The higher education system does not work well for taxpayers, students, or higher education institutions. Student loans were expected to be such a good deal for taxpayers that their projected revenues were used to offset costs associated with the Affordable Care Act and increasing the size of Pell Grants. Less than a decade ago, the federal government projected it would net 20 cents for every dollar it lent to students; today it projects a loss. Yet despite today's increasingly dire picture for taxpayers, calls for student loan forgiveness have never been louder. This report presents four ideas conservatives could offer for the next reauthorization of the Higher Education Act to ensure student aid supports those who need it the most and directs them to useful, skills-based educational pathways that will prepare them to contribute positively to society. There is a burgeoning opportunity to realign the nation's higher education laws with Americans' desire to get the education they need for a brighter future. To do this, policymakers should incentivize outcomes and recognize the blurry line between "higher education" and "workforce development." [This report was produced by the AEI Conservative Education Reform Network (CERN).]