Through the early 19th century, police would toss debtors into the local gulag for failing to make repayments. Though “debtors’ prisons” are now long gone, college students in Maine say the crushing debt for education is the fiscal equivalent of wrist shackles and leg irons.

Freeing students from financial bondage is the goal of Opportunity Maine, which seeks to put an educational tax credit question before state voters. In short, the program would reimburse tuition and fees for attending Maine’s public colleges through tax credits if the student stays, and works, in Maine.

The initiative was announced Tuesday at L-A College.

Organizers say the program, with an estimated $3.4 million upfront cost, would return $30 million in 10 years, through the economic contributions of college-educated employees retained by the tax credits. These projections seem ambitious, and require scrutiny if the question makes the ballot.

The University of Maine this week also said it would ask for an additional $36 million from the state for a similar reason; Chancellor Terrence MacTaggart said the money would fund faculty raises and freeze tuition. The aim is to plug the “brain drain,” he said, and keep talented high-schoolers in Maine for college.

One program to alleviate debt, one program to prevent it. Both deserve support, as evidenced by Maine’s wretched record of college costs.

This month, Maine again earned an “F” in college affordability from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, its fourth flunking grade since 2000.

Maine has fared poorly in other studies as well. Teachers who are public college graduates in Maine, for example, spend 39 percent of “discretionary” income to repay student loans, a national study said in April. Private college graduates pay 55 percent. Both are nearly double the national averages, and mountainous hurdles for attracting, or keeping, qualified teachers.

Susan Gendron, commissioner of Maine’s Department of Education, told the Sun Journal recently that college costs are a national issue. She is correct, as 42 other states also failed college affordability in the study released this month. This quandary leaves room for creative, bold initiatives like Opportunity Maine to combat this dangerous trend.

And tax credits are common public policy, especially in economic development. Gov. John Baldacci’s Pine Tree Zone program, as an example, is basically a package of tax credits on payroll and personal property taxes for companies that invest in an eligible region.

If businesses can reap tax credits for investing in Maine, so should college students. The state’s economy relies on both, a point accurately conveyed by Opportunity Maine.

“We see this as, first and foremost, as economic development through education,” said Rob Brown, campaign director for Opportunity Maine.

Solutions to making higher education more affordable in Maine must be found. High school and college graduates are leaving for better opportunities elsewhere. Opportunity Maine seems to be a creative response for the future, while the additional funds for the University of Maine will ensure the quality of education available today.

Plugging the brain drain carries benefits for all Mainers, not just those in university classrooms.