I agree that is a low expectation of the youth and I didn't require money to make me do well either. It is sad that these types of 'programs' are effective - even more sad that there is a need for these programs at all.
Regardless of how sad, the reality is that they work.

The reality is that many of the kids that may not be focused enough to or mature enough to go to shcool and get good grades for the 'right' reasons will be motivated by this. A thereby in time when they hopefully do become more focused or concerned about the future, it won't be too late. In working with youth and young adults in the inner-city, I've seen how many of them now regret not doing better in school and currently paying the concequences. If programs like this were in place when they were in school (before they dropped out or failed too many times etc) then maybe they could have been 'saved'.

I don't think this program is the answer, but it has been proven to work and improve the futures of these kids, helping them focus until they eventually really got it.

Sad or not, this program get's results.