She needs to apply asap to the merit schools.
If schools that require CSS profile aren’t affordable because of her dad, then she should focus on schools that require FAFSA only, or don’t require non custodial parent profile, and ones where she has a likely chance of enough merit.
UAH might be an option. They accept updated test scores until May of next year I think so she can apply now and retest for a higher score and the merit might be increased.
She would need a 1520 SAT though for full tuition with a 3.92 GPA.
One of DH’s cousins graduated from University of Baltimore a couple of years after going to local community colleges. It was a very tough haul for this young man because there was no money from family for college. He had to sleep in his car some nights to get through that last term because he did not live within easy commutable range—he lived 1 1/2 -2 hours away.
He took a lot of computer science, math and business courses and he is doing very well career wise these days. I think the job market is way more receptive to certain majors and skills than to the college name. I know graduates from highly ranked , the same year that he graduated struggling to make a living wage whereas employers lined up to hire him.
Generally, the more densely populated an area, the more competitive colleges are, and likewise, the less financial aid there is. I know of a few schools with generous financial aid. They are University of AL, Univ of AZ, Univ of KY off the top of my head. Try schools in the deep south.
agree with @thumper1 on York College. www.ycp.edu - you can check out financial aid and whatnot on their website. I’d imagine she’d get something there, and it’s reasonably priced.