I did my licence in 91 for an all in cost of just under 3500 (46 hours). I had got a maximum available of 3800 ish so I did a lot of careful budgeting before I started. If it had come out much over the 3800 I would have had to pull the plug.
With hindsight, I would recommend the people with no money to go for an intensive course somewhere quiet. The people with no cash problems can do anything as it makes no difference to them!
Rod