User blog comment:Zathronas/Analysis by an author: Volume 2 episode 2/@comment-15586611-20140801012901/@comment-24218038-20140801013653

First of all, Cinder says she's from Haven not Vale. Second, I don't see why Cinder couldn't be a student. Look when we see her in volume 1, At the start of the year and at the end.

No I think it makes a better story if she is actually a student.