Hey all, heres quite the random topic for ya! 

I know that several of you are/have attended college in the past so i thought i would pose a few questions to you today.

Over the past few weeks I've been seriously researching my ASS off trying to find the best schools to attend for a Bachelors/Masters (maybe) in Game Design or Game Art, and i really want a good solid education and legit experience to push me into the field.

But I keep running into the same problem... Everything is so damn expensive its frustrating!

Let me be honest, im poor.  Very bottom of the barrel poor, always have been since I was born.  That being said, i've been a huge advocate for games in my entire 23 year existence and have always wanted to become part of the industry myself.  I would rather not fall into the same Factory or Retail job hole that every Tom, Dick and Harry seem to stumble into around my parts.

Thing is, every college that offers a GOOD game design program, have Tuition costs that exceed $50,000 (usually including books).  Thats $6,250+ PER semester.

Long story short, i have no idea what im doing when it comes to Student Loans, Financial Aid ect ect.  I know that loans will probably not be enough to cover me for the time being and am just looking for advise on how i can obtain the funds neccessary via banks or w/e.  Any advise for the frustrated man is appreciated!!!

Here are some of the schools I looked into.  *note that i am leaning more towards Online colleges.

Fullsail Online - $61,000 (includes books + high end Macbook Pro with all required software)

DigiPen - $100,000 for a bachelors... ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND?!

Vancouver Film School- Very prestigious 1+ year school, but costs about $30,000 per year with a two year average attendance.

DeVry - Doesnt matter cause its not a good reputation school in the industry

Art Institutes - Expensive and falls into the same catagory as DeVry as a for profit school.

6250 per semester? Student loans can definitely cover that. I know people who are in the whole much further, though in my case (mostly through the great generosity of my parents) my loans are only 3,000 per semester (of a tuition that is significantly greater per semester than that)

Especially if you're as poor as you suggest. Then you could potentially qualify for subsidized stafford loans with half the interest rate of the unsubsidized that i currently possess (3.4% vs 6.8%)

Equally financial hardship would qualify you for financial aid, would it not? So long as you are qualified at least to attend the schools, at any rate.

Essentially, if you have the qualifications, people are willing to give or loan you the money you need. Part-time jobs can help, too.

Between Sallie Mae, the Stanford loads you should be able to get at least 70,000 of total tution. Sallie Mae and the Standford both offer income based repayment, so it  will not clean you out at graduation (not totally at least). And what ever is left after 10 year is usually pardoned. (Plus Sallie Mae has a contest each moth for the customers who pay each month get into a drawing to reduce your prinicple by a few thousand dollars.)

And arrangements can be made with the financial aid department to make a payment plan to pay off the rest. (EDIT: I really, really souldn't answer anything after work when I'm tried as all get out. Some of my sentances don't make any sence.)

Though a word of warning I would watch out for the "private" technical schools they may give you one price when you ask them. But you end up paying more, Full Sail and as you said DeVry is one of these. I went to one, which thankfully you didn't list. The consoler I talked to made it sound like I would only be paying 70k for the entire program. I ended up paying more than 100k, with them drain every last load opition I had.

Aside from Digipen, I wouldn't go to a "game design" school, you are better off going to a collage with a good computer science or good Arts program. I know the public university, in my area, made a design program with the help of Digipen. (UW(isconsin) extension) You don't have any better of a chance of getting into the industry going to one, and its cheaper to go the other route. And you can buy books that teach the basics of game design, and making some games/art resources for games yourself; to get your experience, and have stuff for your portfolio. Because another clause that some of these school have is all assignments you do in class for them becomes their property.