Presumably they mean that the total amount paid is not affected by the timing of payments. If they make a lot of money and pay it all off the first year, they

Presumably they mean that the total amount paid is not affected by the timing of payments. If they make a lot of money and pay it all off the first year, they pay the same total number of dollars as if they are unemployed for 4 years and make enough to pay everything off the 5th year. It's something like 50% financing fees, but 0% interest, and forgiveness after 5 years.