Initially I was thinking of the younger students, and also, in my mind’s eye, the kind of scenario where schools could be approached etc, how there are so.many complexities with regards to safe guarding and so on around all of that. I personally would find it very rewarding to help mentor a group of youngsters. Later I realised that being online in its nature there are a few hurdles to over come, for example, how would you know that someone really couldnt afford one of the courses and wasnt just scamming.
@Ben_Pearson’s suggestion of a short essay is a good idea and a fairly traditional one, e.g. twll us why you think this should go to you… but… I worry that if not guided carefully applicants could feel a bit beggy… and I would hate for that… as this is supposed to be a positive and supportive gesture… also, not everyone will be the best at writing, others may have a talent for drawing or some other creative talent.
There was a young lad a while a go on the Facebook group for the Blender course and he was desperate to take the course. He wanted initially the materials and said that he had already got a copy of the course (downloaded/shared videos)… bit naughty but he was greeted in a friendly manner by the group who recommended he purchased the course. He then went on to ask people, including myself, via facebook messages whether we would be able to help him directly, e.g. teach him.
Whilst making a mistake regarding getting copies of the videos in the first place, to which he was honest enough to admit when asked, he had enormous enthusiasm but clearly limited means.
One of the other considerations is the global nature of the course platform and the forums. There will be people from lots of varying countries with varying language skills.
I have wondered whether maybe asking them to put forward their idea for a game, in the essay suggestion, may be better than asking ehy they should have it etc, of course, then you enter into the trust arena… will people want to share their “great idea”…
I would really like to try and push the concept of paying it forwards through this too, hoping that, if even just a few people who get a code to get a course for free then go on to help out a few more people, whether its just answering some questions for some more beginners or even later on backing a kickstarter themselves and then donating their coupon, the whole thing will have made a really significant difference to not just a few initial recipients but potentially a lot more.
I would be quite happy to review a drawing, a storyboard or an essay or anything really but I would like to know a little bit about the person too, what motivates them, what they like, why do they want to learn to code and make games etc.
I think how it works will definitely need some serious thought if it can go forwards, which I would love to see, I do feel that the GameDev.tv team need to be steering it also as obviously it is their brand and what is done by us along these or other lines could reflect on them and that needs to remain in a positive light.
I am really pleased that I am amongst like minded people on this specific topic though, it is really encouraging that the world, despite all the things you hear about in the news, has some wonderful and kind hearted people in it. So regardless of what happens, thank you 
)