Can I make this work?

I would like to become an air traffic controller but I believe they only do the on the street stuff once per year in April and I just missed it. I am under 30 and clean. I have degrees in history which are not relevant for this. Do I have to wait until April to apply or is there another way I can apply again? I have heard of CTI school but that it costs money. Is it worth it if I would like to begin working as soon as possible?