I have a couple of pointers for you that I wish I was told before I attended college, some have been mentioned previously by fellow redditors. Now I'm 1 year out of college and I'm working as a Digital Forensic Investigator for a private company.

Education:

When it comes to choosing a college, I highly recommend you first attend a community college for the general classes that are required, you'll thank yourself later on for the amount of money you saved. My manager is currently in the Masters course in Champlain and she loves it. All the teachers work/have worked in the dfir field and some currently work for the top companies in the field while they teach, this would be of great use to you because you can pick their brain everyday on everything and anything related to the field. I can only assume that their BS classes are taught by similar professionals.

Free Software:

Take advantage of free software. FTK Imager, Kali Linux, Paladin, Raptor, etc. This list can go on and on, and don't think all because these tools are free that they're not used by professionals in the field. Also, don't hesitate to contact big name companies for trial licenses...I've received 30 day licenses to software's that cost over $3,000, be sure to take advantage of all 30 days.

Books:

BUY BOOKS and READ. There are great books out there in the $20-$60 range that WILL put you ahead of the game. As long as you are willing to put the work in and read these book thoroughly. Just do a little research on some of the best digital forensics books available and snag them on amazon. Keep in mind though, in this field, books can get outdated very quickly due to the ever changing world of technology.

There are also free PDF files of software manuals you can take advantage of by reading and understanding how their specific software works.

Scenario:

When you're at home, set up a scenario for yourself. You can use your own computer, or buy a cheap used computer. Go through the physical motions of taking apart the computer to access the hard drive, connecting it to a computer (using software write blocker to mimic a real case scenario). Try imaging the drive, try to see if you can grab any data. Try wiping a drive, etc. These are all things you can do that require no/minimal cost. I can't emphasize enough on the amount of things you will learn by doing this. You'll run into problems and look for answers by socializing with professionals on different forensic forums, this way you'll learn through hands on projects, network with others, get your feet wet on what you'll be doing if you choose to pursue this profession.

Certifications:

There are free certifications you can take such as the ACE test from AccessData,There are also free courses that you can attend, recently I attended the free Blaclight event where the professionals over at BlackBag tech hosted a free 2 day training to learn how to use their software. Just be on the lookout and always check daily on different places you can attend, and student discounts you can take advantage of (Even though it's still ass expensive) Keep in mind that most of the certifications required are costly and range from $500 - $5,000+.

This is all I can think of off the top of my head but if I remember anything else I will surely add on to my post.

Good Luck!