2 Grand on a framebuilding school is quite a bit of money. It would probably do you some good to take some cheaper welding/brazing course down at your local technical or community college. That would be helpful even if you were to go to a framebuilder's school.
You already know like 8 builders in your area!!! Just get the Paterak manual, get some scrap tubes and start practicing on your own. I know you said that the builders near you are kinda busy, but just do it on your own. If you run into probs, then just ask them for help or get on that framebuilder's listserve someone mentioned. The money you save, maybe you could buy a fixture or buy a pizza for your local builder!
Check out Suzy J's framebuilding tutorial. She is/was an amateur like yourself and totally self-taught. Quite an inspiration to all do-it-your-selfers.
http://www.littlefishbicycles.com/