Well i do think that an education can help alot, but if you have spent this amount of money and aren't working at ILM then there's something wrong and in my opinion one has to consider not pursuing a career in Visual effects.
If i read everything correctly YOU kept switching courses, quiting when the going went tough; trust me there isn't an education in the world where they only let you do stuff you want to do and there isn't a job like that aswell.

I have searched this website and took a look at your work which shows promise, but to be honest is pretty basic.
take a look at some of the work here or even better at cg talk; these people are the guys applying for the jobs you apply for...
If i were you i would buy some tutorials here or somewhere else(there are enough suppliers) and look at other peoples work, just start at the basics.

You are not nearly good enough to start at Gnomon, you would drown in the work and probably wouldn't keep up, if they even accept you that is.
Sorry for being this harsh wynternyght, but it's for your own good

I used to be a carpenter and by accident stumbled upon Maya and started fiddling with it somewhere around 2003/2004 and 2 years ago I applied for a job at a company which sells 3d software and in time i will make a showreel and apply for a job at a VFX house.
So you can get there on your own without a degree as mayaniac said

@mayaniac;
Of course you're right that you don't need it, but it helps a lot i think.
And most employers prefer to take someone who has an art or science degree and are getting paid more