<p>Sorry for excessive posts, but Brielle, we are all here for you.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>No there is no legal requirement for you to stay at CC.</p></li>
<li><p>It may be the best thing for you to stay there for two years, in order for you to graduate college in 4 years.</p></li>
<li><p>Not financial aid related, but in terms of transfers to 4 year schools, many times, if you have 2 years/60 credits, the college you are transferring to (other than Ivies, and those in that category) will disregard SATs/ACTs and only look at grades. Your grades look good. Transferring is not easy, private schools may want professor recommendations. That may mean living with your CC rules. Does your CC have a transfer advisor?</p></li>
<li><p>There is some financial aid for grads of CC or people with AA degreed (very limited, but you seem like your grades are good). </p></li>
<li><p>Federal aid is limited, and you will likely only get the following -</p></li>
</ol>
<p>A. Pell Grade.</p>
<p>B. Stafford Loan (likely subsidized, if you are getting Pell Grade). Amount per year varies, but increases from Freshman to Soph to Junior to Senior years. So you get more for the later years. Lets say about 6K in later years. </p>
<p>C. Parent plus loan – this means your parents borrow. If you are on Pell Grant, your parent may not qualify. If they do not, you get more Stafford loans.</p>
<p>In summary, if you want to minimize your total debt, and have the best choice of schools to transfer to, you may want to wait.</p>