Even for students with bad credit, student loans are still a very real option to get the funding needed to attend two and four year college and university programs as well as to attend specific trade school courses. Since credit scores are often used in determining funding levels for students, it is often assumed with a prior money management problem leading to bad credit, student loans are out of the question. Even with thin credit, which is not the same as bad credit, student loans can be a problem if you are going through a private loan agency or company.

Federal government programs for getting student loans with bad credit are designed to not have the borrowers credit score impact on either the interest rate or the amount of the loan. Rather this is set by a formula and is capped at a maximum amount for both the total amount of the loan as well as the interest rate. Private student loans on the other hand are not regulated in the same fashion and your credit score is critical in both being able to get a loan as well as determining the interest rate you will pay on the loan.

Stafford loans are one of the most common bad credit student loans that can actual prevent students from having to pay interest on the loan provide they qualify for a subsidized loan. Students will still have to pay of the principle or total amount of the loan but provided they follow the payment plan the government will not charge any interest. These subsidized loans are granted based on the student's resources and financial ability to pay back the loan. Students must graduate and will have 6 months in which to start earning a living after graduation before payments start. If students drop down to a part time student or drop out of school the payment process is not deferred as long and interest may be charged.

One caution in getting student loans with bad credit is to avoid any company that indicates they are giving private or alternate student loans and is not using a credit score or doing a credit check. These companies will typically charge incredibly high interest rates plus they will often immediately sell your loan to another company and you may find that the second company changes the terms of the loan, resulting in a huge payment or unwieldy interest rates. Always, when you are applying for student loans with bad credit, stick to a reputable lender even if the alternative looks better at first glance. Get everything in writing and have someone else that is knowledgeable about loans look it over before you sign any agreement or commit to any type of private loan.

The worst type of student loans for bad credit are the very high interest, high penalty and fee type of loans that many lenders advertise as a "no credit check" type loan. These loans are often sold immediately, resulting in a complete change in terms for many students, often becoming virtually impossible to pay back due to the high interest rates and fees. Always check any loans very carefully and only work with well established student loan companies and services.