SS2907,

I agree with GoPats and HMP. Perhaps you can resolve those "unforeseen college issues", get a degree, find a better-paying job, and afford more instruction and ratings. Aviation jobs will still be available, but you will have the power of choice. In any career field, whenever you lack the education and skills to comfortably walk away and do something else, the employer has you at his mercy. "Taking the long road" is a good title for this thread, because it's good advice.