finally deciding to go for it

[ss20ts]

How were you able to become enrolled at Houston Community College if you didn't have a GED or Diploma (Home-schooled version or otherwise)? Since you have already attended college (even if for just the three credits) you will likely not have to produce proof of HS completion, since you have college credits to transfer.  No matter what school you end up at you're automatically a transfer student due to your prior CC (this is good news for you).

This is definitely not true with many schools. UMPI requires a high school diploma or an associate degree. Most schools require one or the other. You can be 70 years old and they still want a high school diploma. I graduated from high school in 1993 and my transcripts are in storage. It took months before Covid to get them sent somewhere. I can't even imagine what a nightmare that would be today. Thankfully I now have a bachelor's degree and my associate degrees. Hopefully I'm never asked for it again!