<p>is the financial aid the colleges are offering right now? for only freshman year? and is it recalculated every year? or is the number they offer for all of 4 years?</p>
<p>It's recalculated every year according to the FAFSA. If there is a change in your income, for better or worse, it will be reflected in your financial aid package each year.</p>
<p>The only exception would be for a merit scholarship. Those are often for 4 years and are listed as such; for example, "$16,000 for 4 years (or $4,000 per year)".</p>