Really I thought I was?
I followed the link and applied or does that not count?
http://www.youtube.com/yt/creators/partner.html
Everyone is a partner now + can monetize their videos.
There's then an even higher level of partnership which gives you thumbs/bigger background/etc
BUT... part of YouTubes new improvements, they're allowing everyone to have thumbnails to accounts in good standing. So0o0o0o they should roll it out soon!