It is true you can get out of the ED contract if financial aid is inadequate, but why use your ED chit and put the kid potentially in that position, if the school’s not affordable? Syracuse is highly unlikely to meet this family’s full need. What do you mean there is no father? Is the father dead, or not in contact with the family? Those are two situations (there are others) where the non-custodial parent waiver would likely be granted.
You should tell your friend or the student to create an account here, because this thread is going to get shut down.