Spiderman
I myself havent had an easy life (school life) I was told by my guidance teacher in front of other parents at a parents evening that "you'll never be a pilot", but it is something that I really wanted to do so I did. I started my PPL @16 and got a job to help bankroll it and when I was 19 I gained my ppl. Now I fly a chipmunk and have plans to put my application forward to the airforce very soon and it doesnt matter to me if I dont get in. I will be dissapointed sure but there are other flying careers out there eg cropdusting etc all involve hard work but itll pay off with a rewarding career .
My advice therefore is make it happen dont wait around for chances they may not come. If you really dont want to go to uni then dont and do what you want to do. Speak to other pilots, they can offer you good sound advice and even better it doesn't cost you anything (hence your post)
good luck for the future and i hope this helps