The main thesis presented is that the need for state-level planning for the community college requires increased state-level financial support, yet, at the same time essential local autonomy must be preserved. Areas such as cost-analysis and program-budgeting techniques that govern state support, the way cost-benefit decisions affect the ideal of a tuition-free community college, and specific financial problems that interfere with the full implementation of two-year college programs, are analyzed within the historical and philosophic framework of the community college movement. Educational and legislative trends that are becoming prevalent in community colleges in the 1970's are discussed. These trends include: (1) Increased state-level planning and coordination at the expense of local financial support; (2) increased use of management techniques in administration and recognition of the differential costs of educational programs; (3) realignment of the financial support of community colleges with their stated philosophic goals; and (4) concentration of responsibility in a single state agency as a method of achieving accountability. Numerous recommendations for resolving the financial difficulties of community colleges are proposed. (AH)