Trends and issues concerning college attendance by adult students are reviewed. Trends seem to suggest that the rising educational attainment of the general population will result in increased demand for learning activities by older students. Data are provided on: estimated college enrollments for 1990 and projected population and enrollments in 1990 for ages 14-17 through 55-64; and 5-year enrollment trends among male and female students aged 25-34 by class standing and part- or full-time status. The increased enrollments of females and the social and personal factors accounting for their enrollment are addressed. Attention is also directed to the changing racial and ethnic demography of higher education, minority public school enrollment in fall 1980, the process of actively recruiting adult learners, the socioeconomic status of adult learners, the responses of colleges to adults on campus, and characteristics of younger and older students. Three stages of adaptation of the college to adult students are identified: the laissez-faire stage, the separatist stage, and the equity stage. Carole Kaswon's typology of students and eight suggestions by Edmund Ackell on reentry education are included. (SW)