In Ohio, the pandemic has forced students to pause their pursuit of a college degree or abandon their aspirations for higher education all together. The health crisis has accelerated a downward trend in enrollment in public higher education, at least for now, and thrown into sharp relief the barriers that prevent Black and brown students, and those from families with lower incomes, from getting an excellent education. Even now, in the middle of a pandemic and a recession, Ohio policymakers must find ways to better fund postsecondary education and restructure need-based financial aid, with a clear focus on supporting public education for students from groups that face more obstacles to affording higher education, including students of color, and those who are older or come from families of modest means. The impact of cuts during past recessions provides a consistent lesson on the need to direct public resources toward education during tough economic times. At the federal level, Congress can play a vital role in supporting higher education in Ohio and across the country by providing emergency relief and stimulus funding. Without federal support, states will likely be left without all the resources they need to spend money where it can make the most difference. Even without federal relief, Ohio policymakers can and must take steps to ensure higher education can fulfill its crucial role in this crisis. [This report was produced in partnership with the Ohio Student Association.]