Shouldn't be. Just have a more-level playing field, make everyone (college-track or not) participate.

You seem to assume that tax dollars are equivalent to labor. A pile of quarters never did anything sitting there, it takes a human to do something for the most part. Money is a tool sitting there, not actual work.

> A pile of quarters never did anything sitting there

Luckily, we don't have a pile of quarters sitting there doing anything, because the US operates at a deficit. So dollars are being borrowed then spent on projects.