I have to disagree with Nickderry.
I believe there is something to be said about education...you learn technique, skills, find your own style and enhance it.
Anyone who wants a 'higher' education can afford it (there are tons of grants, loans, scholarships out there, just look). If you have to, and I know this sounds tedious, start with a community college, get the basics out of the way and then move on to a better school for art. Sometimes community colleges can have really good art programs and it is always better to work within the educational system for money than from without. Dig?
All that said, I also believe practice is the only way to get good at anything. Getting out there and doing it is what you should also do.
I went to Memphis College of Art and never finished my degree, but I learned so much from the experience, that I wouldn't be where I am in my art, if I hadn't gone. My work would still be on a high school level, which was good in high school, but for a 33 year old, not so good.
Oh, and you might want to consider going into some kind of Field Biology studies, that would open other doors that would be indicative to your art work.
I think a lot of professional wildlife artists have education in art and in Biology.
I have always thought the two go hand in hand, myself.
Best of luck
Elizabeth