Are my eyes deceiving me? This is great news. It doesn't have an IDE, but it's the same compiler as .NET 2003!!
http://msdn.microsoft.com/visualc/vctoolkit2003/
Some people recommend reading the EULA carefully, but this is great news for people who want to have a go at using .NET but can't cough up the money.
EDIT: Info taken straight from site:
Overview
The Microsoft Visual C++ Toolkit 2003 includes the core tools developers need to compile and link C++-based applications for Windows and the .NET Common Language Runtime:
* Microsoft C/C++ Optimizing Compiler and Linker. These are the same compiler and linker that ship with Visual Studio .NET 2003 Professional!
* C Runtime Library and the C++ Standard Library, including the Standard Template Library. These are the same static-link libraries included with Visual Studio.
* Microsoft .NET Framework Common Language Runtime. Visual C++ can optionally build applications that target the Common Language
Runtime (CLR).
* Sample code. The toolkit includes four samples designed to showcase the powerful new features of the 2003 version, including new optimization capabilities, features to improve code-security and robustness, enhanced ISO C++ standards support, and the ability to use the .NET Framework library and target the CLR.