PJaing please help one more time, H4 or AP/AOS/EAD?

Hello PJiang,

Thanks for answering my previous questions. I have read your blog, but still not sure, can you please take a look at the following?

My institution's attorney didn't get my message to postpone H4 extension and filed my (after 6 years) H1B extension petition along with H4 extension last week. H1/H4 may get back in May.

Situation:
485 pending
PD 2/5/05, current
AP&EAD expiration date for H4 applicant 8/23/2009
Questions:
My spouse needs EAD to continue work until the end of August. She also need to apply for financial aid next month for the fall 2009 to finish double majors so AP status is needed for that purpose. Per our experience, the AP status will be verified with USCIS.
By the time when H1/H4 is approved, which is the status in USCIS for H4 applicants?

If it's H4, what can we do? Before we have green card in our hands, we just can't count on the green card in our lives.

Thank you SO much