Sounds like you work in Immigration? Thats why you are so confident about what you are saying. I said I was in the same boat, I went through all this.You can't apply for a BOWP if you PGWP is expired and you are out of status, PERIOD.
Read IRCC website. "you have valid status on your work permit". Plain and simple
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/extend-permit/bridging-open-work-permit.html
I don't care what course you are taking. Stop putting out BS and putting people's life in jeopardy. How about you presenting this thread to your instructor next time you go to your class and see what he says.
At the end, it was someone else, not you, so you can go ahead and pass your info. It is up to the person requesting if he wants to listen and do what he think is Ok. Call IRCC and confirm.
But i guess dogs just barks until....you know what i mean???