Even though some lenders have backed out of the student loan market in recent months, industry experts say a little persistence should help college students secure financial aid.

"Other than the inconvenience, they should be able to find the loans if they're eligible," said Mark Kantrowitz, the publisher of FinAid.org, a Web site devoted to financial aid.

All students are eligible for unsubsidized federal Stafford loans, but denials for PLUS loans, which are made to parents, will affect about 1 percent of students nationwide, Mr. Kantrowitz said.

Applicants with an adverse credit history, such as a home foreclosure in the past five years, could be denied the parent loans, he said.

He also said private lenders have adopted more stringent credit standards in the past year, and discounts for federal loans have been eliminated.

Mr. Kantrowitz recommends students try to secure federal loans before turning to private or alternative loans.

"The federal government is focused on accessibility to education. Private agencies are focused on profitability," he said.

Mr. Kantrowitz said some college students who continue to struggle financially might have to transfer to an institution with lower tuition. He also advised students to minimize their debt.

"Live like a student while you're in school so you don't have to live like a student when you get out of school," Mr. Kantrowitz said.

Willene Holmes, Augusta State University's director of financial aid, said one of the university's lenders for the government's Stafford loans pulled out of the federal program in May to concentrate on private loans.

However, she has not seen a difference in the number of students who have been unable to secure loans.

"If they don't qualify for grants, students as a last resort can apply for alternative loans. Parents can apply for loans as well," Ms. Holmes said.

Alicia Hugee, the University of South Carolina Aiken's student loan program coordinator, said students have had a more difficult time getting loans in the past two or three years.

She attributed the difficulties to the economy, the increase in the number of students who apply for loans and a tendency for students to wait until the last minute to seek financial aid.

Ms. Hugee also recommended that students turn to private loans as a last resort because "the interest rates aren't fixed."

She said the financial aid office can give students guidance. However, she said, "They have the final say in the lender that they select."

Mr. Kantrowitz said Congress "helped avert a crisis" by passing legislation recently to boost student aid.

"It's not the healthiest of situations, but it does look like the industry is improving," he said.