Special Request: Seeking Advice regarding College Financial Aid

One of the members of our efamily has taken in a young lady abandoned by her parents. The young lady is a senior in high school and is being cared for by a good Samaritan who is trying to enroll her in college (she is working with her to get her SAT prep, applications, etc.). I told her that I think this young lady should be able to be declared an independant for financial aid reasons. This is an amazing outpouring of love, as this efamily member has a child in college now and a 2 other young children at home plus she has a Senior of her own headed to college as well this year! If anyone is familiar with this process and can assist with ideas and suggestions, please email me at donna.blackshear.reynolds@gmail.com