I had a close friend who kind of bummed around and worked after high school. He took classes here and there at a community college, then started attending in a serious way. It took three years plus, but he got an associate's degree.

This guy would have been the first to tell you he was never going to leave his small town, move out of his parent's (literal) basement. You remind me of him, the way he would talk about college. It was like this homesickness for a place he'd never been. He was pretty melancholy about it, that he'd messed up and hadn't done better in life. That he'd gotten left behind.

One month before his 23rd birthday, he headed off to the state university where he lived in a dorm and had a full college experience. The following year he lived in off campus housing with friends. He made a ton of friends, met girls, partied to excess, lived in a beautiful college town. The life. No one looked at him twice for being older than them. It was fine and he was really happy.

You're not old, it's not too late. You could still have this dream in a couple of years; you'll still be young enough to enjoy it. By the way, the culture of university housing has really changed. There is housing for single parents, for married couples, for the "adult learner". Technically you can get the college experience at 50 if you still want it! But you want to go now, young.

It can happen for you. Talk with your school advisor about transfer programs, financial aid, work study, whatever. You might have to take out loans. Eh, it stinks but so does everyone. Get a little job, set a goal date to start the state college, and save your ass off. You'll have money for books and all the little things. You could have this, it'll be different than you pictured..but maybe better. Don't let this sadness run your whole life. Regret is terrible when it was avoidable.