Do I Have an Associates Degree, and How to Get it?

Applying to College
1

Okay, so, I’m a bit of an oddball here. Brace yourselves.
I have been to three colleges. I started at a community college, where I completed all but the math and science credits towards an associates; I transferred to my first four year college before I graduated with that degree.
I was only at 4 year number one for a semester, due to a family emergency which prompted me to move back home and commute to 4 year number two.
Right now, I am about 15 credit hours (roughly one semester) from graduating with a B.S. in Music Performance. However, due to financial hardship, I am taking a hiatus so that I can save up the funds that I need.

Now, for my question.
Remember how I said that I “completed all but the math and science credits towards an associates”? Well, when I transferred, I completed those credits. So, I’m fairly certain that I have the equivalent of an Associates Degree at this point. In fact, I also have 163 credit hours, so if I don’t have an Associates Degree, I will be very, very surprised.
How do I get that Associates Degree? If I had the paper in my hand that said that I have it, I guarantee that I’d be able to make more money than I am now. I have been on this hiatus for a year now, and because of bills and such, I just haven’t gotten anywhere with saving up, so that piece of paper is looking pretty good right now.

Do I need to transfer my credits back to my original community college? If I do that, will I be able to transfer them back to the 4 year college that I’m currently on hiatus from? I realize this is extremely unorthodox; I’m not even sure going back and forth is “allowed”.

Any help you can give me, folks, would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

2

Clarification:
I am saving up funds so that I can pay for my last semester. Even with my loans, I’m still at least $8k short.

3

In California, you can transfer 4 year college units back to CC to complete your AA. You don’t have to transfer them back. Contact your CC. Good luck!

4

Why concern yourself with Associate Degree? It’s not going to help you at all.

5

4kidsdad:

I can’t afford my last semester at college right now. If I had my Associates Degree, then I figure I’d be able to find a better job, which would enable me to save up the funds that I need, instead of having to put every paycheck into my rent and bills.
I am completely supporting myself. The reason that I had to move back home and commute is because my mom had cancer; she passed away from it while I was still in school, a semester before I had to leave for grief-caused mental health reasons. My dad passed when I was thirteen, so I really have no family to speak of to help me with this. It’s just me. So, I’m doing this on my own, and I thought the Associates that I might already have completed would help me with finding a higher paying job so that I can actually set aside money and return to school.
That’s why it could help me.

6

Have you spoken to the financial aid department at your college? You should be able to claim independent status on the FAFSA due to your loss of both parents, which could significantly change your financial aid package.

You may be saving up for expenses that won’t even be necessary once your financial aid is adjusted.