Just wanted to clarify. I am not trying to ruin anyone's dreams. I also wish him the best.
I hope he continues to run. He should aspire to be the best runner he can be. I'm just advocating that he doesn't do it at the expense of his studies. His studies will provide for him eventually; his running will not (unless he works in a tangential field). Not only that, he can run AND still take a full course load (virtually all student athletes do). The two are not mutually exclusive. If he is academically excellent as he states he is, this in no way should be a problem.
Unless you are a TF god, you simply do not make enough money as a long-distance runner. If your dream is to work in a shoe store, run 14:00 minute 5Ks for a dozen years, and be a local running icon, so be it. I will admire you for you devotion to the sport. I just hope you don't confuse that with making a living that provides some modicum of financial comfort.
My point is you can run pretty darn fast while still focusing on your livelihood first.