(RALEIGH) -- When the General Assembly reconvenes this week, the future of federal student loans at North Carolina's community colleges could be a topic of discussion. Currently 40 of the state's 58 community colleges offer loans, and Ran Coble of the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research hopes that does not change.

"I think most of the community colleges are well into the semester of offering those federal loan programs to their students and it's something we're proud to have had a role in but think it is good research that shows a good path for the state," said Coble.

Earlier this year, the Republican majority in the General Assembly managed to pass four local bills to get around Governor Perdue's veto of a bill that allowed community colleges to opt out of a program that offers federal loans for community college students. But Coble said lawmakers could still consider an override of the veto during this week's special session.