@Pumeco:

Employers will not accept "self taught on internet" as valid experience or education on the resume. They want references to properly accredited schools so they know all their applicants are on the same level. You can supplement your knowledge with online materials on your current job and others will look at it if you end up using it there and have a few years on the job training. However, it will not open doors on its own. I started out working on mainframe computers, however I took classes at the local college to upgrade my skillset to programming in SQL Server and Visual Basic while everyone rushed the market to fix Y2K issues. So I had that on the job experience with those languages an my company transitioned, so when the IT bust occurred and the Y2K fixes were done, a lot of programmers were out on the street but I stayed employed and consulting agencies were constantly calling me with opportunities. Because I kept my skillset updated with proper training (at my own expense), I don't stay out of work for long and I get the more hard to fill jobs like the one I have now, which is a combination of programming, support, and database administration... which is why I have to keep my bags packed to head out of the country. You simply don't get those jobs without the proper training, work ethic, and skill set.

 I went through college with scholarships and summer internships at corporations, so I didn't take out any loans. So I entered the IT market free  and clear, though it took a lot of work to increase my salary. Loans work for people if 1) they're prepared to do the work necessary to graduate 2) they choose the proper career field so they make money to pay back the load and 3) they can enter that market when they graduate (nothing like going into the field and no jobs for your degree is available). I had to finance my college on my own since my parents funneled money into supporting my brother's education.. which was a law degree and several Master's financed with student loans... and he never took the Bar and ended up working outside the states for decades teaching English. (The government was harassing me for his location because he didn't pay them and he used me as a personal reference on the loan application. I told them to use their resources to track him down overseas because he didn't tell anyone where he was... and sent postcards with no return addresses). He's back in the states now, and the first conversation he had was with Uncle Sam. They want their money and then some. ;)