HOUSTON -- Marissa Hirsch, 22, was a senior at Sam Houston State University set for graduation until she got a letter from Chase Bank stating the private college loan she's had for the last three years now requires a cosigner.

Hirsch told KPRC Local 2, "I've never needed a cosigner. I've always been able to do it on my own. Without a loan, I can't graduate. I just want to finish school."

College students across the country are finding themselves in the same boat.

At the University of Houston, 67 percent of students receive financial aid.

Senior Meagan Mitchell relies on a Pell Grant.

Mitchell said, "(The Pell Grant is) absolutely critical. If I don't get it, then I won't be in school. I have a very complicated situation. My mom passed and before she passed, I got a Pell Grant. Then after she passed, the income rate was 0 dollars, so every year I have to come here and do a dependency override since she passed and it's just so stressful."

UH Executive Director of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services Sal Loria told Local 2 that private loans are becoming harder to get.

Loria explained, "The federal loans, those are readily available for students, but when students need other assistance beyond the typical federal or state loans, they have to apply. The credit application is stiffening, I think, with the current market situation."

Chase Bank told Local 2 the student loan standards were revised over the last year and cosigners are now required at times.

Loria's best advice is to apply early.

He said, "The federal application process starts in January and students that fill out those forms and apply early will be eligible for more assistance."

Loria also recommended shopping for the best rates and looking for lenders who offer cuts in rates for timely payments.

As you research, remember, your best resource could be at your school.

Loria said at UH, "We will do our best to make sure that they don't have to engage in loans, but if they do, we want to properly educate them and let them know what they're getting into."

If you're researching on the Web, Loria warned against sites that charge a fee for services.

He said you should be able to find free advice at your college's financial aid office.