ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A Georgia Senate committee is urging lawmakers to create a statewide need-based scholarship program, saying the rising cost of college is shutting out thousands of students who can’t afford to stay enrolled.

The Senate Study Committee on Higher Education Affordability voted this week to adopt a final report recommending that Georgia establish a comprehensive need-based aid program. Supporters say the state is one of only two in the country without a broad need-based scholarship, even though Georgia students carry some of the highest student loan debt in the nation.

At Georgia State University, student body president James Wilson said the financial strain is visible in classrooms, where many students don’t make it to graduation.

“You see a pretty sharp

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