I have a little experience here.

First DONT quit the hobby. You'll quickly wish you didnt once you start getting your degree in aeronautical engineering. Once you start learning the engineering side you will quickly get this mindset...."I could design it better than that".....every engineer does....well, a great place for testing your designs is in model aviation.

Alot of very famous aeronautical engineers use model aviation as a test bed for their designs. For instance...the X prize winning design "SpaceShip One" originated as a R/C model. They flew the model around for months, testing its flight charectoristics.

If you are not sure how you are going to pay for your education and your hobbies and living expenses....well theres only one place to go.

The military. What ever branch of service you choose, KEEP FOCUSED!!!! Your there for only two reasons. One is serving your country, and the other is your education. Everything else comes second. Dont get involved with some overseas hoochie, or get plastered every weekend. The military can send you to Embry Riddle. I did it. But if your going to go this route, its very difficult, and you'll have to use will power and focus for a long time.

If your not interested in the military, you'd better be making straight A's since 1st grade, and hope for a couple of scholarships or have some rich parents.

You may also be able to do internships at McDonnell Douglas or Boeing. It would be a great way to get on-the-job training while paying for your education.

I wish you the best.