Funding my Education

About the AIMS tuition waiver and the recent controversy around cutting the program:

I'm aware of the crisis our country is facing. I'm aware it is becoming increasingly difficult to fund government programs. So my thoughts and opinions do not come from a cloudy awareness of my surroundings, I am fully aware of the circumstances. What I don't understand is if they've been considering the cut for a while, why I still received a letter saying I was entitled to a share of the money available in the program. Why did they send me confirmation of a program offering full tuition funds when that money doesn't exist? Why am I now scrambling to account for six grand I had previously accounted for, that is now gone? And my biggest question (that will offend most people): Why the hell are academic programs being cut? God forbid we take funding away from the football team. Oh no, kids need their sports. Testosterone needs its outlet.
What about me? What about a kid who can't catch, kick, run, jump, or dive to save her life? What if I spent more time focusing on my education and the academic aspect of my schooling than worrying about if I made the team?
Why are the people who are trying hard in regards to schooling being left behind while the athletes are still playing off their talent, not their knowledge?

Answer me this.