How on earth does anyone afford the SQE?

Hi everyone, I'm an EU citizen currently studying law in the US but I would like to move to the UK following graduation. I wouldn't qualify under the QLTS scheme as it seems like it's being phased out by September 2021 (I'll still be in school by then) and I took a look at the SQE 1 and 2 and... holy shit. How does anyone afford this exam? Do you get an employer to pay for it?

The bar exam in the US is expensive but pales in comparison to the SQE. It's a little worrying.

Note: I'll qualify for pre-settled status by the time I will sit the SQE, as I'm moving to the UK in a week and will do law school remotely.