Research universities are phenomenally expensive and heavily subsidized creatures. This guy received $250k in government grants that paid his tuition and stipend.
I'm mildly biased (or more precisely, I was more close to the subject), since I was in research until 2 years ago, when my grant ran out. I did have a grant, but in my case it was basically my salary while I was researching and giving occasional teaching. The research group I was in was also given money "for me" to cover my travel expenses and such, but after all, the money for the grant is used in exchange for someone researching (be it as salary, equipment, workshops,) not just flushed down the toilet. But I'm sure you know, also ;)
