A survey conducted at University of Wisconsin System institutions was designed to help decision makers determine how many women students were on welfare and to find out the interaction between welfare and student financial aid in relation to expenses incurred in higher education. Women students vary in financial, marital, and parental status, and a significant proportion of them are mothers of financially dependent children. Many of them are on welfare. The survey asked for demographic data such as institution of attendance, student status, and approximate annual educational expenses. Participants were asked whether they had children financially dependent on them, whether they were entitled to receive non-governmental support, and whether they received that support. They were also asked whether they were receiving or had received while a student one or more benefits (such as food stamps, medical assistance, and aid to families with dependent children). Findings showed that women who took a job or obtained a grant to pay for their education had less money for food and expenses than women who did not. This policy did nothing to move women off the welfare rolls. In addition, programs such as Job Opportunities and Basic Skills takes these students away from higher education, ensuring that they remain eligible only for minimum wage employment and further welfare dependency. A technical appendix gives the sampling procedures and statistical programs used in the study. The survey instrument is attached. Contains 3 references. (SM)