I feel the situation is very severe and dire. Being beaten once or twice a week is obviously not something to be taken lightly. I feel like someone should be informed, as soon as possible, just as others have said here. The fact that you and individuals outside the family have knowledge of this situation means that there IS a way for this family to get help. Often people in situations like your friend's might not be brave enough to speak about it, and she obviously is desperate for help. As others have mentioned, her immediate health, mental and physical, as well as her recovery is very important and more important than tuition money, in my opinion.

There are many options for your friend and her family through a local domestic violence shelter too. I am an advocate against DV and I see this happen a lot. A mom does not want to leave the dad because of the finacial issues. It is another power-control factor, and if the family is ready it will be best for them to take away his control by breaking away and trying to escape the abuse. It is always possible to seek refuge with a relative, a trusted friend, preferably not a male friend, or if they must stay at the domestic violence shelter/center (which is very often open and welcoming, and not like a homeless shelter). It's really important for them to contact a place like a dometic violence center since such places will help families like this find a way out SAFELY from the abusive situation vs. just running away in the middle of the night and risking being hurt even worse.

It would be best to talk to someone you trust about this situation, and see if a domestic violence LOCAL center can get involved, not just calling a national abuse hotline. Usually centers have so many resources and ways to get out of a situation like that, and can even help with legal services and getting her dad jail time or strap a restraining order onto him for what he's done, in a best case scenario.