I have lent $5000+ to two different SPs on two different occasions. To be honest, I was shitting bricks that I wouldn't get paid back, as I am just an average joe, occupation-wise.
I'm happy to say that one paid me back in full, as reliable as clockwork, and even tipped me about 10% interest (pro-rated) for my trouble.
The other has been not quite as regular, but not bad. She has had plenty of opportunity to take the money and run, or get out of paying, but she has not. I think this is a good sign.
My advice is go with your gut. I think you should know her as a person at least well enough to establish if she has the means to pay you back -- ie., does she have a repayment plan, does she make enough extra money to fit a repayment to you into her lifestyle, does she have any addiction issues which will cloud her commitment to pay you back. You may also want to establish beforehand whether or not she would be open to paying you back in trade rather than money if both of you agree to this.
If you decide to do it, make sure you can handle the worst-case scenario, and then hope for the best (though I guess this applies to lending anyone money, not just SPs). You may be pleasantly surprised.