First passed in 1965 to ensure that every individual has access to higher education, regardless of income, the Higher Education Act (HEA) governs the nation's student-aid programs, federal aid to colleges, and oversight of teacher preparation. This brief report discusses 4 National Education Association (NEA) priorities: (1) Make college more affordable; (2) Americans deserve degrees, not debt; (3) Improve teacher preparation; and (4) Recognize educators as stakeholders.