What are other routes can pending asylees take to fund their education other than out of pocket pay?

My sister is currently in a physician assistance program. She was told that she would not get a loan since the federal government does not offer this as a benefit to non-citizens; very late in her program. It seems as if there is nothing at all. I am sure this more of a financial aid office question but I also wanted to get a better idea of being pending and being legal. We were granted asylum about six years ago, however, it got appealed. So now we are pending but we have work authorization cards and everything.