The major maintenance programs, changes brought about by the 1981 Omnibus Reconciliation Act, and the effects on students or prospective students are described. Attention is directed to Social Security, Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), Medicaid, food stamps, public housing assistance, the Comprehensive Education and Training Act (CETA) and vocational rehabilitation. No one enrolling in college after April 30, 1982, will be eligible for Social Security, and due to other changes passed by Congress in 1981, Social Security student benefits will be considered as direct student aid rather than family income in the formula for determining eligibility for Pell Grants. Many students who receive Social Security benefits will find their eligibility for Pell Grants reduced. Federal AFDC payments on behalf of 18-21 year olds in college are eliminated. Additionally, new AFDC regulations may preclude college study by parents if class attendance is viewed as requiring excessive absence from child, and many recipients who are parents of older children may be required to take jobs rather than attend college. With regard to food stamps, the 50,000 students currently receiving benefits will experience reductions similar to those of other recipients. With a few exceptions, students 18-21 years old will lose their AFDC eligibility and consequently will lose Medicaid coverage, and states are likely to reduce or eliminate such coverage. New regulations also lower eligibility of families with students for housing subsidies and discourage dependents' full-time students from working. All CETA public service employment is eliminated, and youth employment and adult training are continued at reduced levels. (SW)