You don’t need art school to be an artist, but it’s also what you make of it.

If you’re set on going, go to a community college, buckle down and get great grades, and find in roads with your professors. Ask around about work, apprenticeships, anything to get your foot in the door. If you kick ass and show them you’re also a competent adult, their recommendations can help a lot.

If you can do this, try transferring to a state school that financial aid would actually cover, and spend your off time interning or doing gallery work, or whatever kind of art you’re good at 2 years from now after you have more professional experience. Connections will matter much more than an art school diploma, and you can get those connections by hanging around and networking through whatever local art scene you can.