan Program and other federal programs to consolidate repayment of the borrower’s existing loans.  Prior to July 1, 1994, the Federal Family Education Loan Program also offered Supplemental Loans for Students (“SLS Loans”) to graduate and professional students and independent undergraduate students and, under certain circumstances, dependent undergraduate students, to supplement their Stafford Loans.

A-1

Subsidized Stafford Loans
 
General.   Subsidized Stafford Loans are eligible for insurance and reinsurance under the Higher Education Act if the eligible student to whom the loan is made has been accepted or is enrolled in good standing at an eligible institution of higher education or vocational school and is carrying at least one-half the normal full-time workload at that institution.  Subsidized Stafford Loans have limits as to the maximum amount which may be borrowed for an academic year and in the aggregate for both undergraduate and graduate or professional study.  Both annual and aggregate limitations exclude loans made under the PLUS Loan Program.  The Secretary of Education has discretion to raise these limits to accommodate students undertaking specialized training requiring exceptionally high costs of education.
 
Subsidized Stafford Loans are made only to student borrowers who meet the needs tests provided in the Higher Education Act.  Provisions addressing the implementation of needs analysis and the relationship between unmet need for financing and the availability of Subsidized Stafford Loan Program funding have been the subject of frequent and extensive amendment in recent years.  Further amendment to such provisions may materially affect the availability of Subsidized Stafford Loan funding to borrowers or the availability of Subsidized Stafford Loans for secondary market acquisition.
 
Interest rates for Subsidized Stafford Loans.   For Stafford Loans first disbursed to a “new” borrower (a “new” borrower is defined for purposes of this section as one who has no outstanding balance on a Federal Family Education Loan Program loan on the date the new promissory note is signed) for a period of enrollment beginning before January 1, 1981, the applicable interest rate is fixed at 7%.
 
For Stafford Loans first disbursed to a “new” borrower, for a period of enrollment beginning on or after January 1, 1981, but before September 13, 1983, the applicable interest rate is fixed at 9%.
 
For Stafford Loans first disbursed to a “new” borrower, for a period of enrollment beginning on or after September 13, 1983, but before July 1, 1988, the applicable interest rate is fixed at 8%.
 
For Stafford Loans first disbursed to a borrower with an outstanding balance on a PLUS, SLS, or Consolidation Loan, but not on a Stafford Loan, where the new loan is intended for a period of enrollment beginning before July 1, 1988, the applicable interest rate is fixed at 8%.
 
For Stafford Loans first disbursed before October 1, 1992, to a “new” borrower or to a borrower with an outstanding balance on a PLUS, SLS, or Consolidation Loan, but not a Stafford Loan, where the new loan is intended for a period of enrollment beginning on or after July 1, 1988, the applicable interest rate is as follows:
 
 	·	Original fixed interest rate of 8% for the first 48 months of repayment.  Beginning on the first day of the 49 th month of repayment, the interest rate increased to a fixed rate of 10% thereafter.  Loans in this category were subject to excess interest rebates and have been converted to a variable interest rate based on the bond equivalent rate of the 91-day Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction before the preceding June 1, plus 3.25%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate for loans in this category is 10%.	
 
For Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after July 23, 1992, but before July 1, 1994, to a borrower with an outstanding Stafford Loan made with a 7%, 8%, 9%, or 8%/10% fixed interest rate, the original, applicable interest rate is the same as the rate provided on the borrower’s previous Stafford Loan (i.e., a fixed rate of 7%, 8%, 9%, or 8%/10%).  Loans in this category were subject to excess interest rebates and have been converted to a variable interest rate based on the bond equivalent rate of the 91-day Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction before the preceding June 1, plus 3.1%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate for a loan in this category is equal to the loan’s previous fixed rate (i.e., 7%, 8%, 9%, or 10%).
 
For Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 1992, but before December 20, 1993, to a borrower with an outstanding balance on a PLUS, SLS, or Consolidation Loan, but not on a Stafford Loan, the original, applicable interest rate is fixed at 8%.  Loans in this category were subject to excess interest rebates and have been converted to a variable interest rate based on the bond equivalent rate of the 91-day Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction before the preceding June 1, plus 3.1%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate for a loan in this category is 8%.
 
For Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 1992, but before July 1, 1994, to a “new” borrower, the applicable interest rate is variable and is based on the bond equivalent rate of the 91-day Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction before the preceding June 1, plus 3.1%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate for a loan in this category is 9%.

A-2

For Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after December 20, 1993, but before July 1, 1994, to a borrower with an outstanding balance on a PLUS, SLS, or Consolidation Loan, but not on a Stafford Loan, the applicable interest rate is variable and is based on the bond equivalent rate of the 91-day Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction before the preceding June 1, plus 3.1%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate for a loan in this category is 9%.
 
For Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 1994, but before July 1, 1995, where the loan is intended for a period of enrollment that includes or begins on or after July 1, 1994, the applicable interest rate is variable and is based on the bond equivalent rate of the 91-day Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction before the preceding June 1, plus 3.1%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate for a loan in this category is 8.25%.
 
For Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 1995, but before July 1, 1998, the applicable interest rate is as follows:
 
 	·	When the borrower is in school, in grace, or in an authorized period of deferment, the applicable interest rate is variable and is based on the bond equivalent rate of the 91-day Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction before the preceding June 1, plus 2.5%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate is 8.25%.	
 
 	·	When the borrower is in repayment or in a period of forbearance, the applicable interest rate is variable and is based on the bond equivalent rate of the 91-day Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction before the preceding June 1, plus 3.1%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate is 8.25%.	
 
For Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 1998, but before July 1, 2006, the applicable interest rate is as follows:
 
 	·	When the borrower is in school, in grace, or in an authorized period of deferment, the applicable interest rate is variable and is based on the bond equivalent rate of the 91-day Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction before the preceding June 1, plus 1.7%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate is 8.25%.	
 
 	·	When the borrower is in repayment or in a period of forbearance, the applicable interest rate is variable and is based on the bond equivalent rate of the 91-day Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction before the preceding June 1, plus 2.3%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate is 8.25%.	
 
For Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2006, the applicable interest rate is fixed at 6.80%.  However, for Stafford Loans for undergraduates, the applicable interest rate is reduced in phases for which the first disbursement is made on or after:
 
 	·	July 1, 2008 and before July 1, 2009, the applicable interest rate is fixed at 6.00%,	
 
 	·	July 1, 2009 and before July 1, 2010, the applicable interest rate will be fixed at 5.60%,	
 
 	·	July 1, 2010 and before July 1, 2011, the applicable interest rate will be fixed at 4.50%,	
 
 	·	July 1, 2011 and before July 1, 2012, the applicable interest rate will be fixed at 3.40%.	
 
Interest rates for Stafford Loans made to undergraduate borrowers first disbursed on or after July 1, 2012, will revert to 6.80%.
 
Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
 
General.   The Unsubsidized Stafford Loan program was created by Congress in 1992 for students who do not qualify for Subsidized Stafford Loans due to parental and/or student income and assets in excess of permitted amounts.  These students are entitled to borrow the difference between the Stafford Loan maximum for their status (dependent or independent) and their Subsidized Stafford Loan eligibility through the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program.  The general requirements for Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, including special allowance payments, are essentially the same as those for Subsidized Stafford Loans.  However, the terms of the Unsubsidized Stafford Loans differ materially from Subsidized Stafford Loans in that the federal government will not make interest subsidy payments and the loan limitations are determined without respect to the expected family contribution.  The borrower will be required to either pay interest from the time the loan is disbursed or the accruing interest will be capitalized when repayment begins and during periods of deferment and forbearance.  Unsubsidized Stafford Loans were not available before October 1, 1992.  A student meeting the general eligibility requirements for a loan under the Federal Family Education Loan Program is eligible for an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan without regard to need.
 
Interest rates for Unsubsidized Stafford Loans.   Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are subject to the same interest rate provisions as Subsidized Stafford Loans, with the exception of Unsubsidized Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, which retain a fixed interest rate of 6.80%.

A-3

PLUS Loans
 
General.   PLUS Loans are made to parents, and under certain circumstances spouses of remarried parents, of dependent undergraduate students.  Effective July 1, 2006, graduate and professional students are eligible borrowers under the PLUS Loan program.  For PLUS Loans made on or after July 1, 1993, the borrower must not have an adverse credit history as determined by criteria established by the Secretary of Education.  The basic provisions applicable to PLUS Loans are similar to those of Stafford Loans with respect to the involvement of guarantee agencies and the Secretary of Education in providing federal insurance and reinsurance on the loans.  However, PLUS Loans differ significantly, particularly from the Subsidized Stafford Loans, in that federal interest subsidy payments are not available under the PLUS Loan Program and special allowance payments are more restricted.
 
Interest rates for PLUS Loans.   For PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after January 1, 1981, but before October 1, 1981, the applicable interest rate is fixed at 9%.
 
For PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 1981, but before November 1, 1982, the applicable interest rate is fixed at 14%.
 
For PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after November 1, 1982, but before July 1, 1987, the applicable interest rate is fixed at 12%.
 
Beginning July 1, 2001, for PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 1987, but before October 1, 1992, the applicable interest rate is variable and is based on the weekly average one-year constant maturity Treasury bill yield for the last calendar week ending on or before June 26 preceding July 1 of each year, plus 3.25%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate is 12%.  Prior to July 1, 2001, PLUS Loans in this category had interest rates which were based on the 52-week Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction held prior to the preceding June 1, plus 3.25%.  The annual (July 1) variable interest rate adjustment was applicable prior to July 1, 2001, as was the maximum interest rate of 12%.  PLUS Loans originally made at a fixed interest rate, which have been refinanced for purposes of securing a variable interest rate, are subject to the variable interest rate calculation described in this paragraph.
 
Beginning July 1, 2001, for PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 1992, but before July 1, 1994, the applicable interest rate is variable and is based on the weekly average one-year constant maturity Treasury yield for the last calendar week ending on or before June 26 preceding July 1 of each year, plus 3.1%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate is 10%.  Prior to July 1, 2001, PLUS Loans in this category had interest rates which were based on the 52-week Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction held prior to the preceding June 1, plus 3.1%.  The annual (July 1) variable interest rate adjustment was applicable prior to July 1, 2001, as was the maximum interest rate of 10%.
 
Beginning July 1, 2001, for PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 1994, but before July 1, 1998, the applicable interest rate is variable and is based on the weekly average one-year constant maturity Treasury yield for the last calendar week ending on or before June 26 preceding July 1 of each year, plus 3.1%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate is 9%.  Prior to July 1, 2001, PLUS Loans in this category had interest rates which were based on the 52-week Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction held prior to the preceding June 1, plus 3.1%.  The annual (July 1) variable interest rate adjustment was applicable prior to July 1, 2001, as was the maximum interest rate of 9%.
 
For PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 1998, but before July 1, 2006, the applicable interest rate is variable and is based on the bond equivalent rate of the 91-day Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction before the preceding June 1 of each year, plus 3.1%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate is 9%.
 
For PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2006, the applicable interest rate is fixed at 8.5%.
 
SLS Loans
 
General.   SLS Loans were limited to graduate or professional students, independent undergraduate students, and dependent undergraduate students, if the students’ parents were unable to obtain a PLUS Loan.  Except for dependent undergraduate students, eligibility for SLS Loans was determined without regard to need.  SLS Loans were similar to Stafford Loans with respect to the involvement of guarantee agencies and the Secretary of Education in providing federal insurance and reinsurance on the loans.  However, SLS Loans differed significantly, particularly from Subsidized Stafford Loans, because federal interest subsidy payments were not available under the SLS Loan Program and special allowance payments were more restricted.  The SLS Loan Program was discontinued on July 1, 1994.
 
Interest rates for SLS Loans.   The applicable interest rates on SLS Loans made before October 1, 1992, and on SLS Loans originally made at a fixed interest rate, which have been refinanced for purposes of securing a variable interest rate, are identical to the applicable interest rates described for PLUS Loans made before October 1, 1992.
 
For SLS Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 1992, but before July 1, 1994, the applicable interest rate is as follows:

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 	·	Beginning July 1, 2001, the applicable interest rate is variable and is based on the weekly average one-year constant maturity Treasury yield for the last calendar week ending on or before June 26 preceding July 1 of each year, plus 3.1%.  The variable interest rate is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate is 11%.  Prior to July 1, 2001, SLS Loans in this category had interest rates which were based on the 52-week Treasury bill auctioned at the final auction held prior to the preceding June 1, plus 3.1%.  The annual (July 1) variable interest rate adjustment was applicable prior to July 1, 2001, as was the maximum interest rate of 11%.	
 
Consolidation Loans
 
General.   The Higher Education Act authorizes a program under which certain borrowers may consolidate their various federally insured education loans into a single loan insured and reinsured on a basis similar to Stafford Loans.  Consolidation Loans may be obtained in an amount sufficient to pay outstanding principal, unpaid interest, late charges, and collection costs on federally insured or reinsured student loans incurred under the Federal Family Education Loan and Direct Loan Programs, including PLUS Loans made to the consolidating borrower, as well as loans made under the Perkins Loan (formally National Direct Student Loan Program)­, FISL, Nursing Student Loan (NSL), Health Education Assistance Loan (HEAL), and Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL) Programs.  To be eligible for a FFELP Consolidation Loan, a borrower must:
 
 	·	have outstanding indebtedness on student loans made under the Federal Family Education Loan Program and/or certain other federal student loan programs; and	
 
 	·	be in repayment status or in a grace period on loans that are to be consolidated.	
 
Borrowers who are in default on loans that are to be consolidated must first make satisfactory arrangements to repay the loans to the respective holder(s) or must agree to repay the consolidating lender under an income-sensitive repayment arrangement in order to include the defaulted loans in the Consolidation Loan.  For applications received on or after January 1, 1993, borrowers may add additional loans to a Consolidation Loan during the 180-day period following the origination of the Consolidation Loan.
 
A married couple who agreed to be jointly liable on a Consolidation Loan for which the application was received on or after January 1, 1993, but before July 1, 2006, is treated as an individual for purposes of obtaining a Consolidation Loan.
 
Interest rates for Consolidation Loans.   For Consolidation Loans disbursed before July 1, 1994, the applicable interest rate is fixed at the greater of:
 
 	·	9%, or	
 
 	·	The weighted average of the interest rates on the loans being consolidated, rounded to the nearest whole percent.	
 
For Consolidation Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 1994, based on applications received by the lender before November 13, 1997, the applicable interest rate is fixed and is based on the weighted average of the interest rates on the loans being consolidated, rounded up to the nearest whole percent.
 
For Consolidation Loans on which the application is received by the lender between November 13, 1997, and September 30, 1998, inclusive, the applicable interest rate is variable according to the following:
 
 	·	For the portion of the Consolidation Loan which is comprised of FFELP, Direct, FISL, Perkins, HPSL, or NSL loans, the variable interest rate is based on the bond equivalent rate of the 91-day Treasury bills auctioned at the final auction before the preceding June 1, plus 3.1%.  The variable interest rate for this portion of the Consolidation Loan is adjusted annually on July 1.  The maximum interest rate for this portion of the Consolidation Loan is 8.25%.	

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 	·	For the portion of the Consolidation Loan which is attributable to HEAL Loans (if applicable), the variable interest rate is based on the average of the bond equivalent rates of the 91-day Treasury bills auctioned for the quarter ending June 30, plus 3.0%.  The variable interest rate for this portion of the Consolidation Loan is adjusted annually on July 1.  There is no maximum interest rate for the portion of a Consolidation Loan that is represented by HEAL Loans.	
 
For Consolidation Loans on which the application is received by the lender on or after October 1, 1998, the applicable interest rate is determined according to the following:
 
 	·	For the portion of the Consolidation Loan which is comprised of FFELP, Direct, FISL, Perkins, HPSL, or NSL loans, the applicable interest rate is fixed and is based on the weighted average of the interest rates on the non-HEAL loans being consolidated, rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent.  The maximum interest rate for this portion of the Consolidation Loan is 8.25%.	
 
 	·	For the portion of the Consolidation Loan which is attributable to HEAL Loans (if applicable), the applicable interest rate is variable and is based on the average of the bond equivalent rates of the 91-day Treasury bills auctioned for the quarter ending June 30, plus 3.0%.  The variable interest rate for this portion of the Consolidation Loan is adjusted annually on July 1.  There is no maximum interest rate for the portion of the Consolidation Loan that is represented by HEAL Loans.	
 
For a discussion of required payments that reduce the return on Consolidation Loans, see “Fees – Rebate fee on Consolidation Loans” in this Appendix.
 
Interest rate during active duty
 
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 revised the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to include FFEL Program loans.  Interest charges on FFEL Program loans are capped at 6% during a period of time on or after August 14, 2008, in which a borrower has served or is serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Public Health Services, or National Guard.  The interest charge cap includes the interest rate in addition to any fees, service charges, and other charges related to the loan.  The cap is applicable to loans made prior to the date the borrower was called to active duty.
 
Maximum loan amounts
 
Each type of loan is subject to certain limits on the maximum principal amount, with respect to a given academic year and in the aggregate.  Consolidation Loans are currently limited only by the amount of eligible loans to be consolidated.  PLUS Loans are limited to the difference between the cost of attendance and the other aid available to the student.  Stafford Loans, subsidized and unsubsidized, are subject to both annual and aggregate limits according to the provisions of the Higher Education Act.
 
Loan limits for Subsidized Stafford and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans.   Dependent and independent undergraduate students are subject to the same annual loan limits on Subsidized Stafford Loans; independent students are allowed greater annual loan limits on Unsubsidized Stafford Loans.  A student who has not successfully completed the first year of a program of undergraduate education may borrow up to $3,500 in Subsidized Stafford Loans in an academic year.  A student who has successfully completed the first year, but who has not successfully completed the second year, may borrow up to $4,500 in Subsidized Stafford Loans per academic year.  An undergraduate student who has successfully completed the first and second years, but who has not successfully completed the remainder of a program of undergraduate education, may borrow up to $5,500 in Subsidized Stafford Loans per academic year.
 
Dependent students may borrow an additional $2,000 in Unsubsidized Stafford Loans for each year of undergraduate study.  Independent students may borrow an additional $6,000 of Unsubsidized Stafford Loans for each of the first two years and an additional $7,000 for the third, fourth, and fifth year of undergraduate study.  For students enrolled in programs of less than an academic year in length, the limits are generally reduced in proportion to the amount by which the programs are less than one year in length.  A graduate or professional student may borrow up to $20,500 in an academic year where no more than $8,500 is representative of Subsidized Stafford Loan amounts.
 
The maximum aggregate amount of Subsidized Stafford and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, including that portion of a Consolidation Loan used to repay such loans, which a dependent undergraduate student may have outstanding is $31,000 (of which only $23,000 may be Subsidized Stafford Loans).  An independent undergraduate student may have an aggregate maximum of $57,500 (of which only $23,000 may be Subsidized Stafford Loans).  The maximum aggregate amount of Subsidized Stafford and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, including the portion of a Consolidation Loan used to repay such loans, for a graduate or professional student, including loans for undergraduate education, is $138,000, of which only $65,000 may be Subsidized Stafford Loans.  In some instances, schools may certify loan amounts in excess of the limits, such as for certain health profession students.
 
Loan limits for PLUS Loans.   For PLUS Loans made on or after July 1, 1993, the annual amounts of PLUS Loans are limited only by the student’s unmet need.  There is no aggregate limit for PLUS Loans.
 
Disbursement requirements
 
The Higher Education Act requires that Stafford Loans and PLUS Loans be disbursed by eligible lenders in at least two separate installments.  The proceeds of a loan made to any first-year undergraduate student borrowing for the first time under the program must be delivered to the student no earlier than 30 days after the enrollment period begins, with a few exceptions.
 
Effective February 8, 2006, the date of enactment of the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005, schools with a cohort default rate of less than 10% for the three most recent fiscal years for which data is available (with the exception of foreign schools, beginning July 1, 2006) are permitted to request disbursement in single installments and are excused from the 30-day delayed delivery requirement applicable to first-time, first-year borrowers.  As a result of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, these same privileges will be available effective October 1, 2011, for schools with a cohort default rate of less than 15% for the three most recent fiscal years for which data is available.

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Repayment
 
Repayment periods.   Loans made under the Federal Family Education Loan Program, other than Consolidation Loans and loans being repaid under an income-based or extended repayment schedule, must provide for repayment of principal in periodic installments over a period of not less than five nor more than ten years.  A borrower may request, with concurrence of the lender, to repay the loan in less than five years with the right to subsequently extend the minimum repayment period to five years.  Since the 1998 Amendments, lenders have been required to offer extended repayment schedules to new borrowers who accumulate outstanding Federal Family Education Loan Program Loans of more than $30,000, in which case the repayment period may extend up to 25 years, subject to certain minimum repayment amounts.  Consolidation Loans must be repaid within maximum repayment periods which vary depending upon the principal amount of the borrower’s outstanding student loans, but may not exceed 30 years.  For Consolidation Loans for which the application was received prior to January 1, 1993, the repayment period cannot exceed 25 years.  Periods of authorized deferment and forbearance are excluded from the maximum repayment period.  In addition, if the repayment schedule on a loan with a variable interest rate does not provide for adjustments to the amount of the monthly installment payment, the maximum repayment period may be extended for up to three years.
 
Repayment of principal on a Stafford Loan does not begin until a student drops below at least a half-time course of study.  For Stafford Loans for which the applicable rate of interest is fixed at 7%, the repayment period begins between nine and twelve months after the borrower ceases to pursue at least a half-time course of study, as indicated in the promissory note.  For other Stafford Loans, the repayment period begins six months after the borrower ceases to pursue at least a half-time course of study.  These periods during which payments of principal are not due are the “grace periods.”
 
In the case of SLS, PLUS, and Consolidation Loans, the repayment period begins on the date of final disbursement of the loan, except that the borrower of a SLS Loan who also has a Stafford Loan may postpone repayment of the SLS Loan to coincide with the commencement of repayment of the Stafford Loan.
 
During periods in which repayment of principal is required, unless the borrower is repaying under an income-based repayment schedule, payments of principal and interest must in general be made at a rate of at least $600 per year, except that a borrower and lender may agree to a lesser rate at any time before or during the repayment period.  However, at a minimum, the payments must satisfy the interest that accrues during the year.  Borrowers may make accelerated payments at any time without penalty.
 
Income-sensitive repayment schedule.   Since 1993, lenders have been required to offer income-sensitive repayment schedules, in addition to standard and graduated repayment schedules, for Stafford, SLS, and Consolidation Loans.  Beginning in 2000, lenders have been required to offer income-sensitive repayment schedules to PLUS borrowers as well.  Use of income-sensitive repayment schedules may extend the maximum repayment period for up to five years if the payment amount established from the borrower’s income will not repay the loan within the maximum applicable repayment period.
 
Income-based repayment schedule. Effective July 1, 2009,   a borrower in the Federal Family Education Loan Program or Federal Direct Loan Program, other than a PLUS Loan made to a parent borrower or any Consolidation Loan that repaid one or more parent PLUS loans, may qualify for an income-based repayment schedule regardless of the disbursement dates of the loans if he or she has a partial financial hardship.  A borrower has a financial hardship if the annual loan payment amount based on a 10-year repayment schedule exceeds 15% of the borrower’s adjusted gross income, minus 150% of the poverty line for the borrower’s actual family size. Interest will be paid by the Secretary of Education for subsidized loans for the first three years for any borrower whose scheduled monthly payment is not sufficient to cover the accrued interest. Interest will capitalize at the end of the partial financial hardship period, or when the borrower begins making payments under a standard repayment schedule. The Secretary of Education will cancel any outstanding balance after 25 years if a borrower who has made payments under this schedule meets certain criteria.
 
Deferment periods.   No principal payments need be made during certain periods of deferment prescribed by the Higher Education Act.  For a borrower who first obtained a Stafford or SLS loan which was disbursed before July 1, 1993, deferments are available:
 
 	·	during a period not exceeding three years while the borrower is a member of the Armed Forces, an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service or, with respect to a borrower who first obtained a student loan disbursed on or after July 1, 1987, or a student loan for a period of enrollment beginning on or after July 1, 1987, an active duty member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps;	
 
 	·	during a period not exceeding three years while the borrower is a volunteer under the Peace Corps Act;	
 
 	·	during a period not exceeding three years while the borrower is a full-time paid volunteer under the Domestic Volunteer Act of 1973;	

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 	·	during a period not exceeding three years while the borrower is a full-time volunteer in service which the Secretary of Education has determined is comparable to service in the Peace Corp or under the Domestic Volunteer Act of 1970 with an organization which is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;	
 
 	·	during a period not exceeding two years while the borrower is serving an internship necessary to receive professional recognition required to begin professional practice or service, or a qualified internship or residency program;	
 
 	·	during a period not exceeding three years while the borrower is temporarily totally disabled, as established by sworn affidavit of a qualified physician, or while the borrower is unable to secure employment because of caring for a dependent who is so disabled;	
 
 	·	during a period not exceeding two years while the borrower is seeking and unable to find full-time employment;	
 
 	·	during any period that the borrower is pursuing a full-time course of study at an eligible institution (or, with respect to a borrower who first obtained a student loan disbursed on or after July 1, 1987, or a student loan for a period of enrollment beginning on or after July 1, 1987, is pursuing at least a half-time course of study);	
 
 	·	during any period that the borrower is pursuing a course of study in a graduate fellowship program;	
 
 	·	during any period the borrower is receiving rehabilitation training services for qualified individuals, as defined by the Secretary of Education;	
 
 	·	during a period not exceeding six months while the borrower is on parental leave; and	
 
 	·	only with respect to a borrower who first obtained a student loan disbursed on or after July 1, 1987, or a student loan for a period of enrollment beginning on or after July 1, 1987, during a period not exceeding three years while the borrower is a full-time teacher in a public or nonprofit private elementary or secondary school in a “teacher shortage area” (as prescribed by the Secretary of Education), and during a period not exceeding one year for mothers, with preschool age children, who are entering or re-entering the work force and who are paid at a rate of no more than $1 per hour more than the federal minimum wage.	
 
For a borrower who first obtains a loan on or after July 1, 1993, deferments are available:
 
 	·	during any period that the borrower is pursuing at least a half-time course of study at an eligible institution;	
 
 	·	during any period that the borrower is pursuing a course of study in a graduate fellowship program;	
 
 	·	during any period the borrower is receiving rehabilitation training services for qualified individuals, as defined by the Secretary of Education;	
 
 	·	during a period not exceeding three years while the borrower is seeking and unable to find full-time employment; and	
 
 	·	during a period not exceeding three years for any reason which has caused or will cause the borrower economic hardship.  Economic hardship includes working full time and earning an amount that does not exceed the greater of the federal minimum wage or 150% of the poverty line applicable to a borrower’s family size and state of residence.  Additional categories of economic hardship are based on the receipt of payments from a state or federal public assistance program, service in the Peace Corps, or until July 1, 2009, the relationship between a borrower’s educational debt burden and his or her income.	
 
A borrower serving on active duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency, or performing qualifying National Guard duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency may obtain a military deferment. Eligible borrowers may receive the deferment for all outstanding Title IV loans in repayment effective October 1, 2007, for all periods of active duty service that include that date or begin on or after that date. The deferment period includes the borrower’s service period and 180 days following the demobilization date.
 
A borrower serving on or after October 1, 2007, may receive up to 13 months of active duty student deferment after the completion of military service if he or she meets the following conditions:
 
 	·	is a National Guard member, Armed Forces reserves member, or retired member of the Armed Forces;	

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 	·	is called or ordered to active duty; and	
 
 	·	is enrolled at the time of, or was enrolled within six months prior to, the activation in a program at an eligible institution.	
 
The active duty student deferment ends the earlier of when the borrower returns to an enrolled status, or at the end of 13 months.
 
PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, are eligible for the following deferment options:
 
 	·	A parent PLUS borrower, upon request, may defer the repayment of the loan during any period during which the student for whom the loan was borrowed is enrolled at least half time.  Also upon request, the borrower can defer the loan for the six-month period immediately following the date on which the student for whom the loan was borrowed ceases to be enrolled at least half time, or if the parent borrower is also a student, the date after he or she ceases to be enrolled at least half time.	
 
 	·	A graduate or professional student PLUS borrower may defer the loan for the six-month period immediately following the date on which he or she ceases to be enrolled at least half time.  This option does not require a request and may be granted each time the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half time.	
 
Prior to the 1992 Amendments, only certain of the deferments described above were available to PLUS and Consolidation Loan borrowers.  Prior to the 1986 Amendments, PLUS Loan borrowers were not entitled to certain deferments.
 
Forbearance periods.   The Higher Education Act also provides for periods of forbearance during which the lender, in case of a borrower’s temporary financial hardship, may postpone any payments.  A borrower is entitled to forbearance for a period not exceeding three years while the borrower’s debt burden under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (which includes the Federal Family Education Loan Program) equals or exceeds 20% of the borrower’s gross income.  A borrower is also entitled to forbearance while he or she is serving in a qualifying internship or residency program, a “national service position” under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, a qualifying position for loan forgiveness under the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, or a position that qualifies him or her for loan repayment under the Student Loan Repayment Program administered by the Department of Defense.  In addition, mandatory administrative forbearances are provided in exceptional circumstances such as a local or national emergency, a military mobilization, or when the geographical area in which the borrower or endorser resides has been designated a disaster area by the President of the United States or Mexico, the Prime Minister of Canada, or by the governor of a state.
 
Interest payments during grace, deferment, and forbearance periods.   The Secretary of Education makes interest payments on behalf of the borrower for certain eligible loans while the borrower is in school and during grace and deferment periods.  Interest that accrues during forbearance periods and, if the loan is not eligible for interest subsidy payments, during in-school, grace, and deferment periods, may be paid monthly or quarterly by the borrower.  Any unpaid accrued interest may be capitalized by the lender.
 
Fees
 
Guarantee fee and Federal default fee.    For loans for which the date of guarantee of principal is on or after July 1, 2006, a guarantee agency is required to collect and deposit into the Federal Student Loan Reserve Fund a Federal default fee in an amount equal to 1% of the principal amount of the loan.  The fee is to be collected either by deduction from the proceeds of the loan or by payment from other non-Federal sources.  Federal default fees may not be charged to borrowers of Consolidation Loans.
 
Origination fee . Beginning with loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2006, the maximum origination fee which may be charged to a Stafford Loan borrower decreases according to the following schedule:
 
 	·	1.5% with respect to loans for which the first disbursement is made on or after July 1, 2007, and before July 1, 2008;	
 
 	·	1.0% with respect to loans for which the first disbursement is made on or after July 1, 2008, and before July 1, 2009;	
 
 	·	0.5% with respect to loans for which the first disbursement is made on or after July 1, 2009, and before July 1, 2010; and	
 
 	·	0.0% with respect to loans for which the first disbursement is made on or after July 1, 2010.	
 
A lender may charge a lesser origination fee to Stafford Loan borrowers as long as the lender does so consistently with respect to all borrowers who reside in or attend school in a particular state.  Regardless of whether the lender passes all or a portion of the origination fee on to the borrower, the lender must pay the origination fee owed on each loan it makes to the Secretary of Education.

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An eligible lender is required to charge the borrower of a PLUS Loan an origination fee equal to 3% of the principal amount of the loan.  This fee must be deducted proportionately from each disbursement of the PLUS Loan and must be remitted to the Secretary of Education.
 
Lender fee.   The lender of any loan made under the Federal Family Education Loan Program is required to pay a fee to the Secretary of Education.  For loans made on or after October 1, 2007, the fee is equal to 1.0% of the principal amount of such loan.  This fee cannot be charged to the borrower.
 
Rebate fee on Consolidation Loans.   The holder of any Consolidation Loan made on or after October 1, 1993, is required to pay to the Secretary of Education a monthly rebate fee.  For loans made on or after October 1, 1993, from applications received prior to October 1, 1998, and after January 31, 1999, the fee is equal to 0.0875% (1.05% per annum) of the principal and accrued interest on the Consolidation Loan.  For loans made from applications received during the period beginning on or after October 1, 1998, through January 31, 1999, the fee is 0.0517% (0.62% per annum).
 
Interest subsidy payments
 
Interest subsidy payments are interest payments paid on the outstanding principal balance of an eligible loan before the time that the loan enters repayment and during deferment periods.  The Secretary of Education and the guarantee agencies enter into interest subsidy agreements whereby the Secretary of Education agrees to pay interest subsidy payments on a quarterly basis to the holders of eligible guaranteed loans for the benefit of students meeting certain requirements, subject to the holders’ compliance with all requirements of the Higher Education Act.  Subsidized Stafford Loans are eligible for interest payments.  Consolidation Loans for which the application was received on or after January 1, 1993, are eligible for interest subsidy payments.  Consolidation Loans made from applications received on or after August 10, 1993, are eligible for interest subsidy payments only if all underlying loans consolidated are Subsidized Stafford Loans.  Consolidation Loans for which the application is received by an eligible lender on or after November 13, 1997, are eligible for interest subsidy payments on that portion of the Consolidation Loan that repays subsidized Federal Family Education Loan Program Loans or similar subsidized loans made under the Direct Loan Program.  The portion of the Consolidation Loan that repays HEAL Loans is not eligible for interest subsidy, regardless of the date the Consolidation Loan was made.
 
Special allowance payments
 
The Higher Education Act provides for special allowance payments (SAP) to be made by the Secretary of Education to eligible lenders.  The rates for special allowance payments are based on formulas that differ according to the type of loan, the date the loan was originally made or insured, and the type of funds used to finance the loan (taxable or tax-exempt).
 
The effective formulas for special allowance payment rates for Subsidized Stafford and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are summarized in the following chart.  The T-Bill Rate mentioned in the chart refers to the average of the bond equivalent yield of the 91-day Treasury bills auctioned during the preceding quarter.
 
Date of Loans	 	Annualized SAP Rate	
On or after October 1, 1981	 	T-Bill Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 3.5%	
On or after November 16, 1986	 	T-Bill Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 3.25%	
On or after October 1, 1992	 	T-Bill Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 3.1%	
On or after July 1, 1995	 	T-Bill Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 3.1% (1)	
On or after July 1, 1998	 	T-Bill Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 2.8% (2)	
On or after January 1, 2000	 	3 Month Commercial Paper Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 2.34% (3)	
On or after October 1, 2007 and held by a Department of Education certified not-for-profit holder or Eligible Lender Trustee holding on behalf of a Department of Education certified not-for-profit entity	 	3 Month Commercial Paper Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 1.94% (4)	
All other loans on or after October 1, 2007	 	3 Month Commercial Paper Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 1.79% (5)	

(1)            Substitute 2.5% in this formula while such loans are in-school, grace, or deferment status
(2)            Substitute 2.2% in this formula while such loans are in-school, grace, or deferment status.
(3)            Substitute 1.74% in this formula while such loans are in-school, grace, or deferment status.
(4)            Substitute 1.34% in this formula while such loans are in-school, grace, or deferment status.
(5)            Substitute 1.19% in this formula while such loans are in-school, grace, or deferment status.

A-10

 
PLUS, SLS, and Consolidation Loans.   The formula for special allowance payments on PLUS, SLS, and Consolidation Loans are as follows:
 
Date of Loans	 	Annualized SAP Rate	
On or after October 1, 1992	 	T-Bill Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 3.1%	
On or after January 1, 2000	 	3 Month Commercial Paper Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 2.64%	
PLUS loans on or after October 1, 2007 and held by a Department of Education certified not-for-profit holder or Eligible Lender Trustee holding on behalf of a Department of Education certified not-for-profit entity	 	3 Month Commercial Paper Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 1.94%	
All other PLUS loans on or after October 1, 2007	 	3 Month Commercial Paper Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 1.79%	
Consolidation loans on or after October 1, 2007 and held by a Department of Education certified not-for-profit holder or Eligible Lender Trustee holding on behalf of a Department of Education certified not-for-profit entity	 	3 Month Commercial Paper Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 2.24%	
All other Consolidation loans on or after October 1, 2007	 	3 Month Commercial Paper Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 2.09%	
 
For PLUS and SLS Loans made prior to July 1, 1994, and PLUS loans made on or after July 1, 1998, which bear interest at rates adjusted annually, special allowance payments are made only in quarters during which the interest rate ceiling on such loans operates to reduce the rate that would otherwise apply based upon the applicable formula.  See “Interest Rates for PLUS Loans” and “Interest Rates for SLS Loans.”  Special allowance payments are available on variable rate PLUS Loans and SLS Loans made on or after July 1, 1987, and before July 1, 1994, and on any PLUS Loans made on or after July 1, 1998, and before January 1, 2000, only if the variable rate, which is reset annually, based on the weekly average one-year constant maturity Treasury yield for loans made before July 1, 1998, and based on the 91-day or 52-week Treasury bill, as applicable for loans made on or after July 1, 1998, exceeds the applicable maximum borrower rate.  The maximum borrower rate is between 9% and 12% per annum.  The portion, if any, of a Consolidation Loan that repaid a HEAL Loan is ineligible for special allowance payments.
 
Recapture of excess interest .  The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 provides that, with respect to a loan for which the first disbursement of principal is made on or after April 1, 2006, if the applicable interest rate for any three-month period exceeds the special allowance support level applicable to the loan for that period, an adjustment must be made by calculating the excess interest and crediting such amounts to the Secretary of Education not less often than annually.  The amount of any adjustment of interest for any quarter will be equal to:
 
 	·	the applicable interest rate minus the special allowance support level for the loan, multiplied by	
 
 	·	the average daily principal balance of the loan during the quarter, divided by	
 
 	·	four.	
 
Special allowance payments for loans financed by tax-exempt bonds .  The effective formulas for special allowance payment rates for Stafford Loans and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans differ depending on whether loans to borrowers were acquired or originated with the proceeds of tax-exempt obligations.  The formula for special allowance payments for loans financed with the proceeds of tax-exempt obligations originally issued prior to October 1, 1993 is:
 
T-Bill Rate less Applicable Interest Rate + 3.5%
2

provided that the special allowance applicable to the loans may not be less than 9.5% less the Applicable Interest Rate.  Special rules apply with respect to special allowance payments made on loans

A-11

 	·	originated or acquired with funds obtained from the refunding of tax-exempt obligations issued prior to October 1, 1993, or	
 
 	·	originated or acquired with funds obtained from collections on other loans made or purchased with funds obtained from tax-exempt obligations initially issued prior to October 1, 1993.	
 
Amounts derived from recoveries of principal on loans eligible to receive a minimum 9.5% special allowance payment may only be used to originate or acquire additional loans by a unit of a state or local government, or non-profit entity not owned or controlled by or under common ownership of a for-profit entity and held directly or through any subsidiary, affiliate or trustee, which entity has a total unpaid balance of principal equal to or less than $100,000,000 on loans for which special allowances were paid in the most recent quarterly payment prior to September 30, 2005.  Such entities may originate or acquire additional loans with amounts derived from recoveries of principal until December 31, 2010.  Loans acquired with the proceeds of tax-exempt obligations originally issued after October 1, 1993, receive special allowance payments made on other loans.  Beginning October 1, 2006, in order to receive 9.5% special allowance payments, a lender must undergo an audit arranged by the Secretary of Education attesting to proper billing for 9.5% payments on only eligible “first generation” and “second generation” loans.  First generation loans include those loans acquired using funds directly from the issuance of the tax-exempt obligation.  Second-generation loans include only those loans acquired using funds obtained directly from first-generation loans.  Furthermore, the lender must certify compliance of its 9.5% billing on such loans with each request for payment.
 
Adjustments to special allowance payments . Special allowance payments and interest subsidy payments are reduced by the amount which the lender is authorized or required to charge as an origination fee.  In addition, the amount of the lender origination fee is collected by offset to special allowance payments and interest subsidy payments.  The Higher Education Act provides that if special allowance payments or interest subsidy payments have not been made within 30 days after the Secretary of Education receives an accurate, timely, and complete request, the special allowance payable to the lender must be increased by an amount equal to the daily interest accruing on the special allowance and interest subsidy payments due the lender.

A-12

Exhibit 12.1
 
NELNET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
 	 	Year Ended December 31,	 	
 	 	2009	 	 	2008	 	 	2007	 	 	2006	 	 	2005	 	
 	 	(dollars in thousands)	 	
Income from continuing operations	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
before taxes and minority interest	 	$	215,698	 	 	 	44,740	 	 	 	57,145	 	 	 	102,395	 	 	 	279,258	 	
Income from equity investments	 	 	(32	)	 	 	(29	)	 	 	(1,144	)	 	 	(536	)	 	 	(1,637	)	
Distributions from equity investments	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	747	 	 	 	149	 	 	 	625	 	
Interest on uncertain tax positions	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
included in pre-tax income	 	 	(574	)	 	 	72	 	 	 	86	 	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income before fixed charges	 	 	215,092	 	 	 	44,783	 	 	 	56,834	 	 	 	102,008	 	 	 	278,246	 	
Plus: fixed charges	 	 	386,992	 	 	 	1,027,875	 	 	 	1,504,268	 	 	 	1,242,802	 	 	 	621,309	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Earnings (as defined)	 	$	602,084	 	 	 	1,072,658	 	 	 	1,561,102	 	 	 	1,344,810	 	 	 	899,555	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest and amortization expense	 	$	384,862	 	 	 	1,026,489	 	 	 	1,502,662	 	 	 	1,241,174	 	 	 	620,111	 	
Rent expense (interest portion)	 	 	1,556	 	 	 	1,458	 	 	 	1,692	 	 	 	1,628	 	 	 	1,198	 	
Interest included in interest expense not	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
related to third party indebtedness	 	 	574	 	 	 	(72	)	 	 	(86	)	 	 	-	 	 	 	-	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total fixed charges	 	$	386,992	 	 	 	1,027,875	 	 	 	1,504,268	 	 	 	1,242,802	 	 	 	621,309	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
"Earnings" divided by fixed charges	 	 	1.56	 	 	 	1.04	 	 	 	1.04	 	 	 	1.08	 	 	 	1.45	 	

 

Exhibit 21.1
 
List of Direct and Indirect Subsidiaries of Nelnet, Inc. as of December 31, 2009

Name	Relationship to
Nelnet, Inc.	Percentage Ownership	
1.  	National Education Loan Network, Inc. (organized in Nevada)	Direct Subsidiary	100%	
2.  	Nelnet Capital LLC (organized in Nebraska)	Direct Subsidiary	100%	
3.  	Nelnet Guarantor Solutions, LLC (organized in Florida) (formerly Nelnet Guarantee Services LLC; formerly GuaranTec LLP)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
4.  	National Higher Education Loan Program, Inc. (organized in Nebraska)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
5.  	5280 Solutions LLC  (f/k/a Nelnet Technology Services LLC) (organized in Colorado) (d/b/a Idaho Financial Associates, Charter Account Systems and 5280 Solutions)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
6.  	FirstMark Services, LLC (organized in Colorado)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
7.  	Health Education Solutions, Inc. (organized in Florida) (f/k/a ClassCredit, Inc.)	Indirect Subsidiary	80%	
8.  	InTuition, Inc. (organized in Florida)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
9.  	EFS Finance Co. (organized in Indiana)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
10.  	Nelnet Management Corporation-1 (organized in Nevada) (formerly Nelnet Student Loan Warehouse Corporation – 1)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
11.  	Nelnet Student Loan Funding Management Corporation (organized in Nevada)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
12.  	Nelnet Student Loan Funding, LLC (organized in Delaware)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
13.  	NELNET Student Loan Corporation-1 (organized in Nevada)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
14.  	NELNET Student Loan Corporation-2 (organized in Nevada)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
15.  	NHELP-I, Inc. (organized in Nevada)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
16.  	NHELP-II Inc. (organized in Nevada)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
17.  	NHELP-II, LLC (organized in Nevada)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
18.  	NHELP-III, Inc. (organized in Nevada)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
19.  	EMT Corp. (organized in Indiana)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
20.  	Nelnet Loan Corp.(organized in Nevada)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
21.  	Nelnet Education Loan Funding, Inc. (f/k/a NEBHELP, INC.) (organized in Nebraska)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
22.  	MELMAC, Inc. (organized in Nevada)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
23.  	MELMAC, LLC (organized in Delaware)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
24.  	National Education Loan of New England, Inc. (organized in Rhode Island)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
25.  	Student Loan Acquisition Authority of Arizona, LLC (organized in Delaware)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
26.  	SLAAA Acquisition Corp. (organized in Nebraska)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
27.  	Shockley Financial Corp. (organized in Colorado)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
28.  	Nelnet Canada, Inc. (organized in Canada)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
29.  	Nelnet Business Solutions, Inc. (f/k/a FACTS Management Co.) (organized in Nebraska) (dba FACTS Management and infiNET Integrated Solutions)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
30.  	Nelnet Asset Management, Inc. (organized in Texas) (f/k/a LoanSTAR Funding Group, Inc.)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
31.  	Nelnet Academic Funding Solutions, LLC (organized in Nebraska)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
32.  	College Bound Loans, Inc. (organized in Rhode Island) (f/k/a/ BST Holdings, Inc.)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
33.  	Nelnet Academic Services, LLC (organized in Nebraska) (f/k/a Nelnet Mentor, LLC)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
34.  	Chela Education Funding, Inc. (organized in Nebraska) (f/k/a Student Partner Services, Inc.)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
35.  	Loanstar Assets GP, LLC (organized in Delaware)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
36.  	Loanstar Assets LP, LLC (organized in Delaware)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
37.  	Loanstar Assets Partners, LP (organized in Delaware)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
38.  	Nelnet Academic Private Loan Warehouse – I, LLC (organized in Delaware)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
39.  	CUnet, LLC (organized in Delaware)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
40.  	Peterson’s Nelnet, LLC (formerly NELN Acquisition, LLC) (organized in Nebraska)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
41.  	M & P Building, LLC (organized in Nebraska)	Direct/Indirect	100%	
42.  	Nelnet Student Asset Funding Extendable CP, LLC (organized in Nebraska)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
43.  	Lincoln Square Funding LLC (organized in Nebraska)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
44.  	First National Life Insurance Company  of the USA (a Nebraska domiciled life insurance company)	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
45.  	Education Solutions, Inc.	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
46.  	Generation Voice, LLC	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
47.  	GoHazel, LLC	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
48.  	Unilink USA, LLC	Indirect Subsidiary	50%	
49.  	Unilink Data Systems Pty Ltd	Indirect Subsidiary	50%	
50.  	Nelnet Servicing, LLC	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
51.  	NLS Holding Company, LLC	Direct Subsidiary	100%	
52.  	Nelnet Enrollment Solutions, LLC	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
53.  	Nelnet Superconduit Funding, LLC	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
54.  	Nelnet B2B Services, LLC	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
55.  	Nelnet FFELP Student Loan Warehouse-I, LLC	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
56.  	Merchant Preservation Services	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	
57.  	Cost Effective Technologies, Inc.	Indirect Subsidiary	50%	
58.  	Global Enrollment Solutions, LLC	Indirect Subsidiary	100%	

Note: this list does not include Nelnet Student Loan Trusts utilized in asset backed security financings.

Exhibit 23.1

 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors
Nelnet, Inc.:
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 Nos. 333-112374, 333-135367, 333-144790, 333-151991, and 333-161814 and the Registration Statements on Form S-3 Nos. 333-144789 and 333-155656 of Nelnet, Inc. of our reports dated March 3, 2010 with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, which reports appear in the December 31, 2009 annual report on Form 10-K of Nelnet, Inc.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Lincoln, Nebraska
March 3, 2010

Exhibit 31.1
 
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Michael S. Dunlap, certify that:
 
	1. 	I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (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 officers 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 officers 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:  March 3, 2010                                                                                                                            
/s/ Michael S. Dunlap

Michael S. Dunlap
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Principal Executive Officer

 
Exhibit 31.2
 
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Terry J. Heimes, certify that:
 
	1. 	I have reviewed the annual report on Form 10-K of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (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 officers 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 officers 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:  March 3, 2010                                                                                                                                
/s/ Terry J. Heimes

Terry J. Heimes
Chief Financial Officer
Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

 
Exhibit 32

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

In connection with the Annual Report of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 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:  March 3, 2010
By:        /s/ Michael S. Dunlap
Name: Michael S. Dunlap
Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

By:         /s/ Terry J. Heimes
Name: Terry J. Heimes
Title:   Chief Financial Officer