Has he considered a private school as his four-year?
Many schools welcome “nontraditional” students into their student bodies. Some have fellowships for them.
Guilford College welcomes nontrads and they offer merit scholarships.
https://www.guilford.edu/admissions/transfer-students
https://apply.guilford.edu/portal/adult_campus_visit
Davidson – https://www.davidson.edu/admission-and-financial-aid/apply/transfer-students