Research lenders online, but be warned: a lot of scams are out there. Be wary of any lenders that promise a loan without revealing the companies they work for. Check the loan interest rate is as well. It does not help a bad credit score when you accept a loan with a 30% interest rate with no way to pay it back.
Federal loans such as Direct or FFEL are the first step in trying to obtain a student loan with bad credit. These student loans, both subsidized and unsubsidized, do not require any credit check. These are need-based loans, so the government is willing to give them out without credit checks so that more children have the opportunity to get into school. If you have been denied a private loan, or a Stafford Loan, this actually strengthens your chances of getting a federal loan. These loans have an added benefit -- if you make the payments on time, you are improving your credit score.
Apply for private loans if federal loans do not cover the college bill. Private loans require a credit check, but it is possible to acquire them by just swallowing the dread and applying. Several private loan companies will lend to applicants with bad credit. Some even specialize in this service. If you wish to apply to one of the companies, you may need to have a co-signer -- someone who promises you will pay back the loan -- and if you do not, that person will take over the responsibility. Shop around before deciding on a loan, but do not let too many of the services check your credit score before deciding on one company. Having too many credit checks in a short period by banks or loan companies can lower your credit score.