Type: Public
On the web: http://www.nelnet.net
Employees: 2,200
Employee growth: 10.0%

Got Ivy League tastes on a community college budget? Nelnet may be able to help. The education planning and financing company helps students and parents plan and pay for college educations. Nelnet is mostly known for servicing federal student loans. The company, which was founded in 1977, manages about $23 billion in student loan assets. However, Nelnet is expanding its fee-based education services. It serves the K-12 education marketplace, providing long-term payment plans, college enrollment services, and software and technology services. The firm is part of financial holding company Farmers & Merchants Investment.

Key numbers for fiscal year ending December, 2010:
Sales: $1,061.5M
One year growth: 2.5%
Net income: $189.0M
Income growth: 35.9%

Officers:
Chairman and CEO: Michael S. (Mike) Dunlap
President: Jeffrey R. (Jeff) Noordhoek
Executive Director and CFO: Terry J. Heimes

Competitors:
Great Lakes Higher Education
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
Sallie Mae

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