You are asking great questions and really displaying an admirable desire to turn things around and find success, whatever that means to you.
YES!!! Working hard will matter, absolutely! The next 7 or 8 decades of your lifetime are not fixed because you did not work to your full capabilities for a couple of years of high school. I mean, working hard would have been great, but that’s over and done, the important thing is to learn from it and MOVE FORWARD. Starting today, decide to work hard, take advantage of opportunities, make opportunities, treat everyone with dignity and respect. Do those simple things every day. You’ll do well.
Academically and financially, it sounds like you will be looking at a Florida public university or community college. That’s perfectly fine. Either can certainly be a launching pad. Apply to Florida public universities that might work and apply to community college. Go to either with a POSITIVE attitude and OPTIMISM about the future. Go to class–that is essential. Do homework–that is essential. Study for exams and work hard on papers–that is essential. Get to know professors and other staff, get extra help, with papers and tutoring. Most profs want to help, especially help hard-working students who are seeking help.
You can complete your studies at that university/community college. Or you can transfer. Schools like student who have turned things around. It shows RESILIENCE. Resilience is actually one of the best predictors of success, in college and in life. You can make the opportunity to transfer with a strong senior year and a strong first year or two of college.
It really is in your hands. No one can do it for you. It sounds to me like you want to turn things around, and I’m confident you can.
If the financial side is a prohibitive challenge, you might look at “work colleges.” I know Berea a little. It’s a terrific LAC and free for all students. You have to apply early and have to interview. You could look into that. I’m not sure how the school is with transfers, so you could research that, or talk to them about it, if it did not work for freshman year.
Maybe come back to CC in the fall to ask about other ideas that might work financially. Good luck (which you can make)!