"Because August is the month when students and their families are scrambling to get college loans before school starts, I decided to answer this question from Pat H., which raises issues every borrower should know," the San Francisco Chronicle reports. "'I plan to be the co-signer on a student loan for my nephew starting college in South Carolina,' Pat writes. 'He has Stafford loans and Pell grants, but needs money for rent, food, gas, health insurance, etc. I have been checking Web sites for private student loans and the best interest rate I have found is 8.5 percent. All rates are variable. His mother does not have the credit history necessary to get a loan, so I will be the co-signer and use my credit. I believe we will need about $10,000 for the coming school year. Do you have any tips on finding a good loan?'"