My understanding is that you have to change to F1 status to apply for OPT. I don't think F2 are authorize to work in US, just like H4 which are both dependent Visas category.
Things might change in the coming days.
I would rather change the status to F1 and be in independent status and join the college, maybe some less expensive community colleges. Get Ass. degree and apply OPT and work for year, and in the meantime apply for 4 years college with ass. degree. The changes of getting scholarship with Ass. degree is higher than normal transfer. You don't need a good GPA.
Hope this helps...