Check out if there are educational versions available. I purchase stuff from Journey ED (Check
www.journeyed.com -but I'm not sure thats it)
They also hooked me up with another educational provider for upgrading 3DS MAX to version 5 (from 4) for $150. That would be $800 as a regular upgrade. If they give us 5 this year, we will own 2-4's 1-4.3 and a 5. We need to upgrade to the same level so we can be more productive.