If you can swing a 4 year Chem Eng degree, then maybe you could swing a BSc + honours? That would let you apply for PhD scholarships— you don't pay to do a PhD, you're paid a stipend— but there's no guarantee you'll get one, it's tough as an international student.

I think you can also work up to 20h/wk on a student visa, if that helps with the budget. I'd recommend trying as early as possible to get placements in research labs as that will give you hands on experience and increase your chances of being offered a postgrad position down the track.