[lazaroclapp]

Sure, but the 20K is there probably just to ensure you can work a couple weeks on developing a very early prototype with some friends without having to work during that time, specially if you are fresh out of college. The real reason to do a program like this is probably still the advise and the connections with potential early stage investors in case you do decide to keep the company running for longer than a quarter (and you are not the rare company that can be profitable in a few months). Essentially, if you don't need much money right this moment but already know you want to go the traditional VC-funded company route and want access to that sort of environment and business/legal/etc advise, this program is lightweight/flexible way to do that.

Also, I don't know if there are any geographic restrictions to this program, but 20K could keep a 3-4 people company alive for a year or more in many parts of the world. And saving that much would be non-trivial in those places.