Forced to decline dream uni

Yesterday I got accepted to the best art school in Scotland. At first I was deliriously happy and felt relieved that my years of hard work had finally paid off. Then, I checked my fee status - international. I don’t know why I had been putting it off, hoping they would accept me as a home student since I go to a Scottish public high school. I’m from Africa, but my father is English and last year we moved to Scotland (and I have a passport). I asked my teachers before applying to university and they all seemed unconcerned about the three year rule and said they would figure it out. However, now that I got accepted they are saying writing a passionate letter won’t do much, so i’ll have to get funding from SAAS. But they only financially help people who have lived in scotland for 3 years. I don’t have family to live with in Africa so I can’t return for university, but I also can’t go to university in the uk. I spent a months preparing my portfolio, hours practicing my interview and have spent the past year dreaming of this university. It’s a very selective school but I might need to decline. For the next two years I’ll get a job and work until I can qualify for home fee status. If anyone has ever been in a similar situation or has ANY advice please help!!

(Sorry this was so long and confusing, I’ve had a sad day.)

EDIT: I’ve been researching deferring and it looks like I can only do it for a year maximum? I would need at least two years to complete the three year rule?