Some 70 million working adults in the United States lack postsecondary credentials. As the number of high-school graduates entering the work force is exceeded by the number of adults leaving it, that group becomes an important source of potential credentialed workers.

A paper released today by the Center for American Progress, “Federal Access Policies and Higher Education for Working Adults,” recommends policies that could help such workers earn postsecondary credentials. Among other things, the paper urges:

An increase in the size of Pell Grants for part-time and independent students.

Clarifying in advance what prospective students can expect to receive in student aid.

An increase in working adults’ access to services that will support them during college and the creation of public-private partnerships to help in the task.

Making adults who complete work-force education and skill-development programs automatically eligible for federal and state student aid.

The center also released a paper outlining ways to help high-school dropouts re-enter the path to a postsecondary degree. —Beckie Supiano