I agree that not all young people should feel compelled to get a four year degree.    

Providing such a degree at no cost does not garauntee that the student will appreciate the 'gift', or will understand the value of what they would receive.    

I'm glad I went to college, I'm happy my children have gone to college, but I recognize that is not the only, or even the best path to a happy life.   We can cram a lot of people into the various fields of science, but sending out mediocre, unispired students with a diploma can result in a air of arrogance/privilage, not competence.    

We are not all built to attend college and it's an error to demean the lives of those who  chose other paths.