Canon user here. Ergonomics count. She should handle a few cameras, decide whether she likes little, big, SLR, compact with viewfinder, compact without viewfinder. RAW capture should be possible. There's nothing wrong with the Rebels, they can be used as aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, as well as with the "consumer" modes. I liked the T2i I used at work, but handled a 60D and liked the ergonomics of the slightly larger camera better. Other people may like "dainty" better. A lot depends on what style she is most interested in working. If she wants to do "street" photography, a compact or bridge camera with RAW capture is the ticket.
My 60D has been a fine all-around stills camera (I haven't tried video, haven't been too interested in video). It's a little long in the tooth, at 4 years and well over the rated number of shutter actuations, and still going strong. A refurbished 60D or Rebel/SL1 and refurbished Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 or Canon EF-S17-55 f/2.8, a "student price" Lightroom license, a computer if she doesn't have one already, a tripod and head, and extra card, extra battery, polarizing filter, all ought to come in well below the target price, and if she wants a telephoto, a Canon EF 70-200 f/4 non-IS is a steal, off-brand macro extension tubes if she wants to try macro. If she wants to try video, the Canon 70D and one of the STM IS kit zooms would be the ticket.