Ok so a few events in my life have stopped me from living like i should have.?

You cannot change your qualifications to Scientist if you do not have the education or credentials so this you will not get paid for learning a Scientist title is earned through education not a title someone can just give themselves . You can work full time and learn unlike you believe people do it all the time it just takes longer.The Economy does not stop you from doing both unless you want to use it as a excuse.Both myself and my wife works full time and goes to school part time as do many others in our cles. Seems your wanting it all with little or no effort. If you want it bad enough you will actually work hard to achieve your goals. Also sitting at home reading books does not qualify as a education even a librarian did more than just read books.