"The N.C. Center for Public Policy and Research believes the state should do more to improve financial aid for community college students," the News & Record reports. "The nonpartisan think tank released a study this month that suggests the General Assembly increase grant funding to students and increase funding for child care grant programs. The center also recommends community colleges develop default management initiatives so that they can participate in federal student loan programs. The study found that 57 percent of the almost 270,000 students enrolled in state community colleges receive some form of financial aid. However, only 23 of the 58 colleges offer access to all of the need-based, low-interest loan programs offered by the federal government, unlike the state's public universities."