Today’s postsecondary students are increasingly diverse and take many pathways to pursue a postsecondary education. To improve their chances of success, federal policies must be responsive to a students’ experiences and offer affordable, equitable, and high-quality postsecondary opportunities. Policies should also be deliberate about linking postsecondary experience to work and future career growth. Because low-income students have faced rising costs and other challenges since the last reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) in 2008, Congress must work to improve the law to increase students’ odds of success. As Members of Congress debate HEA reauthorization, they should focus on principles critical for the success of low-income students: affordability, racial equity, and connecting students to high-wage, high-demand jobs and careers.