There is always hope!

Start with the Expat guide to New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco or Miami (depending on where you want to go). These guides include info on studying, language courses, visa, how to find housing, etc.

As far as visas, we have a series on "Obtaining a Visa to Live, Study and Work" with the USA coming out next week. Specific to what you are looking for to study:

"Enrollment for foreign students in the United States is handled by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a division of the Department of Homeland Security. Visa information and similar data are maintained in the SEVIS program, an Internet-based system that maintains current information on
Non-immigrant students (F and M visas)
Exchange visitors (J visas)
and their dependents (F-2, M-2, and J-2 visas). Spouses and dependent children may accompany foreign students to the United States, but must obtain their own visas.

Students between the ages of 14 and 79 must also undergo an interview with the embassy consular section as a condition of receiving a visa. Student visas remain valid for the entire program of study as long as you remain enrolled full-time. You are allowed to return to your home country for brief visits without reapplying for a visa.

Foreign students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week on campus during the first year of study. After the first year, you may apply to work up to 20 hours per week off campus in a position directly related to your program of study during the academic year. Under certain circumstances (especially pertaining to graduate students), you may also be permitted to work full-time during the summer months.

Students who hold an F-1 visa and who enroll in public secondary school are limited to a maximum of 12 months of enrollment. In addition, the student, or another individual, must pay the full, unsubsidized cost of the student's education for the entire period of enrollment. Students in other visa categories, and students who hold F-1 visas and enroll in private school are not subject to this restriction.

In most cases, students may enter the United States no more than 120 days before the beginning of their educational programs. Most students must return to their home countries for at least two years after finishing their studies. If you wish to remain in the United States after completing your educational program, you must apply for a waiver using Form I-539.

To apply for a student visa, you must present the following documents:
Form I-20A-B OR Form I-20M-N (issued by your school after acceptance)
Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status For Academic and Language Students OR Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students
Completed Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-160
Passport (valid for at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States)
One (1) 2x2 photograph meeting photograph requirements
MRV fee receipt (to show payment of visa application fee)
SEVIS I-901 form fee receipt"

Check out the guides & see what kind of questions you still have. Also check out expat blogs in the USA. Anyone else have tips?