What is the best, most afforadable beginner's digital camera?

I've been "taking pictures" for many years now and would finally like to upgrade to "photography." I've owned a few digital point and shoots but I know nothing about more "advanced" cameras. I want to get into photography, but since I'm a low income college student, I want to be able to fiddle around with the lens, aperture, etc manually but with a digital camera since it would be cheaper for me than having to develop film all the time. Once I become better and slightly more serious, then I'll invest in a film camera.

What would be the best affordable option for me?

Please indicate specs so I can search for a similar one.

Edit: I would like to purchase a camera for about $300, but I can stretch it out to $500. I don't want a film camera not because its more expensive because it's not, but because I can mess up and fiddle around with a digital camera & not have to pay to get film developed.

You have not specified your budget. You need a SLR camera based on what you have written. So the cheapest and decent SLR will be the Canon 300D Also known as Canon digital Rebel. You can find a decent one for about $350 on ebay. If you can afford get the Canon Digital Rebel XT, which is next in line. It is a very good camera. Retails for about $700 but on ebay you can get a brand new for around $450. I'd also recommend that you buy from a reputable ebay store with good feedback rating. Do not buy used. Buy brand new or Canon Factory refurbished.

After you buy the camera, go to your local book store and buy a guide for your camera. The guide will cost about $20 and will explain and teach you alot. Good luck!

For digital, I would recommend the Canon PowerShot A630.
However, you can buy a really good film SLR for really cheap (~$200), because many consider film to be obsolete.

anyhting canon or nikon is good.
i own a nikon and i use it the most.
it is excellent with focus.

I have a Canon Powershot S3 IS that fits your needs. I'm a professional photographer that mainly uses film, but I wanted a digital and needed something affordable but with high quality and still gave me control over the settings. The S3 IS has aperture control, shutter control, and can go completely manual. It has a fixed lens, since it's not an SLR, but has a pretty impressive focal range of a film equivalent from 35mm - around 450mm zoom. They're 6mp, and print out 11x15 photos. It also has a great movie program. They are slightly larger than a pocket point and shoot digital, but still small enough that I can carry it with me everywhere. They can be had from around $300 to $350.

Affordable DSLR brand new: go with the Nikon D40. $499 through Ritz Camera. Nothing is cheaper. [and it's a good camera]. Good luck!