<p>Well, she needs to make a realistic assessment of what affordable (need-based aid or merit scholarship) schools she can get into, and whether they are more desirable than starting at the local community college and transferring to a state university (assuming the latter option is affordable).</p>
<p>I.e. she needs to make a new application list anyway, then decide whether those schools (particularly the affordable safeties) are more desirable enough than the community college option that she is willing to do a gap year. Of course, if she does want to do a gap year, she needs to do something, like find a job.</p>