Moving to Germany for Studies Without Saving €12.000?

Hi everyone, I’m (25M) trying to make plans to move to Germany, ideally to study, and I’m looking for advice on navigating the student visa process.

I live in Texas, USA, and I've been learning the German language for 10 years now. I've only graduated high school with no higher education. I don't have a family or anyone who can help me. I don't even know where to begin and am feeling overwhelmed.

I started an application on the Consular Services Portal, but I can't submit it without proving that I have around €12.000 in funds. Is it possible to secure a student visa without having that entire sum saved upfront? How can I go about obtaining a German/EU scholarship? Do I need a reference or an acceptance letter from a Uni to qualify?

Appointments with the consulate are only 20 minutes long. Who can I talk to who can help guide me through this?

It's been a dream of mine to live in Germany. So many of my friends are natives who live there, and I feel so much less depressed when I'm in Germany versus in the United States. I wouldn't mind teaching English there as teaching is a passion of mine. If you’ve been through this process or know of resources that've helped you, I’d really appreciate your advice. Thanks in advance!