unfortunately most people can't go to school with out a loan, and these days not getting at least your undergrad is a mistake. Instead of taking a year off and then deciding not to go to school, study abroad for a year some place where there are waves, thats what I did and it was the best year of my life. Salisbury was pretty good, I don't think I would have lasted though if I didn't surf, social scene can kind of be a drag. Got in to UNCW but too much $$ being out of state.
Couple of more choices Brevard CC in Melbourne - nuff said... Jacksonville Univ. - expensive but one hell of a school, both academically and ahhh, "enjoyment-wise" within 20 minutes of some very good N FLA breaks, 2 hrs. from Ponce Inlet, 3.5 from Cocoa and Sebies, et al...
getting loans isn't bad if you pursue a major that actually allows you to get a decent job. too many people go into 'fluff' majors and finance that with loans. when they get out they can't get a job and have a huge student loan debt.
I went to grad school at Florida Institute of Technology for 2 weeks. It is a few miles from Melbourne Beach and 20 minutes from Sebastian Inlet to the south and Cocoa to the North.
schools Grew up in Absecon NJ right by Richard Stockton, Atlantic City fires... graduated from Salisbury U , OC and Assateague can get pretty good, I live in Carolina Beach just south of UNCW now and all i can say is I miss NJ and MD compared to here. Weather here is great, water is warm and poon is plentyful, but we lack the quality waves like the mid-atlantic gets....rarely gets over head high here, gets bigger at spots up north. UNCW does offer lots of snatch!!!
I recomend my almui mater - Flagler College in St. Augustine. Great waves, good school. 12 hour drive from Maryland.