They don`t care, about the marks or if you hae a degree.
However, you could dispense with the drama and sob story, "My grades at uni were ok but not great and it was done more as a sideline while I saved the money to do my CPL. This ment working 40 hour weeks while at uni so that has shown in my grades."
and, "I am in my mid twenties and have worked hard to fund my flight training myself."
You and just about every other guy on here. And by the way, you don`t know what hard work and tough conditions are yet!