Has she received a final no or is she now in the RA pool?
Very generally speaking, as a Navy-background person, going the enlisted path is the long way around, with no guarantees. Yes, there is a path, and there are definitely prior enlisted at USCGA, but we don’t know how many lose their way or are not offered an appointment.
If she enlists, the needs of the Coast Guard will come first, and she will be at the very bottom of the rank structure. Stellar performance, zero misconduct and a walk-on-water endorsement from her CO have to happen, and that takes time. She would enlist, go to initial and then technical training for her hands-on work, then possibly on to first duty station, depending on when she is eligible or able to apply. It can be difficult to get command support and accomplish all the required application steps, but of course it can be done.
Any local Coast Guard recruiter can assist her with enlisting and would likely be delighted to do so. There will be contact info online or a contact form. The nearest armed forces recruiting office may have a CG recruiter.
Typically, no enlisted recruiter can guarantee selection for a commissioning program down the road.
The military has numerous educational benefit programs to help enlisted personnel and officers obtain degreees. It can be remote or distance learning or going after hours to a local college or even to college classes at large military bases, if her work schedule permits. Tuition Assistance is the big one.
From reading posts here on SAF, USCGA Admissions is very good about talking to candidates not offered an appointment about what they need to work on. She should not leave that stone unturned.
And, is her goal attending USCGA -or - becoming a CG officer via any path -or - being in the Coast Guard. All slightly different. Did she look at USMMA or the state maritime academies as a path to a CG commission? (Rhetorical.)
Finally, serving as an enlisted person is honorable in and of itself and a great path to technical training, educational benefits in-service and post-service, all the benefits of active duty, as well as a path to leadership opportunities at sea and ashore, and promotion. The officer-enlisted relationship is a two-way street of deckplate technical expertise and small-team leadership, and big picture leadership and management, grounded in mutual respect and working together to accomplish a mission.
Helpful links:
A Top Military College Welcoming Enlisted Personnel As an enlisted member of the U.S. Coast Guard or other armed force, you are welcome and encouraged to apply for admission to the Coast Guard Academy. As a member of the military, your professional experience is a strong asset in the admission...
uscga.edu
www.gocoastguard.com
www.gocoastguard.com
Unofficial but usually reliable source:
You can earn a commission as an officer in the Coast Guard through the Coast Guard Academy and Officer Candidate School, among other means.
www.military.com
www.gocoastguard.com
This is all just general food for thought. I hope someone who has walked this path will post.