In this this situation, what Op’s friend needs to do is live with dad more than she lives with mom, so that dad is custodial parent. It does not matter who files student for taxes on FAFSA (the IRS may have an issue, but it does not matter for FAFSA).
Not true.
- Until she meets the requirements that makes her independent for federal aid (getting married, joining the military or being a veteran, having a child who is at least 51% dependent on her or turning 24, being in foster care, death of both parents, court ordered legal guardianship), she will not be considered independent for federal aid. her parents inability or unwillingness to pay, will not be a basis for a dependency override.
- Because OP works, makes 20k, she will still have to include her income and assets on her her fafsa. Because she is young and will have little income protection, she will still not receive a lot of "free" money. If OP lived in NYS, she would not be eligible for state aid where not only must you be 35 before you are independent, but if you have no dependents that are dependent on you for support, that max income for state aid is $10k.
- being independent for federal aid,, will not necessarily make you independent for institutional aid (at many schools,you have to be 26 years old, showing 5 years of self-sufficiency in order to receive institutional aid as an independent student).
Unfortunately, her situation is not unusual.
What this means is that her path to attending college will be different; she may have to attend part time, attending 1/2 classes a semester. She can see what if any tuition benefit are available at her current place of employment. She may have to look for a new job that has tuition reimbursement or paid tuition benefits. @CheddarcheeseMN makes a great recommendation about going to Boise State’s website for employment opportunities as most will come with free tuition benefits.