AbstractThe Australian Government introduced the so‐called ‘AUSTUDY Supplement’ in the 1992–93 budget. The scheme gives AUSTUDY recipients the option of trading in up to $2000 per year of their grant for $4000 of an income‐contingent loan, to be paid back according to the current HECS arrangements, implying that the Government is acting as an insurer against future default by students. This article addresses the theoretical basis of the scheme, and explores two related questions: will it be in the financial interests of average students to take up the option? and what is likely to be the take‐up rate of loans? Through the use of both cross‐sectional data and the HARDING microsimulation model it is demonstrated that for many students the loan option will result in financial advantages, and that the take‐up rate is likely eventu