So Active Duty to mostly get $$ for college? Don’t meet vision for military pilot?
How is the $$ for college now? Maybe cut out some peripherals, enlist in the Guard/Reserves when 17 or so. While in the Reserves, start UND(or wherever), get the ball rolling. It wouldn’t have to be a flying unit, if piloting isn’t a possibility.
You would have ‘some’ $$ for college, plus speed things up a bit. This assumes you can scratch up some $$.