I believe it comes down to how much value is placed on getting a degree. I was the first in my family to attend college and also came from a less than desirable socio-economic background. If someone would have given me tuition, fees, books, a place to live, a card that would let me get a meal 3x a day and a stipend for cost of attendance. I can do this for 5 years (with a red shirt year) and leave with no debt and a masters degree and all I have to do is play a game that I love and keep my grades up, I would place a high value on that arrangement.
Before anyone says they are not there for the education, than they should not be in college, go play somewhere else. But there isn't anywhere else for football players to play after high school. That sucks, but I do not see that as a NCAA problem. Maybe the new FXL will let them play.