• Start thinking about your next move IMMEDIATELY. Larger community colleges can have scholarships for graduates going to affiliated Uni's, and might even have some administrative relationships that can ease the paperwork burden of applying/transfering. The bureaucratic snarl of the American higher education system is nightmarish, but it can help you sometimes if you put in the effort.
  
• If you're planning ahead or if you live in an area with lots of legitimate 4-year schools, make sure your community college has a good credit transfer history with the non-community college(s) that you want to attend. This takes some foresight, but can save you a TON of frustrating paperwork and unexpected expenses down the line. Getting blindsided by gen-ed requirements that you thought you had covered will ruin your summer and your wallet.
  
• Take community college seriously. A good GPA at community college might be the tipping point between getting some $ assistance and having to foot the entire bill on your own.
  
• Consider a GED, if you don't already have one. College is about checking boxes, and you need that "high school or other" box checked ASAP.
  
• Build a good relationship with your advisors at community college and non-community college. They have seen a thousand people just like you, and know exactly what you want, and the best way to get it. Be honest with them and be respectful of their time. Some may be evangelical about the spiritual value of education, but most know that the higher ed system is hosed, and will appreciate the difficult position that you're in, as well as your honesty.
  

Prof. Crocodile fucked around with this message at 18:35 on Jul 5, 2020