Discretionary leave expired and it has been one year

hello
I was granted a discreationary leave to remain in 2011 after a refuse asylum application with my family. I was given 3 years which expired in april 2014 and my family members were given five years. After my 3 years expired i sent it off for renewer but it was sent back to me because i filled in the wrong application and i haven't sent it back since because of financial problems. i am now ready to renew it but i am not sure what i should do because i have been in this country for 9 years and attended my secondary school and college here but i want to go university but student finance will not accept a discreationary leave, so i asked around and some people are telling me i can apply for an indefinite leave instead because i do not have no family in my home country. but i am concern because i have spent a whole year without renewing my status. what should i do?

Welll....you are going to face lots of problem now.... U should have applied before your DLR got expired....dont listen to ppl....wht dey say r advice....HO doesnt follow what ppl feel or believe...dey follow d immigration rules and decide according to that..... Even if you apply now n get a positive decision...that is a BIG IFFFF....dey will give u 2.5 years leave...u wil have to renew for 10 years....den u can think of Indefinite leave...plus u will have to pay MUCH more thn u wud have even imagined..4 times...immigration fees....plus NHS health surcharges for 10 years...... Its better to act before....thn regret later