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Step 1
Meet with a financial aid counselor at your school to determine your financial needs. The counselor can review your financial history and situation and determine which loan options are best for you.
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Step 2
Find out your current credit score. Private student loans are credit based, and lenders will run a credit check to determine if you meet their qualifications.
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Step 3
Obtain a credit worthy co-signer. If you have bad or no credit, search for a co-signer with good credit. In addition to having good credit, the co-signer must meet the income guidelines established by the lender.
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Step 4
Search for private loan lenders by visiting student loan websites. You can locate a variety of private lenders on sites such as FinAid, Alternative Student Loans for Financial Aid and Simple Tuition. Review the terms, interest rates and eligibility requirements for each lender before submitting an application.
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Step 5
Select the appropriate private lender and complete the application process. Submit all required documents with your application. Depending on the lender's requirements, you may have to submit proof of income, school certification forms and other additional documents.
