Heck they could charge 10k every two years for all I care. They can build a wall with the proceeds if they want. As long as the program stands unchallenged that would be fine with me.

$500/2 years is $21 a month or $0.68 day. That's probably less than your gym membership, your cell phone bill, 1 Starbucks coffee a week, 5 drinks at a bar per month etc. You have two years to save up $500 for the best possible investment you could possibly make on yourself.

I know sometimes things can get tough and that people are saving up for their goals, but this is really important. Recently I had to front 2k+ to friends who didn't prepare for their renewal fees. I don't expect to get that money back. It wasn't because they couldn't; it was because they wouldn't.