My boyfriend literally worked full time through his entire time in college which only covered rent, food, bare necessities, nothing leftover to cover books or tuition. He graduated magna cum laude, straight A student but he didn't get any scholarships. Stayed up till 1 or 2 working at restaurants all week, woke up for 9am classes, both of which he had to bike to because he didn't live on campus or at home like you.

You did experience the exception. Plenty of people make just as many and * way more* sacrifices than you and it doesn't get them nearly as far.