Just some thought...A normal student, no scholly, gets loans, grants, or whatever...probably gets a job to have some extra spending cash for weekends, food, etc...they are not working to pay for their school right then and there. Student Athletes, don't have to pay for the schooling, but then no one really does while they are going to school...but they still need money for the things I mentioned before, but instead of being able to get a job and make some money for those things, they are at practice or watching film...not a lot of time left for homework and a job, etc...
I have no doubt that I would have loved to have had my college paid for, but I didn't...so yes they are getting a benefit in that regard, but it doesn't take away from the fact that they still need money to get by while they are at college and they don't have a lot of extra time on their hands to get that done.
I don't necessarily think a union is the right way to go, but I wish the NCAA would give student's some sort of stipend to live off of.