Beijing Normal University has only free normal students in some central and western provinces. Free normal students are free of tuition for four years, with monthly subsidies from 600 yuan, but they are required to return to work in this province after graduation 10 years. You can't take the postgraduate entrance examination, go abroad, work in other provinces, or find a job other than a teacher. Although there is a saying of breaking the contract, it is not recommended to apply for free normal students because of its high cost, complicated procedures and low success rate.
If the family has difficulties, they can apply for student loans, and there are many opportunities for part-time jobs after going to college. Unless they really love education and want to be teachers all their lives, don't choose this road because there are too many limitations. Even if you want to be a teacher, you don't have to go to a free normal school. There is great competition to be a teacher after graduation now.