Just to clarify, all the cadets in Jerez did finish the course but seen as they were let go before course end dates they did have to pay to something. It ranged from a few hundred euros to a few thousand, depending on a few things one of which was accomodation past estimated course finish date. Two courses were delayed by about a month, one had just finished.
As you say compared to the cost of the course and expenses it was small fry but don't be fooled into thinking the cadets got something for nothing, I'm assured the Oxford cadets also had fees to finish their course also.
The cadets I knew seemed in no way disgruntled about it either. General attitude was: "ok no job at the end of it but !!!! it we just got €100k of free training + expenses...".
I'm guessing the cadets you know are all in gainful employment, and those of us that are do indeed have that attitude because it's worked out for us. Remember not all the cadets have found jobs, there are still a few who haven't been able to get one. A free ATPL isn't worth much if you can't get a job and use it.