Adopting stray mama. Advice?

This super-friendly stray adopted our front porch back in July. Then she had kittens. Long story short, we took them in (I'm too soft) and kittens are away to good homes a few days ago. Now we have just the queen, and I've been considering keeping her. (No, she doesn't belong to anyone. Pretty sure she was the neighbor's cat, from what they've said of her, and they aren't going to be taking her back in.) But she needs to be spayed. (She needs to be spayed before I will put her back outside, too.) And she has fleas. Maybe irresponsible of me to keep her inside all this time with fleas, but I haven't found any not actually on the cat, and those only if I'm really looking.

My question, how does one go about adopting a previously stray kitty? Fleas, spaying, other parasites and vaccines, etc.

I'm a college student, so I don't have much money and I'm not home a lot of the time. I had cats back home with my parents, but they were garage cats and pretty much stayed outside a lot. Would it be better if I gave mama to a shelter or just got her spayed and put her back outside (instead of keeping her)? At this point she's really used to being inside (she's cuddled with me quite a bit), but could probably still fend for herself outside.

tl;dr

I will be calling aspca soon to get her spayed, but then what? Emotional attachments considered, I want to do what is best for this lovely kitty. 

Advice? Thank you!

I would get her spayed ASAP.  When you get her spayed, they can treat her for fleas as well as vaccinations.  You might want to get her micro chipped too.  Please keep her as an inside kitty.  I am a bit confused why you would put her back outside when she is cozy inside your home.  She will make a great pet.

If you find low cost spay/neuter clinic they will spay for around $50.  You might also ask if they have any vouchers available to help pay.  The local humane society or ASPCA might be able to offer you a break in the cost too. 

I think I'm hearing you think it may be cruel to keep her inside while you are not home a lot and after she has spent her life in the outdoor world. Spay her and keep her inside. If you have a couple Windows she can look out of during the day and lots of love when you are home,she will be happy and you will be happy. Her life span is reduce greatly being outside.

It would be far more cruel to let her fend for herself again. She has just learned that humans can be kind, so please keep her inside after you have her spayed. She sounds like she's going to be a wonderful pet.

Thank you all for your kind words. You've really helped reassure me that I'm doing what is best for the cat!

A friend of mine is going to help me get rid of the fleas, and I'm going to treat the house (we haven't found any not on the cat, but y'know. Just in case). The ASPCA here will do the spaying for $40 (if their website is correct), and I plan to call them for an appointment in the next week. I'm hoping they will also give her some of the necessary shots while she's there.

Thank you again!

Thank you for taking in this mama and seeing the babies through to their new homes.

She will be a great pet as you already know because of how comfortable you've noticed she is & cuddly- she will be even more so when spayed.

I think you've done well by her and am happy another homeless cat will have a permanent home!

Congrats &