Data on the income, race, sex, and age of college students from 1970 to 1980 are presented, and policy implications of the trends are considered. The most significant finding is that the college-going rates for full-time students from the lowest incomes (under $5,000) increased measurably (9.5 percent in 1974 to 14.3 percent in 1980). The college-going rate of black students was equal to or greater than the rate of white students, at every income level except the highest ($25,000 and over). The overall college-going rate of black students of 24 percent in 1980 was only two-thirds the rate of white students of 36 percent, and was due to the substantially larger share of black families with lower incomes. Over the decade, the college-going rates of men declined while the rates for women increased. Finally, college-going rates differed substantially by age with the peak participation at ages 18 to 19. It is suggested that student financial aid may have been a significant factor in increasing educational opportunity of low income students. Appended materials include data on: total college enrollment by full- and part-time status, sex, and control of institution, patterns of enrollment by tuition level, and changes in college-going expectations. (SW)