These are good pieces! I have a few notes though.
First off, don't worry so much about having incredible gear or software yet! Learning to use what you have access to right now to the fullest extent will serve you greatly when you finally do upgrade!
In terms of the music, you've got great pieces, but listening consecutively makes them seem very similar to each other. A way to combat this with future pieces is to play hot potato with the melody and harmony, handing them off to different instruments or groups. A lot of what makes or breaks music like this is orchestration, and that involves determining what instruments play certain parts and when. With the base knowledge and skills you have now, as evidenced by these songs, I think you would do really really well just practicing handing off the melodies between instruments. It would give your music a lot of texture and really take it to the next level, regardless of the current sound quality!
Plus, you'll blow your own mind if you practice orchestration before dropping big money on high quality VSTs ;D
Either way, I think you did a great job with this submission!