I am looking to get my mother to co-sign a student loan with me. She doesn't have the greatest credit and my credit is being repaired because of financial mishaps.
Is the credit rating from my mother necessarily need to be perfect? Does anyone know how strick these types of loans are and how easily that are given.

It doesn't need to be perfect however you will probably get a higher interest rate. If you have about 2 years of decent on time payments etc. you should be okay. There are many sites to go to. You might want to try your bank or credit union first. Shop around.