In today's economy, more than 80 percent of jobs require workers to have education or training beyond the high school level--making skills more important than ever before. However, this does not mean that employers are exclusively recruiting individuals with a four-year degree. In fact, since over half of all jobs today can be classified as "middle-skill"--requiring more than a high-school diploma but not a college degree--credentials acquired through short-term postsecondary programs are increasingly valued in the labor market. Despite the growing need for middle-skill workers, individuals looking to obtain in-demand credentials by enrolling in short-term academic or training programs tend to face barriers to success. These include lack of access to financial aid and other support services. These roadblocks are unintended consequences of longstanding federal policies that have not kept pace with the changing economic landscape, particularly under the Higher Education Act (HEA).