It's usually best to start your student loan search with federal student loans. Federal loans come with protections you can’t get with private student loans, such as income-driven repayment plans and loan forgiveness programs, which is why many private lenders encourage you to exhaust federal options first — you can always use private loans to supplement what a federal loan won't cover.
If you've decided to take out a private student loan, take the time to compare lenders in terms of the rates they offer, their repayment options and other perks you can qualify for. It can be helpful to find a lender that offers a discount for autopay, for example, as well as one that will let you borrow up to the cost of attendance for school.