A good point, and a better question. There would have to be some wealthy benefactors... or it could be funded through criminal means. They could also be exploiting the student's talents in some way to earn money...

[He pauses as he considers the other pieces of the puzzle at hand.]

...Considering the stuffed animals apparently associated with the school, maybe they also had good merchandising deals. [He digs into his food to provide more fuel for his thoughts!]