Most tournament directors are nice people and will find an exception or sponsor for someone who is really poor to afford the fees.
Anyone who is good gets noticed quickly in the chess world. There are rich people in chess who will sponsor kids. All great kids in the US will get a free chess coach to get them better (I'm not sure how great you need to be to get this). Many other countries have similar chess sponsors.
If you read the article you will see that his school chess club waived their normal fees and even found him a coach (before he would qualify on the national level)
Anyone who is good gets noticed quickly in the chess world. There are rich people in chess who will sponsor kids. All great kids in the US will get a free chess coach to get them better (I'm not sure how great you need to be to get this). Many other countries have similar chess sponsors.
If you read the article you will see that his school chess club waived their normal fees and even found him a coach (before he would qualify on the national level)