Fill out the FAFSA. Everyone gets Stafford Loans, regardless of income. I don't think they look at credit either. They don't cover all of it, but about 75%.
My GPA is a 2.88, from my first B.S. degree. I scored a 98 weighted (87 w/o weighted score) on the A2. Not sure what I got on the essay, I never got the results. My advisor is fine, but a little slow in getting back to me sometimes. Good luck!
I applied to Spring 2010 in September but haven't heard anything yet. I know the application deadline was in Nov. 1, but I think the committee was meeting in October. Has anyone heard if they've been accepted for Spring '10 yet?