Rising college costs and the financial burdens facing students are discussed, as a part of hearings on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. While funding for financial aid programs has declined or remained even, tuition for private and public colleges has increased between 28 and 30 percent. The ability of low- and middle-income families to pay the cost of a college education is at issue. Data are presented on: college costs; students' responses to increased costs; college enrollments by attendance status, student sex, and type of institution for 1973-1982; enrollments by family income level for 1972 and 1980; and enrollments by type of degree pursued and by student age, 1982. Additional topics include: the current situation for students wishing to attend private institutions and federal outlays for all kinds of student financial assistance. The lowest income student has been most affected by patterns of funding, inflation, and policy changes. High ability students are receiving aid from state, institutional, and private sources. Changes in assistance programs have a great effect on black students, who have significantly lower income as a group. Testimony on the impact of federal student aid programs on private historically black colleges is included. (SW)