It depends on what you want to do from this point on. There are some professions that are based more on your talent than your schooling (art, music, film, etc). Then there are some professions that you only need to be certified in. Those you can usually participate in a technical course of some kind to get the certification (some automotive certifications, some computer certifications, medical assistants, nursing assistants, etc). Then there are professions you won’t get into without some level of a degree (nursing, doctors, dentists, radiology technicians, teachers, etc).
If you don’t know what you want to do yet it’s a bit harder to make a decision. I agree that going to college just to go with no real purpose in mind can be a waste of money, but if you have a goal in mind, it can be very worth it.
In addition to scholarships, there is other financial aid available as well (such as grants, student loans, etc). Some states have loan forgiveness programs if you get a job in a certain field at a certain place for a certain number of years.
I joined the Army right out of high school. I started college when I was 22. At that point, I knew exactly what I wanted to go to school for. I started out at a community college to get my Associates Degree and then moved on to a University for my Bachelor’s degree.