[halo]

But, as the article alludes to, a key part of the attraction of these courses is providing super low barriers to entry and access to those who couldn't otherwise pay.

Asking for donations solves this problem in a simple, frictionless way and may even be more effective than upfront payment. I think you're irrationally opposed on moral and ideological grounds rather than effectiveness, which is ultimately what matters.

[mikle]

You might be right about my moral and ideological grounds, but who are you to say effectiveness is what matters?

Effectiveness without morality and ideology is just Sociopathism. To quote an old saying "The trains always ran on time during the Nazi regime".