The reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) must address the needs of students of color. In recent years, historically underrepresented students have become a larger segment in higher education. HEA reauthorization is an opportunity to increase educational attainment levels; address durable disparities in achievement; and ensure the federal government, states, and institutions transform their policies and practices to respond to changing demographics. Between 1976 and 2014, college participation for students of color significantly increased, however despite this progress, disparities still exist. According to 2014 data from the National Center for Education Statistics, Asian and white adults are far more likely to earn a bachelor's degree than Black, Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic adults. There is a population of transition-age youth ages 16 to 24 who are not currently working or in school, but who wish to resume their education and advance along a career path. They face unique barriers because they did not follow the traditional path of high school to college. These "opportunity youth" are disproportionately poor. Forty-one percent live in poor households, compared to 27 percent of their connected counterparts. There is a population of transition-age youth ages 16 to 24 who are not currently working or in school, but who wish to resume their education and advance along a career path. They face unique barriers because they did not follow the traditional path of high school to college. These "opportunity youth" are disproportionately poor. Forty-one percent live in poor households, compared to 27 percent of their connected counterparts. The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) supports policies and federal higher education programs that expand access and promote student success for students of color. Many of them attend open-access institutions and are low income; immigrants; student parents; adult learners; returning citizens or incarcerated individuals; Dreamers; English Learners; or youth who have been disconnected from postsecondary and career pathways, including homeless and foster youth. This fact sheet provides statistical illustrations of the percentage of American college students from 1976 and 2014 by race/ethnicity, and educational attainment of adults age 25 and older, by race/ethnicity, for 2014, as well as CLASP Principles for Racial Equity and Inclusion.