Time for a student loan? Don't ignore private lenders

Most student loans today originate directly from the federal government.  But this recent WSJ piece points out that, for some students, the private sector is a better option.  Three factors are critical: parental co-signers, credit scores, and wealth.  Borrowers will want to compare origination fees, ability to postpone interest while in school, and interest rates.  Some lenders even allow refinancing if interest rates fall.