An Associate or AA degree is a post-secondary degree offered mainly by community colleges. In order to apply for an AA degree, you must provide evidence of educational qualifications and residence or appropriate immigration status. There are far fewer requirements and a much simpler application process than is common for four-year universities.
Find the Right Degree Program
Before you apply, decide what degree programs interest you. Different colleges offer different programs, and you want to make sure that the school you choose has a good program in your area. As well as doing your own internet research, if you are still in high school, or live near the high school from which you graduated, talk to the guidance counselor for suggestions. Otherwise, the reference librarian at your local public library can point you to many useful resources and help you focus your search.
College Websites
Your first step in applying for admission to an Associate degree program is to visit the websites of the colleges to which you wish to apply. College websites usually contain three things you will need, a description of the application process, a list of deadlines, and an application form.
Make a Checklist
As you look over the college website, make a checklist of all the things you need to do or supply. Think carefully about application deadlines. You normally apply for admission for a specific term. If your application is accepted for Fall 2012, you must start during that term, or you will lose your place and need to reapply. Especially if you are arranging financial aid, make sure to apply well enough in advance so that you will be able to attend during the term for which you apply.
Application Form
You will need to submit an application form. Some colleges prefer that you apply online, but others require that you print out an application form and send in a hard copy. Make sure to follow instructions precisely. Be careful to submit all the required materials along with your application form; if anything is missing, your application will not be processed. If you do not receive an e-mail or postcard confirming receipt of your completed application within three or four weeks of applying, you should call or e-mail to verify that your completed application was received.
Educational Requirements
As is the case for admission to all post-secondary degrees, you must have a high school diploma or hold the equivalent General Educational Development (GED) diploma. Most 2-year colleges do not require a minimum grade point average, but they do require complete official transcripts of all secondary and post-secondary education you have completed. If you are applying for college in the United States, and you went to high school outside the U.S., you may need to supply a notarized translation of your diploma or transcript. Contact the admissions office of the college to which you are applying for specific details.
Citizenship, Residency or Visa
You normally must be a citizen or permanent resident of the country in which you intend to study. If you are not, you will need to apply for a student visa. The timing of this is complicated. You need to be admitted to a college in order to get a student visa. Then you use the student visa to enter the country in which you intend to study and present the visa to the admissions office to prove that you are eligible to study in the country. Make sure that you are applying well enough in advance to allow time for visa processing. If you wish to start your studies in September, you might need to start the application process in November to allow enough time for visa processing.
In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition
At United States public colleges, fees are generally lower for students already resident in a state than for out-of-state students. If you have just moved to a new state, consult with the admissions office to determine what you need to do qualify for in-state tuition.
Financial Aid
Many different forms of financial aid are available for education. You can apply for certain types of financial aid from the college itself as you fill in your application. Consult with your high school guidance counselor as well. If you have been out of high school for a while, take advantage of the reference librarian at your local library. Admissions staff at most colleges know of many financial aid opportunities. If you work, you should also talk to your employer’s human resources staff. Many companies will pay all or part of your tuition. Investigate federal government programs like Pell grants, state government programs, and opportunities targeted to specific groups, such as older people retraining or Native Americans.