We didn't apply for the ROTC scholarship. He said he didn't want to take the route of ROTC because he wanted to become an officer and work in Spec Ops and was told that ROTC isn't a good route for that option.
Whoever told your son this was 100% wrong. The mission of both the USMA and ROTC is to commission officers into the Army, ROTC commissions over twice the number of Army officers to Active Duty each year then the USMA. Once the cadet commissions it does not matter where they received their commission when it comes to advancement or opportunities to join any of the Special Operation Units. My son went to a small state school ROTC, right now there are three from his class, including him, that are in training for various Spec Ops. ROTC cadets branch into the same branches as USMA cadets, they all go to the same BOLC training and to be honest, the trainers could care less where they got their commission.
As far as the next path to take, going to a school he can afford that has an AROTC battalion would be the best choice. As others have mentioned he can enroll in ROTC and still apply again for the USMA while in school, he may even be able to get a ROTC Nomination. He may also be offered a scholarship from the battalion if he does well in school and ROTC, many cadets have started ROTC with the plan of re-applying to the USMA only to decide to remain in ROTC and commission. A lot can change in one year but being in a 4 year college and a ROTC program will give him more options and be a better help in his second application process.
EDIT: Cross posted with USMA1994
Did I see correctly that your son still has an application in for the USCGA? From an old Coastie I wish him the best of luck. I have to say that is a real 180 degree turn from wanting Army Special Ops.