Auto repair

I have never done anything like this and never in my life thought that I would. My car a 97 grand am needs a transmission. I am a server at Cracker Barrel and I honestly cannot afford to have it fixed and there really is no way I can afford another car. This one will do until I die if I can get it fixed. It's nothing special. No air, and only one window will roll halfway down. It got me to where I needed to go and that's all that mattered to me. It's nothing fancy and never has been but its transportation. PLEASE any help will be appreciated more than you could ever imagine.