<p>For people receiving any non merit aid - aid that was not explicitly earmarked in the first year to be given out each year - can people tell me what their financial aid experiences were in years succeeding the first yr? </p>
<p>Did you get 'about the same' as the 1st yr? Did it change accurately reflecting any change in your financial status (either up or down), and was that change commensurate with the first year award? Or was it radically off or wrong?</p>
<p>In yrs 2-4, since there is nothing in writing 'guaranteeing' FA, I am concerned with possible 'bait and switch', where the college can have its way with you financially once 'they got you'. Obviously once the studnent has started his or her studies at the college, they will not be able to do the free wheeling comparison with other colleges that they can do in the first yr.</p>
<p>Our experience at UCLA was that the aid packages were similar, with differences largely due to fluctuation in EFC (and increase in COA). We did see a slight decrease in grants in favor of student loans, but it was not that significant.</p>
<p>Many schools will include a statement on their website that need-based aid packages in subsequent years will be similar to the package offered in the first year.</p>
<p>Ours was basically the same for year 1 and year 2 at UCB. My son asked for as much work study as possible so the FA office increased work study and decreased the loans.</p>
<p>My daughters second year aid is higher in line with her EFC which is lower. She got more grant money and less loans. Also the ACG is higher 2nd year. She is a science major so i expect it to be higher next year assuming the criteria for the SMART grant stays the same. This is a State U.</p>
<p>It's a federal program. It is for 3rd and 4th year students only. You must be eligible for the Pell grant, have a certain GPA and be majoring in specific subjects (mainly science & math but certain languages qualify). Any college as far as I know. It is a max of $4000 for year 3 and for year 4.</p>