Passport held for over 4 and half years.

[Cessna 172]

The story of my life.
I visited the UK 2007 as a visitor and returned to my home country without overstaying my visit.
This further led to me applying for a study permit for a duration of 2 years which I got to attend Advanced Diploma with a recognized college.
Upon completion, I applied for top up into a degree on the day leave is meant to expire via Royal Mails Registered post.( I got a receipt to say it was sent before cut off time).
Few weeks down the line, the UKBA replied to my college with a refusal letter detailing reason(s) why its been so.

The reason(s) being;
1) I applied for an extension after leave had expired.
2) Financial documentary evidence was less by £200. (This actually was laxity on my part).

I was then advised to send in documentary evidence as detailed above or make a fresh application, else I would have to leave the UK.
Meanwhile, college failed to inform me early enough this came in and had no choice than wait.
I could not continue top up degree course as a result of this and have had to send in documents as requested including Royal Mail receipt.
I have since then remained in the UK leaving on funds from close relatives in UK and application developments for clients within and outside the UK.
I am not married and do not intend to take advantage of the system by getting into a marriage of convenience or whatsoever.I would have done that easily years ago if I wanted to but not a good way to go.
I now have a girlfriend who is born British and we want to settle down. We do not stay together nor have kid but so much in Love.

I personally have at various intervals phoned up UKBA just so I have an idea of my application stat is but all they say is ''Your application is now based on a reconsideration and will let you know as soon as we reach a decision''.

Questions.
Would getting married be a problem?
Should I apply for a DLR based on my situation and support from relatives and girl friend?
Can I make a fresh application for a study permit from within the UK putting into consideration I am well over the 28 days concession period.
Are there any other ways of regularizing my stay from within the UK?

A confused fellow.
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