Good luck! You're going to want to find an instructor (you didn't mention who you were learning the scales from ). Since money is an issue, try the local pipe bands. They will usually offer low-cost or free instruction if you agree to play with them when you get that far.

Of course, it's a pricey hobby. You should be able to get a good practice chanter for $80 or so, but pipes will set you back close to $1000 or more. Avoid the cheap ebay knockoffs, even if they seem temptingly cheap, because you'll just get what you pay for.