Can a meets-full-need college do a FA bait-and switch?

[BelknapPoint]

You can get an idea of second year aid when you get the first year package. Those with students starting this year 2019-20 school year got aid packages based on 2017 income and assets on the day the FAFSA was filed. Most of us know what our 2018 income was at that time. Look at what those number are. It’s easy to forget next year. FIn aid income numbers run two years behind. It hurts if income is going down this year -2019 and your fin aid package doesn’t reflect it next school year because it goes in 2028 income.

Although asset numbers are based on the day the financial aid forms are completed, that’s not how it works with income. Income is based on what was earned over the entire calendar year that the forms are asking about. Can’t remember income numbers from two years ago? Look at your tax return for that year. You do save copies of your tax returns… right?