Ohio has a world-class network of public colleges. However, the state lags behind the nation in college attainment. Recognizing that the state must improve these numbers, Ohio policymakers have committed to a goal of 65 percent college attainment by 2025. Despite the state's attainment goal, Ohio does not have a college promise program. The Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) is the state's sole need-based aid grant. OCOG is too underfunded to make college affordable for moderate-income students and leaves many students completely out. Ohio is at a turning point. The state needs to reform OCOG to better serve Ohio's long-term education and workforce development goals and the state must confront the ongoing affordability crisis. Ohio can do both by targeting intensive need-based aid to make college affordable for low-income students, who are disproportionately women, people of color, parents, and working adults. Robust need-based aid is critical part of a strong college access and completion policy. The Ohio Promise would transform Ohio from an under-educated state into one where more people have the education they need to thrive in the economy. [For the executive summary, see ED591094.]