You'll need to choose a lender if you obtain a FFEL Stafford Loan. (If you have a Direct Stafford Loan, the federal government—through the U.S. Department of Education—is your lender.) Schools that participate in the FFEL Program will usually have a list of preferred lenders. Student loan borrowers may choose a lender from that list, or choose a different lender they prefer (for example, a credit union). Here are a few things to think about when selecting a FFEL lender.
(Source: Studentaid.ed.gov)