In Maine and across the nation, ideas flourish over an issue that will likely remain in the forefront through the 2016 election cycle.

The Westbrook man wants to finally get his degree, but financial conditions are daunting.

‘You are always sacrificing something,’ says the University of Maine junior.

The ideas range from free tuition at public schools to making college expenses tax-deductible.

Now a USM senior, she had to forgo Boston University and now is rethinking dental school plans.

The 2015-16 spending plan that voters finally approved Tuesday is less than the proposal they rejected in June – and more than the one they rejected last month.