The same argument made about rich kids going to college and not caring (and thus not learning) because they're on their parents' dime can be made about boomers who got free education. They didn't have to care; it was just there.
I truly believe in free education (or at least, actually affordable education), but when it's a thing, there is a clear split between those who want to be there to better themselves and those who want to be there, or who think they should want to be there or have to be there, for other reasons.