The variance in student work patterns between 1974 and 1981 is discussed, based on data from the Census Bureau's annual October Current Population Survey for a sample of about 155,000 individuals. The sample was weighted to represent the whole population of full-time students in 1974 and 1981 (excluding enrollments at proprietary, vocational, or other nontraditional institutions). Information is presented on the percentage of individuals who work and the number of work hours per week broken down for the following categories: income, gender, race, grade level, two-year and four-year schools, public or private control, urban and nonurban, region, and sector. It was found that students are more likely to work in 1981 than they were in 1974, and there has been no reduction in the hours worked weekly in 1981. Work continues to be a central activity of 40 percent of all full-time students, which supports the view that student aid has not replaced students' own efforts to finance their own education. In addition, there were increases in the rate of employment among women, blacks, lower income students, four-year college students, and private college students. (SW)