In order to encourage efforts to improve access to postsecondary education, this booklet offers data on students, enrollments, and financial aid. A highlights section opens the booklet. A section on the college student describes six actual students and discusses the diversity of the current student body in terms of race/ethnicity, gender, age, disabilities, persistence, fields of study, and character and traditions. A section on financing higher education describes the individual financing of four actual students and then discusses employment, need for assistance, federal assistance (Pell Grants, loan repayment), and costs and benefits. The final section "The Jackpot" looks at whether the hardship to students is worth the effort of obtaining a degree, and whether the cost of federal programs to support higher education and student financial assistance are justified. This section also describes the achievements of several individuals who benefitted from financial assistance as well as analyzing the financial returns to society by looking at income levels, unemployment rates and other factors. Appendixes offer further data on enrollment by type of institution and ethnic group, approximate undergraduate budgets, and a description and funding status of major federal student aid programs. A bibliography cites 22 sources. (JB)