This paper is concerned with the influence of student loans on the accessibility of disadvantaged groups to higher education. Three key conditions are necessary for success, but are often neglected. These are: that effective eligibility and screening criteria are in place and that pro-active targeting measures are employed to reach out to the most deserving sections of the target population defined in terms of those most in need of help; that the scheme is sufficiently sizeable to achieve an impact nationally; and individual loans are sufficiently large to cover the needs of the students at whom the scheme is directed. The varied experience of loans schemes in Asia, aimed directly at enhancing the access of students from low-income backgrounds, is examined. These schemes are often to be faulted because they lack a number of necessary prior conditions for success. (Contains 3 tables and 9 footnotes.)