In this testimony before the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Sandy Baum states that federal student aid has made college a reality for millions of students, but the programs can be improved for both students and taxpayers. Aid programs should be designed so that that the students who have the most potential to benefit know about them, understand them, can predict and count on their benefits, and can access them without undue difficulty. Moreover, it is not enough to put postsecondary enrollment in financial reach. We must ensure that aid programs provide the appropriate incentives and supports for both students and institutions to succeed in meeting the educational goals of our nation and its students.