Gents - joining the aviation industry is expensive anyway. So if you want to join,you must be prepared to spend a significant amount of money in certain areas that have no choice! Of course making wise decisions is key. But for e.g. Medical is £350, then renewal fee, if you go by loan, BBVA fees are around £1,200! any integrated assessment whether by airline scheme or not is around £250.
We just need to think positively (and realistically too!). If we get selected for an assessment, we can't be intimidated by the competition, because if they selected you for an assessment, you already are much closer to get the position than all the others who got rejected. Therefore all we have to do is give our best! It's also an experience (an expensive one I know!). But a worth one.
I'm far from rich and I live in the UK. If they call me, it will come off my pocket!