This paper describes the problems and successes of adult working-class women at Staten Island Community College (New York) who have been moved by the aspirations enunciated by the women's movement to enter the college in increasing numbers. Among the problems that such reentering women face in the pursuit of a higher education are ambivalence and resistance from husbands, guilt feelings as a consequence of having to leave their children for extended periods, lack of institutional sensitivity to the unique needs of returning women, academic sexual stereotyping, and lack of sensitivity of male faculty members. In addition, the recent imposition of tuition charges in the City University of New York system poses an obstacle to program completion for working-class women, who typically have no income independent of their spouses. The severe reduction of counseling and support personnel throughout the City University also impinges negatively on working-class women, who have special needs for counseling designed to encourage them. Response of the institution to the special needs of returning working-class women has been inadequate thus far. Improved levels of counseling are needed, both for the woman student, and in some instances, members of her family, as are career advocacy and vocational advocacy. It is notable that some women students have taken to political organizing to obtain needed educational opportunities. (JDS)