f there’s one thing students need more of, it’s funds to cover the mounting expenses of attending college: tuition, rent, books and beer money.

Even though many students feel they’ve already exhausted all of their financial aid options, there actually are many alternative loan options available to help cover the looming expenses of college.

These loans require no government forms, and can be a fitting solution if after receiving government loans and grants, you still find a gap between your available funds and your expenses.

Private loans are obtainable through a variety of lenders. Some of the more popular lenders include Nellie Mae, Sallie Mae, Student Loan Funding, Chella Financial, Wells Fargo Bank, US Bank, Citibank Citiassist, Bank of America, Access Group and Citizens Bank.

However, it can be a sizeable task for sift through the many financial institutions listed above to find a loan suitable to your needs.

One of the easiest ways to find and apply for one of the private loans is through one of many Web sites that takes you through the process step by step, such as www.estudentloan.com, www.student-loans.net/ or www.finaid.org/loans/.

The Web sites provide a wealth of information including the amount that can be collected, how long funds can be received for, interest rates, both student and parent loans and different repayment options. All of these factors are determined on specifics such as your year in school, expected graduation date and credit rating (unless you provide a co-borrower).

Some NIU students simply took a visit to the financial aid office to seek help.

“I just filled out a FAFSA and a verification form at the financial aid office,” said Samantha Bennett, senior elementary education major. “I got my awards letter back roughly two, three weeks after that.”

PLUS loans are available for parents who wish to take out loans to assist their children in paying for their education.

“I was able to get a PLUS loan when I visited the financial aid office,” said freshman accounting major Vernon Kelly. “It was easy.”

Special aid is available for female, disabled, homosexual, minority, Canadian and older (30 and up) students. Information on these loans can be viewed at www.finaid.org/otheraid/#student.

In addition to seeking private loans, thousands of scholarships exist to help bear the burden of closing the cost gap. Scholarships are available for many characteristics, from being left-handed to your interests and hobbies. To see which scholarships you may qualify for, visit http://www.scholarships.com/ or www.fastweb.com.

Private scholarships are also a pursuable venue to seek financial aid through. NIU has a helpful Web site where several private scholarship organizations can be reached at http://www.fa.niu.edu/scholar1.htm.