He is quite critical of her, and seems to see breaking up as a possibility once they arrive. Just because they are coming from a long ways away and attending the same school doesn’t make the “Turkey Drop” any less likely. They are 18 – it is nuts for her to follow him, and I think he knows it – but he has enabled her by doing her paperwork, etc. It would free her up to pick the best school for herself. I don’t see anything cruel about the suggestion, it is one of a range of options the OP has.