My daughter is going on her third year and decided she wanted a bike for school. I didn't want her to take her bike from home and neither did she. I found an '89 women's Hardrock for $25. Surface rust and scratches on the frame but other than that the components are in great condition. I cleaned up and clear coated the frame and fork but left all the scratches untouched. Threw on some road tires. Just need to put it together before move-in next month. It will look crappy on the outside but it will be a good rider. If it gets stolen I won't lose sleep over it and hopefully neither will she.
Just get a cheap used bike.