RECENTLY, SUPPORT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY (1) THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS RELATED TO THE OPTIMUM EXPENDITURE FOR EDUCATION AND (2) THE TRENDS OF PUBLIC FINANCE WHICH HAVE INFLUENCED THE SUPPORT PATTERNS FOR COMMUNITY JUNIOR COLLEGE EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES. THE INEVITABILITY OF FEDERAL SUPPORT IS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED. THE NEED TO HAVE CURRICULUM BASED NOT ONLY ON LOCAL CONSIDERATIONS HAS PRECIPITATED MUCH FEDERAL SUPPORT. ECONOMIC STABILITY AND PROGRESS, AND NATIONAL SECURITY, ARE BASED ON EDUCATION. SUPPORT FOR MANY JUNIOR COLLEGES NOW COMES FROM THREE LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. ALTHOUGH THE NATIONAL INCOME OF THE COUNTRY HAS RISEN, THERE HAS BEEN NO COMPARABLE INCREASE IN LOCAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR JUNIOR COLLEGES. FEDERAL FUNDS IN FLORIDA INCREASED 1,000 PERCENT FROM 1963 TO 1966. THIS HAS HAD BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EFFECTS. FACILITIES, CURRICULUM, AND COUNSELING HAVE IMPROVED, BUT COLLEGES IN THE SAME STATE ARE FORCED TO COMPLETE FOR THE FUNDS. FEDERAL FUNDS HAVE CAUSED A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SEGREGATED SCHOOLS, ALTHOUGH A NUMBER OF INFERIOR NEGRO SCHOOLS ARE BEING KEPT OPEN BY THESE FUNDS. THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SCHOOL FINANCE (9TH, CHICAGO, APRIL 3-5, 1966). (HS)