Have you considered volunteering. I work for homeless shelter so we get some hard-to-hire folks often. Volunteering offers you a chance to add something interesting to your resume/applications and helps to fill the gap. Plus it can be a great way to network.

Americorps is a volunteer option in many larger cities. The "pay" is crazy low but at the end of your volunteering you are given a bonus to put towards college loans or to pay for future college tuition.