Bora - I am certainly not stupid, for if I were I would not be on this course. I am however, realistic about the situation - most of that 5k (not all but most) is skimmed off by ctc for utilities, cars etc. I won't divulge exact figures on this forum.
The withdrawal of the 5k allowance by easyjet is not tightfisted, in fact the opposite is true - Thomas Cook are generous. I am unaware that any of the other airlines joining the scheme will be offering the allowance.
In my previous lines of work (not all aviation related) when I attend a training course away from home I would have to pay for my own beer fund and most of the time food also - why should this course be any different?
Please feel free to advise your friends' sons or whoever against applying on the basis that they might actually have to pay something.