Alright lol. Thanks this process is going to take a very, very long time. I feel stuck but I guess that story is for the "enduring the distance" board.
I am here in Scotland with my boyfriend that I have been with him for over a year (we met while traveling in Australia together). I looked at every possibility for us staying together and working in the same country (I am American and he is British). I thought I too could just go to school here. I met with a University and the most difficult part is the tuition. It cost £11,000 a year (which is like almost $20,000) + living expenses (even though you are living with her mom you still have to pay for some things). When you apply to study over here you
have to prove you have 1 years tuition in the bank + 12 months of living cost at £600/month in order to get your student visa. I don't know about you, but I don't have $36,000 hanging around in my bank account.
In order to come to the UK and get married we would have to apply for a fiance visa which cost about $850 just for the visa and when I get to the UK I still couldn't work. Then after we got married I would have to pay another $850 to get a spousal visa.
We decided that since we are 100% committed to each other we are happy to get married. But the easiest option is for my partner to come to the US with me and we will get married there, apply for my spousal visa and come back to settle in the UK.
If you are under 21, I would highly suggest you and your girlfriend take a year and do the Australia working holiday scheme. It is a great way for you to live in the same place and work together and get to know each other on an every day basis. America and the UK now participate in this scheme and it is a very straight forward visa to get. Google Australia Working Holiday visa for more information.
All in all this is NOT an easy process and just because you want to be with someone doesn't mean you can when you are with someone from another country. I would also definitely recommend you come over for a visit. It is different over here and if you are going to go through this whole process you should see where you will be living at the end of it.
This is a great forum, and feel free to continue to ask questions, as we are all going or have gone through it. However, please be forewarned that it is hard and your relationship needs to be rock solid to go through the process