I would definitely recommend you sign up for the AFF on your next jump. I've got two jumps, both AFF, and there's nothing cooler than being in control of yourself (of course while two instructors are hanging on to you and reminding you to do things that were so easy to remember on the ground).
That seems crazy to me though! I am actually not worried about jumping by myself and pulling my own chute. I am worried about steering down to a safe landing. Not to mention steering to somewhere that I am not supposed to be!
The AFF progression takes you through your 8th jump. Someone gets their A license after 25 jumps. In between those jumps, you have a proficiency card that has to be signed off on by "coaches" at your dz. Some coaches will jump for free, some will ask for something like a pack job and some will ask for you to pay for their slot on the plane or even more; it just depends on who you come into contact with. You should get your A license because that allows you to travel to other dropzones easier and I encourage you to travel around and experience different places and make new friends.
If it was me, I'd just pay for the AFF and then see who I could find to jump with me to help me finish my card. But, that's just me.
I need to get my license then. I would love to travel around the country and dive. My godfather lives really close to Perris, I just found out. My cousin who lives by Perris really wants to jump but she is only 15
I hope I don't become a "skybum" but the odds are that I am Common sense isn't so common