The purpose of the following policy brief is to explore college affordability through the eyes of low-income students in the South in hopes of offering key recommendations for policymakers and leaders of postsecondary institutions on ways to mitigate the financial challenges many of their students face. Through the Southern Education Foundation’s work with students in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, we highlight the financial barriers that are most likely to hinder students from completing college in those states and identify student-informed ways to address the difficult reality many encounter.