[R0b0t1]

In your case I think you would be better served by being able to discuss with a mathematics faculty in a way similar to what happens naturally in academia.

I think it's not just money but the ability to more freely go back to school. It is difficult-ish to get the funding for, essentially, self-directed research during the best years of your life, and basically impossible if you don't already have an undergraduate degree.

[q1w2]

Asking someone with a mature career to formally return to academia seems like a non-starter.

In such a case he'd need to pay more money and spend even more time - when all he wants to do is work on this one particular problem.

[R0b0t1]

I know, that's why I'm not asking him to do that. It's just instead of giving him money what he really needs is an opportunity to speak with professionals. The issue is a typical academic career path is usually the only way to speak to those people.