27 years old, lonely, going back to college, can I make friends? ?

You have, according to you, an EXTENSIVE criminal record including bank fraud.  So, in view of that:  Yes, you will be seen as creepy; yes, it's too late to make friends; you cannot spell acquaintances - despite all of your degrees; yes, you will be forever alone; yes, you need mental health advice.

Being human is hard, especially when you don't seem to click with anyone. Its especially difficult if you try too hard, because that comes across as desperate, or irritating to those who are just naturally fun to be around. 

I was a mature student and I often saw the odd person looking around lonely, wanting so badly to be in a group of friends, the problem can be, when you then approach that person to invite them into your circle, they act weird or get very clingy, and that becomes off putting as it starts to feel like a chore and you begin to avoid that person because it's hard work when it should be fun. You must be yourself, but sometimes a toned down version...i am weird, all my friends say im the weirdest person they know and I'm actually quite proud of how quirky I am and how unusual my sense of humour is, but I don't expose new people to the true depths of my depravity when we first meet, as i know some would react badly, i just ease them into it gently and eventually, they love me for it.I would honestly say, join some online groups to find like minded people that you can get to know, join some groups at college that you can enjoy and be friendly, don't get clingy to one person that speaks to you, but try to relax a bit about wanting friends and enjoy the experience.Read books or chat online when you're sat alone in the cafeteria or communal areas so you don't feel like the lonely guy wishing someone would sit with him.The world is vast and we truly have to own who we are and love ourselves before others can appreciate what we have to offer them.

They won't find you to be a "creepy pedofile (sic)" if you don't act like one. But if your semester starts in December 2020 there's a high likelihood all your classes will be online anyway. I don't think you're going to be able to recapture some past feeling of campus camaraderie. Not just because of your age but because college just isn't like it usually is right now and may not be for some considerable time into the future. Every time a campus opens it has to close down again owing to viral infection rates. 

They will use you to by beer or more, dont let that happen. You would be in big legal trouble, including jail if one of them die

Don't worry about your age. I met a 35 year old dude in college and he was banging alot of different girls in college and they were hot. Idk how he did but I was amazed . I actually learned something from him, that no matter who you are you have to own yourself 

try a  church social and good luck.

If you don't act your age, they will never know.

You can ofc make friends! Be nice and be yourself.