You can get MUCH cheaper educational versions of all sorts of programs, including Photoshop at a site called:
Academic Superstore.com
There is no difference in the capabilities of the software. In order to purchase from them, you must have proof that you have a child attending school K-higher ed or you are a teacher yourself. A fax of a report card is sufficient proof.
I purchased Quark for $199 instead of $750. Photoshop CS3 is $297 vs. $999. They have ALL sorts of other programs.
http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ma...srch=photoshop