If she wants an opportunity to turn that into 11K, she needs to be OK with the possibility it could turn into 8K as well.

For my non-retirement savings, I tend to put 1/3 in just a boring savings account, 1/3 in a long term bond mutual fund, and 1/3 in a life strategy growth fund. Those all have decent appreciation potential, but manage the risk a little better than pure equity growth funds.

But I am saving just to be saving, not for a specific goal where I need a certain amount of money on a certain date. So I can tolerate some fluctuation or loss in the short term.

I certainly wouldn't put all 10K in equities with only an 18 month window. But I'd put 1/3 to maybe half of it in an equity fund if she's OK with the risk/reward.