Rethinking the balance between federal and state responsibilities for supporting colleges and universities and making higher education accessible and affordable for students is important. There is little disagreement about the current education financing system being inadequate. The debate is about the best way to solve the problem. In this article, the author suggests that instead of trying for an attention-grabbing one-liner or a silver bullet, advocates for college opportunity should focus on strengthening the need-based student aid system and the quality of education offered to low-income and first-generation students. Strengthening the need-based financial aid system is a more constructive strategy for reducing inequality; a simple and predictable Pell Grant system and a well-designed income-driven loan repayment program would significantly help students. The federal government should strengthen its partnership with the states to ensure that colleges and universities have the resources they need to educate students at an affordable price.