The Public Assistance Comprehensive Education (PACE) program was established by Tompkins Cortland Community College at the request of the New York State Department of Social Services (DSS) and in cooperation with local DSS offices. PACE offers up to five semesters of vocational training to individuals receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Other PACE services include pre-enrollment assessment, program selection assistance, basic skills development, financial aid, coordination with DSS, and academic support, such as assigned academic advisors and weekly appointments with counselors. Job development and placement activities were introduced during fall 1987 for students planning to graduate within two semesters. In August 1987, 128 students with a total of 215 children were enrolled in PACE. Of them, 60% were single parents, 23% depended on public transportation, 43% lived more than 15 miles from campus, 66% needed at least one remedial course, and 20% reported substance abuse or battering. A program evaluation showed that: (1) the retention rate for the 50 students who started PACE in fall 1986 was 88% through the end of the spring semester (compared to a college-wide rate of 81%); (2) retention rates were 50% for the same group through fall 1987; and (3) the mean grade point average (GPA) of PACE students for fall 1986 was 2.65, with 46% of the students earning GPA's of 3.0 and above. The two-year degree PACE program has been completed by nine participants, who are all now gainfully employed. (GFW)