What if he doesnt want to go to college? I know Im not encouraging my son to go. I will encourage him to get a skilled trade as a plumber, HVAC, or electrician etc. and open his own business.
Then he can use the money to buy a car, or furnish his first apartment, or whatever the hell he wants to do with it. I think it's a 10% penalty. Important to note it can also be used for trade and vocational schools so if the kid wants to be an electrician or whatever, that falls into the accepted post-secondary options.
I would not discourage college as an option if I were you. You can't force your worldviews on your kids - they will likely end up resenting you for it and going the opposite direction anyway. That's what teenagers do.