Several federal student loans and private loans are there for the taking. All you need to do is research the ones that are best for you and then apply for them.

If you have bad credit, the best place to start looking is at federal loans. Federal loans are nice in the sense that the government is not concerned with your credit score when you are applying for a federal student loan.

One great option to look at is the Stafford loans, which are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Stafford loans are under the assumption that a student doesn't even have a credit score because he or she is coming straight from high school.

Perkins loans, another federal student loan offered for college, follows the same assumptions for its applicants, making it easier for students with bad credit histories.

PLUS loans are an alternative to bad credit student loans to help you pay for college. These loans are offered to parents. Parents fill them out, and it is the parents who are responsible for paying back the loan. The student's credit history is very irrelevant. This allows the student to receive more funding for college.

If you miss deadlines and are unable to apply for a federal loan, then you may want to consider a grant. Federal grants, such as the Pell grant, are great, especially if you have a bad credit history.

Grants are awarded on the needs and the specific criteria of the student applying, not on how well they scored on a credit test. Whether you are applying for a federal student loan or a federal grant, you need to check with your college or university to see what you will qualify for based on your needs.

If you are interested in private student loans, but are afraid you won't qualify because of bad credit, there is no need to worry. Some private lenders will still allow you to take out a loan for college even if you suffer from a bad credit history.

What may occur is you will have to pay higher interest rates for private student loans than for a federal loan. If you are using the money for a higher degree, such as a law or medical degree, then you might stand a better chance of getting a private loan despite your poor credit ratings.

Even with very bad credit, you can still pursue your dream of attending college. All you have to do is research the number of options that are out there for private and federal student loans.

If you spend some time with your school's financial aid advisor, you should know all you need to know about bad credit student loans. Do not let bad credit ruin your chance to go as far as you want!