> Essentially, the financial aid programme is the PyCon Outreach program - it's the community holding up the community and making itself accessible at this major event through these financial grants. It is the very spirit of the conference; make the information, knowledge, friendships and connection available to everyone.

Love this. Too often, conferences & groups that are all about 'openness' and freedom don't make allowances like this to actually expand the reach and the appeal. Linux Australia do a good job of this.