In my experience, your ACT/SAT score is a lot more important than your high school GPA when it comes to getting scholarships.
I managed like a 27 or 28 on the ACT and that would have got me tuition at a lot of school's like Jacksonville State University. One of my friends pulled like 30 on the ACT but had a 2.8 GPA, and bot only did he not have to pay a dime for housing, food, tuition, or books...the school ended up giving him money to attend.
Now they do not offer an engineering prograyou but they did have pre-engineering which would allow you to go their for two years and then you would have to transfer out to finish the degree. But if you can do great on the ACT/SAT there may be something similar in your area....
Also don't rule out community college so quick. You could take your electives and work while still living with your parents. This would allow you to save up some money until you can afford to transfer.