For those kids coming into state public Us with 50+ hours of AP and/or dual enrollment credit (like my DS18), I could totally imagine a system where they would design aid (merit and otherwise) to encourage these kids to graduate in three years. As a self interested parent the luxury of that fourth year where my kid doesn’t have to live in an adult world yet isn’t on my couch when I come home from work sounds great. As a taxpayer thinking about the use of scarce resources, not so great. Yes there are some hours within the 50+ total hours that may not necessarily apply to a specific degree, etc. But since at least 30+ do, a fourth year isn’t necessary, and if it becomes so it would totally make sense to me if it was on my dime.