State practices affecting the reporting of Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS) data were surveyed. Although all but three states coordinated the HEGIS collection and reporting effort for at least some group of institutions in the state, the survey revealed a relatively weak state role in editing the data collected from the institutions, and only moderate use of the data. Sixty percent of the 45 respondents to the state survey (27 states) indicated some use of the HEGIS finance data, but many of these indicated that the uses were quite limited. The inconsistency of the universe of institutions reporting in HEGIS from state to state was revealed. In addition, states varied significantly in strategies for providing student assistance. Variations occurred in the manner of state funding and in the reporting practices associated with central boards, offices, and commissions. Concerns regarding central support services, debt service, and capital acquisition financing were also addressed. Data are provided on direct student aid provided by states for 1977-1978 and 1978-1979. Data not included in HEGIS reports are also presented regarding debt service, as well as expenditures and enrollments for public postsecondary vocational-technical institutes. (SW)