Because not every 14-18 year old is capable or in a situation to make a 3.8+ GPA. Some high school students work part time to supplement family income and thus spend less time on academics than middle/upper-middle class students. This does not make them any less college material. There are plenty of 2.5 HS students who mature with age and perform better in college.
And there can be restrictions put on the free tuition. No more than 4 or 5 years, must pay room & board, etc. Also, universities don't have to admit all who apply. Every university also has academic standards to weed out those who don't do their work in the classroom.
Federally subsidized college tuition would help out public HBCUs (and other public universities) because not only would it provide enrollment safeguards, it also allows administrators to use alumni giving toward things other than academic scholarships.
The "good ole fashioned" days are long gone. This isnt the America of the 1970s and 80s. But since everyone isn't capable of seeing past their own bubble, there's no need for me to keep explaining this.
