When applying for freshman year, are the FA responses on the application for the first year only and you update each year or is it for all four years? Many family incomes change over the years. Also has anyone here been able to pay full or almost full amount the first year or so then for whatever reason did not have no where near the money to pay for the last 2 or 3 years? Do they just say “see ya later, come back when you have the money”, or do they work a lot with you after your child has been accepted and is attending their school?
You are supposed to file an updated FA application each year. In general, if there’s no “drastic changes” in your financial circumstances, you can expect to continue to receive FA at a similar level as in first year. On the other hand, if you don’t apply for FA the first year, then the school assumes you have made a commitment to be full paying for all four years. So if you are uncertain about your ability to pay for all four years, you should apply for FA when you apply for admission.
I would contact the FA office at the schools in question and discuss the situation with them. A significant change in income is usually the type of situation that school will consider post admission. My income can very quite a bit year to year and schools have been open to adjustments. They are also open to adjustments due to the number of children in a tuition paying institution.
And I think they are open to adjustment based upon the kid. 
I know of a few people that applied as full pay and then applied for FA after the first year…they take a very dim view of it but I know in one case they got about $5000 in aid
I have heard the same @Center – FA depts plan out 4 years of age to suddenly have someone needing aid mid-way throws a wrench into their plans. That said, I knew a family at Bimmer and May and when the Dad walked out, they called the Mom into the office and said what do we have to do to keep your kids here.
That would fall under unexpected circumstances which schools do try to accommodate. But they usually say if you want FA apply in year 1 as it is much harder to get it in subsequent years, baring unexpected change in circumstances.