The student support system (ICETEX) provides students with loans, which include a grant element whose amount depends on the beneficiaries’ income level. The number of loans has almost tripled between 2003 and 2011. However, because of the increase in the enrolment rate, a lower proportion of students receive loans (OECD, 2012b). In addition, ICETEX is not targeting all its resources on those most in need, because of serious flaws in the way income is assessed through the Estratos system (Box 1.4).