OP here. We are a school that is completely free and takes a percentage of income (though for two years, not for life). Even still the $400 to make it through the last month was a barrier.
We’re working on having a fund available for living expenses, but “I’m going to pay you cash so you can go to school” is a different risk profile than “This School is free until you’re hired.”
That's awesome. The only reason the school should take the burden is to distribute the risk pool and also theyre the most capable of providing some value framework on whether this $400 or that $400 is a better investment.
I personally would loan money for this sort of thing if there was a reasonable ROI and someone vetting the students.
We’re working on having a fund available for living expenses, but “I’m going to pay you cash so you can go to school” is a different risk profile than “This School is free until you’re hired.”