I'm in the summer batch. I put in my notice yesterday at work and saved for many months to have enough money to live in NYC and not starve.
Attending hackerschool is not solely a matter of circumstance but intention. If you want something enough you'll do what you need to do in order to get it.
Seconding this. It's because I've been saving up for the past few years that I have the money to attend the summer batch. I didn't know that I was saving up for hacker school, but I'm glad I was saving :)
I'm finishing up the current winter batch, having started in a position similar to yours. I think you'll find that it's time and money well spent. I've been invited back for this summer's batch and will likely be back. If I am, see you in a month or so :-)
So? The Universe does not provide us free food and housing simply by virtue of existing. It's going to cost money to live anywhere. I don't see how this is Hacker School's problem though. Part of the experience is having a physical space to work in together. Right now, that space happens to be in NYC.
Attending hackerschool is not solely a matter of circumstance but intention. If you want something enough you'll do what you need to do in order to get it.