@kbsuoe – do you have family in Northern VA that you can live with? That might make going to NOVA CC and then transferring to a VA state 4-year school to which you can continue to commute may be doable. It shoulds like you may have a Pell Grant (the $6000 grant you mention in OP), and can take a direct loan for $5500 (it sounds like $2750 you mention in the OP may be 1/2 or the subsidized portion), and the loan amount will go up slightly each year. Which would mean if you can live with family the costs might be more affordable. However, since your parents live abroad you likely will not be eligible for in-state tuition, so your costs will be higher.
If you take a gap year and you have the test scores and GPA for significant merit (full tuition). You may be able to cover most of room and board with loan, pell grant, and a job at certain schools. There may also be some schools that offer a full ride for your GPA and test scores. People on the financial aid forum on this site may be able to steer you towards those if you list your GPA and test scores.