To remove or not to remove braces

Hello,I have had my braces for 1 year 7 months. My orthodontic plan is for 2 1/2 years.I have seen great results so far as the gap between the two central incisors of the upper jaw is now completely closed. However, I now have a gap in the upper right jaw in position of the first premolar position. My intention is to get a dental implant to fill this gap. On the upper left jaw a small gap also developed in the position between the canine and the first premolar and another gap between the first premolar and the second premolar. On left side I am not missing any teeth so I am not quite sure what can be done with this gap. In the case of my lower jaw, there are still gaps on both the left and right side. During my childhood, I had two molar extracted, on the left and the right side. In each case it was the first molar (the one closest to the premolar). Over the years the lower teeth separated to try to fill these two gaps.Now with the braces there are no gaps/spaces the six teeth i.e. the four incisors and the canines on both the left and right side of the lower jaw.I now have small gaps on the right side of the lower jaw between the canine and the first premolar, the first premolar and the second premolar are a large gap where the first molar was extracted. On the left side, I have a small gap between the first premolar and the second premolar and a large gap where the first molar was extracted. My intentions was to fill the gaps in the position of the molars with dental implants after the treatment. I was recently awarded a Scholarship to pursue my masters for a period of 2 years. I do not think I will have sufficient funds to continue my treatment while I am studying. In light of this I was considering removing the braces. My orthodontist thinks I should keep the braces and try to enter a student clinic program at a dental college. I did my home work and found two dental colleges that have such programs. However the waiting period is 4 months and one is still not guaranteed entry to the program. I am aware that going to a regular orthodontist is quite expensive and as such I will not be able to sustain such expense. I have already spent quite a bit of money on my treatment and I am really pleased with the results so far. I do not really want to remove the braces but I may have to consider this as an option. Please advise me on what I should do or can do.