Originally posted by orgeeizm
well if you want to go the hard but fun, cheaper road, you can always just learn by yourself and use your resources such as this website and create a really good portfolio & demo reel. with your collection of work, youll be able to market yourself, have more possible connections, and the best part is that youll have the discipline to learn on your own. 
i am student on that road
Yeah. I've also been thinking about going halfway. Get a certificate (or AA) in Animation, keep doing it on the side, and get a BA in Graphic Design. Should widen my choices in the future a bit...