The Higher Education Act (HEA) can promote connections to work by supporting linkages to career pathways that help youth and adults with barriers to employment obtain postsecondary credentials that lead to family-sustaining jobs with the potential for career advancement. HEA also has the potential to support partnerships between higher education, the workforce system, and industry. CLASP principles for connections to work and career opportunities include: (1) Create incentives for states and institutions to promote career pathways, dual enrollment approaches, recognized postsecondary credentials, and strong employment outcomes for low-income students, adult learners, and young adults who have been disconnected from school and work; (2) Ensure quality and accountability standards for apprenticeships, short-term education and training programs, competency-based education, and online instruction at public, private, and for-profit institutions; (3) Expand Pell grant eligibility to high-quality short-term training programs that lead to family-sustaining jobs and career pathway; and (4) Recognize the role of higher education institutions in workforce development and occupational skills.